Andrew Harrison

VAUGHAN MARSHALL was quietly confident of a big run when Gainsford picked up a gate as first reserve for the Gr2 Post Merchants and although things didn’t quite work out as planned the gelding still ran a cracking race to finish just over a length back to top sprinter Kasimir.

He takes a drop in class when he lines up in the sixth at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today where hopefully the weather has warmed up a little.

Gainsford has taken time to come to hand in KZN but is no stranger to Scottsville having twice visited the Capital without much success, although more through bad luck than anything else.

He has a habit as a tardy starter which often costs him position. The In Full Flight Stakes was a disaster for many runners as the field bunched up towards the inside rail and those caught at the back of the scrum, like Gainsford, found themselves short of running room and their race run a furlong out.

At his most recent outings at Hollywoodbets Greyville he missed the break again but was firing at the business end. That may well be the case again on Sunday but this time the opposition is slightly weaker and he can get away with a slow start although Sean Veale will be fully aware of the task ahead.

There are some promising contemporaries in the line-up with the likes of Burning Wings, the filly Hawker Typhoon and Light That Loose not likely to go down without a fight.

Burning Wings has won four of his last six outings including a facile victory at Greyville where he did benefit from the 4kg claim of promising apprentice Kaiden Brewer. Brewer will be aboard again for Glen Kotzen and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he will be a threat in receipt of 5.5kg from Gainsford.

Hawker Typhoon was having her first run back after a three-month break when tenth over course and distance behind Mirage, but the placing did not tell the full story as she was only three lengths off the winner.

Prior to that she had reeled off two wins on the trot and in a significant jockey booking, Garth Puller has engaged Champion Jockey elect Lyle Hewitson.

Of the balance, Light That Loose, Quick Star and Good Rhythm are all in with a shout.

There is some competitive racing on the day starting in the first where visiting trainer Paul Matchett saddles his only runner on the day. Angel Of War has shown steady improvement since making his debut and was only outpaced late over 1400m. He was reported ‘blowing’ after the race so may not have been at peak fitness and with that run under his girth the extra should suit. Bristolbeaufighter has shown promise over sprints and takes a big leap in trip but his pedigree suggests that he should see it out comfortably. Illicit Kiss shows good sprint form and was not far back from a wide draw in a competitive feature last start.

The second is an open race with a number of first timers in the line-up. Of those that have run, Geronimo was friendless in the market at his second start but showed up nicely and looks capable of better. Michael Roberts holds a strong hand with four runners in the race best of which could be Seventh Song who is long overdue. He found another too good for him last start but he is hardly ever out of the money.

Trump Queen and Reginas Angel could prove the pick of the opening leg of the PA but the race is wide open. Caution is advised and the betting could prove your best guide. Alittlebitnaughty, Embarras De Riches, Three Hearts, Blanchetta and Trump Queen all warrant consideration.

 In the fourth, Deputy Marshall has shown recent improvement and has shown that he stays the trip. Drawn well he should also run well. Jumeirah Gold has shown some promise on the Highveld. He goes this trip for the first time but looks capable while Coral Copy is lightly raced but has been coming along nicely at recent starts and looks primed.

The fifth is another wide open affair with some quick horses in the field. Fly The Coup was in contention for a long time behind the smart Captain Fontane last time out. This shorter trip should suit. Winter Flight comes with some useful Cape form to his name. He carried a big weight in soft going last start and can do better here. Blaze Of Silk is over his best course and distance and is better than his last effort. Kings Road gets a 4kg claimer up and has been in good form over the distance at recent outings while Sir Pom and Princekresh also have strong chances.

In the seventh, Captain Who was not too far back in his first two starts for his new stable. He met much stronger last run and with the blinkers off can notch his second win. Willow’s Wish has only had the two starts and shed his maiden second time out in easy fashion when sent over ground. He looks to have plenty of scope. Clouds Of Witness was narrowly beaten over 2400m last run but could prove better over this trip while Double Gemini has not been far back since shedding his maiden and with a 4kg claimer up carries a light weight.

Kapen Pride, Teichman and Gavel Strike look the pick of the eighth. Kapen Pride showed steady form on the poly but did even better when switched to the turf. He is well drawn here and in good form.

Princess Anastasia, blinkered for the first time, can round off the day for Dennis Drier. She was a beaten favourite last run but has come to hand of late. Silver Maria has been in the money in her last five starts and goes well this course and distance and should put in another bold bid. Gardenia and Eager Duchess are others to consider.

David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE has a nine race meeting today and it provides a mixed bag of good horses and competitive racing.

The highest class race is a MR95 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and the Candice Dawson-trained Sultanah will be an interesting runner from a fair draw of four. She is by Vercingetorix out of a Galileo mare who won over 2000m so it is not surprising she was stepped up to 1600m as early as her second career start. However, Vercingetorix has been shown to put plenty of speed into his progeny, unlike his superstar sire Silvano, so it is interesting to see Sultanah dropped in trip to 1400m as she has been seen to take a fairly strong hold over 1600m. Querari Ferrari is a big galloping type who will love the long straight but she is going to have a problem slotting in from draw eleven. Spice Market had to do too much too early last time. She is capable of galloping a field into the ground if getting a comfortable lead and she might get that here although the pole position drawn Golden Spoon did lead when winning her penultimate start over 1450m. Cordillera has two wins and four places in eight starts over this course and distance and has to be included despite a tricky draw of nine. Rouge Allure came from right near the back three runs ago when mowing them down over 1600m and she beat Sultanah by 6,50 lengths there so the latter will need to prove she wants this trip. Therefore, Rouge Allure has to be included as she is effective over this trip too, although she is four point higher in the merit ratings.  Louis Gem also has to overcome a four point raise for her course and distance win last time. She jumps from exactly the same draw with the same 1,5kg claimer up and the form has been franked by the fifth-placed Ululate, who won next time out. Golden Spoon can also be considered with Yeni up.

The third race, a MR 93 Handicap over 1160m, sees the promising Tuscan Winter making his fourth racecourse appearance and he is the one to beat having only just failed to fetch the equally promising Full Velocity last time over 1200m. He does have a potentially tricky low draw but Gavin Lerena will be able to afford to drop him out as he can turn it on. However, the hard-knocking Bowie, whose only ever win was over 1000m, has to be included dropped back to sprints. The fit again and back-in-form Portico also has a shout. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Sea Virescent is tried in blinkers for the first time and he is the one to beat considering he is highly regarded and only rated 82. However, beyond him it is wide open so punters will have to decide whether he is bankered or whether they go wide. 

The second leg should be fought out by Mariposa and Lucky Shamrock. The former overtook  the latter late last time over 1800m so is given the nod.

Sekhmet is a potential banker in the sixth race from a good draw having been caught late over 1450m last time. Me Time had no luck on Tuesday and from pole position here could be a threat, whilst Big City Girl is proving consistent and versatile so can also be considered.

In the eighth race Dance Lesson was running on late over 1200m last time for second and will relish the step up to 1400m. Chloris and Vertigo Again also make appeal.

In the last race over 1600m Leading Lad is the form choice but returns from a six month layoff, so more must be included and Eskimo Pie, Fifth Of July, Attentive and Dawn Of A New Era make most appeal of the rest.   

Devonne Govender

Yesterday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville card never looked easy with majority of the 10 race card looking very open on paper  together with huge fields making it tricky for punters to narrow it down. Playing wide was the first thought that came to mind however there were a number of fancied runners arriving together with a few outsiders in the mix. Punters would have been more than happy as a total of 4 favourites won and 9 of them finished in the frame.

The Peter Muscutt trained 2 year old Quasiforsure landed the first at odds of 16-1. Cauldron set a ridiculous pace opening up to lead by more than 10 lengths and the swoopers started to come thick and fast. Muscutt said “This was an education for him and the draw was a concern however he is a very talented horse”. Donovan Dillon was extremely pleased with his performance.

Sonjador won the opening leg of the pick six in fine style under a brilliant ride from apprentice Rachel Venniker as she continues to boot home winners. Trainer Michael Roberts South Africa’s only hall of fame jockey commended her riding skills and specifically made mention of her not using the whip which contributed to Sonjdor’s win.

Warren Kennedy aboard Secret Giver tried to steal the race at the top of the straight however Victory Twist got up to win under a driving ride from Donovan Dillon scoring him a second win on the card.

Papillion justified favouritism winning the sixth and courageously fended off the nagging Duquesne Whistle all the way to the line. Noble Nova finished third followed by Supper At Six who rounded off the quartet.

It wasn’t long before Dillon notched up another win on the 16-1 shot Paul Lafferty trained The Bayou flying up the inside running rail to claim victory in the eighth. It almost looked impossible for him to win at the 500m mark as he was second last however Dillon got the best out him timing it to perfection beating Fireonthetrack who ran second followed by Toltec (3^rd) and Straight Up who ran 4^th. The quartet returned a healthy R 8951.30.

Flying The Star rounded off the pick six for trainer Corinne Bestel with Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard. The ninth race turned out to be eventful at the start with the late scratching of Sofia Erin when proving intractable and Lhasa Star refusing to jump. The pick six returned R14401.00. Alfonse Baby rounded off the day in the lucky last winning by an absolute whisker to deny Trattoria who ran a close up second.

David Thiselton

SEAN TARRY is swinging towards running former Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Warrior’s Rest in the Grade 1 HKJC World Pools Champions Cup on Marshalls World Of Sports Gold Cup day on July 31 and he also took time to lament the Vodacom Durban July selection process which saw a horse he gave a chance to, Shango, being eliminated. 

Tarry said he and the connections had always felt Warrior’s Rest would see out 1800m, so, as he had drawn wide in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint, the HKJC World Pools Champions Cup provided a good opportunity to test this theory.

The now six-year-old What A Winter gelding ran third in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville as a two-year-old. He has subsequently run eight times over a mile for one win, a second and two thirds and he finished second in his only attempt at the Champions Cup distance of 1800m. He finished a 5,75 length seventh in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, which was the furthest trip he has been tried over.

His 1800m runner up finish was in an Assessment Plate so the Champions Cup represents a massive step up in class.

However, he would hardly have been expected to become a Grade 1 winner back then and not only did he achieve the latter when carrying 52.5kg to victory off a 113 merit rating in the Golden Horse last year but he followed that up with a runner up finish in the Grade 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint.

Warrior’s Rest is currently merit rated 115, which puts him 7.5kg under sufferance with Jet Dark, who looks likely to be the highest rated horse in the Champions Cup, considering Rainbow Bridge is reportedly on his way home.

Warrior’s Rest gained a reputation before being campaigned in sprints of leading at a good pace and then having the ability to continually crank that pace up another notch. He used to run all the way to the line and the end result was a trail of vanquished horses in his wake. He used to literally gallop them into the ground on his best days.

He will come in relatively fresh and this year’s Champions Cup is thus likely to be run in a good time. 

Warrior’s Rest will be one of the dark horses. 

The declarations for the race are tomorrow.  

Tarry’s perennial Grade 1 bridesmaid Cirillo ran a fine 0,25 length third in the Champions Cup last year. Cirillo will not run in this year’s renewal as Tarry  felt he deserved a rest after a tough season. However, he pointed out he might have pulled him out of the July had he been certain  Shango would have got in as Cirillo would have had better prospects in the Champions Cup over a trip he had proven he enjoyed. As it happened Shango was only made second reserve in the July although both of his stablemates Cirillo and Shah Akbar were  included in  the final field. 

Shango then won the July consolation race, the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets 2200, beating the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Black Knap by a neck, despite giving him 5.5kg. The Lonsdale runner up Matterhorn, who gave Black Knap only 1kg when beaten a shorthead, was included in the July final field so Shango had proven a point.   

Tarry admitted he had stopped fretting about the July selection process about six years ago and these days just accepted his fate.

However, he said the process sometimes made it difficult for a trainer to plan a horse’s assault on the race.

He said in the case of Shango he had won the Grade 2 Dingaans last season and beaten this year’s July favourite Got The Greenlight in the Grade 1 SA Derby. He had subsequently finished fourth in the Grade 1 Daily News and just 4,70 lengths back in the July. He had then gone immediately for surgery and only made his reappearance in April this year. Tarry was very pleased with his comeback 3,75 length fifth to Puerto Manzano over 1600m and said he came out of the race fine and all was on track. However, he then ran well below par in his second run after a layoff and reckoned this might have been the reason for his ultimate elimination from the July field. Shango subsequently ran a 0,75 length second to Johnny Hero in the Grade 3 Jubilee but was giving the latter 4kg and that was the completion of a perfect preparation. 

Tarry acknowledged the July as a great race and respected the tradition of giving preferential consideration for final field inclusion to the winners of certain races. However, he said the process had flaws that made it frustrating for trainers when it need not be. The chief habits he questioned were putting in winners of races like the Grade 3 Jubilee, Grade 3 Cup Trial and Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby when they had either beaten weak fields or had narrowly beaten other July entries who had been carrying a lot more weight. He pointed out that in the latter case the beaten horses who was eliminated would come into the July better weighted than the winner.  

Andrew Harrison

SOUTH AFRICA’S obsession with sprinter/milers has been to the detriment of horses with stout pedigrees and this has resulted in races further than 2000m being few and far between especially in KZN. This dearth of staying races makes sorting through the form that much more difficult as there is often little collateral form over the trip.

Ironically, Australia’s similar obsession has led to their most famous race, the 3200m Melbourne Cup, regularly falling to foreign raiders ever since the Irish-trained Vintage Crop opened the door in 1993.

So, it is with little conviction that Blue Planet is taken to win the seventh over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.   Carl Hewitson’s runner has been in good form since shedding his maiden but goes this trip for the first time. However, he boasts a stout pedigree that suggests that he should see this out with ease. In his first two post maiden efforts he was close up over a mile in spite of unfavourable draws but better drawn over the same trip last time out he finished with a rattle to get within a length of the winner.

Leading owner Chris van Niekerk is hunting another champion owner title and Sean Tarry saddles Black Thorn who makes his local debut. Like Blue Planet, he has shown good form over shorter but may also now be looking for this trip. Mambo Symphony is another trying this trip for the first time but should also see it out comfortably as his last win was over 2000m on the poly. Space News, stable companion to Blue Planet, was successful over course and distance last time out and will have his supporters with four-claiming apprentice Kayden Brewer, who is being mentored by Hewitson, keeping the ride.

It’s a ten-race card with an early 11.25am start. The bi-pot kicks off in the second where Don’t Touch Me should be good enough to get you through the first leg. He made a smart debut for his new stable and has come on physically over the past month. He is drawn a touch wide but should have more to come.

Louis Goosen holds a useful hand in the first leg of the PA with Beckoning Beauty and Lavu Lavu. Beckoning Beauty has made good improvement since being fitted with blinkers although she switches to the turf. Kom Naidoo sends out Magicallee who showed up well against males last start. She is also back on turf but goes well this distance. Lavu Lavu is over her best trip but another that switches to turf.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an open affair where Sonjador gets another chance to shed his maiden but although he has been consistent, he has been costly to follow. Willy The Wizard finished a neck behind Sonjador when last they met but was much improved when trying ground for the first time. He has only had three starts and should have improvement to come and can turn the tables even though he has the worst of the draw. Executive Decision is showing signs of coming to hand and enjoyed the trip last run.

The fifth could rest between Secret Giver and Victory Twist. Both started short-pried favourites at their last visits to a racecourse. Secret Giver was narrowly beaten and he has been placed in four of his five starts. The form has been franked and he can make amends. Victory Twist stacks up as the biggest threat as he was also narrowly beaten at his last outing over course and distance. Giant’s Castle made sudden improvement last run behind Parallax who franked that form with a game second on Monday.

Papillion looks the pick of the field in the sixth as she has been knocking on the door for some time now. She meets a weak field here and should make the frame at least. Others to consider are Dunquesne Whistle, Red Hot Chili Girl and Noble Nova.

The eighth is a tricky affair but Straight Up has been trying further of late but is effective over this shorter trip and is in good form. Fireonthetrack is hardly ever out of the money and was finishing strongly when upstaged by rank outsider Rocky Coast last time out while Banzai Pipeline has been trying further of late but seems more effective over this shorter trip and should be included in all calculations.

Sofia Erin can round off the Pick 6 after making a cracking debut for her new stable. Biggest danger could be Silver Dazzle who is long overdue another win, and goes well this course and distance.