Andrew Harrison

SPARE a thought for horses that are just below top class, always game, but often used as the hare for their more talented stable mates.

Many, just like human athletes who always run second, often lose heart but Crown Towers plugs on like a true soldier and he made all to win the World Sports Betting Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday, holding a late charging Black Knap, the lesser fancied stable companion of favourite Rascallion.

Richard Fourie conceded that Crown Towers was probably the fittest horse in the race after winning at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time out.

“He’s our Natal horse,” confirmed Justin Snaith. “He did not go back to Cape Town after last season. We sent him to Jo’Burg where he tried his heart out.”

Crown Towers is obviously a horse that hits a soft spot in the yard and back-to-back victories are fitting for a horse who always tries.

Vaughan Marshall’s runner Black Knap should not have been such a surprise package with his game second as there was little to fault his Cape form. He was closing on Crown Towers with every stride and had the race won two jumps past the post.

 However, he was overshadowed in the market by stable companion and favourite Rascallion who was up with the pace for most of the race but was under pressure soon after entering the straight and Anton Marcus eased him up after his chances had gone.

It was obviously a below par effort and one should not write him off lightly.

It was pointed out that my observation that She’s A Keeper was badly out at the weights in my preview of the World Sports Betting Scarlet Lady, that I should have added the word ‘officially’ as Gareth van Zyl’s filly was obviously way better than what she had been pegged at given the handicapping restrictions on maximum penalties.

She’s A Keeper proved yesterday that she is a long way better than her current MR rating of 84 as she slammed a useful field in fine style.

Racing three wide for most of the race, she quickened smartly at the top of the straight, and in spite of Warren Kennedy having to straighten her up as she lugged towards the inside rail, she ran away from them over the final furlong.

“I couldn’t get in,” said Kennedy, fresh from Saturday’s win on Horse of the Year, Summer Pudding at Turffontein, “so I had to take my medicine but I didn’t want to press her and break her rhythm.”

In the straight, “she made up four or five lengths in an instant. She’s really smart,” he concluded.

Gareth van Zyl has done a fine job given the filly’s history of physical problems. It was a win full of merit so it is where to from now for the filly.

 “When you’ve got stamina you’ve got a chance,” the wise words from seasoned horseman Garth Puller after Saint Philip fought off all challengers to win the World Sports Betting Highland Night Cup over 2400m.

Seemingly hopelessly out at the official weights, Saint Philip made nearly all the running.

After developing a habit of missing the break, it all worked out perfectly for Anthandiwe Mgudlwa and the lightly weighted gelding kept rolling to the line to just hold off a fast-finishing Dream Destiny and favourite Bayberry who pressed all the way to the line giving the pair a hefty 10kg.

“In Cape Town he would go the front and they would catch him. He would go to the front and they would catch him. They then he was ridden from behind and he started to miss the break.

“I told ‘Tandi’ the idea was to get him out the pens. He used his initiative and won a good race.”

RACE 1: Preview: NIPPY WINTER (7) made good improvement when a close-up second at Durbanville last time out. HOMELY GIRL (4) was well fancied in a Cape feature last run and was not disgraced in fourth. She meets weaker here. REVERENT LASS (9) was all at sea on debut and is sure to make good improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-9-10).

RACE 2: Preview: PERSISTANCE (7) has shown up well in both starts but faces a field of unknows. Keep an eye on the betting here. ROD THE MOD (8) made no show in feature company last start but was close-up before that over course and distance. OVATION (6) was not too far back on debut and experience will count in his favour. There are a few first timers with quick pedigrees. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-6-1).

RACE 3: Preview: VIDA FUTURA (7) made a smart debut at lengthy odds. He should much prefer this trip and rates the one to beat. FOREVER BILL (2) found good market support on debut but failed to show. He is obviously better than that showing and may be worth another chance. POMP AND POWER (5) found some long-shot market support on debut and was not far back. He could upstage them all. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-5).

RACE 4: Preview: PHEDRA (9) made a promising debut at long odds. She should enjoy the extra furlong and the experience should count in her favour. TEMPLE BAR (10) made good improvement at her second start when taking on males. She must have a decent chance on that showing. MARIA QUEROL (7) has put in two good sprints to date. She steps up to further and should go close. (Andrew Harrison: 9-10-7-6).

RACE 5: Preview: ADDERBURY LAKE (1) has run three crackers over shorter. The Extra should suit and from a plum draw rates a strong chance. WHATSINADREAM (2) goes well over the trip and has been a close-up second in her last two. Can go one better. LOVE NOTE (3) was much improved last run over the Durbanville 1800m. She also found market support that day so must come into all calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-3-4).

RACE 6: Preview: LORD MARMITE (1) started at very long odds went sent over ground for the first time and nearly surprised. He obviously enjoyed the extra and is primed to go one better. SON OF SILK (2) is holding form and was close-up over course and distance last start. His time over the trip was 3.5 seconds slower than Lord Marmite. ALINGALONGA (4) is coming along the right way and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-4).

RACE 7: Preview: LIFE ON MARS (3) has shown some promise and should go very close in a field of this quality. ROYAL FLUSH (1) was well beaten second last run but that was a work rider’s event. He had shown some promise before that and this looks tailor-made. WORDSWORTH (2) battling maiden but ignore last run. Has a chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-2-4).

RACE 8: Preview: AFTER THE STORM (2) has put in two smart recent efforts over this trip. She must have a strong chance in this company.  ALLOWAY GROVE (4) is holding form and seems best over this trip. Weak field. ARCTIC ICE (3) tried further after retuning from a lengthy break. He best form is over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-3)

First entries for this year’s Vodacom Durban July were initially due in by 11am yesterday morning. However, because of the National Yearling Sales, Gold Circle made a late decision to reschedule first entries to Tuesday, April 20 with names being announced on Tellytrack after the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday, April 21.

Andrew Harrison

THE speculation begins today with the first entries for this year’s Vodacom Durban July due in by 11am.

The July is the catalyst for interest in South Africa’s Champions Season and with a number of outstanding performers this season the 125^th running of South Africa’s most famous race is set to be a cracker.

With nearly four months still to go before the big race, successes and failures of horses with potential July credentials will be followed closely and debated country-wide.

Justin Snaith has campaigned last year’s winner Belgarion sparingly. Snaith did a brilliant job in plotting Belgarion into last year’s race on favourable weight terms and the gelding has only had three outings since his big success.

He beat Rainbow Bridge with a telling finish in the Green Point Stakes and finished third behind Jet Dark and Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate and second to Rainbow Bridge in the Cape Met.

The July will no doubt be on the gelding’s radar again but will face a stiffer task this year as he has jumped in the merit ratings and will carry close to the top weight.

Eric Sands will be hoping for better luck with both Rainbow Bridge, likely top weight, and Golden Ducat, both certain entries, assuming they are fit and well. Rainbow Bridge has hardly put a foot wrong in his career and victory would finally realise the dream of prolific owner Mike Rattray.

Joey Soma has taken the slow route with last year’s runner-up Got The Greenlight and his preparation has gone well so far with the colt winning the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes in only his second start this term after warming up in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes when touched off by MK’s Pride.

Johan Janse van Vuuren appears to have a possible contender in the progressive Argentinian-bred gelding Puerto Manzano. He has yet to be tested beyond a mile but finished off his recent race in fine style for back-to-back wins and could possibly go the 2200m of the July. Time will tell.

The name of last season’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner and Equus Horse of the Year Summer Pudding is sure to be among the first entries. The only blip on her CV to date was a below par run in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes where she was reported coughing post-race. She has since put the record straight with a facile win in the Gr2 Colorado King Stakes over the Turffontein 2000m.

She has also won at Greyville, winning the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, which cemented her place in the minds of most Equus voters.

But this year’s crop of three-year-olds appears to be of vintage quality and the new blood is set to test the proven older campaigners to the full.

The form of the Cape Guineas has worked out in spite of the race being run at a muddling pace.

Second-placed Linebacker went one better in the Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby and fourth-placed Jet Dark went on to upstage Rainbow Bridge in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

The one question mark is the weak showing of the winner, Russian Rock in the Derby and subsequently in a Graduation Plate at Greyville.

Recent Triple Crown winner Malmoos disappointing in the Guineas but comfortably beat Linebacker in the Concorde Cup over the Kenilworth mile.

Mike de Kock has indicated that Malmoos may miss the July after a hard season but one hopes that another July trophy in the cabinet will prove too much of a temptation.

The Daily News 2000, the most important July warm-up for three-year-olds, should provide a telling pointer.

The big unknown is the unbeaten Kommetdieding. He was a short-priced favourite for the Cape Derby before injury scuppered his race but he was hardly tested in the Gr3 Politician Stakes where third-placed Rascallion, second to Linebacker in the Cape Derby, was three lengths adrift.

The Daily News 2000 will more than likely be on his radar.

Other sophomore male’s that have claims are Catch Twentytwo, Rascallion, The Gate Keeper and Copper Mountain who pushed Got The Greenlight to the limit in the Horse Chestnut.

Recent facile Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner War Of Athena is head and shoulders above her female rivals on the Highveld and Paul Matchett must surely have July intentions. The Gr1 Woolavington 2000 would be an ideal prep race.

Justin Snaith has another cracker in Captain’s Ransom, beaten only once and a facile winner of the Gr1 Majorca Stakes beating Clouds Unfold. She has not raced beyond a mile at this stage of her career and the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes may be her main Champions Season target but her name may still appear on the list of first entries.

Running Brave, second to Summer Pudding in the Gauteng Summer Cup last season, is sure to be among the first entries while confirmed stayers African Adventure and former Cape Derby winner Atyaab are also possible.

Two jockeys who may be forced into a choice of rides come Monday, 21 June, the date of final acceptances, are Muzi Yeni and Luke Ferraris. Yeni could be caught between Got The Greenlight and War Of Athena while Ferraris could be faced with a choice between Rainbow Bridge and Malmoos.

Entries will be announced live on Tellytrack on April 21 after race 1.

Andrew Harrison

SHARE HOLDER has been something of an under achiever – always threatening but never producing what was expected. Paul Lafferty explained that one of his problems was that he had a serious hoof injury that had only recently allowed them to fit a proper shoe.

With all four hooves in working order it was a change of tactics that finally produced the effort that most knew he was capable off in the third at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Most pundits pegged the race as a two-horse contest between Seventh Gear and last season’s WSB Guineas winner Wild Coast, but they were both out-pointed by Muzi Yeni who rode a perfect front-running race.

To quote a Lafferty euphemism, ‘Share Holder pulls like a dentist’ and the instructions to Yeni were to let Share Holder roll. In hindsight, the instructions were superfluous as Yeni wasn’t left with an option as the big chestnut pulled him clear.

Given a breather up the hill, Share Holder was going great guns at the top of the straight with Wild Coast already under the pump but there were ominous signs from Seventh Gear as Keagan de Melo stalked his rival. With two furlongs to run, De Melo released the handbrake and for a few strides it looked as if Yeni was smelling cooked goose.

But Seventh Gear probably needed to gear down to fifth for a bit of grunt as he only got to Share Holders’ tail and no further.

It was a win full of merit and long overdue while Seventh Gear will improve a few lengths. As for Wild Coast, his Champions Season may have already hit the rocks – time will tell.

No one was going to get rich on Kailene in the card opener but those who did have a plunge on the odds-on shot had little to worry about. Making her local debut after a creditable showing in a Cape feature, she always looked to have the wood on her opposition and so it proved.

Lyle Hewitson rode a copybook race, one wide with cover as Global Secret cut modest early fractions under Warren Kennedy.

Taking a traffic-free passage for home, Kailene was never asked a serious question as she cruised to the line under hands and heels with Global Secret staying on for a well beaten second.

The history of sport is littered with precocious talents that have made their names before hitting their 20’s. 19 year-old Luke Ferraris, just recently out of his time as an apprentice, has had a leg up with his Grand Father and father being top trainers, but no matter the pedigree, if you don’t have the talent you are never going to make it.

Young Ferraris is a man of few words, ask him a question and he cuts to the point in a few syllables, a television interviewer’s nightmare but a journalist’s pleasure.

The second was not the Cape Met on Rainbow Bridge or the Triple Crown on Malmoos, but Ferraris was clinical aboard the well fancied Final Destiny for Garth Puller in his maiden win. “He was a right horse in the race,” commented Puller and Ferraris executed it with the precision of a veteran.

The 14-length margin of defeat at her last start will have put many off Laurel Lane but Duncan Howells was quick to admit that his filly was beaten by a better horse. “Sorry Mister Howells, there was nothing I could do,” was the succinct observation from Ferraris who was in the saddle that day.

He was back aboard yesterday, took the race by the scruff of the neck, and kept rolling to the line.

Yeni has had a memorable week with War Of Athena rounding off the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and winning the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes aboard Joey Soma’s charge Got The Green Light, second in last year’s Vodacom Durban July.

He may have a few tough choices to make come July time – the first nominations out on Wednesday.

When races go punter’s way in the early exchanges, there is generally a bomb on the way and Yeni was the provider as he produced Nathan Kotzen’s filly with a telling late run to win the sixth at the ‘skinny’ odds of 40-1.