Trainer Joey Ramsden is a prominent figure in Classic races in the Western Cape, consistently priming talented, well-bred stock to give off their best in these coveted events.

Based on excellent performances as juveniles last term, Newlands, Attenborough and Table Bay appear to be the main hopes from Ramsden’s Classic contingent this season. Right-hand man Ricardo Sobotker explained that these horses had only returned to full training about six weeks ago, after a spell chilling out on the farm.

Newlands could potentially be the best of them all, but was a particularly difficult customer, forcing a decision to geld him. “Newlands was becoming impossible to work with prior to gelding. Long range he could turn into a Derby horse,” Sobotker said.

Attenborough is a flashy son of Western Winter who has shown serious ability over sprints: “He ran a great race first time back when just needing it. It seems like we may keep him to sprints this season,” said Sobotker.

Table Bay, on the other hand, requires a test of stamina. At two, he won the Grade 3 Langerman in soft ground over 1500m before being put away. He returned after that spell to finish third in a 1400m handicap at Durbanville last week. “He really needed it – you could see the difference in fitness just four days later,” reported Sobotker.

Jockey Donovan Dillon has worked hard since relocating to be aligned with Ramsden’s base in Cape Town and he shares some insights into his boss’ modus operandi.

“Joey likes to bring them along and aim for the Classics. There is no pressure now as he is still steadily improving their fitness levels,” said Dillon. “Among the fillies, Silver Captain and Captain Gambler are rated by the yard and it will also be interesting to see how classy juvenile Miranda Frost has developed after fluent wins earlier this year.”

A fickle filly, Miranda Frost has endured spells of ill health. Months ago, drastic action was needed with holes being drilled in her forehead to ease a lingering sinus infection. Then, on getting back into work recently, she promptly contracted another virus. Sobotker was relieved to convey the news that, “Miranda Frost is recovering – everything is good now and she will be aimed at the Fillies Guineas.”

TABNews

Captain America served notice that he will again be a force to reckon with in the top Cape races when bouncing back from a five-month plus absence to decisively give weight all round in the Matchem Stakes at Durbanville yesterday.

Corne Orffer had no problem tracking the pace-setting Blarney Bay or, for that matter, in sweeping past over 200m out and the authority with which the 22-10 favourite won was considerably understated by the 0.4 length winning margin.

Orffer said: “He was sort of stopping towards the end – he still needed it – but with his big heart he kept going and I was never in any doubt.”

Brett Crawford, winning his first Matchem, added: “He still has to tighten up but he was the class horse in the race. He’s been a champion for the yard and as a six-year-old he is just awesome. He now goes for the Green Point on December 3 followed by the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.”

Stable companion Sail South finished an honourable fifth but he was top-rated at the weights, something that his trainer again cast doubts about – “This was his first time running off 110 and, while he ran a good race, I’m not convinced about his mark.”

Baritone finished best of all to take second and stablemate Heartland finished just behind the Crawford-trained 22-1 outsider Midnight Zone in fourth.

Justin Snaith, although undecided on plans, said: “Baritone had to come from a long way back and, while I thought I had done enough with Heartland, he still needed it.”

Captains Flame – Diana Stakes 2016 (Liesl King)

Captain’s Flame is booked for the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes and the Klawervlei Majorca after fully justifying Andre Nel’s confidence in the Diana Stakes. The Plattner four-year-old has only been beaten twice in seven outings and, while she started what proved a generous 5-1, Aldo Domeyer was able to lead over a furlong out to beat Goodtime Gal by three-quarters of a length.

Nel said: “I have always thought she was way above average. She needed this a bit and we will see how she is before deciding on where she goes before the Paddock Stakes.”

Alexis, the 5-2 favourite, was never at the races and managed only ninth of 13 leaving Crawford scratching his head in disbelief while Domeyer galloped his rivals into the ground in the Jockeys Chase for the fourth successive year. Richard Fourie and Donovan Dillon filled the minor placings. The race raised R34 000 for the Western Cape Equine Trust, according to new chairman Ken Truter.

Just Sensual, starting at 13-20 despite not having raced since her debut in February, won the opener in a manner suggesting she has a real future, coming away under Donovan Dillon with ears pricked and over three lengths clear.

Joey Ramsden said: “She hasn’t quite got her summer coat and she had a sticky draw yet she managed to do it nicely. There are a number of options for her.”

But Derek Brugman virtually ruled out including the Choice Carriers among them, saying: “It might not be the right race for her – and she may be more of a six furlong filly.”

Magic Trick, a Trippi daughter of the 2007 Empress Club winner Little Miss Magic, took a step nearer the Lanzerac Ready To Run after coming from way back to win the mile maiden for Candice Bass-Robinson, Drakenstein and Grant van Niekerk.

The handicappers, so often criticised, are entitled to take a bow after less than three-quarters of a length separated the first five in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap won by MJ Byleveld on the Vaughan Marshall-trained Mr Jay.

Michael Clower

On paper it didn’t look easy, on the race track Elusivenchantment made it look easy. Any doubts about her ability were put to bed emphatically in the Soccer 6 Open Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.

Writing on his website Duncan Howells expressed concern over the turnover in weight with many of yesterday’s opposition and whether she would be as effective over 1000m as she was over 1200m.

His fears proved unfound. Anton Marcus had her in the vanguard from the jump and when asked to quicken Elusivenchantment changed gear and went away from her field.

“Some say that weight doesn’t count in these races but you still have to carry the pudding,” said Marcus. “Duncan asked me to ride her but I said he should rather put a four-claimer up. I’m glad I listened. She’s a very smart filly.”

“I always said she would be better as a four-year-old. I think we are only now getting to the bottom of her,” Howells said. “But it’s hard to place a filly with a high merit rating and she is pretty restricted as far as handicaps go. I think we will have to take our chances and have a crack at one or two races in Jo’burg.”

Mike Miller has been quiet for some time now but the Summerveld trainer opened up with a double including an inspired gamble on the debutant Karatage in the All To Come Maiden Plate.

Miller said beforehand, “she is a very nice filly but if the going comes up soft, then I am really not too sure how she will act. In saying that, she is showing me very encouraging work.”

With the threatened rain holding off Karatage was heavily supported from 12-1 to 22-10 second favourite and Alec Forbes made no mistakes as she came clear of favourite Savanah Cat.

The stable landed a quick double as Sonar Active (9-1), responding to blinkers and a drop in trip, got the better of Venice In May and Prince Ponti.

Marcus has been in blistering form since his return from a three week break and scored a treble that could so easily have been a four-timer. He had to work hard for his riding fee to get Monte Christo home in a tight finish to the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap and Buffalo Soldier confirmed that he’s on the up when out-gunning stable companion Top Form in the Graduation Plate to give Charles Laird a double.

Marcus looked to have time his run to perfection on favourite Shine Up but his fears that the 2400m trip of the last may just be beyond his mounts capabilities proved correct as the heavily backed Sabre Charge came back at Shine Up to snatch what looked to be an unlikely victory 50m out.

Andrew Harrison

Churchill hardened as favourite for the 2000 Guineas after a typically hard-fought victory in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.

Moore said: “He was always going to win. He’s a very, very good colt. It wasn’t as evenly-run as it should have been, but this lad has got an awful lot in his favour.

“There’s not a lot he can’t do. When I ask him, he always finds. He’s definitely a Guineas horse. I think he’ll get better.”

O’Brien, bagging his 20th worldwide Group One Flat race of the year, was winning the Dewhurst for the fifth time.

He said: “They went a sensible pace. He settled in there and quickened down into the dip.

“It got a little bit messy after the two [furlong marker] but Ryan guided him through and produced him lovely, so we’re over the moon.

“Physically he’s a very imposing horse. He’s probably a more imposing two-year-old than we’ve ever trained. He has a great mind and relaxes and sleeps. He just does the minimum, which is brilliant. He’s a great traveller and the qualities are there in abundance.

“Anyone that has had anything to do with him gets that special feeling from him – that’s very special when that happens.

“We’ve always viewed him as a miler, but that’s not to say he won’t get further. He’s so relaxed and laid-back and when he came in (to the winner’s enclosure) he wasn’t even blowing. He’s very economical as a galloper – he saves everything.”

Sportinglife.com

“It’s a dream to ride a horse like this. He’s a machine!” enthused veteran jockey Andrew Fortune after steering Kangaroo Jack to victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein.

Starting as even-money favourite, Gary Alexander’s four-year-old charge made light work of the 1450m contest, winning by two lengths going away to register his fifth win on the bounce and his sixth in 10 starts.

Afterwards, both Fortune and Alexander suggested the son of Querari might soon be tried over 1600m to put him in line for some of the bigger prizes on offer later in the Highveld season.

“We’ve got to look at the mile,” said Alexander. “He’s very versatile; something special.”

Fortune said afterwards: “He’s an easy horse to ride. He tells me where he wants to be. And he just keeps getting better.”

TABNews