Andrew Harrison

CAPTAIN FONTANE is Hong Kong’s loss and South Africa’s gain. A failed export bid saw the gelding back in Garth Puller’s yard and it was four from four at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Facing his sternest test, Captain Fontane passed with flying colours and although it is still early days, the gelding has stacked up to all of his pre-race hype. “He’ll go a mile on his coconut,” said Puller after his previous success and on yesterday’s evidence, Captain Fontane could even get further.

A touch keen in the early exchanges, he settled nicely under Ashton Arries and fortunately was clear of Farland who dislodged Jason Gates as his mount appeared to clip heels racing up the inside fence.

Let loose at the top of the straight, Captain Fontane accelerated like a good horse should.

October Song let the side down when heavily supported on debut but Sweet Symphony played a better tune for Mike Miller in the card opener.

October Song was all the rage in her Hollywoodbets Scottsville debut a week back but Serino Moodley found himself all at sea as his mount ran everywhere except straight.

It was a different story yesterday. Starting at long odds, Sweet Symphony pulled herself to the front and was never in danger of defeat with the opposition chasing a shadow a long way out.

Moodley also has a job pulling his mount up after the line as she galloped and extra 800m which possibly bodes well for the daughter of Twice Over seeing out a bit of ground come the future with Moodley giving some encouragement. “She found another gear. I did more to pull her up than what I did in the race.”

With the track seemingly running fast, apprentice Thabiso Gumede wasted no time on the recently gelded Lord Varys. Told to sit second if the pace was on or lead if not by Duncan Howells, the talented apprentice chose the latter option and like Sweet Symphony, the result was never in doubt as Lord Varys galloped his opposition into the ground.

Seven-year-old Mashari is an old hand but does not know how to run a bad race. He clocked up the fifth win of his career as Warren Kennedy got the best out of him for Wayne Badenhorst and his sister Barbara in the third to out-gun Ramchandani Road, again runner-up after another second last Friday.

Muzi Yeni rolled to the front of a small five-horse field in the fourth and was not for the catching on Alyson Wright’s filly Maria Corolina. Leading from the jump, Yeni angled towards the outside fence in the straight leaving Time To Roll just enough space on the outside rail to make a race of it. But the runner-up eventually threw in the towel as running-room got tighter and tighter.

Kennedy is all-out for his second national jockey championship and an overseas ticket and if he keeps riding as he did on Wendy Whitehead’s mare Integrity, jurisdictions like Hong Kong, where no quarter is asked or given, will welcome him. In a five-horse field, Kennedy kept pumping away to get his mare up in the tightest of finishes.

Khanya Sakayi is bit of a forgotten rider since coming out of his time, but he is accomplished as he showed with a copybook ride on Mystery Boy for Gareth van Zyl. In a race devoid of any pace, Sakayi picked his spot at the top of the straight and drove through for a comfortable win.

Shavout and Sir Michael looked the part in the seventh and although finishing in that order, they were out-run by Fight Song, giving Gareth van Zyl a quick double.

Anton Marcus looked to have timed his run to perfection as Shavout took an early lead at the top of the straight but Fight Song, encouraged by some punishing blows in the flank, finished the better.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS OF TRACK AND BALL in Pietermaritzburg, from left, Kenny ‘G’ Harrod, Rob ‘Khulu’ Haswell and Des ‘Dad’ MacDonald, who have shares in the Doug Campbell-trained Let Em Go that runs in the second race at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

According to Haswell, apart from being part of the furniture at Track and Ball, Des is a life member of Gold Circle and a mine of information about local racing while Kenny, a retired bookkeeper, has an eagle eye for betting moves.

“Together they have certainly enhanced my experience in racing,” said Haswell who owns a number of horses.  “I felt that after so many years of punting it was high time that the ‘Two Musketeers’ had shares in a horse.

“It has taken time to get Let Em Go race ready but the lads are holding thumbs for an encouraging run this afternoon,” Haswell concluded.

David Thiselton

FORMER national champion jockey Warren Kennedy’s pending emigration has been put on hold and he will be in South Africa for the whole 2021/2022 season. 

He confirmed he would be going all out to regain the jockeys’ title.

Kennedy said he had definitely wanted to defend the title last season but it had “slipped away” midway through the season and he pointed out this term he would be able to be more focused.

He said he had been in limbo last season not knowing the status of his visa applications.

He said other priorities such as the birth of a second child and spending a month in Cape Town to partner Summer Pudding had also taken precedence over the championship. 

He only rode at two meetings between January 9 and the end of that month, L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day and Cape Town Met day.

However, at the start of that stint he was already lagging in 6th place in the championship on 61 winners, 57 behind the 118 of eventual champion Lyle Hewitson.

Kennedy was also quick to add that at no stage during last season had he “taken it easy”, so  he is under no illusions about how tough it is going to be to stay out in front this season after a flying start.

He is currently on 38 winners, 15 clear of second-placed S’Manga Khumalo and 22 clear of joint third-placed Lyle Hewitson and Muzi Yeni.

Kennedy said Covid-19 related issues had delayed the clearance of the visas for him and family and that next January would have been the earliest they could have departed for overseas.  

As that would be halfway through the season and shortly before the SA Champions Season he has instead decided to “push through for the whole season.”

Kennedy is also still hoping to break into Hong Kong and said being a dual national champion would enhance that chance.

He mentioned Paul Peter’s three-year-olds as being the best chances he currently perceived of big race success this season and among them he mentioned the Silvano gelding Sound Of Summer and the What A Winter colt Mufasa. He also mentioned the KZN star She’s A Keeper but pointed out that Gareth van Zyl was using S’Manga Khumalo more and more and he was not sure he was going to keep the ride on the five-year-old mare.   

Andrew Harrison

GARTH PULLER was on Monday officially crowned KZN’s Champion Trainer but he will be more concerned with the performance of Captain Fontane that lines up in the last on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Captain Fontane’s roundabout from Puller’s stable, to quarantine and possible export to Hong Kong, and back is well documented and the unbeaten gelding gets another chance to cement his burgeoning reputation.

Unbeaten in three starts, the first two before quarantine eliciting rave reviews, Captain Fontane made a workmanlike return to the track when holding off Hooves Of Troy in a 1200m sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in early July.

The winning margin was less than a length but Ashton Arries, in the saddle again this afternoon, made light work of the finish, giving just enough to get the job done.

It was a copybook workout for a horse that had not seen a racetrack in eleven months and there should be much more to come. He goes 1400m for the first time and on the poly for the first time, but asked post-race if his charge would go any further, Puller was emphatic. “He’ll go a mile on his coconut.”

Today’s race will provide a searching test and some indication of Captain Fontane’s true ability as he takes on some useful opposition.

The Robbie Hill-trained Petra is a five-time winning mare who may also have just needed her last outing when finishing strongly behind Light That Loose. She will also appreciate the step up in trip.

Shane Humby has battled a foot abscess with Mr Fitz but appears to have got on top of the problem and the stable is showing signs of an up-tick in form.  Quick Star is always dangerous and his light weight from a good draw will be an advantage while Hard To Play, Good Rhythm, Sniper Shot and Williams Land will be no push-overs.

Shavout and Sir Michael are the best weighted in the seventh and look set to fight this one out. MJ Odendaal has always had high regard for his charge and Shavout’s only poor run was in The Dingaans where nothing went to plan.

He has shown strong form in good company of late, third to Crown Towers in The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and a two-length third to the smart filly She’s A Keeper in the WSB 1900.

More recently he was a touch unlucky behind Gentleman’s Wager.

It may all depend on which Sir Michael pitches up on the day. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has been costly to follow and the form behind Do It Again in a Pinnacle Stakes is beginning show a few leaks after Sir Michael took the knee to Ralph The Rascal when odds-on followed by a well below par effort behind Captain Tatters. However, he may well be looking for this extended trip. Either way he looks the biggest threat to Shavout.

Of the balance, African Sunrise is struggling to win again but gives the impression that he could pop up when least expected.

Jacob’s Ladder lost form after his narrow maiden win, but Louis Goosen appears to have got on top of whatever was the problem as the gelding tuned in a much-improved performance when runner-up at long odds last time out.  He may now be showing what he’s capable off and a repeat will see him close again.

Owner Rob Haswell will be hoping that Let Em Go will have put in a good showing for Pietermaritzburg’s Track and Ball ‘Three Musketeer’s’ in the second but Uplifted does appear to have a better chance in the sixth as the gelding has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win. The tongue-tie goes on and he should have a strong chance with this weight.

RACE  1: 8 SHIELD MAIDEN   2 PRINCESS SABRINA   3 WINTER JOURNEY   6 RIDE THE LIGHTNING

Preview: SHIELD MAIDEN (8) made the required improvement at her second start and should be ready for this. PRINCESS SABRINA (2) was narrowly beaten at her last two on the poly and now switches to the turf. She must still have a big chance. WINTER JOURNEY (3) has shown flashes of ability while RIDE THE LIGHTNING (6) improves with each outing. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-6-3).

RACE  2: 1 BRISTOLBEAUFIGHTER   12 COIN SPINNER   5 PASHTUNWALI   2 MY LORD AND MASTER

Preview: BRISTOLBEAUFIGHTER (1) takes a major drop in trip but has shown some promise. He has the best of the draw here and can still improve. COIN SPINNER (12) made a smart debut but has not been out since April – that and a wide draw are a concern. PASHTUNWALI (5) raced green on debut and should come on from that. MY LORD AND MASTER (2) is struggling for his first win but his best recent effort has been over this distance and the stable appears to have turned a corner. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-5-2).

RACE  3: 4 MASHARI   2 DESOLATE ROAD   8 GIMME A RAINBOW   9 PARKTOWN

Preview: A few were due to run at Scottsville last Sunday. MASHARI (4) has been knocking at the door of late. Goes well this course and distance. DESOLATE ROAD (2) found his best form last run although it was on the poly. He should be good enough in this field. GIMME A RAINBOW (8) sprints well and has been in good form on the poly. PARKTOWN (9) has his first run for a new stable. Not the easiest ride but can go close at best. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-8-9).

RACE  4: 1 ROHA   3 UMKOMAZI   4 MARIA COROLINA   6 TIME TO ROLL

Preview: ROHA (1) took on much stronger last Highveld run. Down in class with corresponding rise in weight but should go close from a good draw. UMKOMAZI (3) has shown up well in both starts since shedding her maiden. Only win this course. MARIA COROLINA (4) has consistent form to weaker, all her recent form on the poly. TIME TO ROLL (6) showed some improvement from a wide draw racing in ear-muffs. One to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-4-6).

RACE  5:  7 ELECTRIC SURGE   3 SILVER MARIA   1 MAMA PYJAMA   5 GARDINIA

Preview: Open race. ELECTRIC SURGE (7) has shown good recent form in strong company. She will have a bright chance. SILVER MARIA (3) has been knocking on the door for her past few starts. She steps up in trip and has a handy weight. MAMA PYJAMA (1) ran well below form in a feature last start. But was close-up prior to that. She will be competitive on her best effort. GARDINIA (5) was due to run on Sunday. Step up in trip should suit if she runs. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-1-5).

RACE  6: 6 JACOBS LADDER   4 UPLIFTED   5 QUERARI’S COWBOY   10 SPACE NEWS

Preview: JACOB’S LADDER (6) was much improved last run and may now be showing what he’s capable off. A repeat will see him close again. UPLIFTED (4) has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win. The tongue-tie goes on and he should have a strong chance with this weight. QUERARI’S COWBOY (5) has been taking on slightly stronger of late. His best recent form has been on the poly which is of concern. SPACE NEWS (10) can do better than his last run and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-10).

RACE  7: 1 SHAVOUT   8 SIR MICHAEL   7 AFRICAN SUNRISE   9 SEA MASTER

Preview: SHAVOUT (1) is fairly well weighted in this line-up and has the form to go with it. He should be right there. SIR MICHAEL (8) has been costly to follow but may well be looking for this extended trip. He looks the biggest threat. AFRICAN SUNRISE (7) is struggling to win again but always threatens. He has it tough at these weights. SEA MASTER (9) came good back in blinkers. His consistency was rewarded last run. (Andrew Harrison: 1-8-7-9).

RACE  8: 6 CAPTAIN FONTANE   7 PETRA   3 QUICK STAR   5 HARD TO PLAY

Preview: CAPTAIN FONTANE (6) goes around the turn for the first time but appears to be way above average. He needed his last run but takes on much stronger here. PETRA (7) takes on males but is smart on her day and she may just have needed her last outing. QUICK STAR (3) is always dangerous and his light weight from a good draw will be an advantage. HARD TO PLAY (5) is coming down in the ratings but is never far back. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-3-5).