David Thiselton

THE VAAL CLASSIC track stages an eight race meeting today where there should be some opportunities for punters. 

The meeting starts with an uninspiring maiden over 1200m in which Ashley Fortune fields five of the seven runners. However, she might not win it because Johan Janse van Vuuren introduces the Querari filly Insatiable who is by Querari out of the Listed Oaks Trial winner Inaninstant, who was by the late great Silvano. Fortune’s best hope could lie with Runaway Princess who showed a lot of pace on debut over this trip, although she was beaten 7,75 lengths. Second time out she was caught wide over 1200m from a wide draw on the Turffontein Inside course. Thai Treat has scope for improvement after being beaten ten lengths over 1200m on debut. He has a nice pedigree being by Duke Of Marmalade out of the dual Grade 1-winning sprinter Rat Burana but he started 50/1 on debut. Merlins Boy by Willow Magic finished a length behind Thai Treat on debut but showed pace and has scope for improvement. The first-timer Edward Longshanks is by William Longsword out of a Var maiden who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Paterfamilias.

In the second race over 1000m Abalus has pace and will appreciate the step down from 1200m but might well have to settle for a sixth successive second place finish because Alula’s Star was eyecatching on debut and looks the likely winner. This Red Ray filly has substance and coming from the Stuart Pettigrew yard should be progressive. Alula’s Star’s first-timer stablemate Miss United States is by the promising new sire The United States out of the Grey Eminence mare Madrisa, who was precocious and won five of her first six starts including a juvenile Listed sprint and a juvenile Grade 3 sprint. However, at time of writing Miss United  was quoted at 25/1, which does not augur well. Another first-timer Meadow Beauty is by Flower Alley and is a half-sister to the like of Grade 3 winner Mount Laurel and to three-time winner Foreign Field. First-timer Iphiko is by Trippi out of a Listed-winning Western Winter mare.

In the third race over 1600m Lilliana had blinkers fitted second time out over 1400m and led  before being run out of it to lose by just 0,30 lengths. She is a full-sister to the fair sort Nartjie who has won over 1600m and 1800m so she should relish the step up in trip. Code Zero goes from sprints up to 1600m but this Master Of My Fate filly should enjoy it on pedigree. Gilda Gray has 2,20 lengths to find on Lilliana. Covermeinsunshine is an interesting outsider having not been disgraced over 1450m in her penultimate start before being tried in the BSA Sales Cup where she was beaten 15 lengths. Inexperienced pair Cap Estel and Monoshada are not out of it either on their best runs.

In the fourth race over 1450m Rapid Charge, a full-sister to Surcharge, looks likely to enjoy the step down in trip having moved up last time over 1700m and not finding enough in the closing stages. The cheekpieces are replaced by blinkers and this could be her day from a fair draw of three out of six. Time Request was only 1,75 lengths behind Rapid Charge in that last race over 1700m and is also improving. Kissed By Fire has improved this winter and is also a contender.

In the fifth over 1800m Splash Of Green won her penultimate start over 1600m well and although it was just a maiden she was subsequently not disgraced in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes. She should enjoy the 1800m trip and although running off a 90 merit rating she only has to carry 52.5kg and the flying Muzi Yeni is aboard. Ideal Jet is distance suited and is improving being by Ideal World so will be a threat. Last Cheer is a bit in and out but is capable and can’t be ignored. In form Opera Glass is also hard to ignore and Rock You and Consol Queen are not out of it so it could be a race in which to include the field.

In the sixth race Wedding Bliss has been disappointing but drops down to a 64 merit rating and this trip from a good draw should suit. However, it is another race in which to go wide with Fasinada, Lady Of The Flame, Rabia The Rebel, Tinder Dry and Senescence all having chances.

A chance is taken with two bankers in the last two races, Funky Music and Elusive Swann.

Funky Music is honest and highly consistent and with champion jockey Lyle Hewitson up over an ideal 1600mm trip can get it right despite a tough draw.

In the last race Elusive Swann has caught the eye in his last two starts over 1400m and 2000m and now runs over his optimum 1600m trip from pole position so he should be finishing strongly and can get up under Jeffery Syster, who was aboard in his last race.               

RACE 1: Preview: INSATIABLE(6) is by Querari out of Listed Oak Trial winner Inaninstant (Silvano). RUNAWAY PRINCESS (7) has found some support in both starts and showed good pace on debut over this trip so can go close in this uninspiring field. THAI TREAT (4), who is by Duke Of Marmalade out of dual Grade 1-winning sprinter Rat Burana,  has scope and should improve on her debut in which she was beaten ten lengths. MERLINS BOY (3), who was a length further back in that race, can also improve. EDWARD LONGSHANKS (2) is by William Longsword out of a Var maiden who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Paterfamilias. (David Thiselton 6-7-4-3-2)

RACE 2: Preview: ALULA’S STAR (3) caught the eye on debut when running second despite starting 20/1 and she should improve so is the one to beat. ABALUS (1) has had five successive seconds and should enjoy dropping back to the minimum trip. MISS UNITED STATES (4) is by promising new sire The United States out of a Grade 3 and Listed-winning Grey Eminence mare Madrisa. MEADOW BEAUTY (6) is by Flower Ally and is a half-sister to the like of Grade 3 winner Mount Laurel and three-time winner Foreign Field. IPHIKO (9) is by Trippi out of a isted-winning Western Winter are. (David Thiselton 3-1-4-6-9)      

RACE 3: Preview: LILIANA (4) went close second time out and can get it right here over a step up in rip which should suit. CODE ZERO (1) is capable of improvement and is the chief danger. GILDA GRAY (3) is knocking on the door and should be thereabouts again. (David Thiselton 4-1-3)

RACE 4: Preview: RAPID CHARGE (4) , a half-sister to Surcharge (who is a Grade 1 winner in SA and Australia), is improving and the cheekpieces are replaced with blinkers.  TIME REQUEST (5) only has 1,75 lengths to make up on Rapid Charge from there last meeting. KISSED BY FIRE (2) should be involved despite a wide draw. (David Thiselton 4-5-2) 

RACE 5: Preview: SPLASH OF GREEN (6) was not disgraced in the Grade 1 Thekwini and starts handicapping off a reasonable 90 merit rating considering her form which means she oly ha to carry 52.5kg and Yeni rides. IDEAL JET (1) just failed last time over 200m in her first start since the SA Oaks and as a daughter of Ideal World she should continue to progress. OPERA GLASS (3) won well last time over 2000m but was under sufferance so received a ten point raise and it will be tougher here but she is on the up. LAST CHEER (5) is not too consistent but is capable on her day and distance suited. ROCK YOU (2) and CONSOL QUEEN (7) can earn if reproducing their best form although the latter is 1kg under sufferance. (David Thiselton 6-1-3-5-2-7) 

RACE 6: Preview: WEDDING BLISS (2) is well drawn and might enjoy the step down in trip so has a shout off a reduced merit rating. FASINADA (5) is 1.5kg better off with Rabia The Rebel for a 1,25 length beating over this trip last time and now has a good draw. LADY OF THE FLAME (1) ran well first time out the maidens and could be a contender again here over a step up in trip she should handle. RABIA THE REBEL (3) enjoyed being out front last time and has an opportunity to do the same from pole position albeit off a three point higher mark and bearing she is an in and out type. TINDER DRY has room for improvement and is 1.5kg better off with Rabia The Rebel for a 1.50 length beating but she does have a tough draw. SENESCENCE is well draw and can never be ignored. (David Thiselton 2-5-1-3-7-4) 

RACE 7: Preview: FUNKY MUSIC (2) has been ultra consistent recently from 1450m to 1600m with one win, four seconds and a third and he is the one to beat of able to overcome a wide draw. QUNETRA (4) just failed from the front last time over this trip and beat Funky Music by 0,4 lengths on just half-a-kilogram better terms than here. WAQAAS (7) was forced to do too much too early last time from a wide draw and duly faded but has a shout here from a good draw off a reduced merit rating over a course and distance he has won twice over. SUITED CONNECTOR (1) has a nice draw and should enjoy this trip so is interesting as a lightly raced horse who could still improve. PSYCHO KING (6) is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and can be a contender.  (David Thiselton 2-4-7-1-6)  

RACE 8: Preview: ELUSIVE SWANN (2) moved up well over 2000m on Saturday but found no extra and finished a 0,80 length third so from pole position over his probable optimum trip of 1600m he has a good chance. LIGHT WARRIOR (5) is a consistent sort and over a suitable trip starts handicapping off a reasonable merit rating after an easy maiden win in his 21st start. EL ROMIACHI (1) is not the most consistent but can never be ignored. THEROSEOFBECHARRE (8) was left with too much to do last time over 1400m but if able to find cover from a wide draw should enjoy this step up in trip. MY KINGDOM (6) disappointed last time but can do better although he has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 2-5-1-8-6) 

Andrew Harrison

GAVIN VAN ZYL has picked a stern test for Crimson Causeway’s seasonal debut when she lines up in a Conditional Novice against males on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.

She is a recently turned three-year-old against older males but given the conditions of the race Van Zyl appears to have picked the right race for her seasonal opener.

She has only had one race on the synthetic surface and that was when shedding her maiden by an impressive six lengths.

The showing prompted Van Zyl to have her take her chances in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship where she was in contention until the final furlong, eventually tiring late to finish fourth behind Under Your Spell.

The going was a little on the soft side that day and her next outing was in the Gr2 The Debutante where she finished two lengths back to Maryah.

That form has been franked and Crimson Causeway is back over when at this stage looks to be a more suitable trip on a surface where she has already excelled.

Rated jointly with Crimson Causeway is the British import Different Face. Bred to northern hemisphere time, she is in theory 6 months older than Crimson Causeway and six months behind her other rivals.

She boasted some creditable UK form before arriving on these shores and with two runs under her girth she looks primed for a big effort.

She tired late first run at Scottsville and showed improvement from that when making most of the running only to go down narrowly to Impressive Duchess.

She makes her poly debut here but shows plenty of speedy and the poly surface should suit.

Of the males, Shampompo Shampizi has the best of the draw and is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. It’s been a long time between drinks for Canadian Bolt but he was a touch unlucky last start and can surprise.

Ancient Epic is likely to start a hot favourite in the first as Gareth van Zyl’s filly has put in three smart efforts to date and should put in another decent showing. has shown up well in all three starts and rates the one to beat. Future Princess could be the surprise package as she took on strong feature company last run but faded badly the last bit. The blinkers come off.

The second looks more open. Varvacious won her maiden well first time out for her new stable. She does look to be a little difficult but has ability. Aunty Lizzie was in at the deep end first up for her new stable but only fading late. She can do much better in this company while Perspicuous returns from a break but has been improving again and was only caught late last run.

The Pick 6 opener is a tough handicap. Palace Assembly is an old campaigner and they often improve on the poly. He had shown some useful Highveld form but his best recent showing was his debut on the poly. Di Mazzio has been a soldier for the Goosen stable and does his best over course and distance. His last run was on the turf. Sir Pom came good when tried in blinkers last run and finished with a rattle. A repeat will see him in the firing line again.

In the fifth is wide open with a number with claims. Forgetful Girl made major improvement at her second local outing. She had some useful Cape form and must have a strong chance here. Purple Nkanyezi has drawn wide but goes very well over course and distance. Purple Merchant has shown some of her best form on the poly. She goes this trip for the first time but should see it out comfortably.

Straight Up has the worst of the draw in the sixth but was a touch unlucky last run when finding traffic and coming from a long way back last start. Land Of Mystery showed up well first run for his new yard. He has been trying further but may no prefer this shorter trip.

Duncan Howells will be hoping for a quick double as he sends out Fat Cigar in the seventh. He caused a major upset when winning his maiden but has shown ability and has his first outing for a new stable. Double Gemini has a wide draw but his best form has been on this synthetic surface and could prove the biggest threat to the selection.

The last could rested between Whispers Of War and The Green Gallant. The former has come on with each outing and looks ready now while The Green Gallant improved nicely in blinkers and enjoys the surface and should go close.

Andrew Harrison

IT was hard going for most punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday and although the results were not always in favour of the majority, there was still some memorable performances. With many of the trainers away hoping to top up their strings at the BSA Two-Year-Old Sale in Gauteng, Gareth van Zyl was on hand to saddle his two winners with After The Rain and Anton Marcus getting his season off to a belated start on Alittlebitnaughty in the last and also giving the International Racing Club and Mike de Haast their third winner of the afternoon.

Gary Rich has a small string and it is something of a mystery that he is not better supported by owners. Daughter and assistant, Tessa saddled Kitten’s Adventure on Saturday and the stable were quietly bullish in spite of a flood of money for Mike Miller’s filly October Song.

Jarred Samuel had his mount out and running from the jump and with 100m to the line was afforded the luxury of glance at October Song bobbing in his wake.

In the final analysis, Kitten’s Adventure was never in danger of defeat and October Song well beaten. However, the dangers of backing first timers with no racing experience was there to see as the benefit of a run was clearly obvious. The winner kept straight as an arrow while Serino Moodley had to cope with a mount that wasn’t sure what it was all about.

October Song will sing a better tune next time out.

The stallion Admiral Kitten stands in the relative backwaters of the Great Karoo outside of Colesberg – once the heart of the thoroughbred breeding industry – and as such gets limited access to the better performed and bred mares. But David Southey and partners appear to have unearthed a gem as Admiral Kitten was backed up by Family Favourite in the next. 

Owned by Southey, Dennis Bosch’s filly was not high on the list of possible winners, paying over R64 on the tote, but she did give young apprentice Donald Geerthsen his second winner of his short career. While all were looking for favourites One Bite At A Time and Poppy Of Bayeux, Geerthsen snuck up the inside to hold off a late challenge from Gareth Van Zyl’s Drive By ridden by Mandla Ntuli. After a three-year stint as a work rider in China and Hong Kong, Ntuli had his holiday at home extended after the outbreak of Covid and a Chinese lockdown.

David Thiselton

SUMMERVELD trainer Mike Miller’s top horse from last year, Honokalani, has been sold to Mauritius trainer Ricky Maingard but his Rafeef filly October Song and his Vercingetorix colt Party Time will still provide him with plenty of three-year-old ammunition this season.

October Song, whose pedigree has a fascinating history behind it, has had the dogs barking at Summerveld and she was duly backed in to 23/15 favourite for her debut over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

She managed a strong-finishing second but had excuses and Miller said, “There has only been about 2mm of rain recently in Pietermaritzburg and there was consequently a lot of kick back so when she was slowly away she was getting it in her face and not quite enjoying it, that is why Serino (Moodley) pulled her outward towards the middle. She only got the hang of it near the end and that is when she got going.”

October Song has plenty of size and substance and was eyecatching in the last furlong.  

She is undoubtedly one of the horses to follow for the season.

Miller continued, “Her work at home has been phenomenal. She has been beating one and two timers with ease. I looked at this field and felt it was so bad she would surely be able to win it, but I did not expect her to be so green.”

The bay filly is a half-sister to the Grade 1-winning sprinter August Rush and Grade 3-winning sprinter Miss October, who were both  by Var.

However, Miller continued, “I have always had the impression she would be better over 1400m to 1600m. We will give her one more run over 1200m as we don’t want to rush her into a 1400m race.”

October Song’s story starts with the purchase of the huge English mare Devon Air by Robin and Des Scott into the yard of Terrance Millard. The maestro trainer turned around her dismal UK form despite her legs having what Millard described as “joints like footballs”. Devon Air arrived in Durban in the winter of 1984 with three wins in Cape Town behind her and a third place finish in the J&B Met. She then scored a famous Greyville hattrick, winning the Grade 2 Republic Day Handicap over 1900m, the Grade 1 Rothmans July handicap, carrying 52.5kg, and the Grade 1 Gold Cup carrying 56kg.

She made a good start at stud, her first two foals, the filly Cream Of The Crop (Concertina) and Plymouth Rock (Concertina) won Grade 3 and Listed staying races respectively. However, she had only produced one more winner by the time she was bought at a 1996 auction at Summerhill Stud by Zimbabwean breeder Christopher Peech. 

Her first Zimbabwean foal was by Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Huntingdale and was called Bushgirl, who had to be delivered by caesarian section. She barely survived and was too weak and unsound to be raced. 

Zimbabwe was beginning to fall on hard times and Peech’s breeding operation was one of the victims. 

Bushgirl was thus put on an auction and one of Southern Africa’s finest thoroughbred breeders Robin Bruss pounced.

Bruss has many pedigree theories based on decades of experience and one of them is simply to match the best to the best, so he was not going to miss the opportunity to buy a filly whose parents were respectively a British Group 1 winner and a July winner.

It proved to be a shrewd purchase as she produced Grade 1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush and Grade 3-winning sprinter Miss October, who went on to produce Grade 1 Gold Medallion winner Tempting Fate.

Bruss always sells if the price is right and sold Bushgirl to owner-breeder Tinus Gericke about ten years or so ago.

October Song was Bushgirl’s last foal and so Gericke has kept her. 

Rafeef, who won the wfa Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, was last season’s champion freshman sire and his sire Redoute’s Choice was a multiple Group 1 winner and a celebrated champion sire of Australia.   

October Song thus looks to have all the credentials to continue Devon Air’s legacy.

Gericke sent a horse in training called Stormborne Thunder down from Johannesburg to the Miller yard halfway through the 2018/2019 season and she went on to win two races. Thus, upon moving down to Durban himself, he sent October Song to the Miller yard.   

Miller has also always sold when the price was right and hence the sale of Honokalani. He has a high regard for his sire Vercingetorix and believes Honokalani will give his new owners plenty to cheer about. 

Party Time is also by Vercingetorix and has a win and three seconds to his name in four starts, including a long-head second in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes, where he beat the subsequent Grade 2 winner Waterberry Lane by 3,40 lengths. He unfortunately attained a bad abscess on his foot after that run so was sidelined. However. he looks to have a bright future.