Stick with Katak – but don’t go in too deep or take too short a price. That is the sensible course of action with Piet Steyn’s star tackling ground far more testing than he has ever encountered before in the Abe Bloomberg Legal Eagle Stakes at Kenilworth today.

The going was officially soft this morning after a further 10 mm of rain during the night, followed by another 10 mm around 6.00am, and there is more to come before the 4.10pm off-time.

When Aldo Domeyer’s unbeaten mount won what used to be the Winter Guineas 18 days ago it was officially good to soft but this is a different ball game.

Steyn expressed his reservations early in the week – “My worry is that there is a lot of rain forecast and I don’t know how he is going to handle a wet course.” The way a horse works on sand can give some indication but the omens are not good (“He is a fair worker on it, not a great one”).

On the other hand the way the colt won last time he looked a Grade 1 horse and far superior to any of today’s opposition.  None of them are proven on this sort of ground either and you would feel pretty sick if you deserted him and he outclassed his rivals once again. Odds-on is too short considering the risks (and some bookmakers were quoting 13-20 this morning) but, if you can get odds against, they would be worth taking.

Certainly the statistics favour him. Five of the last seven Winter Guineas winners went on to win the Winter Classic which is the former name of today’s Cape Town highlight. Furthermore the favourite has won four of the last six Winter Classics.

Justin Snaith has the best recent record, winning four of the last 12 runnings, and Silver Host is his main hope. However second string Bayberry is one of the few in the field who has won when it was actually soft (as opposed to good to soft) and his dam was Irish-bred, a good sign if you are looking for horses that can go in today’s ground. At 35-1 he could be worth a few rand each way. Black Knap and Arctic Drift have place prospects.

Don’t be fooled by the name and Listed status of the Cordocelli Olympic Duel Stakes – the race is a handicap. Queen Of Quiet has won her last three and gets the vote although it is worth noting that stable companion Casino Queen has won in genuinely soft ground.

In the Casey Bloomberg Ladies Mile the weights are determined by merit rating bands – not quite the same thing as a handicap – and here the selection is Duchess Of Bourbon. She won last year’s Winter Oaks on yielding ground when stable companion Heaven’s Embrace (joint favourite here) was nearly four lengths back third. Cruise Along has won in the soft but only three ran in that race.

Sing Out Loud may be able to overcome her poor draw in the Winter Solstice Stormsvlei Stakes. Last time she fly-jumped at the start, came from the back and made up ten lengths in the straight. Note also Eva Eileen who had a rough passage that day and Flame Tree who is ridden by Greg Cheyne and runs in the same colours as Sing Out Loud.

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Katak (Liesl King)

Off-course totes and bookmaking facilities in KwaZulu-Natal have been given the green light to open as from Saturday, June 27.

In a press release, the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board confirmed that totalisator and bookmaking facilities will be allowed to re-open subject to certain regulations.

• Fifty percent of capacity of the number of people on site in relation to the floor space of the venue at any given time.
• Ensure that the Health, Safety and Occupational Health prescribed guidelines in respect of Covid-19 are adhered to.
• The applicable social distancing requirements.

However, race courses remain closed to the public and only people essential to the running of the race meetings are allowed to attend.

The Mike Miller-trained Walls of Dubrovnik, in an unexpected turn of events which would have been unimaginable at the beginning of this season, will be racing for the biggest cheque of any horse in South Africa this weekend when he runs in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

When the new Hemel ‘n Aarde stallion Fencing Master arrived in South Africa in 2016 stallion manager David Allan of David Allan Bloodlines announced a R1-million bonus to be potentially distributed among the three best two-year-olds conceived by this stallion in his first covering season.

UK-based Colin Bird owns Fencing Master and Allan announced that in support of the British-bred stallion the owner, trainer and breeder of his three best black type two-year-olds conceived in 2016 would receive respective bonuses of R 500,000, 300,000 and 200,000 respectively.

On first interpretation it seems the money will be split between owner, trainer and breeder.

Walls Of Dubrovnik went within 1,4 lengths of laying claim to the R500,000 cheque on June 13 when finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m he would have gained black type with a third place finish.

Mike Miller’s son and assistant, Sterling, said the colt had been a bit unlucky that day as a horse had played up in the stall next to him and he had consequently lost a length at the jump. He had also needed the run a bit.

Sterling added, “He will strip fitter, he loves Hollywoodbets Greyville and if he stays the 1400m he is a massive runner. He travelled a little well in his last run but he doesn’t normally do that. It looks like there will be a fair pace and we will be looking for cover. We have a lot of respect though for Anton Marcus’s mount Fast Love.”

Sterling is happy with the draw of seven out of thirteen.

Walls Of Dubrovnik will be ridden by regular pilot Eric Ngwane.

Fencing Master is by the prominent SA-based sire Oratorio.

His best performance was second in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket over seven furlongs.

His dam won a Group 1 over 2000m in France and his grandam won three Group 1s up to 2100m in France, so on pedigree Walls Of Dubrovnik should relish the 1400m trip on Sunday. 

Mike Miller found Walls Of Dubrovnik at the Sibaya Yearling Sale. Sterling described him as being “five star” on looks at this sale and he was clinched for R120,000.

Walls Of Dubrovnik was sold to new owners today (Friday) in a deal brokered by Justin Vermaak.

The Miller yard also have two other runners in the Gatectrasher, Crushing Force and Royal Exhibit.

Sterling said, “Crushing Force is a nice big horse and should be up there. Royal Exhibit is still learning and we hope he runs on nicely.”

Of their other runners on the day he said Arctic Refuge in the first would likely need the experience; in the tenth Hello Again and Power To Command were both doing “extremely well” and were difficult to separate on the weight turnaround and he would be happy if they placed.  

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry has big teams contesting the features at both Turffontein and Hollywoodbets Greyville this weekend but he spoke of how tough racing had been post lockdown with all horses coming back from layoffs of various lengths.

Tarry has still not declared his jockeys for the latter meeting due to a well documented ruling by the NHA which will allow the like of Lyle Hewitson to ride in Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on July 1 but not in the Grade 1 meeting on Sunday June 28.   

In the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Premiers Champions Stakes Tarry runs Tierra Del Fuego and Tilbury Fort and he said, “This is a preparation run for the Vodacom Durban July for Tierra Del Fuego.  He is very well although he is a few kgs out with the top two.”

This colt by Skit Skizzle has never raced beyond 1600m but the July entry and his participation in this 2000m race answers the question on whether the trainer believes he will stay the trip.

However, Tarry did add, “It’s a small field and if the pace is too slow and he starts travelling too well he obviously won’t see it out.” He continued, “I didn’t originally nominate Tilbury Fort. He is out at the weights and his best days are probably behind him but he is fit and well.”

Tilbury Fort has the advantage of pole position and Tierra Del Fuego is drawn eight in the nine horse field. 

Tarry runs Chimichuri Run, Spring Break and Green Plains in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint.

He said, “Chimichuri Run looked outpaced in his comeback run and I was almost reluctant to run him here based on that. But I also had to consider he might have just been ring rusty so decided to go ahead. I will back him up by running him at Hollywoodbets Scottsville next weekend, depending on how he comes out of this race. It will be difficult to beat Mr Flood on Saturday but he won’t be far off.”

He continued, “I am excited to see how Spring Break does as she is lightning fast. We have had to teach her to settle and I don’t think we have seen the best of her. The fast going makes it worth taking a chance with her and she won’t be beaten for speed, it is just a matter of whether she stays at the business end.”

He added, “Green Plains started finding form before lockdown and I was happy with her comeback, so we are hoping. It will be tough but she is fit and well.”   

He runs In The Dance in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m and this half-sister to Capetown Noir should be suited to fast ground as one with a good action and a fine turn of foot.

Tarry said, “This is another interesting race and she faces a tough field. Queen Supreme will be hard to beat and Ronnie’s Candy, Vistula and Running Brave are no slouches. In The Dance was far from disgraced in the Ipi Tombe when beaten 1,75 lengths by Ronnie’s Candy at level weights in November. She has subsequently disappointed and we were a bit lost about her right distance. Last time we put blinkers on over 1200m and that run convinced me she would be more comfortable over a mile.”

Tarry runs Cavivar and Golden Belle in the Grade 2 Camellia Stakes and he said, “On July day she finished distressed and it took a long time to get her right just on that day so I gave her a long break after that. But she was right up with the best of her generation although it is not ideal running her in a feature in her first run after a rest. She is doing very well but it is a talented field and she could be right there or she could be unplaced, it is tough.”

He continued, “Golden Belle has solid form and is a nice filly. She has it all to do but I wouldn’t be surprised to see her run well.”

The yard run debut winner Florida Keys in the Grade 2 SA Nursery and he said, “She drew high and so I thought it would be worth taking a chance. Her work has been good and she is looking good and I hope she improves from her first run. But Mike de Kock has a strong coupling and both of his should also improve.”

In the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery Tarry runs Making A Scene, who drops from a two length fifth over 1450m on debut, down to 1160m. He said, “This is a strong race with three or four hard-knocking fillies and I want to see where she fits in. We will regroup if she doesn’t run well.”

Shenanigans runs in the Grade 3 Gold Bowl over 3200m and Tarry said, “His last run was a bit lacklustre but I was happy with his penultimate run. I go in with no real confidence but he will be aimed at the Gold Cup. I think he improves in Durban and will do so again.”

Tarry’s first-timer in the first race, Magical Flight, is by the classy Tarry-trained speedster Willow Magic out of a seven-time winning Jet Master mare from 1400m to 1800m and she is from the family of the top class Tarry-trained sprinter Mythical Flight. 

He said, “She may just need the run.” Track And Ball have her at double figure odds.

However, they have her stable mate Sanuk as the weak 7/2 favourite and Tarry said, “She made a good debut and should come on from it. She wouldn’t be out of it on form.” 

In the second race Tarry’s first-timer Shah Akbar is by Querari out of a Galileo mare who is a half-sister to the Grade 2-placed sprinter Dijla. He said, “He will need a bit further and be a bit green but he could be running on nicely.” Track And Ball have him as 9/2 third favourite.

They go 9/1 about the stablemate Genie, who ran on into fifth place over 1000m on debut, and Tarry said, “He had a good first run and with expected improvement should be thereabouts.”

Tarry runs Cirillo and Matador Man in the Grade 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Cirillo travels down from Randjesfontein and Tarry said, “He is extremely well.”

Matador Man is down at Summerveld and he said, “His target is the KZN Breeders Million Mile. There was no real race for him with this rating. He loves Greyville and I just hope to see him running on.”

His Grade 1 Daily News 2000 pair Shango and Tree Tumbo travel down from Randjes too and Tarry said, “Shango is doing very well but I think this run will bring him on for the July. He does well in Durban and once there I expect to see him make good improvement.”

He continued, “I think Tree Tumbo is this class and if this does not come too soon after his good second two weeks ago I expect to see him running on strongly.”

In the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 Tarry runs Victoria Paige and Keep Smiling.

He said, “It is well documented Victoria Paige was unlucky in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and she was then a victim of the virus when we were confident for the SA Fillies Classic. She maybe didn’t see out the Oaks trip. She will be effective at Hollywoodbets Greyville even though she would be better at Turffontein. The two top fillies here are hard to oppose. But she is fit and well.”

He continued, “Keep On Smiling on her one close second to Summer Pudding (Fillies Mile) is worth taking a chance with.”

In the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m he runs Spiritofthegroove and Sidonie. 

He said, “Spiritofthegroove didn’t enjoy Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time and was never travelling well. She has a good turn of foot when running around the turn and I think this is a great course and distance for her.”

He continued, “Sidonie’s comeback run was not inspiring but the field cut up and could have been stronger. He was a bit strong over a mile last time and we can use this to see what will happen if we don’t have to go to the front and try and run them off their feet so we will learn something which will be good for her career.”

Tarry runs the easy debut winner Caralluma in the Listed Devon Air Stakes and he said, “She seems a nice filly and on her good first race she would have a chance.”

He runs Montreal Mist in the Durban Dash over 1100m and said, “She is drawn deep and it is a strong field and this is a prep for the KZN Breeders day.”

By David Thiselton

Katak has opened favourite at even money to extend his unbeaten run to four in the Abe Bloomberg Legal Eagle Stakes (Winter Classic) at Kenilworth on Saturday despite Piet Steyn’s openly expressed concerns about the expected soft ground.

Politician winner Silver Host, representing the powerful Justin Snaith-Richard Fourie combination, is second favourite at 33-10 and Super Silvano (Brett Crawford-Corne Orffer) next on 9-2. The only other runner quoted at less than 15-1 is Black Knap who has a bit to find according to the handicappers but has won over the trip and was having his first race for seven months when beating all except Nexus in a pinnacle 16 days ago. The colt is trained by Vaughan Marshall and ridden by M.J. Byleveld, a combination successful with Tales Of Bravery in this race ten years ago.

Snaith and his stable jockey stand out in the card as a whole. They have the early favourite, plus one joint favourite, in six of the nine races and two of their favourites are odds-on.

Grant van Niekerk’s best chance of a winner on his return would appear to be Cruise Along in the Casey Bloomberg Ladies Mile. The Candice Bass-Robinson filly is 5-1 joint third favourite.

Matthew The King, impressive at Durbanville first time but no match for the high class Erik The Red in the Kuda Somerset, goes again at Kenilworth on Monday in the Investing Made Easy Juvenile Plate. Byleveld, who rode the smart Greg Ennion-trained colt on debut, is back on board.

By Michael Clower

Candice Bass-Robinson has two Grade 1 winners running in away province Grade 1s this weekend, Clouds Unfolds and Russet Air, and they have both enjoyed good preparations.

Clouds Unfold runs in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and will be ridden by Keagan de Melo from a draw of four out of eight.

She is the joint highest merit rated filly in the country together with Celtic Sea and Bass-Robinson said, “We will see if she can take on the boys or not.”

The 126 rated What A Winter filly is a twice winner of the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m but is yet to run in KZN as she slipped on the grass shortly after arriving at Summerveld last season and chipped the point of her hip.

There have thankfully been no long term effects and her performance in this year’s Majorca was superb as she was waited with for a long time by Aldo Domeyer before accelerating smartly to beat Celtic Sea by 0,30 lengths. 

Clouds Unfold had a good preparation run at Kenilworth on June 3, running a 2,80 length fifth to the crack sprinter Run Fox Run over the too sharp 1000m at Kenilworth.

She subsequently travelled well to Summerveld and had a grass gallop at Greyville with a companion on Saturday which Bass-Robinson said went well. 

Bass-Robinson believes a mile is Clouds Unfold’s best trip. She is by the champion sprinter What A Winter out of a mare by the stamina influence Montjeu.

It can be expected that the Drakenstein Stud-owned and bred filly will be relaxed in the running before staying on strongly.  

The Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship winner Russet Air will run in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m on Saturday.

This four-year-old gelding is also by What A Winter and is interestingly also out of a mare by a stamina influence sire in Jallad.

Russet Air left for Johannesburg yesterday and will arrive today.

It is deemed that arriving close to the race is the best way to handle the effects of the altitude change when travelling to Johannesburg from the coast. Some also have the view that the altitude is a bigger factor in races longer than a mile, so Russet Air should have every chance of retaining Cape Town’s grip on the trophy. The Brett Crawford-trained Pacific Trader won this race last year. 

Russet Air was in the same recent preparation race as Clouds Unfold and ran a 1,75 length third.

Bass-Robinson believes the Turffontein Standside 1000m will suit him as he enjoys running on behind a fast pace. The Turffontein Standside 1000m is one of the fastest sprint courses in the land so the pace is usually strong.

He is drawn one which is generally regarded as being the worst draw. 

However, it should not be too bad for him as he will be looking to drop in behind them.

Piere Strydom is aboard and will have studied the race by Saturday to work out the best strategy.

Russet Air is the highest merit rated horse in the race on 125, but Mr Flood, who is merit rated 124 and is relatively unexposed, could turn out to be something special and will be the choice of most pundits. 

By David Thiselton

The NHA is pleased to announce further relaxations effective 1 July 2020 regarding its protocols pertaining to Racing behind closed doors.  The NHA have informed the Racing Operators accordingly on the requirements that needs to be complied with in order to continue staging these meetings.

The following rules shall be applicable come 1 July 2020:

• The field sizes will be restricted to 14 runners per race with the exception of ALL Pattern races in which 16 runners will be allowed.

• The conditions of the Vodacom Durban July shall remain in place.

• Jockeys will be restricted to ride in the region of their choice and cannot move in between provinces. However, they will be allowed to make one permanent move for the month of July and must only ride in that province.  They will therefore be domiciled in that respective region for the month.

• The adjusted minimum riding weight in Handicap races shall remain at 54kg until 31 July and shall revert back to the norm at the start of the new racing season.

• Previous restrictions on the movement of horses will be lifted.  Kindly note that the standard AHS movement regulations do apply.

• All Horse Transport Companies must have the necessary Permits to move horses between the training centres and race courses.

• The last race must be run not later than 17h00.

• Any persons with comorbidities shall not be able to attend.

• Owners with runners on the day shall be advised during the month of July, after updated level 3 Government regulations are published, as to when they will be allowed to attend race meetings. The Racing Operators, together with the Racing Association shall advise of the relevant procedures to be adopted in line with strict Covid-19 regulations.

 
All of the above will be applicable for the month of July.  Further relaxations may be implemented in conjunction with the status of the Coronavirus pandemic, together with any positive changes to the Governments adjusted risk strategy from August onwards.

The NHA is again pleading to all participants to continue to self-regulate regarding prevention and hygiene practices. The Covid-19 pandemic is now in rapid growth stages in South Africa.  The scientific and worldwide statistics, forecasts that this virus will be in existence for an extended period. Individual responsibility will go a long way in assisting the South African Horseracing Industry to continue racing, creating value and to the ultimate sustainability thereof.

The unbeaten Katak faces ten rivals in the Abe Bloomberg Legal Eagle Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday and only once in the past 18 years has what was previously known as the Winter Classic attracted a bigger field.

Piet Steyn reported Cape Town’s latest star in good form on Monday but he is concerned about the amount of rain forecast for later in the week as he fears that Katak’s flowing action could be affected.

He said: “The horse is very well at the moment. Aldo Domeyer worked him over 1 400m on the cinders on Saturday morning and he was very pleased with the way he went while I personally couldn’t have expected more.

“My worry is that there is a lot of rain forecast for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and I don’t know how Katak is going to handle a wet course. He is a lovely mover when the going is on top but he has a low action and on sand he is a fair worker rather than a great one.”

Windguru does not give a specific forecast for Kenilworth but it predicts 3.5mm on Thursday for nearby Newlands followed by a further millimetre on Friday and 3.0mm on Saturday prior to the race which is at 4.10pm. Kenilworth tends to get more rain than Newlands.

Katak, immensely impressive in what used to be called the Winter Guineas, seems sure to start favourite. It’s more a question of whether the bookmakers will be brave enough to heed Steyn’s words of caution and quote the horse at odds against. The favourite has been successful in only four of the last 12 runnings.

The race tends to be won by a class act. Future Vodacom Durban July winners Power King and Marinaresco were successful in 2014 and 2016 and the last two winners were subsequent Sun Met scorer Rainbow Bridge and Vardy who went on to win the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

As the winner of a Grade 3, Katak has to give a kilo to all except Silver Host. The Justin Snaith Politician winner and the Brett Crawford-trained Super Silvano are both rated 1.5kg better than Katak.

Interestingly Steyn thought he had missed out on Katak when the Potala Palace colt came up at the 2018 CTS April Yearling Sale at Durbanville.

He recalled: “I looked at the yearlings before they went into the ring and I liked him. But they were selling quickly and by the time I walked back he had gone through. I assumed somebody had bought him.

“When the sale was over Graeme Koster came up to me and said: ’Are you looking for horses?’  I said that I liked the Potala Palace but I’d missed him. Graeme handed me the passport and said: ‘This is his. Take it.’”

The price was a mere R20 000 and Steyn did not have to pay until the horse was ready to run!

But back to Saturday.  Grant van Niekerk is much in demand on his first day of South African action since the beginning of August. He rides in all except one of the nine races and has three mounts for Justin Snaith, two for Candice Bass-Robinson and one each for Adam Marcus, Eric Sands and Glen Puller. The Sun Met-winning jockey won two out of six on his last visit to Kenilworth.

By Michael Clower

Justin Snaith has been the most successful trainer so far this SA Champions Season and he answered questions about his charges for Sunday’s big Daily News 2000 and Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting as well as the question of jockeys for the Vodacom Durban July.

Stable jockey Richard Fourie and record-breaking Anton Marcus are the two chief riders in the mix for Snaith’s three most prominent July contenders, Do It Again, Belgarion and Bunker Hunt.

Snaith said, “Anton is aware he would have to slim 2kg to ride Belgarion and considering the performance he put up on Saturday he is definitely thinking about it. But it all depends on how Do It Again runs in the Gold Challenge. This horse is very special to Richard and he goes for a record-breaking third July in succession which is something any jockey would want to be associated with.”

Marcus rode Do It Again to July victory in 2018 and Fourie was aboard last year. Marcus is aboard the Twice Over gelding on Sunday in the Gold Challenge.

Do It Again ran well below par in three runs in the Cape Summer Season but this was put down to continuously not eating up. He was found to have ulcers which have now been treated and he is eating well again.

Snaith said Do It Again’s recent grass gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville with Belgarion gave him cause to hope the big horse was back to his best and said, “He was giving Belgarion 6kg in that gallop.” Do It Again led the pair but was still on the bit when they crossed the line, whereas Belgarion was being hard ridden. 

Belgarion will carry 53kg in the July which means Fourie would have to slim 1kg from his official minimum riding weight of 54kg while Marcus would have to slim 2kg.  

Bunker Hunt, as things stand is set to carry 54,5kg in the July but unlike Belgarion, who is 1kg under sufferance, he is in the handicap so his weight could change if Do It Again comes down from his 135 rating or if any horse rises above 135. 

The horse Snaith is most scared of in the July is Rainbow Bridge. 

He said, “Rainbow Bridge is a very good horse. Last season Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge were hands down the best weight for age horses over 2000m in the country.”

Snaith said all horses in his Summerveld yard were very well and this includes his team for Sunday.

He said, “Before arriving here at Summerveld I would have liked Sachdev for the Daily News 2000 ahead of Wild Coast, but Wild Coast is really enjoying Durban and they are now very close. Sachdev needed his WSB Guineas run more so will come on more from it. If you can’t beat a Silvano over a mile you are not going to beat him over 2000m and Sachdev was only beaten 0,95 lengths in the Guineas (which was won by Wild Coast).”

Wild Coast will also enjoy the 2000m trip being by Trippi out of the versatile Beach Beauty, who was effective from 1200m up to 2000m.

Snaith has entered Sovereign Secret and Rattle Mouse in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

He said, “Sovereign Secret was given no chance in the WSB Fillies Guineas as she was second last in the running behind a slow pace.” Her previous best effort had been a third place finish in the CTS 1600, She is by Dynasty out of the three time Grade 1 winner from 1200m to 1600m, All Is Secret. She has a full brother who won over 1900m, so has a chance of staying the trip despite the speed from the dam, who’s two Grade 1 1200m wins were in the Allan Robertson and Mercury Sprint.

Rattle Mouse, who finished 1,75 lengths behind Sovereign Secret in the WSB Fillies Guineas, is by Ideal World and has already proven her liking for 2000m, finishing a head second in a MR 84 handicap for fillies and mares at Kenilworth in her first run out of the maidens. However, she is only merit rated 84, so it remains to be seen whether she will get into Sunday’s field. 

Snaith’s crack sprinter Kasimir will be going for the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets on July 4 and then the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Gold Cup day August 29. Kasimir’s runner up finish in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes was the joint best performance of the SA Champions Season so far alongside Belgarion’s WSB 1900 win on Saturday according to handicapping guru Jay August.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus, booked for Do It Again in Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, will be riding the horse  for the first time in a race since landing a record fifth Vodacom Durban July on him nearly two years ago.

But seemingly the sponsors are more influenced by the five-year-old’s disappointing form so far this season and make him only third favourite at 5-1. Rainbow Bridge heads the market at 5-2 with Vardy close up at 3.03-1.

However favourites in the Gold Challenge have a poor recent record. The last six have all been beaten and there has not been a winning one since odds-on Variety Club (Marcus) won the race for the second successive year in 2013. Furthermore Do It Again won last year’s race and Justin Snaith is bidding for his fourth Gold Challenge victory.

Do It Again remains a big price in the July market with most layers offering around 11-1. Predictably the big movers on Sunday were Snaith’s Saturday feature winners Belgarion and Myabi Gold. The former was cut from 8-1 to 6-1 joint second favourite (with Rainbow Bridge) while the mare was slashed from 66-1 to 22-1. Hawwaam remains favourite but has been eased from 4-1 to 5-1.

Do It Again has finished no closer than sixth in three outings this season but his trainer is hoping  for a much-improved effort on Saturday: “He is going well, we have had no hiccups, everything looks fine and on song.

“There are some good horses in the race, and it’s going to be tough, but I am quite confident Do It Again has no reason to run a bad race. We have found all his little issues.”

The last-named includes the ulcers which were believed to be at the root of the horse’s problems in the Cape season. “We did all the tests prior to putting him back into training and everything had cleared up. He is carrying condition which he wasn’t before. He looks a happy horse – he is bucking every morning – and it doesn’t look as if anything is bothering him.”

Snaith also mentioned Roi Querari, a horse he believes could develop into a top sprinter. The three-year-old will be ridden by Marcus in Sunday’s Durban Dash – “He is having his first run back and he is doing exceptionally well. He should have run in the Post Merchants and how he didn’t get in I don’t know. Let’s see if he proves them wrong on Sunday!”

The dual champion trainer was in treble form at a wet Kenilworth on Sunday but those punters who follow the stable blindly – and many do – had to contend with four beaten favourites including a particularly expensive start with 11-20 shot Stuck On You.

“She should have won by five,” said Snaith. “I don’t know what her issues are but there is something that’s not right.”

Stable companion La Quinta, in contrast, made up those five lengths in the final furlong for M.J. Byleveld to come home at 16-1. “I had her ready to run just before the lockdown but the meeting was scrapped. This time we put in our stable comments that she is very speedy and could easily run into the money.”

Vaughan Marshall’s hot favourite Freedom Park also proved costly, starting at 11-10 and managing only ninth  behind Robert Khathi’s mount Tarantino. The Milnerton trainer, though, promptly served up 66-1 compensation with the Ossie Noach-ridden newcomer Dubai Lights.

Noach completed an 870-1 double on the Glen Puller-trained 12-1 shot Miss D’Aray in the last but the most obvious post-lockdown lesson in the Western Cape is that Glen Kotzen’s stable is on fire. The Woodhill trainer followed up last Tuesday’s treble with two more winners – Mountain Ridge (Greg Cheyne) and the appropriately-named Winter’s Awakening (Morne Winnaar).

By Michael Clower