Out Of Your League lived up to his name on Saturday when causing a 45/1 upset in the Grade 1 SA Derby and although the win gives him an automatic entry into the Vodacom Durban July trainer Fabian Habib did not entertain any thought of an entry.

He confirmed the July would be too sharp for him and added, “He will even go 3200m. He is a young horse so the Gold Cup this season might be too early in his career but we will make a decision closer to the time.”

Habib knew Out Of Your League would fight back on Saturday when appearing to have been swamped close to home after setting the pace.

He said, “He is the sort of horse who looks for company. In an earlier race over 2400m he was overtaken and fought back to be beaten a short-head. He is an out and out stayer.”

Habib was brought up in racing and at the National Two-year-old Sale one day went and watched the horses having their afternoon walks. He spotted Out Of Your League and recalled, “He just had this presence about him.”

He secured him for R130,000.

Out Of Your League has a fine staying pedigree being by SA Derby and Daily News 2000 winner Elusive Fort out of an unraced mare (by stamina influence Del Sarto) who was a half-sister to the useful Listed winner Buscador.

By David Thiselton

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

12 TRICKSTER   8 MRS PLAYER   5 QUEEN ISABELLA   9 SCENTED MISTRESS
Preview: Mostly first timers but Cape visitor TRICKSTER (12) can improve on her Kenilworth debut effort. MRS PLAYER (8) was a touch disappointing on debut but did find some market support. QUEEN ISABELLA (5) has been rested since her smart barrier trial and should come on from that. SCENTED MISTRESS (9) is a nicely bred visitor and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 12-8-5-9).

Race 2

10 KEEP THE LIGHTS ON   6 MY LADY   9 SHADES OF RED   3 EYE CATCHING.
Preview: KEEP THE LIGHTS ON (10) was well supported on debut and was narrowly beaten. That experience should tell. MY LADY (6) made a fair debut over coursed and distance and can improve on that showing. SHADES OF RED (9) improv3ed nicely at her second barrier trial. EYE CATCHING (3) made a modest Cape debut but should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-9-3).

Race 3                      

6 SAN ANDREAS   8 VAR’S ELUSION   10 HARDWIRED   11 CAPTAIN OUPIE
Preview: SAN ANDREAS (6) showed up well in his barrier trial and is likely to come on well from that. VAR’S ELUSION (8) has put in two smart efforts on this course and should run another bold race. HARDWIRED (10) showed up well in his first run back from a break and has done well on this course. CAPTAIN OUPIE (11) showed up well at long odds in his Cape debut and has a chance on that showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-10-11).

Race 4

1 ASTUTE VISION   2 TWICEASFAST   8 TO DO RON RON   12 CHANEL ALLURE
Preview: ASTUTE VISION (1) has shown promise and has improved in blinkers. She should go well again. TWICEASFAST (2) showed up well in her barrier trial and is one to watch in the betting. TO DO RON RON (8) failed narrowly last time out. She has improved in blinkers. CHANEL ALLURE (12) looks held by To Do Ron Ron on their last meeting but has gone close over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-12).

Race 5

4 RED ROCK CANYON   1 DONALD MCDONALD   6 LORD OF THE MANOR   11 POWER TO COMMAND
Preview: RED ROCK CANYON (4) shows some useful Cape form over the trip. He has improved in blinkers and should go close. DONALD MCDONALD (1) showed up well on debut. He should much prefer this trip and has the best of the draw. LORD OF THE MANOR (6) caught the eye when running on well in a recent sprint. He should prefer this trip. POWER TO COMMAND (11) has been trying further but can run fresh over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-6-11).

Race 6

9 ON THE DOUBLE   5 PERFECT AIR   6 ELECTRIC SURGE   2 DOWN TO EARTH
Preview: ON THE DOUBLE (9) goes well over course and distance. She has drawn a little wide but should go well again. PERFECT AIR (5) won her last start in the Cape. She may prefer it a bit further but can race fresh over this shorter trip. ELECTRIC SURGE (6) is much better than her last run when taking on males. She had smart form in useful company before that. DOWN TO EARTH (2) won well first up out of the maidens. She has jumped in the ratings but does show some promise. (Andrew Harrison: 9-5-6-2).

Race 7

5 TWIST OF FATE   10 AZORES   8 BORN TO PERFORM   6 GG’S DYNASTY
Preview: TWIST OF FATE (5) has smart form in top company. He is well weighted here and at best should be hard to beat. AZORES (10) has promising Cape form. He jumps in class here but has a light weight. BORN TO PERFORM (8) is always game and won well last time out. GG’S DYNASTY (9) has smart form at this course and should be close-up. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-8-9).

Race 8

3 SKIDOO   1 WINTER BLUES   11 YESSIRICANBOOGIE   10 CANDY GALORE
Preview: Open. SKIDOO (3) has smart Cape form over the trip. He must have a strong chance. WINTER BLUES (1) is always game and goes well on this course. YESSIRICANBOOGIE (11) showed top class potential as a juvenile. She was narrowly beaten last run but does have a big weight. CANDY GALORE (10) was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. She meets stronger here but is smart on her day. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-11-10).

Race 9

8 KINGSTON ROCK   4 SPEED OF NIGHT   5 MAI TAI   12 LETABA
Preview: KINGSTON ROCK (6) has been knocking at the door for some time now but he goes well over this trip and with a claiming apprentice up should go close. SPEED OF NIGHT (4) shed his maiden last run but has shown potential. The blinkers go on. MAI TAI (5) is a useful filly. She has improved in cheek pieces and goes well this trip. LETABA (12) tried further last run but seems best over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-12).

Race 10

3 ROCKCLIFFE   5 JUSTAGUYTHING   2 STORMY MISS   7 RETAIL THERAPY
Preview: ROCKCLIFFE (3) is way better than his last start. He has done well to stronger and at best should go close. JUSTAGUYTHING (5) is back over his preferred trip and a repeat of his last run can see him into the money. STORMY MISS (2) took on a strong field first up out of the maidens. She is lightly raced and can still improve. RETAIL THERAPY (7) shed her maiden last run but has made steady recent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-2-7).

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

Erik The Red could be Durban bound after making it four off the reel with a devastating turn of foot in the Kuda Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth on Tuesday.

Varsfontein’s homebred Captain Al colt was giving away more weight than a sumo wrestler yet he started almost unbackable at 3-7 and, when Richard Fourie pressed the button, he accelerated like a Ferrari to storm home four and a half lengths clear of the smart Matthew The King.

“He could end up in the Cape Guineas at the end of the year but the question now is whether we go to KZN for the Group I races,” said Jono Snaith, adding diplomatically: ”That will be up to Susan Rowett and John Kalmanson.” Seemingly, though, the owners are not going to be left in any doubt about what the Snaiths feel because Jono said, almost in the same breath: “The way he won, it will be hard not to – and I think he is good enough.”

Fourie shares much the same view, saying: “He’s a racehorse and I wake up in the mornings to ride horses like him. He is definitely capable of winning a Group 1.”

Of course, unless the regulations change, Fourie won’t be able to ride him or any of the other Snaith-trained KZN stars. How does he view this, Fee Ramsden asked him. “I’ve put a line through the Durban season,” he admitted. “I am just focussing on earning a living and what racing needs to do is to keep focussing on keeping the show going.”

Amazingly this was the first Somerset success for Justin Snaith since Gimmethegreenlight nine years ago. The dual champion trainer also won the Kudex Pinnacle with last year’s Winter Derby second Nexus and the Kudex Perfect Promise with Captain’s Ransom who fairly flew up the rails in Suzette Viljoen’s colours to lead just over 50m out.

Fourie was on both these and Jono Snaith sees Captain’s Ransom as a classic filly – “She is a very exciting prospect and she will end up in the Cape Fillies Guineas. She should stay every inch of the mile too.”

Piet Steyn has had to wait a long time for a horse good enough to take him back to the glory days of his early training career but in Katak he appears to have found it. So have the punters who backed the colt from 5-1 to 23-10 favourite in the Kuda Variety Club Mile – and Aldo Domeyer made sure they never had a moment’s anxiety. Indeed when he pressed the button it was race over.

The jockey was mightily impressed, saying:” Mr Steyn told me that he thinks he has one of the best horses in the country and I don’t feel that sentiment is out of place. Indeed I can’t wait for the summer season because that is when you are going to see the best of him – and he has everything he needs to go to the top.”

The Winter Series looks like being on the agenda and Steyn, who owns the colt 50:50 with Marsh Shirtliff, said: “I am thankful to Marsh (for coming in with me). He is a great man and it’s nice to be in partnership with him.”

Hassen Adams’ What A Flirt goes for the second and third legs of the fillies winter series after delighting Paddy Kruyer and Greg Cheyne in the Kuda Fillies Maiden while Anecdote showed the benefit of first time blinkers for Geoff Woodruff and Mj Byleveld in the mile maiden. Woodruff, to move to Cape Town later in the year, also won the last for Mike Fullard and James Drew with Worlds Your Oyster (Corne Orffer).

Brett Crawford and  Orffer doubled up with impressive newcomer Invincabelle in the opener and Sing Out Loud in the Kuda Sweet Chestnut. This Ridgemont filly was plumb last for much of the way after fly-jumping as the gates opened but, as her jockey related, “When I gave her the bit she just took off.”

By Michael Clower

Image: Candiese Lenferna

All the top guns were among the first entries for this year’s R1.5 million Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July when nominations closed today.

The 52 horses nominated for the showpiece at Hollywoodbets Greyville, included two-time winner of the race Do It Again, who, if he triumphs on Saturday, July 25, will become the first horse in the 123-year history of South African’s most famous race to achieve the treble.

But Justin Snaith’s champion will not be short of opposition should all pan out with Hawwaam, Rainbow Bridge and Vardy also amongst the nominations.

Do It Again has not been out since a disappointing effort in the Sun Met at Kenilworth but put in a pleasing gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Sunday and looks on track for a tilt at his third victory in the race.

A somewhat surprising omission was Sunday’s Grade 2 Wold Sport’s Betting Guineas winner, Wild Coast, but with two further entry dates, Snaith still has opportunity.

Hawwaam, the disappointment last year when scratched at the start, was back in business at Turffontein last Saturday with a convincing win in the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes. There are export issues to navigate before the race and his participation is not assured. If the European Union protocols are approved, Hawwaam will take his place but if the colt is to be exported via Mauritius he will need to be in quarantine before the race.

Rainbow Bridge, second last year, and second in the Sun Met, has not been seen out since the Met but will be out for revenge and give stalwart owner Mike Rattray the victory in a race he so desperately wants to win.

Stable companion to Rainbow Bridge and Grade 1 Cape Derby winner Golden Ducat, was an eye-catching third in last Sunday’s World Sport’s Betting Guineas and has also been nominated by trainer Eric Sands.

Vardy, a touch disappointing when third in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes last Sunday, was a cracking winner of the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and will surely come on from that race after a four-month break from the track.

Marcus has also entered Twist Of Fate, third last year for Joey Ramsden who has since moved to Australia.

An interesting nomination by Dean Kannemeyer who has won this race twice, is KZN Derby winner It’s My Turn, off the track with injury for over a year.

Other notable entries are impressive Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes winner Bunker Hunt and Soqrat.

By Andrew Harrison

Featured Image: Last years Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again (Candiese Lenferna)

Super Silvano could be the answer to the Kuda Variety Club Mile at today’s quadruple-feature fixture at Kenilworth.

There is precious little to choose between the pair on their running in February and on adjusted ratings they have a bit in hand over Cane Lime ‘N Soda, and a minimum of 4-5kg over everything else.

Silver Host showed much improved form to beat Super Silvano two and a quarter lengths in the Politician but proved a disappointing favourite in the Cape Derby and, although the stipes ordered a veterinary examination, nothing showed up. “The Politician was a hard race and it flattened Silver Host for the Derby which was only three weeks later,” explains Justin Snaith. “He is much better now and I think he will run well although he may find it a bit on the short side. He is a nice horse and this race will decide whether he comes up to Durban.”

Super Silvano, third in the Cape Derby, could also find the mile on the short side but he receives a kilo and is 2.5kg better with his rival on Politician form. At 33-10 this Brett Crawford runner is a decent price and he gets the vote.

But watch out for 5-1 shot Katak who has won both his starts, has the advantage of Aldo Domeyer and is almost certainly still on the upgrade. “It’s still early days but I rate him and he is very well at the moment,” says Piet Steyn. “He is stepping up in class and this will show how good he is.”

Erik The Red, winner of his last three, should be the answer to the Kuda Somerset but his 1-3 price hardly makes him a betting proposition. Many of the most successful punters over the years have made it a golden rule never to bet at odds-on and personally I believe that life is too short to back horses at 1-3. You need to have four consecutive winners to show a profit betting on horses at that price.

No reason why the Snaith horse shouldn’t win – indeed, it will be a shock if he doesn’t – but Matthew The King at 15-2 is a much more appealing bet. He impressed when winning first time out at Durbanville in March, receives 4kg and has been working nicely. “I see they don’t give him a hope in hell but he is a very nice horse, albeit an unknown quantity,” says Greg Ennion. “He is doing well and he went well when I galloped him last week.”

The stats point to an upset – Armando 12 months ago was the first favourite to win this race in five years. His stable is represented by 14-1 outsider Futura’s Hope. Vaughan Marshall often has his two-year-olds ready to win first time so, if you fancy Freedom Park at 10-1, don’t be put off. He and Futura’s Hope receive 2kg from the selection and a whopping 6kg from the favourite.

The in-form Candice Bass-Robinson has won two of the last three runnings of the Kudex Perfect Promise Sprint and she can collect again, this time with Lemon Delight whose debut win was far more impressive than the half-length verdict might suggest.

The danger to the 33-10 shot could well be Captain’s Ransom who showed phenomenal finishing speed on debut at Durbanville and her stable has won this race twice in the last four seasons.

Selections:

Race 5: Matthew The King
Race 6: Lemon Delight
Race 8: Super Silvano

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Aldo Domeyer rides Katak at Kenilworth racecourse today