In spite of his respiratory problems, Blackball has been an honest servant for Gavin van Zyl and his many owners and he looks set for his eighth visit to the winner’s circle when he lines up in the Intelligent Solutions Pinnacle Stakes on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

The race is almost a re-run of the recent Umthomboti Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville where Blackball ran out a convincing winner in spite of stable companion Marchingontogether starting favourite.

Raymond Danielson, who rode Blackball, said he was puzzled at first why Warren Kennedy had chosen Marchingontogether ahead of Blackball. “I was scratching my head a bit why Warren picked the other one then I saw the weight difference and he was probably on the right one.”

The boot is on the other foot come Sunday with a four length and 4.5kg turn around in favour of Blackball so all things being equal, Marchingontogether will have to start tomorrow to beat his stable companion.

Wealthy has nearly five lengths to make up on Blackball after finishing fourth but he is 4kg better off this time around which brings him well into the picture.

The filly Moon In June steps up in class but Robbie Hill’s charge was a comfortable winner last time out. She is in receipt of 9kg from Blackball which must also put her in the frame.

True To Life made a strong start to her sophomore campaign, beating Ikigai in her seasonal debut and following up in the Magnolia Handicap where she had three lengths to spare over Dancing Queen. She is up against some smart older fillies including former Gr1 Empress Club winner Camphoratus in the Silverline Panel Beating & Spray Painting Conditions Plate.

True To Life’s Highveld form was deemed good enough for her to make the trip to Kenilworth for the Cape Fillies Guineas but it was all in vain as she finished midfield behind Mississippi Burning.

That was not the strongest Guineas field on record but if the merit ratings are anything to go on, she should be right up there.

If Camphoratus, who is rated one-pound better than True To Life under Sunday’s conditions, is anywhere near her best she will give the younger filly a tough race.

She is back on home soil with Robbie Hill after a warm-up over the Turffontein Inner track mile.

Her best recent form has been over ground but she is fully effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop, will be a serious contender.

Also in opposition is Master Keys. She ran a creditable race in the Flamboyant Stakes on Boxing Day from a wide draw and had solid form leading into the race. She is over what looks to be her optimum trip and although the opposing line-up is strong, she is definitely a big runner.

The third is a difficult Fillies and Mares Handicap and it may prove prudent to load up in this the opening leg of the Pick 6. There was a piece of paper separating Mai Tai and Extravargant when last they met and the former went on to frank that form with a win next time out. Extravargant is 1kg better off this time around but the younger filly is still on the up.

Song Of The Forest held on just long enough to hold all at bay last Sunday over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1400m and she should appreciate this shorter trip. Love Theme, Someone Exciting and At Your Request are all live runners.

The balance of the card is made up of rats and mice maidens where any form could prove suspect.

By Andrew Harrison

Our Prized Jewel may well have the potential to beat the first-time-out-of-the-maidens bogey in the Hospitality & Venue Booking Handicap at Durbanville tomorrow.

This Brett Crawford-trained Ridgemont filly is bred to be a star – by five-time Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade, she is a half-sister to Cape Fillies Guineas scorer Silver Mountain and to the brilliantly fast but temperamental Cloth Of Cloud who won the SA Nursery – and her home reputation preceded her on debut. She started at odds-on, raced prominently and led two furlongs out to score by a length and three-quarters in what looked a reasonable maiden – the three immediately behind her had all been placed on their most recent starts.

“She has got ability and I like her,” enthused Anton Marcus. “She hadn’t been tuned up at home.” However he did add that she might take another run to learn what racing is all about.”

That last point could make her vulnerable against this much more experienced opposition but she has been given a chance by the handicappers. They put her in on a mark of 79 which is more or less what she ran to and makes no allowance for the amount by which she can be expected to have come on.

Greg Cheyne, also retained by Ridgemont, takes over from Marcus and his mount looks reasonably priced at 2-1. This favourite could have most to fear from the other runner in the dark green, blue sleeves, white cap colours –  Proclaimer, trained by the in-form Candice Bass-Robinson and ridden by the under-rated Anthony Andrews.

This one has put up two really good efforts in her last two starts, is well drawn and looks a big price at 7-1.

The betting, although arguably not the form book, suggests that Mon Cherie and Windsor Beat are bigger threats. Both are 9-2 chances. The former has to give weight all round and was hanging throughout the final furlong last time when Windsor Beat was three-quarters of a length behind and is now half a kilo better. Queen’s Club (6-1) was well beaten on her last three starts and there were no obvious excuses for her two most recent efforts.

But one worthy of consideration is the Andre Nel runner Academic Gold who is also first time out of the maidens. She gets in off 78 but her negative is her kiss-of-death draw.

Nippy Sweetie flopped when hot favourite on Cape Derby day and it is significant that Crawford turns her out again so soon. The hint should not be ignored in race one while Tostada looks another for Cheyne in the next.

By Michael Clower

The Classic meeting tomorrow sees Summer Pudding attempting to remain unbeaten and take one step closer to the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara but the second leg of the SA Triple Crown is not nearly as clear cut.

Ikigai won the first leg of the SA Triple Crown, the Gauteng Guineas, and is tipped here to win this leg too but only due to the lack of depth in the field as he has a stamina doubt. The athletic chestnut is full of class and has a fine turn of foot so in expected fast conditions and from a good draw he could be ridden cold and with enough extra down the long straight.

His stablemate Shango would look a good bet here in normal circumstances but has had an interrupted preparation. He can be dropped out from a wide draw as he can come from off the pace, like he did in the Dingaans, but if proving to need it he will have a tough task making up the ground. Green Laser is proven over this trip and was staying on strongly for third in the Gauteng Guineas so he will be a big runner from draw two as he looks to be a progressive sort too. Frosted Gold has finished second to Shango and Ikigai in the Dingaans and Gauteng Guineas respectively but has a stamina doubt. However, he is full of courage and is well drawn, so he could still be in the shake up. Master Supreme is the dark horse despite an official merit rating of a paltry 85 as he is a rangy sort who is improving as he strengthens and he won easily over 2000m last time.

Got The Greenlight can’t be ignored as he won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m as a two-year-old with a strong late run, which suggested he should enjoy this trip. However, he has only had two runs this season and the last of those was in the CTS 1600 in Cape Town, so the journey might have taken something out of him. Before that he was well beaten by Ikigai in the Tony Ruffel over 1400m, although he was entitled to need that run. Marshall is another one who can’t be left out. He shows exceptional homework but has not quite brought it to the course yet. He has shown glimpses of class though and this good looking horse should stay the trip. Of the rest Western Fort has won well over 2000m and is tough to leave out, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. His stablemate Astrix just failed to hold on for third in the Guineas but might be stretched by this trip. Leopold was a four length fifth in the Guineas and should enjoy the step up in trip so could earn. It is wide open and others like Rock The Globe and Imperial Ruby could also make their presence felt.

In the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic Summer Pudding will relish the step up in trip from the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, which was on the sharp side of her stamina range. This her fifth career start so she will be starting to know what to do and she has relaxed well in the running before anyway so a tricky draw of eleven shouldn’t be too much bother. She is by Silvano, so will be improving, and is out of a half-sister to the Triple Tiara heroine Cherry On The Top, so she has everything in her favour. Rio’s Winter ran on strongly for second in the Gauteng Fillies Guiness but had no answer to Summer Pudding’s late rally. She looks a type who will also enjoy this trip, although her mother Winter Ade also finished second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and then failed in this race. Her pole position draw will help he cause. Gaian Glory could be the dark horse as she has a fine turn of foot and made her run way too soon in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup. If ridden patiently here she could produce a late surge. She is a half-sister to Chijmes, who stays this trip. Kayla’s Champ looks likely to relish the course and distance and could surprise. Virtuosa hot the front too soon in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and could earn if ridden patiently. Magic School has the blinkers off and could earn as she made up the ground from a long way back too quickly in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas.  Mill Queen has the class but the trip might stretch her. The KZN raider Dancing Feather will enjoy the course and distance and could earn.

In the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes Mike de Kock’s Buffalo Bill Cody has plenty of class but comes back from a rest and takes on the distance specialist Tierra Del Fuego, who is race fit bit not quite as classy. Barahin, Cirillo and Matador man should make their presence felt too.

The two-year-old features will be interesting and in the first of them, the Listed Ruffian Stakes, Ecstatic Green might represent good value as he caught the eye running on strongly on debut over this trip after a slow start and the form has since been franked.

In the Listed Storm Bird Stakes War Room looks full of class and can remain unbeaten.

In the Acacia Saragon is coming into her own but will have her work cut out keeping the unbeaten and lightweighted Lady of Steel at bay.

The Listed Drum Star could be fought out by Hero’s Honour and Divine Odyssey, although D’Arrivee, Green Haze and Silver God warrant inclusion. 

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry sends a strong team to Turffontein on Saturday, including star colts Ikigai and Shango who top the boards for the Grade 1 SA Classic, although both of them have question marks hanging over their heads.

Vercingetorix colt Ikigai won both the Tony Ruffel over 1400m and the Gauteng Guineas in impressive style but there is a slight stamina question mark about him.

Tarry said, “He has shown what you would expect considering Vercingetorix is out of a National Assembly mare and there is speed close up in the female line too. However, we have adjusted his work program, he has settled into it nicely and I am a bit more upbeat about him staying the 1800m than I initially was.”

Shango is by the sprinter Captain Of All out of a Jet Master mare who won from 1200m to 1400m but he won the TAB/Betting World Dingaans going away and Tarry has no doubt whatsoever about him staying this 1800m trip.

However, he had to be scratched from the Gauteng Guineas after a minor setback which put him out of work for a three or four days.

Tarry said, “The interrupted preparation has cost him. That doesn’t mean he can’t win as he is classy, but he might prove to need it, the race will tell.”

Tarry would not want to swap this pair’s draws around. Ikigai tends to race handy and has landed a good draw of four, whereas the rangy Shango tends to come from off the pace and can be dropped out from a high draw of 12.

Tarry also runs outsider Rock The Globe and he said, “He flopped in the Cape Guineas but his mile form before that was good (third in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes as a two-year-old) so we have given him the benefit of the doubt and will see how he goes.”

In the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic Tarry said it had been “a tough pill to swallow” to have to scratch Victoria Paige as he had given her a big chance. Keep Smiling is now his only runner and he said, “She finished close in the Fillies Mile but when we stepped her up to 2000m she didn’t see it out, so we have taken the blinkers off to see whether that helps her settle better and then she can hopefully finish better.”

Tarry should have an early chance of landing a feature with Ecstatic Queen in the Listed The Citizen Ruffian Stakes over 1000m. This Gimmethegreenlight filly has some speed and a nice big action and was finishing strongly on debut when beaten just three-quarters of a length into third by Springs Of Carmel. She gets 3kg from the latter and 7kg from the unbeaten Miracle Flight. She has landed the plum Standside draw and has been working well.

In the Listed TAB Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m he also has a good chance with Querari filly Slalom Queen whom he rates as “very decent.” She showed good cruising speed on debut over 1000m, then quickened exceptionally well and also found extra when challenged. She won easing up by 2,25 lengths, but is now up against a seemingly exceptional colt in War Room, although she does receive 4,5kg.

Tarry also runs Willow Express in this race and didn’t want to believe his first start, where beaten 12,50 lengths, so has drawn a line through it and is giving him another chance. He said, “His work is good enough so we will find out.”

In the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap over 1600m he has four runners and said he felt Cordillera had the best profile considering her weight, draw and form. He pointed out Rockin Russian had bounced back to win well over 1400m last time and the form of that race had worked out exceptionally well. Aurelia Cotta and Saints Alive are also well. Tarry has been impressed with Johan Janse van Vuuren’s unbeaten filly Lady Of Steel and felt she was the one to beat.

In the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes Tierro Del Fuego is course and distance suited and has won five of his last six runs but is up against some highly rated horses like Barahin and Buffalo Bill Cody, who, on the other hand, are returning from layoffs. This will be Tierro Del Fuego’s acid test.

Tarry’s Cirillo also has a high merit rating and he felt he would bounce back to form in the Hawaii. He said, “He has been haemoconcentrating and has had muscular problems but we are on top of it and I am much more upbeat about his chances this time.”

He also runs Matador Man in the Hawaii and said, “His comeback run was poor but he then showed good improvement in his second run. At his best he has a chance although he does unfortunately seem to reserve his best for Greyville.”

In the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m he has two runners and said, “Silver God is in a good place and the distance should be no problem. His form is decent and he must have a shout. Lord Silverio has his first run after gelding and we hope he can get back to his potential. He might just need this first run after gelding but we expect a good showing.”

In the Listed Aquanaut Handicap Shenanigans also has his first run after gelding.

Tarry said, “He has a good pedigree so we held off but he wasn’t able to use himself properly behind. The gelding has had the desired effect and he is moving well. I would have preferred to bring him back over 1800m or 2000m but he is a nice stayer and should still make his presence felt.”

Tarry hoped to see his other runner here Wonderous Climber bouncing back after being off form but then showing “slight improvement” in his last start over 2000m.

By David Thiselton

Summerveld trainer Paul Lafferty was thrilled his charge Bint El Malak could win the lucrative Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Horse challenge for stalwart owner Brian Riley.

Riley also owns the third-placed horse Explosive Beauty in partnership with Sherwin Jerrier.

Lafferty said, “Brian and Sherwin are two of the gentlemen of the game, every stable would like to have people of this ilk in their yard.”

Lafferty said that once Bint El Malak, a four-year-old Kings Chapel filly, had gathered 14 points with a win on the first day of the challenge, which stretched out over three months from December 1 to February 29, it was decided to try and win it.

That first win was in a qualified maiden in her 13th start, but nevertheless she started out her handicapping career in fine style with two seconds, a win, a third and a sixth. This increased her tally to 75 points and she finished eight clear of Wendy Whitehead’s Jayden’s Shreya.

Lafferty said, “I didn’t think she would improve that much, but she did and is still in fine shape so will probably be out again soon.”

The competition came at the right time for the yard because in about October last year they had finally overcome a persistent virus which had blighted them for about a year.

The yard then hit form and Lafferty finished second in the Sizzling Summer Trainer’s competition.

He said, “Garth Puller was too strong but I think we had the highest percentage if I’m not mistaken. Well done to the Puller yard. Alyson Wright in third place also pressed hard and won a number of races for their clients, who have got to be happy.”

Lafferty praised Hollywoodbet for the initiative in providing this excellent incentive.

Warren Kennedy won the Jockeys challenge from Anton Marcus.

The R750,000 total prize money, R250,000 for each of the three challenges, was split between the first six places with R100,000 going to the winner of each challenge.

Lafferty and team are determined the yard will never be affected so badly by a virus again and have taken extreme precautions. He said, “We check bloods everyday and it was a very tough time, the blood pictures were shocking. But the horses have come well and now we take many measures, including spraying the boxes with viruscides and administering herpes injections every three months.”

By David Thiselton