David Thiselton

STUART PETTIGREW’S star Grade 1-winning filly Anything Goes will be rested for the remainder of this season before being aimed at races like the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and Cape Town Met or Majorca next season.

He said, “She has slight bruising on her fetlock which could have been patched up, it is not serious, but when a small yard has a top filly like this you have to look after her so she is resting on a spelling farm and being kept for her four-year-old season. She was not 100% for her last start and she will come back next season bigger and stronger.”

However, Pettigrew will still be seen at the SA Champions Season as he is eyeing the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting on June 5 for Vars Vicky and Follow Me and the Vodacom Durban July with ExpressFromTheUS.

He said, “It was with the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint in mind that I ran Vars Vicky at Scottsville recently (over 1400m where he finished second to the classy Vaughan Marshall-trained colt Seeking The Stars).”

Three-year-old Vars Vicky has won his last three sprints, including the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m, where he received 6kg from the subsequent Grade 1 4Racing Computaform Sprint runner up Bohica and beat him by a head.

If Computaform Sprint winner Rio Querari lines up off his 130 merit rating the long-striding Vars Vicky, currently rated 115, will be 1kg under sufferance carrying 52kg in the Golden Horse. 

However, Justin Snaith said Rio Querari’s participation was still undecided. He pointed out that this horse had been eliminated from the Grade 2 Post Merchants during the SA Champions last year. Rio Querari has certainly cocked a snoot at the final field selection committee since with among other successes a Grade 1 weight for age win, a Grade 1 wfa runner up finish and a Grade 2 win.   

Pettigrew’s two-year-old Gimmethegreenlight filly Follow Me won by two lengths on debut over 1000m at The Vaal recently and two horses she beat by two lengths and 4,50 lengths respectively, Eternity Ring and Franca, have come out and won since so she is now being targeted at the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship at the Festival Of Speed meeting.

Pettigrew said ExpressFromTheUs’s run of below par form towards the end of last year had had him stumped as he knew he was able to quicken better than he had been doing.

He said, “The physio then found a point (spasm) in his buttock and since regular physiotherapy has been done on that he has been a completely different horse.”

The four-year-old What A Winter gelding has since rattled off three more wins and run a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 place. In his latest victory on Saturday he beat the promising Battle Force comfortably over 1400m.

His merit rating has risen to 122 and his chief target is now the Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on June 6, a traditional qualifier for the July.     

David Thiselton

THE Paul Matchett-trained Triple Tiara heroine War Of Athena will first run in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on May 29 before a decision is made on her Vodacom Durban July participation.

Justin Snaith’s star twice Grade 1-winning filly Captain’s Ransom will not take her place in the July and he said it has still not been decided whether she will line up in the Woolavington.

A meeting between this pair has been one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the SA Champions Season.

Captain’s Ransom is merit rated 126 which would have meant that as things stand she would have had to carry 54kg in the July.

However, War Of Athena is at present sneaking into the handicap with the minimum weight for a female of 52kg as she is merit rated 122.

Three-year-olds receive 2kg at the time of the July according to the weight for age scale for the 2200m distance so the mathematical equation is Rainbow Bridge merit rating 134 equals 12 point higher than War Of Athena which is the equivalent of 6kg, add 2kg weight for age allowance equals 8kg, 60kg minus 8kg equals 52kg, and not under sufferance (i.e “sneaking into the handicap with the minimum weight”) .

Stuart Pettigrew’s star Grade 1-winning filly Anything Goes will be rested for the remainder of this season before being aimed at races like the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and Cape Town Met or Majorca next season.

He said yesterday, “She has slight bruising on her fetlock which could have been patched up, it is not serious, but when a small yard has a top filly like this you have to look after her so she is resting on a spelling farm and being kept for her four-year-old season. She was not 100% for her last start and she will come back next season bigger and stronger.”

However, Pettigrew will still be seen at the SA Champions Season as he is eyeing the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting on June 5 for Vars Vicky and Follow Me and the Vodacom Durban July with ExpressFromTheUS.

He said, “It was with the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint in mind that I ran Vars Vicky at Scottsville recently (over 1400m where he finished second to the classy Vaughan Marshall-trained colt Seeking The Stars).”

Three-year-old Vars Vicky has won his last three sprints, including the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m, where he received 6kg from the subsequent Grade 1 4Racing Computaform Sprint runner-up Bohica and beat him by a head.

If Computaform Sprint winner Rio Querari lines up off his 130 merit rating the long-striding Vars Vicky, currently rated 115, will be 1kg under sufferance carrying 52kg in the Golden Horse. 

However, Justin Snaith said Rio Querari’s participation was still undecided. He pointed out that the gelding had been eliminated from the Grade 2 Post Merchants during the SA Champions Season last year.

Rio Querari has certainly cocked a snoot at the final field selection committee since with among other successes a Grade 1 WFA win, a Grade 1 WFA runner-up finish and a Grade 2 win.   

Pettigrew’s two-year-old Gimmethegreenlight filly Follow Me won by two lengths on debut over 1000m at The Vaal recently and two horses she beat by two lengths and 4,50 lengths respectively, Eternity Ring and Franca, have come out and won since so she is now being targeted at the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship at the Festival Of Speed meeting.

Pettigrew said ExpressFromTheUs’s run of below par form towards the end of last year had him stumped as he knew his charge was able to quicken better than he had been doing.

He said, “The physio then found a point (spasm) in his buttock and since regular physiotherapy has been done on that he has been a completely different horse.”

The four-year-old What A Winter gelding has since rattled off three more wins and run a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 place. In his latest victory on Saturday he beat the promising Battle Force comfortably over 1400m.

His merit rating has risen to 122 and his chief target is now the Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on June 6, a traditional VDJ qualifier.     

Andrew Harrison

CAPE GUINEAS winner Russian Rock may have been a little disappointing in his local debut when runner-up in a Graduation Plate behind the year-older Captain Of Stealth. However, that outing was probably a sharpener for the Gr1 WSB Guineas. Russian Rock did not enjoy the best of passages in that race on Sunday and was not far off the leading pack at the line. Given that this year’s Cape Guineas form is strong, it was a fine win by Captain Of Stealth and Vaughan Marshall’s KZN string is in mustard form.

Today’s race at Hollywoodbets Greyville is a handicap and Captain Of Stealth’s first outing on the poly but he appears to have come good at the right time and has a plum draw.

Louis Goosen has a small string at Summerveld but he turns his horses out in good form and Good Rhythm is a stable stalwart. The gelding has drawn on the other side of the gates to Captain Of Stealth but he is holding form well and should be right there again. Duc D’Orange is re-united with Jason Gates who has a good record on the gelding and he can surprise as he has done well in useful company and is a poly specialist.

In the sixth, Sav’s Star showed enough early for Nathan Kotzen to let his charge take her chances in the Gr2 Golden Slipper last season. She didn’t feature from a difficult draw but was not far off them. She has had two runs back since a break and although well beaten last run, she had the worst of the draw and the winner, Hugs Accepted, is no slouch.

Purple Nkanyezi has won both starts since being fitted with blinkers and she is also something of a poly specialist. She could prove the biggest threat to Sav’s Star.

Karoo Lark has finally got his act together and can follow up on his last win when he lines up in the seventh. He has always shown ability and has never been far off them at recent outings. The stable has been a little quiet recently but there are signs that the wheel is turning.

The word was out that Mach Four was the horse to beat when making his KZN debut where he started favourite but was never in the hunt. He boasts some smart Cape form and the switch to the poly and a run under his girth could bring out the best in him.

Juan Carlos makes his debut for Gareth van Zyl and showed some early promise before meeting the big guns at his last two. He is lightly raced and one to watch.

Majorca Palace can open the Pick 6 for Carl Hewitson and apprentice Kayden Brewer with the gelding switching back to the synthetic surface where he recorded back-to-back successes. However, apprentice races can be tricky.

 Gabriel Pieterse rode a cracker on Saint Phillip on Sunday and should be full value for his 4kg claim aboard the veteran galloper Di Mazzio.  The gelding is over his best course and distance and was a game second last run. Magic Sailor won his last two on the Fairview poly and although he has the worst draw his apprentice rider has improved lengths in recent months. The filly Voice Notes and Ashford Castle are others to consider in a tricky contest.

The eighth is another difficult affair. Isla Morada has been improving nicely of late and was a close-up second last run. She takes a further drop in class and should have a bright chance in a competitive handicap. Sacred Ibis is coming to hand and took a three-point drop in the ratings after her last start which should make her more competitive here. Twice As Special made good improvement with a tongue-tie last start and she comes from a shrewd stable while Abbey Wood is lightly raced and shows some promise. The form of her last run has been franked.

In the last, Brigade has a wide draw but has come on nicely at recent starts and word from the stable is that he is spot on. Lightening Spirit steps up in trip and has been taking on stronger since his maiden win. He had a tough draw last start and can do better over this longer trip. Star Crusade took time to shed his maiden but has not been far back against stronger in his two starts since.

David Thiselton

GOT THE GREENLIGHT was given a significant four point raise for his cosy 4Racing Premier’s Champions Challenge win on Saturday and runner up Second Base shot up nine points to 125.

As things stood before Saturday Got The Greenlight would have had to carry 55kg in the Vodacom Durban July and Second Base the minimum weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg. Got The Greenlight now carries a significant 2kg more, 57kg, on the basis that Rainbow Bridge on 134 will be the highest merit rated runner, and Second Base 53.5kg.

The handicappers decided to use Cirillo as the line horse.

Cirillo ran off a 120 rating compared to Got The Greenlight’s 124 and the margin was 1.75 lengths.

However, the handicappers were of the opinion that Cirillo in a slow run race could not have run any worse than his L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate effort where he finished fifth and ran to a 123 rating.

Got The Greenlight was thus raised to 128 and Second Base, who beat Cirillo by a length, was given 125.

Summer Pudding was beaten 4,50 lengths into fourth and was lowered a couple of points to 127, meaning as things stand she will carry 56.5kg in the July.

Meanwhile, crack sprinter Rio Querari was raised to 130 following his comfortable win in the Grade 1 4Racing Computaform Sprint.

David Thiselton

RACING fans were treated to three top drawer performances at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday by Rainbow Bridge, Captain’s Ransom and Linebacker and it would not be remiss of anybody to call all three of them the best of their respective age group and gender in the country.

The weather forecast for the opening meeting of the SA Champions Season had at one stage looked bleak but in the end the combination of heavy rain at the end of last week and sunshine over the weekend led to perfect conditions and once again kudos must be given to track manager Kurt Grunewald, his assistant Kevin Searle and their team.

Rainbow Bridge proved himself every inch the highest merit rated horse in the land in the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m under a fine ride by Luke Ferraris.

Trainer Eric Sands’ decision to offer the youngster the ride on this superstar while he was still officially an apprentice has proved to be a master stroke and the trio now make a fine team.

Under Ferraris Rainbow Bridge has reverted to his original style of being held up and relying on his devastating turn of foot. This helped him win the Met and it was equally effective in the Drill Hall.

He broke well yesterday from draw seven and was just off the leaders early. The inward movement of Cartel Captain then allowed him to slot in one wide of the rail. He relaxed well and Ferraris was not at all concerned about him being shuffled back. Eden Roc set a decent pace and Rainbow Bridge turned for home with about six or seven lengths to make up. The field dived for the inside coming off the three metre spur into the straight meaning Rainbow Bridge just had to switch slightly outward for a clear run on the outside of horses. He quickened superbly the moment he saw daylight and was soon powering past the field, hitting the front at the 100m mark and going on to win by 1,90 lengths from the Paul Peter- trained Johannesburg raider Catch Twentytwo. The Paul Muscutt-trained speedster Ultra Magnus ran a cracker to take third place ahead of fellow KZN horse Trip To Africa and next best was Silver Operator.

This year will mark six-year-old Rainbow Bridge’s third attempt to land the Vodacom Durban July for doyen of owners and breeders Mike Rattray and this was the first time he had won his intended pipe opener. In 2019 he finished a narrow second in the Drill Hall and last year missed the race due to a respiratory infection before opening in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge which he won. However, his second run after a layoff is usually a touch flat so it will be important for his third run this SA Champions Season to be in the July and he is on track for that to happen.

Catch Twentytwo ran a fine trial too especially considering Paul Peter had sent him in underdone and with plenty of improvement to come.

In the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas the Justin Snaith-trained Captain’s Ransom made it four out of four as a three-year-old under Richard Fourie. The twice Grade 1 winner sat in a handy position and in the straight she soon put daylight between herself and the opposition to win by 1,60 lengths from her arch rival, the Adam Marcus-trained Princess Calla. The latter produced an eyecatching finish  from last. The  Dennis Drier-trained Freestate Star flew the KZN flag with a 2,10 third and Zarina and Only The Brave were next best.

In the Grade 2 WSB Guineas The Vaughan Marshall-trained Linebacker once again proved his class. His stablemate Seeking The Stars set a good pace and Linebacker had plenty of work to do to fetch him in the straight from a midfield. position. However, he did so with consummate ease to the extent that jockey Grant van Niekerk looked over his shoulder before he had even reached Seeking The Stars. He then pressed the button and it was race over. Linebacker has a lovely fluid stride and quickened effortlessly to pass his stable companion and win by 0,60 lengths.

Kommetdieding, who might well be the most popular horse in the country, ran on well from last for third, a good pipe opener. Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock once again proved difficult to restrain in the early running but did manage fourth ahead of MK’s Pride.

It was good weekend results-wise for Van Niekerk but he is likely to be in hot water with the stipes as he appeared to clean out two horses, Anna Capri and Vernichey, when winning the 4Racing Computaform Sprint on Saturday and in yesterday’s WSB Guineas appeared to clean out Russian Rock.