Andrew Harrison

WHAT makes horse racing the sport that it is? Gavin van Zyl and stable rider Warren Kennedy put it all in a nutshell after Stanton Street landed his long overdue maiden win at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday, running all the way to the line to deny Gauteng raider Life Goes On.

Kennedy admitted that he had all but written off the gelding as a ‘professional maiden’ and Van Zyl said he was never quite sure over what distance his charge would be most effective – yesterday’s race over 1000m. “Being out of a Zabeel mare, a solid New Zealand staying pedigree, I thought he would go ground. But it seems that I got it all wrong and I had to change things around and start again.”

Van Zyl also pointed out one of the darker sides of the sport. An owner putting his hand up at a sale and then reneging on their commitment. “In the ocean without a paddle,” as he so succinctly put it, and it is a scourge and unpleasant and costly reality that all trainers have had to deal with some time in their career.

Being a trainer in South Africa, having to deal with exponential rising operating costs in a stagnant economy, a myriad of other complications, some petty rules and keeping an equine athlete in peak condition, it is more difficult operating a training yard than anything Cyril Ramaphosa faces in running the country.

Gauteng raiders drew first blood when Southern Cape and Gin And Tonic fought out the card opener. Both were quick out of the gate and duelled all the way to the line. Marcus had Southern Cape in the lead turning for home with Ryan Munger, having his first ride back in KZN for many a year after a spell in Singapore, looking to have Marcus in his sights and dead to rights.

However, when asked the question, Gin And Tonic challenged gamely but could not get past Southern Cape who kept finding to the line.

Munger got himself on the board as Bright Eyed Girl made all the running for Weiho Marwing as she left her opposition trailing in her wake. “She showed us good work on the sand,” confirmed Marwing’s son Warwick who was doing duty for his father.

Spare a thought for Lezeanne Forbes. She was on the end of some stinging criticism when Fat Cigar finished ahead of stable companion and favourite Legislate’s Dance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville recently and was faced with a similar scenario when Panna Cotta, the less fancied of her two runners finished with a rattle to win the fifth.

She explained post-race that both of her charges had hot temperaments, favourite Koopa Troopa displaying hers before being coaxed to load.

She explained that given that the race was run at a pedestrian pace, the sprint for home was never going to suit the favourite.

“She is a very big filly with a massive action and when she ran second, she had the beautiful long Scottsville straight.

“The race was run at an absolute canter and there was no way that she would be able to out-sprint them down the short straight.”

Panna Cotta is another difficult filly, “she tends to beat herself” according to Forbes but apprentice Kyle Strydom handled her beautifully and he will not be long in shedding his claim.

The colours of the International Racing Club with Joa de Matta at the helm along Mike de Haast are familiar silks on the local circuit and Truly Wicked did them proud with a comfortable win in the sixth.

Wayne Badenhorst, with sister Barbara and brother-in-law Warren Kennedy, are always a combination to keep an eye on when they team up. 

David Thiselton

THE Pick 6 is tricky at first sight on the Vaal Straight course today although it could be catchable for those who do their homework. 

In the opening leg Supreme Dance is a lot better than his last start and will be hard to beat if repeating his debut. Jet Cat goes well for claimer Jeffrey Syster and could pick up the pieces if he fluffs his lines again. Lazy Guy makes most appeal of the rest.  

In the second leg over 1200m Golden Spoon should be running on strongly dropped back to this trip and should fight it out with the hard-knocking Bat Out Of Hell.

In the fifth race over 2400m Don’t Look Back has relished the long straights of the Highveld so can make it four-in-a-row despite being 2kg under sufferance with best weighted horse Fife. He won extending over this trip last time and it is interesting to note he has a victory over Gold Cup winner Paths Of Victory to his name over this trip. Fife will be a big threat as she has likely benefited from her last start. The inside horses also stole a march o her that day and she could have otherwise got closer although she does have another tricky draw. Captain Chorus can never be ignored over this trip. Earth Shaker has been in fine form over shorter and is a half-brother to Gold Vase runner up Before Noon so might stay the trip although being by Capetown Noir is a detractor. Ocean Forest is an interesting runner over this trip being by Duke Of Marmalade out of  half-sister to Listed Winter Oaks winner Fresnaye.     

In the sixth race Dr Doolittle is a decent sort and the last time he ran in a handicap over this trip he defied topweight. He didn’t shape in the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes next time out. However, he is by Ideal World so should be improving all the time and can defy topweight again off a four point higher mark than his last win, especially as he jumps from a good draw of two. Our Coys beat the talented Nartje the last time he tried this trip and on formlines he comes out better than Prospector. Prospector is a scopey sort and is by Traffic Guard so should enjoy this trip and can do better than his last attempt at it. August Rain is an interesting runner as he is a rangy front-running type and being by Soft Falling Rain out of a Jet Master half-sister to the champion stayer Hermoso Mundo might enable him to stay this trip. War Jewel has good recent form over 1600m but has to prove he stays this trip and there must be some doubt on pedigree being by Vercingetorix out of a Captain Al sprinter. Bepop enjoys this trip and could give some cheek with a light weight.      

In the seventh race 1600m Dawn Of A New Era won comfortably over 1400m in the maidens last time when finishing strongly and starts off on a reasonable 78 merit rating. That puts him 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse in this Classified Stakes race but he should relish the step up in trip. Un Deux Trois was doing good late work last time over 1450m in a fillies and mares handicap and is now the best weighted horse over a step up in trip she should relish. Picadilly Square ran on strongly last time over 2000m for third and in the current slowish conditions this trip might not be too sharp. Sun Giant is a big horse with not much pace and does not have an electric turn of foot but he certainly stays on so could become a threat in the latter stages. There is not much between him and Manitoba on form.  

In the last race over 1600m Drummer Dude is dropped down in trip to a course and distance over which he has placed in all three starts. The last time he ran over this distance he made good late progress. He is officially only 1kg out with the best weighted pair but this is alleviated by the 1.5kg claim of Jeffrey Syster who knows him well. Pucker Up is 1.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted but finished strongly over 1800m last time behind a promising sort and she was 0,85 lengths ahead of Drummer Dude and is now half-a-kilogram better off. The trip will be on he sharp side but she should be charging late. Contrail is 1.5kg out at the weights with the best weighted pair Anatura and Land of Rubies but he has the same 4kg claimer aboard as he had last time when running on well for second. Land Of Rubies should have benefitted from her last start which followed a three month layoff and she should relish the step up in trip. Kapama was not disgraced last time out over 1500m in a stronger fillies and mares handicap field than this and after her two points lowered merit rating she is still only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted. Anatura can’t be written off having run on from last for second place over this trip at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.   

Andrew Harrison

THE Gauteng raiders are in town with Dorrie Sham, Weiho Marwing, Tony Nassif and Clinton Binda all having runners at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.

The poly track may be the main attraction and their runners could leave the locals scratching for pennies in the shallow end of the purse if things go their way.

It’s not an easy card but Sham and Marwing could dominate the card opener as both of their runners come with promising form. Marwing’s filly Gin And Tonic is already having her fourth race and has the better time of the two. She has also beaten Sham’s runner Southern Cape who has only had two outings so can still improve a length or two. Local hopes will probably rest with Gavin van Zyl’s filly Crimson Causeway who was backed into the red on debut. She has had the benefit of a race around the turn and could repel the Highveld challenge.

Should Crimson Causeway obliged for Van Zyl, the Summerveld trainer could make it a quick double with Stanton Street. He has been struggling to win but his recent form over course and distance has been useful. Highveld raiders Sonny Quinn and Life Goes On will be threats. Sonny Quinn has consistent form over the trip and Marcus has been booked which is an indication of what the stable expects. Life Goes On is Clinton Binda’s only runner on the day. He was a distant second to what looks to be a useful sort on Al Sakeet. The blinkers have brought him on and he can finish in the money again.

Sham’s runner Zodiac Princess has gone close on many occasions but just not been able to crack it. She tries the poly and from a good draw and Marcus up she may be the one to be with. Van Zyl sends out Another Love who has shown her best on the poly but may have found her last start too far. From a good draw over this shorter trip she should be competitive. Miss Missouri and Bright Eyed Girl are others to consider.

In the first leg of the Jackpot, Flying Peter tries blinkers for the first time. He has been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions but over an ideal trip and a good draw he should go close. Deorsa is lightly raced and was a close-up second when favourite last time out. He looks the biggest threat to the selection. Of the others, Gimme A Rainbow appears to have come to hand after a much improved last run and from a plum draw can be right there while Story Book does not have the best of draws but his best recent effort has been over course and distance.

Koopa Troopa could possibly shape up as the card banker. Lezeanne Forbes’ filly made a smart debut over a similar trip at long odds. She makes her poly debut but a repeat should at least see her in the money. Simply Complicated has had three local outings and makes her poly debut. Marcus has been booked but she does look held by Koopa Troopa on their last meeting. Gypsy Magic has run one good race in six and that was at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and she is way better than her last run. With Kennedy booked for the ride from a shrewed stable, she is one for bigger perms.

The Bayou had the misfortune of being disqualified last run after an objection by the clerk of scales but he is in very good form and with Marcus booked for the ride he must have a bright chance of redeeming himself. Forbes holds a strong hand with recent maiden winners Origami and Fat Cigar. The Origami form has worked out well and he can go in again but so has the form of Fat Cigar and apprentice Kyle Strydom retains the ride.

The seventh is a seriously difficult fillies handicap. Justadoreher has run her best recent races on the poly and although she steps up a furlong in trip she does have the best of the draw. Irish Belle has been ridden without any restraint in all of her starts. She is super quick but if Muzi Yeni can get her to settle she can be super competitive in this field. Satara has come good of late after dropping in the handicap. She is slightly under sufferance but put in a smart piece of work on Monday and on current form should be a big runner again. Purple Nkanyezi has been taking on stronger of late and was not far back last time out while Aalsmeer and Not Now Pussycat are others to consider

In the last, Glitter And Gold won two on the bounce after her maiden win, both on the poly. That form has worked out well and her last narrow defeat came on the turf by the 66-1 shot Nikiya. That form is likely to be reversed on this surface. It Must Be Love was a close-up third in her handicap debut and she has run two of her best races on the poly. Beat It has been dropping in the ratings. She goes well this course and distance and is one to watch.

David Thiselton

VAUGHAN MARSHALL sends out two horses with proven class, Rascallion and Linebacker, and an outsider he is quietly confident about, Dubai Lights, in an attempt to land his second Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby on Saturday at Kenilworth ten years after he landed his first.

Marshall won the Cape Derby in 2011 with 22/1 outsider Top Seller, who was by the stallion who has been the foundation of his yard’s success, Al Mufti.

The latter was of course the sire of Captain Al, whom Marshall trained to Grade 1 glory and who later provided him with a number of Grade 1-winning sons and daughters. 

It is not surprising that both of Marshall’s chief runners on Saturday have the Al Mufti influence.

Rascallion, who is by Vercingetorix, is out of Jet Master mare Sofala, whose damsire is Al Mufti.

Linebacker is by a son of Captain Al, Captain Of All.

LInebacker, a big, long-striding individual, finished second last time out in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. 

However, he does have a stamina doubt on pedigree for Saturday’s 2000m race.

Marshall said, “We are all in the same boat wondering whether he will get the trip but I hope his class carries him through.”

Captain Of All was a top class sprinter, but has thrown some horses who stay, for example Shango, who won the Dingaans and finished second in the SA Derby. 

Linebacker is out of Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice mare Thin Red Line, whose two career wins were both over 1000m, but she did race mainly over a mile and she also had a third over 1800m and a second over 2000m.    

In the Cape Guineas Linebacker was caught wide but still relaxed well and stayed all the way to the line. The run suggested he is easy to switch off and Grant van Niekerk, who replaces Donovan Dillon, will thus have hope he stays. However, he does have another tough draw of 12. 

Rascallion ran un unlucky third in the Cape Guineas, having had to be snatched up halfway down the straight when sandwiched between a couple of horses before rallying to finish just 2,75 lengths back.

Last time out in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m he came from near the back to run a 2,75 length third. He was not finding as much as either the winner Kommetdieding or the runner up Legitimate at the line, but was wearing first-time blinkers that day and they have been dispensed with for the Derby.

He was running at level weights with Kommetdieding in the Politician and gave Legitimate 6kg.

Rascallion is by Vercingetorix, who appears to be all about speed, unlike his sire Silvano.

However, Rascallion’s dam Sofala should provide him with enough stamina as her six wins include five over 1800m and she also finished second once over 2600m. 

Marshall said, “I am not at all worried about him staying and think he is a big runner.”

He jumps from draw 4 and Anton Marcus retains the ride.

Dubai Lights is by Gimmethegreenlight out of the Marshall-trained Dubai Destination mare Dubai Gina, whose four wins include two races over 2400m and one of them was at Listed level. He has already proved he stays this trip but has a tough task on paper considering he was receiving 3kg from Kommetdieding in the Politician and was beaten 7,70 lengths. He also has to overcome a wide draw of ten.

However, Marshall was bullish and said, “He has been working very well at home and I would not be surprised if he finishes in the money.” Luke Ferraris rides.

Marshall was very happy with the preparations of all three runners and concluded, “I could not have them any better.”     

THE second leg of the WSB SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara will be staged at Turffontein on Saturday 6 March and both first leg winners will be in action in their respective races. 

Malmoos, who triumphed in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas, has been entered for the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m on the Standside track, while War Of Athena, who claimed the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, will be in action in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.  

However, in both cases, their main rivals who were the runners-up in their respective events, will be there to ensure victory will not come easily. Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos beat Catch Twentytwo by a neck and Paul Peter’s charge will be looking to avenge that defeat. 

War of Athena and Anything Goes are currently considered the two best three-year-old fillies on the Highveld and they will go at it again in the Fillies Classic. War Of Athena, trained by Paul Matchett, took top honours in the Fillies Guineas to level the head-to-head 2-2 with Stuart Pettigrew’s charge and Anything Goes will no doubt be fighting to edge ahead of her arch-rival once again.  

Johan Janse van Vuuren has nominated Guineas third and fourth Copper Mountain and Second Base respectively. The latter found plenty support in the Guineas but will no doubt prefer the extra 200m this time around.       

In the SA Fillies Classic De Kock could throw a spanner in the works with lightly raced Sparkling Water, a well-bred daughter of Silvano who has won two of her three races.   

A Pick 6 carryover of R1-million has already been announced for this meeting with a likely pool of R5 million. 

Supplementary entries close on Monday 1 March with declarations on Tuesday 2 March.   

NOMINATIONS 

WORLD SPORTS BETTING S A CLASSIC (Grade 1) (2nd Leg of WSB SA Triple Crown) R750,000 1800m 

1 AL MUTHANA (M F De Kock) 60.0 

2 BINGWA (D Sham) 60.0 

6 BOLD JAZZ (P F Matchett) 60.0 

9 CATCH TWENTYTWO (P A Peter) 60.0 

5 COPPER MOUNTAIN (J J van Vuuren) 60.0 

10 FLYING CARPET (S G Tarry) 60.0 

3 KINGSLEY’S HEART (W H Marwing) 60.0 

7 MALMOOS (M F De Kock) 60.0 

4 SECOND BASE (J J van Vuuren) 60.0 

8 SHAH AKBAR (S G Tarry) 60.0 

WILGERBOSDRIFT S A FILLIES CLASSIC (Grade 1) (2nd Leg Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara) R700,000 1800m 

1 ANYTHING GOES (S T Pettigrew) 60.0 

5 ASTRAL PLANE (G M Alexander) 60.0 

9 CARALLUMA (S G Tarry) 60.0 

7 GEE FOR GO (P F Matchett) 60.0 

4 MAGICAL FLIGHT (S G Tarry) 60.0 

6 MISS ELEGANCE (M N Houdalakis) 60.0 

10 NETTA (P A Peter) 60.0 

2 ONLY THE BRAVE (P F Matchett) 60.0 

11 QUEEN BOMI (P F Matchett) 60.0 

3 SPARKLING WATER (M F De Kock) 60.0 

8 WAR OF ATHENA (P F Matchett) 60.0