The Turffontein Inside track meeting tomorrow has some competitive races but it provides an opportunity for exotic punters to land healthy dividends and on the ball on-the-nose punters might find one or two value bets too. 

The seventh over 1450m is the highest rated race on the card and the in-form mare Florida Quays is tipped to win. She beat the well regarded Saragon last time over 1400m and the form was franked. Furthermore, she jumps from pole position. Stage Dance and Promise will both enjoy the course and distance and should be right there too.

The first race is a workriders maiden over 1600m and at first sight looks to be a duel between Pucker Up and Anatura. On a strict line through Rock You, Pucker Up comes out 1,50 lengths clear. However, Anatura does have the pole position draw compared to the five draw of Pucker Up. Deebaa was not disgraced on debut last September in a fair field and likely needed her last start. She is drawn well and could be the dark horse.

In the second race over 1000m Caerphilly has plenty of substance and is improving accordingly. She has pace and can take advantage of a pole position draw. She is made a PA banker despite this being a competitive event in which a number of others have chances. Chasing Green is the most intriguing runner. She has not raced since last May. She was thereabouts in all three of her starts in the strong centre of Cape Town and she has plenty of pace so will appreciate being in Johannesburg where all of the sprint courses are faster than the tough Kenilworth sprint course. Cappadocia also has pace and can be in the shake up if starting on terms from a fair draw. Showdown Kid was backed on debut and this good looking sort could improve on that disappointing effort. Exultant is a long time maiden but has been competitive lately and is capable of finishing well. Western Vision, Mind Reader and Urban Oasis could earn too.

The third race over 1450m is uninspiring and the two first-timers could have a say despite both having tough draws. Nordic Queen is tipped to win it. She led last time over 1600m and was beaten 3,75 lengths by Fayrooz. The latter went on to win the Listed Oaks Trial easily. Nordic Queen now has pole position. The Mike De Kock-trained first-timer Barak is by Master Of My Fate out of merit rated 100 five-time winner Bermuda Sloop. The Sean Tarry-trained first-timer Take The World is by Pomodoro out of Tinchy Stryder who won three times including her first two starts. Bartholomeus is improving and gets blinkers on. Pluviophile has a shout if recapturing her best with a 4kg claimer aboard and blinkers on.

In the next race over 2000m Daphne De Maurier is made the best bet of a tough card. She had to work to overcome a wide draw over 1800m last time but still finished close up and from a fair draw this time could reverse form with Curvation. The latter finished strongly from way back in that race and has to be included in the Pick 6 over this suitable trip.

In the next race over 1000m Jozi Hustle is a fascinating runner having gone close in a strong Graduation Plate over this trip on Saturday and now facing a much easier task on paper in a handicap. Isphan loves this course and distance and has a good draw. Ice Eater looks the other one to include.

In the sixth race over 1200m Oden has a fine record over this trip and should make another bold bid. However, with the Tarry yard back in form Pidgeon Rock could be a threat and if Epic Dream takes his place after his fast-finishing win over 1000m on Saturday he should also be right there. 

The last race over 1450m is wide open and a few will have to be included in the Pick 6. The top three look to be Readysetglo, Miss Khalifa and Cut Loose and they should all be included in the PA. Tigermil, if she stays, could be a big runner and Lightning Rock and Golden Spiral also have the ability to go close. The Maiden Fire Flower is well drawn and improving so she also has a shout. 

By David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne, East Cape champion for the last three seasons and 62 winners clear this term, will continue to ride at every Fairview meeting as well as meet his Cape Town commitments despite the NHA’s request that jockeys and trainers should avoid air travel.

This was issued shortly after 4.00pm on Friday by which time Cheyne had already made the switch from plane to car and had driven the 750k from Cape Town the previous day. “It took me eight hours,” he said yesterday. “Coming back I split the journey in half, stopping over in Mossel Bay, and driving the other half on Saturday morning before riding at Durbanville.”

Cheyne is second on the national log with 136 winners and 97 have of these have come at Fairview, almost all through his association with Alan Greeff. M.J. Byleveld, also a Fairview regular, issued a statement to the Sporting Post on Saturday as spokesman for the Coastal Jockeys Association. This said that the jockeys will abide by the NHA request and added: “Some of the guys have already made plans to rearrange their riding commitments and to curtail regular travel.”

NHA chief executive Vee Moodley’s statement, issued in conjunction with the operators and others, did not give a specific must-obey instruction but said they “discourage all air travel of industry participants entering racecourses and training establishments countrywide, subject to the 14-day isolation period being complied with.

“We appeal to all persons involved in the racing industry to act responsibly and with integrity as your conduct and commitment is paramount to the continuation of racing fixtures. The established high risk element of airports, and the severity of the CoronaVirus, necessitates such drastic measures.”

The statement takes effect from today and follows hot on the heels of a front-page article in last Thursday’s Sporting Post. This called for urgent action to stop the infection risk posed by travelling jockeys and out-of-province grooms accompanying interprovincial raiders. It was backed up by Summerveld trainer Garth Puller saying: “We need to shut down the interprovincial movement flow immediately.”

Several Cape Town trainers could see the shutters coming down on their plans for the Durban season and Justin Snaith said: “It caused a bit of a scare among all of us. People have changed their float dates and horses are now en route.”

Snaith has already arranged to spend four months in Durban without coming home but several other trainers had planned to fly backwards and forwards. They could drive – at a considerable cost in terms of time – but the journey takes too long for jockeys. Regular visits from the likes of Durban-based Anton Marcus, Keagan de Melo and Donovan Dillon (plus Craig Zackey) may become a thing of the past, at least until CoronaVirus is no longer seen as such a threat to life.

By Michael Clower

Matthew The King could be Langerman-bound after making an impressive- albeit poignant – debut at a near-empty Durbanville on Saturday.

M. J. Byleveld’s mount, nibbled at from 12-1 to 10-1, was the first runner for 2014 Triple Crown winner Louis The King and the colt swept to the front over a furlong out, drawing away comfortably to beat 2-1 favourite Sh Boom by more than two lengths.

Greg Ennion said: “I had expected him to run very well even though he had only been on the grass twice, the first time just to have a look and the second to go a half-pace. Then I heard that Sh Boom was unbeatable so I took a step back and told the owner to just have places on the horse.”

Asked if the 1 500m Langerman on June 27 would be a possibility, the Milnerton trainer said: “Absolutely. He has a heart like a lion and he is definitely going to get a mile. His father won over 2 450m and his mother (Changing Heart who Ennion trained) won over 1 400m.”

This win meant a lot for Terry and Annabel Andrews who stand Louis The King at their Sorrento Stud and even more for owner Rocky Warby and his family. Their tragic story was related by Charl Pretorius in his Turf Talk newsletter only two days before the race. Son Matthew was born with heart problems and had to have two transplants, one at the age of eight and the second when he was 20, hence the name Changing Heart. Sadly he died six years ago at the age of 23. Saturday’s winner will ensure that be brings a lump to collective throats whenever he runs.

This was the first behind-closed-doors meeting to be run in Cape Town. “It’s an absolute ghost town,” declared Justin Snaith. “And there are no TVs anywhere bar the one in the weighing room.”

But that didn’t stop the dual champion trainer landing a quick double with Captain’s Ransom and Double Reward to take him just ten short of his 16^th consecutive century.

Suzanne Viljoen’s newcomer Captain’s Ransom was particularly impressive. When Keagan de Melo pressed the button the unconsidered 16-1 shot took off like a rocket leaving Cape Canaveral, and she covered the final furlong nearly 10kph faster than anything else. “I was very surprised,” said Snaith. “I thought she would be a bit green and would need further while the favourite (Fiftyshadesdarker) looked unbeatable on form.”

Owners were barred (as were the racing press) but Al Wahed’s owner David Curran travelled to the course and took up position in the trees on the other side of the fence. The only snag was that he was unable to tell who had won when Richard Fourie’s mount was involved in a three-way photo for the 1 000m handicap. He had to rely on a call from Mike Stewart who deserves considerable credit for keeping the gelding’s enthusiasm. – the eight-year-old was giving three years to the rest of the field and set a new class record. “He is a bit like me,” said the Noordhoek trainer. ”We are both old staggerers!”

There was no sauna so Craig Zackey was unable to get within striking distance of 53.5kg in the 2 400m handicap. Anthony Andrews proved a more than capable substitute on Winter Shadow and 35 minutes later Zackey delivered Al’s My Daddy late to decisively complete a quick double for Adam Marcus with his only two runners.

Uncle Anton was also on the mark on the Brett Crawford-trained Heaven’s Embrace in the 2000m handicap while De Melo sent Eric Sands home happy by landing the last on Midnight Badger.

By Michael Clower

Born To Perform, almost written off as unmanageably early in his career, has paid dividends to those that have held faith as he landed the Kings Cup (Listed) at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

The grey, a throw-back to his dam and Vodacom Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter, now boasts a 50% winning strike rate from his 12 starts after yesterday’s win and given that Dennis Bosch can keep a lid on his hot temperament Born To Perform could have a bright future in the last few months of the current season.

The win was watched by more on television at home than on a deserted Hollywoodbets Greyville, but Bosch has picked his races carefully and Born To Perform is still at the bottom of the handicap when it comes to the higher echelons.

That could change after yesterday’s win, but given the close margins, Born To Perform could still be running under the radar heading into South Africa’s Champions Season.

Crown Towers left S’Manga Khumalo standing in the gate and was declared a non-runner, but Kennedy had Born To Perform settled nicely towards the rear of the ‘peloton’.

Born To Perform got a perfect split up the centre and champion jockey elect Warren Kennedy punched him through to win well. DD’S Dynasty also finished with a rattle but not fast enough ot catch the flying grey.

Eric Ngwane has had a tough time breaking back into the local ranks after a spell in Mauritius and it has been a long time between drinks since. That said, his laundryman would have been in business after he steered outsider Saint Philip to an upset win in the opening leg of the Pick 6.

A Garth Puller inmate, Saint Philip appeared to stumble badly at around the 1200 m mark but Ngwane stayed aboard and got his mount back on an even keel. Saint Philip then rocketed through to out-gun another outsider, Glacier Rush, and a very green San Verde getting up for the shallow end of the purse.

Apprentice Jabu Jacobs is on a roll and he added another three winners to his total towards shedding his claim with a hard-fought treble, his second in recent weeks.

The proof in the pudding always comes when the claim is lost but Jacobs has the right personality and the talent to make it over the line as a fully fledged rider.

That is all in the future but he cleverly slipped Baccino through up the inside fence for Mike Miller to land the second on the 14-1 shot, and then showed his worth in a tight finish to get Paths Of Victory up to deny Marchingontogether in the next, a race marred but a pedestrian early pace.

Jacobs and van Zyl were back in the winner’s enclosure thirty minutes later. Fellow 4kg claimer apprentice Yuzae Ramzan made him work harder for this win. Ramzan led all the way aboard Admirals Guest until the last jump where Jacobs got another outsider, Noble Joshua, up in the last stride.

 Richard Fourie may have blanked with the first of Justin Snaith’s runners for Champions Season as he gave Knights Templar the perfect ride only to finish out of the back door, but it did not take long for him to make his mark. Yogas Govender’s gelding We Light The Fire had a short fuse and Fourie produced him with a telling late run to win the seventh as he liked.

Apprentice Thabiso Gumede got a late call to replace Warren Kennedy aboard Fives Wild in the last and it was a ride well worth it as Kom Naidoo’s runner bolted clear over the final 20 furlongs to comfortable get home ahead of Rocket Fire and Jardin.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow which should produce rewards for those who do their homework.

The ninth race, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1 450m, is the most fascinating contest of the meeting as it sees some good horses turning out.

Wylie Wench is way out at the weights on official merit ratings but has not had a chance to prove herself yet.

She caught the eye when winning her maiden over this course and distance as she was caught wide in the running, yet still managed to move into the lead effortlessly. She then wandered around, so clearly does not yet know what it is all about, but she surged when given a backhander to win cosily. She has considerable scope for improvement and might upset Rio’s Winter, who comes off two excellent runs in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic.

This might be a touch sharp and does come quite soon after those tough races. Wisteria Walk has a lot of talent and this is her probable optimum distance but this is her first run back from Cape Town.

Kayla’s Champ has ability and is capable of finishing strongly. Golden Belle also warrants respect. 

In the first race over 1 450m Forever Light opened up the biggest outsider in this race but he faced a relatively strong field on debut and was not disgraced when staying on for a 9,75 length seventh to the fair sort Karnallie. He finished just a length behind The Contractor in that race but was finishing stronger, so the World Sports Betting opening odds of 33-10 for The Contractor and 28-1 for Forever Light do not make any sense at all.

Forever Light should be improving all the time being by Duke Of Marmalade.

He is out of the Jallad mare Murmering Sky, who won twice as a two-year-old from 1 200m to 1 450m and later finished second in the Grade 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1 600m, so he should relish the step up in trip and has a fair draw. The gelding will be ridden by leading apprentice Dennis Schwarz. Stablemate Champingatthebit was slowly away and outpaced on debut over 1160m but was staying on at the finish. He has a plum draw here and could earn. Takagari was narrowly beaten by The Contractor when making his debut over this course and distance. However, he was dropped out from the widest draw of all and made up a lot of ground from way back so he could reverse the form.

The Contractor and The Eighth Lord both come out of that race and can earn here.

The second race over 1 450m is tricky. Swiss Bank faced a strong field on debut over 1 160m and beat the like of Rabbedoe, who went to be feature race placed.

Powder Puff moved up last time over course and distance but appeared to not try very hard and was reported not striding out.

The blinkers now come on and this could wake her up so she is tipped to reverse form with Mynage and With Our Blessing. Mynage does look to have scope so should be improving and it will be no surprise to see her win despite having to jump from a tough draw.

In the third race over 1 450m Dice The Bullet looks to have plenty of scope and was moving up well last time over this course and distance when she was put off by the sudden outward shift of Stunning. She could reverse the form here from another good draw.

Stunning was bumped at the start in that race and was later carried out.

She finished just a length behind the promising sort Wylie Wench, although the latter didn’t have the run of the race and still won comfortably.

She has a fair draw and Strydom stays aboard.

Hot Gossip went for home too soon in first time blinkers last time over this course and distance and was overtaken and beaten six lengths by the promising Viper Jet. With a more conservative ride she could be in the shake up from a fair draw.   

Psycho King has a good form chance in the next over 1 600m having been beaten just a length by Nebraas last time over 1 800m. The latter went on to finish second in the Listed Derby Trial over 2 000m.

Psycho King should be bothered by the step down in trip as he hit the front early last time and was caught late.

Crank It Up went close over 2 000m in his penultimate start and then after gelding went close over 1 400m.

He now gets blinkers on over a step up in trip he will appreciate and should be a big runner from a plum draw. Waltzing Al can place here on form.

In the fifth over 1 600m the much touted Marshall sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight and could make a bold bid, although he remains disappointing considering his sparkling homework. This could well be his ideal trip.

 Indy Go was beaten 1,45 lengths by Marshall the last time they met over this trip and is now half-a-kilogram worse off. He is officially 1,5kg under sufferance but has the ability to still be right there.

The talented Dan The Lad easily win over 1 450m here last time and enjoys this course but this trip stretches him a touch. However, he is drawn well and at the age of six might start enjoying this trip so has a chance.

In the sixth race over 2 000m Marshall Foch is in fine form and although given a seven point raise for his comfortable win over 1 800m in yielding going last time Christopher Robin came out of a well beaten position in that race to win the Listed Derby Trial.

Fact is just three points higher for his good win over this trip last time and has a plum draw.

The long-striding Glider Pilot would probably prefer the Standside track but enjoys this distance and has a shout.

In the seventh race over 2 000m Gentleman’s Wager has always struck as a progressive sort and he has a fine turn of foot. He is versatile and will enjoy this trip.  Major Return will have a chance if breaking well as he is a touch one-paced but is effective from the front or a handy position.

 Zeal And Zest ran well behind Marshall Foch last time considering he lost three lengths and he has won a win and a second in two starts over this course and distance. 

In the eighth over 1 000m Waimea showed good pace when winning his maiden over 1200m in second time blinkers. He now has pole position over 1 000m and runs off a reasonable opening mark of 76. Undisclosed has a similar profile, having won his maiden over 1 200m by 2,50 lengths when showing pace and he runs off a 77 merit rating from a fair draw so there won’t be much in it.

However, they might be split by Pearl Of Siberia who returns to his favourite course and distance.

• Due to the Coronavirus outbreak and in line with Government regulations, all race meetings around the country will take place behind closed doors until further notice.

The general public will not be allowed access but all races will be shown live on Tellytrack, DSTV channel 239.

• To take a bet go to TABgold.co.za

By David Thiselton

Head Honcho, winner of last season’s WSB Premier Trophy and beaten less than a length when third in the Sun Met the following month, has been retired.

The six-year-old finished last in this year’s Met, the final one of his 23 starts and Andre Nel said: “I think the writing was on the wall when he disappointed in his previous race (the Green Point) but he had run the race of his life in the 2019 Met and it is hard to run like that two years in succession.

“He won nine races, four of them stakes races, so he earned his keep. He is still on our West Coast farm but we are looking for a home for him. I would like him to go somewhere he can compete because that is what he likes.”

Stable companion Capoeira, third in last season’s Daily News and more recently second to Crown Towers in the Selangor Jet Master, will renew rivalry with that winner in the Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday when he will be ridden for the first time by Anton Marcus.

Nel said: “Hopefully Anton can give us an opinion on the horse because we have had conflicting views from the jockeys who have been riding him recently.”

By Michael Clower

“Barring a catastrophe, we need to make it happen in some format.” That was the determined response from Chris Haynes, executive director of Bloodstock South Africa when quizzed on how the National Yearling Sale will cope with the new 100-people gathering limit.

BSA yesterday postponed its flagship sale by four weeks to May 20-22 but the new date is provisional and is to be reviewed on April 16 in order to mirror the government’s target date for the evaluation of Covid-19 and its measures to combat the pandemic.

The sales company has also put back the Cape Mare Sale and the KZN Yearling Sale by three weeks – the new dates are June 11 and July 23-24. The Emperors Palace National Two Year Old Sale will now be held on September 17-18 but the Emperors Palace Ready To Run/November Two Year Old Sale remains on November 1.

Haynes said: “On April 16 we should get more updates from the government on whether the gathering limit increases or whether they leave it the same – and at that point we will have to see if we can work around it with things like limiting people into areas.”

By Michael Clower

Railtrip has paid the price of showing early potential and from a merit rating high of 100 drops to an 88 on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. Not that this makes any difference as she contests a set weights Graduation Plate that has attracted only five other opponents.

Railtrip has been battling under big weights in handicap races mostly against males of late so Gavin van Zyl will no doubt have targeted this set-weights race as it comes as a relief as far as Railtrip’s burden is concerned.

With ‘only’ 56.5kg to shoulder Railtrip will feel as if she is running loose and in deed comes out well on top of the best weighted column, especially with the scratching of Electric Surge that in theory gives her a 3kg advantage in that regard.

In spite of her big weights, Railtrip has still managed to be consistent and this may be her the break for her third win. But she does take on a couple that could make things difficult.

Duncan Howells has been enduring a particularly difficult time as his stable battles a virus – not connected to Corona. The normally prolific yard has not had a winner for some weeks but Howells has made a few changes and commented on Monday that his horses are looking a lot better.

He saddles Special Blend who made a smart poly debut behind course and distance specialist High Green last time out, coming from way back only to fail by half-a-length. The blinkers come off and Craig Zackey stays aboard.

Land Of Mystery looks safely held by both Railtrip and Special Blend if recent form is anything to go on but the blinkers are replaced by cheek pieces and a slight ‘tweak’ can often produce major results.

Michael Roberts and jockey Serino Moodley has struck as a combination to follow and they team up with Ad Altisima in the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap, one of the more difficult races to puzzle out.

Ad Altisima has smart form over course and distance and has not been out of the money since being gelded. He was run out of it late in Graduation company last start but although he has drawn a little wide, he should make a bold showing. Dennis Bosch was again tempted into sending Mutawaary over further last run but he seems more at home of this shorter trip and he looks a lightly threat to the selection.

But the list of possible winners is a long one and includes Kingston Rock, Captain Cobalt and High Voltage.

Rachel is something of a family affair in the sixth as she will be ridden by Warren Kennedy, is trained by Barbara Kennedy and her brother Wayne and is owned by their mother.

Rachel has come to hand nicely after a break and racing in blinkers and has her peak run. She went close last time out and can go one better. Her biggest danger could be recent maiden winner Brunilda who was a facile winner last time out. Garth Puller commented that she had been unlucky at her two previous outings and was not surprised by the ease of her win.

Sheik’s Storm is always game but does appear a length or two better over an extra furlong while Valeriana may just have needed her last run and can improve.

Gary Rich is a vastly under rated trainer and gets the most out of his limited stable talent. Pina Colada has been full value for her two wins to date and can break a string of runner-up berths in the seventh.

She does not have the best of draws but goes very well over the trip and is consistent.

Regular pilot Billy Jacobson has been signed on as stable rider to Louis Goosen so has been obliged to jump ship to partner Goosen’s mare Fleek with Sherman Bown taking over on Pina Colada. The mare and Rich are due a change of fortune. Of the balance, Popova’s last run is best ignored as she pulled up lame and coughing. She had been showing signs of winning again prior to that and from pole position should be much improved.

• Due to the Corona virus outbreak and in line with Government regulations, all race meetings around the country will take place behind closed doors until further notice. The general public will not be allowed access but all races will be shown live on Tellytrack, DSTV channel 239.
• To take a bet go to TABgold.co.za

By Andrew Harrison

Hollywoodbets Greyville Wednesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

3 FLYING PETER   2 TREAD SWIFTLY   1 LIGHT THAT LOOSE   5 THE SNOW WAR
Preview: FLYING PETER (3) made a promising debut. That run should bring him on nicely. TEAD SWIFTLY (2) caught the eye in a barrier trial behind the promising older filly Dancing Feather and is one to watch in the betting. The same goes for LIGHT THAT LOOSE (1). Andrew Harrison: 3-2-1-5).

Race 2

8 MACALLAN   9 TONIGHTSFIGHTNIGHT   11 TRANSONIC   4 TROMSO
Preview: Open race. MACALLAN (8) has been costly to follow having been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but he can do better over this trip. TONIGHTSFIGHTNIGHT (9) was green on debut but was not far back. He is sure to come on from that effort. TRANSONIC (11) was touched off over course and distance last run. He has drawn wide again but must rate a strong chance. TROMSO (4) made a fair debut and is another that should come on with the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-11-4).

Race 3

1 SPANISH OASIS   5 HIGHLAND HEATHER   10 BLANCHETTA   8 LEADING LYRIC
Preview: SPANISH OASIS (1) Has her third run after a break. She is seldom far back and has a big chance in this line-up.  HIGHLAND HEATHER (5) has had one run back since a break. She is lightly raced and has shown ability. BLANCHETTA (10) was a well beaten second last run but meets a weak field here and has a chance of going one better. LEADING LYRIC (8) raced green in a fair debut and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-10-8).

Race 4

3 RAILTRIP   2 JOSEPH JAGGER   6 SPECIAL BLEND   5 ELECTRIC SURGE
Preview: RAILTRIP (3) has been costly to follow but she may now be in the right race. She has been lumping big weights and is better off in this set weights contest. JOSEPH JAGGER (2) is unbeaten in both starts on the poly. Both were close finishes. SPECIAL BLEND (6) has consistent form in blinkers and was touched off last run. The stable is quiet at the moment but will turn eventually. ELECTRIC SURGE (5) is way better than her last run. She has a light weight and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-6-5).

Race 5

9 AD ALTISIMA   8 MUTAWAARY   6 KINGSTON ROCK   10 CAPTAIN COBALT
Preview: AD ALTISIMA (9) has smart form over course and distance. He has drawn a little wide but should make a bold showing. MUTAWAARY (8) tried further last run but seems more at home of this shorter trip. KINGSTON ROCK (6) has consistent form to weaker but only has 50kg to should which should make him competitive. CAPTAIN COBALT (10) is always dangerous. He is better than his last run. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-6-10).

Race 6

6 RACHEL   7 BRUNILDA   9 SHEIK’S STORM   3 VALERIANA
Preview: RACHEL (6) has come to hand in blinkers and went close last time out. She can go one better. BRUNILDA (7) was a facile maiden winner last start. She had been a little unlucky at her two previous outings and has a strong chance of going in again. SHEIK’S STORM (9) is always game but does appear a length or two better over an extra furlong. VALERIANA (3) may just have needed her last run and can improve. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-9-3).

Race 7

12 PINA COLADA   1 POPOVA   7 SPIFFY   5 KEEP ON DANCING
Preview: PINA COLADA (12) does not have the best of draws but goes very well over the trip and is consistent. She is due a change of fortune. POPOVA (1) last run is best ignored as she pulled up lame and coughing. She had been showing signs of winning again prior to that and from pole position should be much improved. SPIFFY (7) showed up nicely in her first run back from a break. The cheek pieces go on. KEEP ON DANCING (5) was a comfortable maiden winner last outing. That form has stood up but she does have a big weight. (Andrew Harrison: 12-1-7-5).

Race 8

11 FADE TO BLACK   5 TILMEETH   4 BACKPACKER   9 TEICHMAN
Preview: FADE TO BLACK (11) has drawn wide but has put in two promising recent efforts and looks the part. TILMEETH (5) makes his debut for his new stable. He has shown some fair Highveld form and at best should go close.  BACKPACKER (4) was a well beaten second last run but took to the poly surface and should be competitive. TEICHMAN (9) was not too far back from a wide draw. He is lightly raced and can be dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-4-9).

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

Do It Again will win the Vodacom Durban July this year if one historical pointer repeats itself.

There have been six horses who have won the big race twice, but the three previous dual winners to Do It Again all ended their sequence on a year ending in zero.

Pamphlet won it in 1918 and 1920, Milesia Pride won it in 1949 and 1950 and El Picha won it in 1999 and 2000.

Can Do It Again keep up this trend by winning it in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and thus become the first in history to win it three times? 

El Picha was trained by five times SA champion trainer Geoff Woodruff. 

His father-in-law, the late great trainer Terrance Millard had trained a number of good horses from Argentina, including July winners Tecla Bluff and Illustrador as well as the immortal Empress Club.

After his retirement in 1991 he continued his purchasing journeys to Argentina on behalf of Woodruff and his son Tony.

One day in the mid-1990s his shipping agent phoned him to tell him there was one space left in the jet stall he had paid for and would he like to fill it.

Millard immediately thought of a small black horse who had caught his eye but had ultimately failed to make it on to his shortlist. He managed to secure this horse, El Picha, for $15,000.

Woodruff described El Picha yesterday, “He was right up there with the best I have trained, although I would not say the best. He was easy as pie to train and one of my favourites. He was laid back and a friend to everybody and I think he knew that.”

The 1994-born gelding by Tough Critic won seven races in Cape Town, including the Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m.

However, the key to his success could have been Woodruff’s move to train in Johannesburg.

Woodruff revealed to the Racegoer a few years ago that El Picha had a naturally low “blood count” but in his first three months on the Highveld his blood count improved “out of sight.” Horses at that altitude have to be worked harder in order to get fitter because the thinner air provides less oxygen and El Picha began to thrive. In his second start on the Highveld he finished fifth in the Grade 1 Champions Stakes, beaten five lengths by Fort Defiance, and he then travelled down to Durban. After running a three-quarter length third in the Greyville 1900 from a wide draw he was set to carry just 53kg in the July. Robbie Hill rode a peach of a race from a wide draw and he denied Classic Flag a July double by 0,75 lengths.

As a five-year-old El Picha won the Summer Cup, finished second in the Met, second in the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes, second in the Grade 1 Champions Stakes at Turffontein and then easily won the Grade 3 Jubilee before defending his July crown under Anton Marcus with a hair’s breadth victory over Young Rake despite carrying top weight of 58kg. He went on to win a Grade 1 over 2000m at Clairwood. That was the last race he won but he did well enough to continue racing until the end of his seven-year-old season.

Woodruff said he then proved to be a “useless” showjumper and thus spent the rest of his life, until the age of 22, happily eating grass in a paddock at Randjesfontein together with his pony friend “Andy.”

Racing historian Jay August wrote about Milesia Pride in his informative facebook page Notable South African Thoroughbreds.

Milesia Pride, a chestnut who stood at about 16 hands, was bought in Ireland by Mr JT Amery of KZN for £1150. The 86-year-old Amery had harboured the desire to win the “July” for near fifty years but had managed just one third place in 1918 with a horse named Draughtsman and two unplaced efforts in 1916 and 1945. Milesia Pride arrived by boat in Cape Town and was later sent to the yard of Jim Morrison.

Imported unraced horses were only allowed to run in Top Division events in those days, so Milesia Pride, having to start his career as a two-year-old running against top older horses, finished unplaced in his first five starts. He then claimed a fourth place and then ran second in the Kings Cup. He then won a top division race to secure his July place. After two sharpeners he won the 1949 July comfortably under Tiger Wright carrying 49kg. He thus became the second youngest horse to win the July Handicap, at 39 months of age, the only younger one being two-year-old Nobleman in 1911.

Milesia Pride won the July narrowly in 1950 under Basil Lewis carrying 57kg. He was unlucky in 1951, finishing seventh carrying 62kg. He had one more attempt at the big race in 1953 and was later retired to stud.

He only produced one foal to race and was put back into training in Bloemfontein where he was to pass away of what racing writer Mordaunt Milner suspected might have been a “broken heart.”

Milesia Pride’s sire Montrose was the first horse to sire the winner of four “July’s” and the first to sire three individual winners

According to Jean Jaffee’s book, They Raced To Win, Pamphlet was imported by Mr A. Britton (the racing nom-de-plume of Albert Lavenstein) from Britain at the same time as Trocko, who won the Johannesburg Summer Handicap in 1916.

Pamphlet won that race in 1917 before going on two win his two Durban Julys.

Pamphlet was reportedly a huge horse who according to renowned industry an Alex Robertson would have done justice to a team of “vanners” (Gypsy Cob horse).  

Although, he looked like a stallion while in training he proved “useless” at stud, the best of his progeny being the filly Pavlova who finished second in the 1929 Summer Handicap.

By David Thiselton