David Thiselton

David Thiselton 

NATIONAL CHAMPION trainer Sean Tarry is set to bounce back to form at Turffontein Standside on Saturday where he has good chances throughout the nine-race meeting.

Many fans have questioned the current form of the yard and Tarry responded, “I don’t think we have the horses this season but they would have a point. We have been a bit quiet. There has been mucous around for the last couple of months and the tracks with all the rain have not been ideal and I haven’t taken any chances. So we have faced our challenges. However, the mucous problem seems to be clearing and we are hoping we will get going now.”

Tarry starts with Social Image in the second race over 1000m and said, “I think she has a place chance.” It could be argued she is the best contestant of those to have raced as she showed pace on debut and has recorded the fastest time over this trip. However, There She Goes looks the one to beat.

Tarry has a fine chance in the third over 1400m with the long-striding Byword filly Diamonds N Dollars and he confirmed, “She made a fair debut and will improve over the extra.”

He could also win the fourth over 1800m with Maple Sugar.
He said, “Nothing went right for her last time and she will be competitive.”
The Ideal World filly has been expensive to follow but overraced over 1800m last time and should appreciate the step back to 1400m.
In the fifth over 1160m he runs his two Grade 1 sprinters Chimichuri Run and Eden Roc and also Captain And Master.
He said, “Eden Roc beat Chimichuri last time but is worse off now so it all points to Chimichuri.”
Chimichuri Run is 2kg better off with Eden Roc for a 0,40 length beating. However, he does have a low draw, which by trends makes his task tougher, whereas Eden Roc is drawn on the right side.
Tarry said Captain And Master would need the run and added he had healthy respect for the bottom weights in this Pinnacle sprint.
Tarry has a fine chance in the next over 1800m with the talented Flying Carpet. The judpot colt has a tough task on paper as he is officially 6.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Barahin. However, Flying Carpet has class and has not had many opportunities yet to prove how good he is. With 2.5kg claimer Joshwin Solomons aboard he will be carrying just 47.5kg of actual weight. He should enjoy the step up in trip to 1800m and can fight it out with Barahin.

Tarry said, “If Flying Carpet equips himself well I will consider running him in the SA Classic.”

Tarry’s other runner in the 6th race, Cornish Pomodoro, also has a shout.

He said, “The soft going didn’t suit him last time.”

The 7th race is the Non-Black Type  Egoli Mile and Tarry is strong-handed again with Shah Akbar and Invincible Warrior.

He said, “Shah Akbar is better than his last run and I don’t think this will be too sharp. This is a stepping stone to the SA Classic. At the weights Invincible Warrior is not out of it either.”  
Tarry has a good chance in the eighth with Seehaam and said, “She is a nice filly and has that come on look so will be a decent runner. It is her second run after a rest but there has been a big gap from the comeback to this race so it won’t be an issue.”

In the last race Tarry has a chance with Senescence. He confirmed, “She beat a very weak field last time but could not have done more.”

Senescence in fact caught the eye with the manner of that easy win and off a lowly 62 merit rating carries just 53kg minus the 2.5kg claim of Solomons.

Tarry will be hoping for improvement from Encore in this race.

The meeting could mark the turning point for the Champion Trainer.

David Thiselton

PUNTERS can have a good time of it at the Vaal straight course today as there look to be some fair opportunities.

In the first race over 1200m, Ace Of Spade has shown pace in both starts before tiring late and should now be cherry-ripe to deliver. Deanagelo will be a big threat as an improving sort who is capable of finishing strongly from 1200m up to 1450m. Fasinada ran a fair third on debut and could also earn. Freezing Fast beat Ace Of Spades when the latter made his debut but is exposed and this will be his 20th start. Fluorescet is another who could be in the shake up.

In the second over 1200m, the first-timer Meeneera makes appeal in an uninspiring field. He is by Dynasty and is a half-brother to the five-time winning Vercingetorix gelding Marshall, who produced his best when dropped back to this trip. Future Lady has run three good races and should make a bold bid again. Bat Out Of Hell has run two fair places and should earn again.

The first leg of The Pick 6 is an uninspiring contest and Mirren makes appeal as she has run some fair races over a mile and should relish the step up in trip being by middle distance sort Mambo In Seattle out of a Fahal mare who won up to 2400m. Wishonaire is a long-time maiden but has placed the last three times she has run over this trip and she is drawn in pole. Wedding Bliss and Electric Boots should enjoy the step up in trip.  Irish Willow has finished second in her last two starts over 1400 and 1450m respectively. She tries further and being by Linngari, who won over this trip, and a half-sister to Silver Talewho has won over 1950m, she could get it although on the downside her tried and tested full sister Linnbara seems best at around a mile.

In the fourth race over 2000m, Fast Draw looks ideally distance suited and is well drawn. Soldier’s Song has placed in her last two over 1800m and the form has looked strong and the closest finish she has had to date was over this trip. Orus Apollo appears to be looking for this trip so can stay on into the money. Mister Blue Sky and Forest Phoenix have also shown enough ability to be threats.

In the fifth race over 1200m, Persica has a fine turn of foot and if it pans out well for her, i.e she finds cover, she can make a bold bid to mow them down. Brooklyn Bridge is knocking on the door and enjoyed the step down to this trip last time. Afternoon Tea is a fascinating runner because if she retains the sprinting ability that saw her finish just 2,85 lengths back in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson she will be hard to beat off just a 75 merit rating. She has not run over this trip since the Allan Robertson so could represent good value. It is wide open beyond those three, but Samoa, Flower Of Scotland and Twelve Oaks make most appeal.

In the sixth race over 1200m, Forever Mine has looked to be a sprinter in his last two over further as he has a lot of speed. He should appreciate the step down to this trip and receives 3kg weight from MK’S Pride. The latter also has speed and class and Tropic Sun has plenty of ability so will be dangerous getting weight from Forever Mine. 

In the seventh over 1200m, Spanish Boy should relish the step up to 1200m after a fine effort over the too sharp minimum trip last time. Sea Virescent looks to have speed and class and headline jockey S’Manga Khumalo is aboard. Those two make most appeal in a race where just about the whole field could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines. 

In the last race over 1200m it is a similar story with Dogliotti and Louis The Seventh being the two form choices but plenty of others capable of picking up the pieces. Father Time is an interesting runner dropped to the distance of his only win and having showed pace since coming back from a long layoff. 

David Thiselton

JUSTIN SNAITH has made no secret of Gatekeeper being his Vodacom Durban July horse this season and thus one of his chief concerns ahead of Saturday week’s Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby is his merit rating.

He also sent out a message on behalf of Captain’s Ransom to the Highveld saying. “I am not in the slightest bit scared of War Of Athena.”

He said about the three-year-old colt Gatekeeper, who is a full brother to his first July winner Legislate and who is owned by the Cape Derby’s new sponsor Nick Jonsson, “He is a very special horse and I would not be doing all this planning if that was not the case. We will do everything to protect his rating even if it means having to appeal. The concern is the merit rating leaps a three-year-old can take, for example if he wins the Derby he goes to 120 then if he wins the Daily News he goes to a 125.”

Snaith said he would see what Gatekeeper’s rating was after the Cape Derby before deciding which further route he would take in to the July.

The highest rated horse July-bound horse in the country at present is Rainbow Bridge on 134, so The Gatekeeper would have to be rated higher than 124 to carry more than the minimum weight of 53kg for a three-year-old male. He is unlikely to get more than 120 for winning the Derby as the highest rated horse among the entries is Kommetdieding on 117. 

Snaith said The Gatekeeper, who ran a 2,05 length fifth in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas last time out, was “very well” and added, “He is immature and if they don’t beat him in the Derby they are not going to beat him in four months time in the Daily News.”

Snaith also runs Hoedspruit in the Cape Derby.

He said, “He is doing very well at home but is losing his races because he is always too far back. He is finishing three to five lengths back and needs to up his game so I am pushing the envelope with him to see if we can close that gap. The mile to 1800m might have been too short too so we’re hoping he will be a nice horse over 2000m and run into the money.”

Snaith believes Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby day is on its way to joining the Cape Town Met and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival as a high status Cape Town racing event. 

He said, “It is the fastest growing race day, there are new sponsors and a lot is being poured into it and it will also be great to be able to have the owners back on course for the day. Everything I am doing at present is with that day in mind so punters must follow our yard on the day.”

One of the innovations for the day is the R160,000 Khaya Stables Workriders vs Jockeys Championship Maiden over 1200m where for the first time in South African history workriders will race against jockeys. The seven jockeys and seven workriders on the top of the respective Cape Jockeys log and Cape Workriders log will each ride as a team. The team which gathers the most points will be presented with a trophy.

Meanwhile, Snaith’s three-year-old filly Dazzling Sun, who is owned by Michael De Broglio, is on her way to race in America.

She faces an arduous journey as the equine export protocols have not changed.

If it was not for those protocols Snaith would have liked to have seen his star filly Captain’s Ransom racing in either America or France.

Instead, she will be heading for the SA Champions Season where the WSB Fillies Guineas and Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes will be her obvious aims. Snaith said miler types like her are capable of winning the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 so that might be an option in between those two events.

Captain’s Ransom is rated 126 compared to the 122 of War Of Athena but Snaith said, “She is very good and I’m not in the slightest bit scared of War Of Athena. When I said this three-year-old Cape Town crop is very, very strong this year people said ‘agh there he is blah blah overrating his horses again’ but I meant it and it has shown. Malmoos proved it over the weekend and he was lucky to win a race here as a lot of the opposition were still maturing.”

Meanwhile Do It Again, who loves KZN, has already been transported here and is resting on a farm. He will come in to Summerveld to begin training in the next couple of weeks.

Snaith said, “His rating has come down which gives him a chance in the July. He loves light tracks and we were never able to get the tracks light enough for him here during the Summer.”

Snaith faces a problem with his top sprinter Kasimir every winter because the first of the Grade 1 SA Champions Season sprints, the Golden Horse Sprint, is a handicap and he has to carry a big weight and the second one, the Mercury Sprint, is around the turn at Hollywoodbets Greyville and he invariably draws wide.

  David Thiselton

S’Manga Khumalo was in devastating form at the Vaal Classic track yesterday riding six winners. He rode the first four on the card, then finished third in both the fifth and sixth races. He then won the seventh and eighth races which gave him and opportunity to equal the South African record of seven winners in a day in the last race. He was on the favourite Pecan Pie in the last but this horse failed to kick on from a handy position and finished fourth. The SA record of seven in a day is held by Jeff Lloyd ( three times in SA, once in Australia), Piere Strydom (twice), Harold “Tiger” Wright and Garth Puller. 

David Thiselton

PUNTERS face a tricky card at the Vaal Classic track today as there are seven handicaps but the dividends should be rewarding for those who do their homework.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a MR 86 Handicap over 2400m and Don’t Look Back will be going for a hattrick. This rangy gelding has not looked back since being purchased by St. John Gray as it was the long straights of the Highveld he was looking for.  He is by stamina influence Judpot out of a Model Man mare who won twice over 2000m so he might enjoy the further step up in trip. He has been raised four points for his last win in which he arrived late on the scene over 2000m in soft going. Port Key had a tough task at the weights in a Middle Stakes race last time and back in a handicap could go close if he repeats the form of his previous win over 2600m. Brand New Cadillac has been in good staying form and his low draw will suit his front-running style so he has a shout being 2.5kg better off with Port Key for a three length beating. 

The next race is a Classified Stakes race over 2400m. She’s A Cracker did not have cover down the back straight last time over 2000m in soft going but was still staying on well at the end for a one length fourth so is interesting stepped up to 2400m from a plum draw. Her sire Where’s That Tiger has produced a SA Derby third place although there is a not a lot of stamina in her female line.  Consol Queen was ridden from the front last time over 2000m but did better the previous time when coming from midfield. She now has a wide draw over the trip of her last win so should make a bold bid if dropped out or finding cover in midfield. Kool Baikal is by Byword, whose best trip was 2000m, out of a Fort Wood mare who won over 1800m so he has a chance of staying this trip and Gavin Lerena is the only one who has won on him so he could do well from a good draw. French Leave has placed in five of his last six attempts at this course and distance and has a fair draw. Plum Field was not disgraced in a minor feature over this trip last time and is the best weighted horse but does have a tricky draw. Liverpool Legend beat She’s A Cracker last time over 2000m by 0,30 lengths and is now 1kg better off. She tries this trip for the first time and although speedily bred does give the impression she could stay it. There are others who are hard to ignore including So Long Spring, Ideal Wolff, Chevron, Zernez and Zaberjad.

In the sixth race over 2000m The Sash comes off a minor feature win over 2400m but is still merit rated only 74 so could continue with her current good form. Good draws have always appeared to be the key for her and she has her second one in succession so should make a bold bid over a trip she enjoys. Curvation is in good form too and is distance suited and well drawn. Magical Flight looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement so it all depends on whether she stays this trip. Her sire Willow Magic was a sprint-miler but her Jet Master dam won over this trip. Fort Anne has Piere Strydom back aboard after enjoying the step up to 1800m last time and the form of that race was franked in no uncertain terms when Netta came out and defied her rating by beating a good Progress Plate field. Lady Amherst and Traveling Wilbury can’t be ignored either. 

In the seventh over 1800m Pamushana’s Pride was made the best of the day last time and delivered and off a six point higher mark over the same trip and from a much better draw she is made the best again as she looks to have plenty of scope. Have A Go Jo will enjoy the step up in trip and looks to be the main danger. 

In the eighth over 1450m Putins Promise has a good finish if things go his way and they could well do from a good draw of five. He has shown a liking for this trip at Turffontein and his only win has been at the Vaal over 1200m so he should enjoy this course and distance. Oscar Wild holds him on their last meeting over 1400m but the low draw down the straight might have played a part in Putins Promise’s below par run that day. Shortstop is well drawn and can never be ignored over this trip.

In the last race over 1450m the Dorrie Sham yard have been in good form lately and the widely drawn Royal Lily could produce a strong finish from off the pace to mow down an uninspiring field. Entente is capable of winning it too. Un Deux Trois jumps from pole and this is the course and distance of her only win, so she is the other one to consider.   

Andrew Harrison

LYLE HEWITSON gave the opposition a mountain to climb in the UmThombothi Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday and it proved just too high for the favourite Share Holder who finished a game but well beaten second.

Matterhorn had not been out since October last year but Alyson Wright had him stripped for this and Hewitson gave him a ride that one would expect from a jockey who took Japan by storm.

With only 53kg to shoulder and stable companion Flichity By Farr setting some rather sedate early fractions, Hewitson set off for the lead approaching the home turn. He then careered into the straight and went for broke.

Serino Moodley had it tough as Share Holder, as is his want, pulled hard in the opening exchanges and as such the early pace will not have suited him and he never really settled.

The Aussie-bred made up plenty of ground on Matterhorn up the home stretch and although Matterhorn was looking for the line over the last 50m, he found it in the nick of time.

“He’s a 2400m horse and I should never have got beaten last time,” confessed Hewitson.

This was Matterhorn’s fourth win from just eight starts and we could well see him lining up in the staying features during South Africa’s Champion Season.

Luke Ferraris, two months out of his time, has made a superb start to his professional career with the Cape Town Met and the WSB Gauteng Guineas already safely in his locker. He is fortunate to come from a family steeped in the sport but it still takes talent to have achieved what he already has.

His judgement was to the fore again on the Yogas Govender-trained Filippo in the opening leg of the PA. Although 3.5kg worse off in the weights with hot favourite Traces given their last meeting, Filippo was never in danger of defeat. Ferraris had Traces stone cold a long way out and won as he liked with Traces a well beaten second.

Marcus took Traces over to the rail early crossing Candy Galore but Warren Kennedy’s objection was rather hopeful given some of the recent stipendiary decisions.

Corrine Bestel does not have a big string but like Ferraris she comes from a family steeped in racing. Her mother Eileen was a top trainer in her day, the record-breaking galloper Sabre possibly her best horse. Well supported by Peter and Jenny Blythe of Clifton Stud, Bestel has her fair share of winners and the Clifton-bred Flying The Star sauntered to an easy win in the second.

Suzette and Basie Viljoen have taken the racing world by storm over the past couple of years with hardly a race going by without their familiar silks in the field. It was the turn over Legislate’s Dance yesterday as Serino Moodley got him up close home to collar long-time leader Secret Is Ours. Although winning, the vet will be called in shortly and his next start is likely to be as a gelding.

Well fancied at his last start, Serino Moodley was given the third degree by many a grandstand jockey made worse by the fact that stable companion Fat Cigar had won the race. But as he explained yesterday, Legislate’s Dance was still an entire and was not the easiest ride that day getting all his wires crossed in the race.

According to Moodley, Legislate’s Dance was still looking to shirk the issue yesterday and had one ear back and the other forward over the final furlong, a sure sign that he was not giving of his best.

Jackinapot, having his first outing since October last year, landed the odds with a smart win in the fifth. A full brother to SA Derby runner-up Rocketball and a half-brother to Blackball, both useful stayers, Jackinapot won well enough to suggest that he is a horse than can pay to follow.

“He has been off for a while so we brought him back to a mile,” explained Gavin van Zyl and from a seemingly hopeless position, he raced home through the traffic to deny Sonjador and Jacob’s Ladder.

The well-bred debutante Broadway was making late progress finishing just out of the money and is one for the notebook.

David Thiselton
THE Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos and the Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena confirmed their class yesterday in the  Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas and Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas respectively under high-flying jockeys Luke Ferraris and Muzi Yeni.
War Of Athena strikes as one who could have a tilt at the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara if winning the second leg over 1800m while Malmoos has a chance of staying the Derby distance on pedigree so the WSB SA Triple Crown is still alive.   It was a fine day for Matchett, who had four winners in all, while Johan Janse van Vuuren won the last three races of the meeting, including the Grade 3 Wilgerbosdrift Tommy Hotspur Handicap with True To Life.  
Malmoos is now unbeaten in four starts at Turffontein and his only loss in six starts has been in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. He was unlucky in the latter race and yesterday’s result puts him back in contention for Equus Champion Three-year-old. The two mid-season blips for the male sophomore crop, firstly Mount Pleasant’s flop in the WSB Dingaans and then 100/1 shot Russian Rock’s Cape Guineas win, have proven to be false alarms as the form coming out of both of those races, including in yesterday’s Guineas, has proven to be anything but weak.
Malmoos, a good looking Varsfontein Stud-bred bay, has a pedigree to match his record and could one day be in a stallion barn.
He is by Captain Al out of Fort Wood mare Justthewayyouare, who is a half-sister to prominent sire Master Of My Fate.
Justthewayyouare won the Listed Spook Express Handicap over 2600m, which gives Malmoos a shout of staying the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby distance, although he has inherited plenty of speed from his sire Captain Al.
He should enjoy the 1800m trip of the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic, but is going to face stiff opposition, particularly from yesterday’s runner up Catch Twentytwo.
Malmoos broke well from pole position and had the run of the race after the widely drawn Bingwa moved around him to take the lead.  
Catch Twentytwo, winner of the WSB Dingaans and Tony Ruffel Stakes, jumped from draw two and was initially caught outside of Malmoos before being shuffled back to fifth position. He sat behind outsider Kingsley’s Heart, who was running outside of Malmoos’ tail. Copper Mountain sat behind Malmoos on the rail. The latter’s more fancied stablemate Second Base sat in second last position in the nine horse field with Mount Pleasant outside of him.
In the straight Malmoos cruised up on the inside of Bingwa but Copper Mountain was soon challenging him further inside. These two became involved in a ding-dong battle and it was only at about the 150m mark that Malmoos was able to shake Copper Mountain off.
Meanwhile, the tall Catch Twentytwo had slowly wound up into top gear and began eating up the ground in the final two hundred metres. However, it was too late and he was a quarter-of-a-length shy at the line.
The gallant Copper Mountain was beaten 1,40 lengths into third, although he was eased up late. Second Base stayed on resolutely for a two length fourth and Bingwa repeated his WSB Dingaans finish exactly, a 2,50 length fifth.
Catch Twentytwo will relish the SA Classic trip and Second Base, winner of the Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m, should also. Copper Mountain, by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare who won over 2000m,  should also enjoy the step up in trip.  
Mount Pleasant, who started odds-on for the Dingaans, flopped again and finished last, beaten 19 lengths. He is either a sprinter or is replicating  the career of his sire Vancouver, who was unbeaten at two but never got going as a three-year-old.  
War Of Athena was the star of the day and remains alongside Captain’s Ransom as the best of her crop. The R30,000 Summerhill Stud-bred daughter of Act Of War jumped well and was initially caught one wide. However, Muzi Yeni could afford to ease her back because stablemate Only The Brave was ensuring a strong pace in front. Another stablemate, Gee For Go, then moved around War Of Athena to give her a tow into the straight.
Anything Goes had meanwhile been dropped out and was in second last place on the rail, just a length off her arch rival War Of Athena.  
War Of Athena crept up under the hands in the straight. Anything Goes was unfortunately unable to find a gap to burst through and was forced to switch around War Of Athena just after the 300m mark. However, War Of Athena accelerated superbly at the same time leaving Anything Goes with too much ground to make up. It is unlikely she would have beaten War Of Athena in any event as she was two lengths shy at the line. Miss Elegance was third, beaten 6,50 lengths, and Castle Durrow and Only The Brave were next best. Caralluma failed for the third time over this trip and was sixth in the seven horse field with Fillies Mile winner Gee For Go last.
War Of Athena’s dam by Requiem has produced three middle distance to staying winners so the Triple Tiara is in her sights.
Malmoos did record the better time on the day 97,36 seconds compared to the filly’s 97.59 seconds.  
In the Wilgerbosdrift Tommy Hotspur Handicap, True To LIfe, a Northfields Stud-bred four-year-old filly by Duke Of Marmalade, produced a late rattle under Gavin Lerena to record her second Grade 3 win over this 1160m course and distance and sixth career win overall.

Andrew Harrison

MARCHINGONTOGETHER has always been on the verge of being one of the country’s top stayers, but whenever he has looked to have an outstanding chance, he has fluffed his lines. He appeared to have had the perfect prep for the WSB Gold Cup but came up short behind Paths Of Victory last season.

In his defence, the race was a peculiar affair, being run some seven seconds slower than average time, that suggests that he was beaten by a lack of pace rather than any lack of ability.

He is unlikely have things all his own way at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday but he does have a longer straight in which to wind up for his finishing effort and stable rider Warren Kennedy should have a good idea of what to expect.

Stuart Randolph was aboard in the Michael Roberts Handicap with Kennedy holed up in Cape Town, and the gelding was nearer last than first turning for home. But Marchingontogether got it all together in the home stretch, passing all but the two lightweights News Stream and Mr Fitz.

Van Zyl also has the game soldier Blackball in the race who races in the same silks as Marchingontogether, and he may well be used as the hare.

Marchingontogether stretches to a more suitable 1950m and given a decent gallop he should be running at them late.

But it will not be easy going. Paul Lafferty has always held Share Holder in high regard and while he may not have reached the heights expected he is more than just useful.

He got caught in the dying strides by Marchingontogether, beaten a head, and is now 3.5kg better off so in theory he should have his rival’s measure. What’s at play here is that Share Holder is untested over the trip while it holds no fears for Marchingontogether.

Alyson Wright has two live contenders in the mare Flichity By Farr and Matterhorn. The latter was in mustard form before a lay-off, his last run in October last year, but he has a handy weight and cannot be written off. Flichity By Farr needed her last run and will enjoy the extra. She has a handy weight and like Marchingontogether will benefit from a solid gallop.

The opening leg of the PA is a tricky sprint where the one-eyed Traces will be looking to get back on the winning trail.

It has taken time but Traces has finally produced the form he showed early in his career. He was a beaten favourite last run after winning two on the bounce but is now 4kg better off with the winner Fillipo and should be able to turn the tables. Winter Chill was quietly fancied in a tough handicap last time out but ran a ‘flat’ race. He could possibly prefer Greyville but is way better than that last showing. Louis Goosen is a master at training sprinters and veteran galloper Di Mazzio will think he’s running loose with only 48.5kg to shoulder. Although this is a fixed weights event, he has taken a further drop in the ratings and if he finds his best form the rest could be chasing shadows.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 will have punter’s treading warily after Legislate’s Dance let the side down. He started favourite last run but was upstaged by stable companion Fat Cigar. However, now that he has had a look at the Scottsville track, he can make amends in an open race. Dry Var finished ahead of Legislate’s Dance so that needs to be taken into consideration however, Legislate’s Dance should have improvement to come. Of the balance, Valencia has a tricky draw but has improved in blinkers and was narrowly beaten over the distance last time out.

The fifth is another competitive maiden. Jacob’s Ladder appears to have come to hand and showed up well over course and distance and with Goosen booking Anton Marcus for the ride, the inference is obvious. Let’s Go Fly has drawn wide and makes his turf debut but has put in two useful recent efforts. The blinkers go on so there could be more to come. Jackinapot found heavy market support at his second start when tried in blinkers and only just failed. A repeat should see him in the firing line but he has not been out since October last year which is a concern. The regally bred and cleverly named Broadway looks the pick of the Forbes pair, her comment being; “Very nice horse may just need the experience but could run in the money.”

The sixth has upset written all over it and punters may well be advised to load up in the exotics. Mambo Symphony appears to be coming along the right way and has his third run after a lengthy break but Techno Captain has been up against much stronger at recent outings and not been far back. He goes well this trip and at best should make a bold bid. Presumptuous disappointed last run after an improved previous effort and takes a slight drop in class. Rainbow Rising was a narrow maiden winner last start but that form has been franked. He jumps in trip from a difficult draw but on pedigree should see this out.

Another open affair faces punters in the eighth. Avenir enjoyed the extra last run and from a good draw so should at least be competitive. High Velocity has a difficult draw but won second time out and appears to have some scope which may be good enough to see him home. Tromso steps up in trip again after two good showings over shorter while the joker in the pack could be Greenlighttoheaven who has been a little disappointing but has shown flashes of ability and is one to keep an eye on.

If getting through to the last in the exotics, tighten your seat belt because you could be in for another torrid ride. Final Destiny, may be aptly named here, but has come on nicely in three starts. He was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run and can go one better. Cupid’s Song was close-up last start and is improving quickly. The blinkers go on and he can make further improvement. Casimiro made a cracking debut over course and distance at long odds and if he comes on from that he will be competitive again. Another with a chance is Cauldron who has come on nicely with blinkers and is another in with a strong winning chance.

David Thiselton

THE Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas form the respective first legs of the WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and both races are full of class and intrigue.

War Of Athena looks the one to beat in the fillies race where she faces arch rival Anything Goes. War Of Athena has more stamina in her pedigree than Anything Goes and takes a while to wind up in the straight so will want a fast pace. This is particularly in view of Anything Goes’ terrific turn of foot. War Of Athena has two stable companions in the race and all three of this coupling have the same ownership.

Therefore, it could be that the lowly rated Only The Brave is in to ensure a decent pace. War Of Athena has only beaten Anything Goes once in three outings and that was last time out in the Three Troikas over 1400m where she won by a cosy 1,75 lengths. However, she was giving the latter 1kg and Anything Goes probably needed it too as she was returning from a layoff. However, another clue to this race can be taken from the Grade 1 Thekwini over this 1600m trip. War Of Athena had a bad draw that day compared to Anything Goes’s good draw and the former simply ran out of straight in her bid to catch the latter.

This time War Of Athena has the better draw and the long straight will give her more time to make up the deficit. Miss Elegance is improving and has the form to fill the trifecta. Castle Durrow is a long-striding sort who is improving and she could also be in the shake up. Caralluma has some class but still has to prove she stays this trip. Gee For Go won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile over this course and distance but was beaten six lengths by Mis Elegance over this trip last time at these same weights. Only The Brave ensured a good pace in the Three Troikas by challenging Caralluma in front but as far as winning chances go she has a double figure number of lengths to find. 

In the WSB Gauteng Guineas Second Base is the selection. He might well have benefitted from the one week postponement because that means he has had a three week gap between races instead of two which was a bit close up. Thus he is promoted from third in last weekend’s selection to first. This Gimmethegreenlight gelding is a long-strider who showed a fine turn of foot when winning the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m last time out, so this shorter trip should not bother him and neither should the tricky draw of seven as he can afford to be dropped out. Interestingly his only defeat was when beaten 5,5 lengths into fourth by his stablemate in this race Copper Mountain but that was over 1200m on the Inside track and he was outpaced. Catch Twentytwo is blossoming and proved his WSB Dingaans win was no fluke by following up in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m.

He will enjoy the step back up to the WSB Dingaans distance and has landed a plum draw. Copper Mountain was staying on in the Tony Ruffel where he finished a two length third to Catch Twentytwo at level weights. He is by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m so should relish the step up in trip. He is drawn three and could be the surprise package. Malmoos has won all three of his starts at Turffontein impressively and followed up by winning the Grade 3 Concorde Cup over this trip at Kenilworth. He was then unlucky when unplaced in the Cape Guineas eight weeks ago although he did not look likely to win. He has pole position in his first start back at altitude.

Mount Pleasant is easily the highest rated horse in the race but the jury is out because he flopped in his first try at this trip having beaten older horses of the like of Cirillo over 1450m before that.  It might have just been an off day and he must be included in all exotics. Eliud has shown glimpses of class and could earn and Bingwa was a 2,50 length third in the WSB Dingaans but only fifth in the Tony Ruffel. Kingsley’s Heart looks held by Copper Mountain and this is a big step up in class for Namib Desert.   

GOLD CIRCLE is pleased to announce that at their AGM held on 28 January 2021, Members voted to approve a Member’s Resolution tabled by past Chairman, Robert Mauvis, for an extra allocation of R10 million from the Clairwood ring-fenced funds, towards stakes of minor races in KZN. From 1 March 2021, where stakes were R50 000 they will be increased to R60 000 and those that were R70 000 will be increased to R80 000.

“Gold Circle exists to sustain the Horseracing Industry in KZN”, said Neil Butcher, Chairman of Gold Circle. “To do that, we need to assist our stakeholders which include owners, trainers, grooms and breeders. This increase in stakes will benefit everyone directly, hopefully going some way to easing the economic impact which Covid-19 has had on our industry.”