The Markus Jooste part-owned Galileo colt Douglas Macarthur has taken a further walk in the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby market after managing only fifth in Saturday’s Gr 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile at Newmarket.

Meanwhile, the Jooste and Bernard Kantor-owned Yorker, formerly-trained by Geoff Woodruff,  is due to run at the two day Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting in France over the weekend, where the South African-owned and former Paul Lafferty-trained Harry’s Son will also be running. Piere Strydom was due to fly over to France yesterday (Monday). He will be putting the final touches to Harry’s Son’s preparation before renewing his hitherto successful partnership with him in the race on Sunday. Strydom might also ride Yorker at the meeting on Saturday.

Douglas Macarthur was the stable elect of an Aiden O’Brien-trained coupling in The Royal Lodge, but could only stay on at one pace and was beaten 2,25 lengths. None of O’Brien’s five Epsom Derby winners Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013) and Australia (2014) lost a race in their build up to the big race, bar on debut.

Douglas Macarthur appeared to fitting into this trend when slamming his rivals in a Leopardstown maiden over a mile on 21 July by five lengths in his second career start. He had been very green when finishing last at odds of 2/5 on debut over seven furlongs. The way he powered clear of his rivals in his win impressed the bookmakers to the extent that they made him the joint 16/1 favourite for the Derby together with his stablemate Churchill.

However, he drifted out to 25/1 when only managing a 2,5 length 3^rd in his next start in the Gr 3 Champions Juvenile Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown, where he started 8/13 favourite. He has now drifted out to a best price of 50/1.

However, there is still hope a South African could present the Epsom Derby trophy to another South African next year (Bernard Kantor is Investec’s co-founder and managing director and presents the trophy to winning connections every year).

O’Brien described Douglas Macarthur as “babyish” after his only win. Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman received an email from O’Brien after Saturday’s Royal Lodge which confirmed this still held true. Douglas Macarthur apparently shows the great trainer an immense amount at home. However, he said he lacked pace, so definitely needed further, as well as time to mature.

Jooste owns the horse in partnership with Coolmore kingpins John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Meanwhile, Churchill, after losing on debut in May, has won his next four starts including a Gr 1 over seven furlongs at The Curragh by 4,25 lengths. He is now the lone favourite at 12/1 for the Derby, while Royal Lodge winner, the Godolphin-owned Best Of Days, is 33/1.

Yorker (JC Photo)

Brugman said Yorker, who has his niggles, was as sound as they could possibly have him ahead of Saturday’s race at Chantilly, where the Arc meeting will take place this year due to renovations at Longchamp. The William Haggas-trained seven-year-old Jet Master gelding will travel to France unless the ground becomes too soft. At present the weather forecast suggests the ground will remain good. Yorker made his overseas debut, after an 800 day layoff, at York on August 20 in the Gr 3 Strensall Stakes over a mile and a furlong and finished an excellent 1,25 length second under Pat Cosgrave at odds of 14/1. He then lined up as 6/4 favourite on September 14 at Sandown in the Listed Fortune Stakes over a mile and 14 yards and this time went down by only a neck. The connections were a touch disappointed, but Brugman said there were genuine excuses. “The pace was too slow and he did not have cover. He quickened well enough, but not as well as we know he can, and this could also have been due to the 2^nd run after a rest factor, considering he had been out for 800 days.”

Harry’s Son will be running in the Gr 1 Prix de la Floret over seven furlongs on Sunday.

Harry’s Son (JC Photo)

Lafferty said experienced French jockey Gerald Mosse had described him as a “very, very nice horse” after galloping him last week. He added the five-year-old Haradasun entire’s subsequent blood picture had been exactly how they had wanted it. A look at the Australian-bred’s career record shows he enjoys running fresh, so the connections have duly decided to send him straight into the race.

Harry’s Son has been trained out of Laredo in Spain by Cesar Alonso since departing Dubai. Lafferty’s assistant Roy Waugh has been in Laredo permanently to oversee his program. The Prix de la Floret is usually run over a seven furlong course at Longchamp, which according to Lafferty is known as “The Toboggan” due to its up and down nature. However, the Chantilly seven furlong course is flatter, which will suit Harry’s Son. Seven furlongs (1400m) is his ideal trip.

However, the connections were being realistic about his chances in such an international Gr 1 event and Lafferty said they would be “over the moon” with a place. If he does finish in the first three he will be invited to a US$3 million event in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Brugman also spoke of Jooste’s South African-based star Legal Eagle. He said he would likely take the same route as last year, i.e. running a preparation race at Turffontein before going to Cape Town to defend his crown in the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate. He would then attempt to go one step better than his second place finish in the Met. However, rather than head back to Johannesburg after the Met, Brugman said there was a chance he might join a number of other horses who will be flown overseas after the Cape Summer Of Champions Season.

David Thiselton

The Turffontein Inside track stages an eight race meeting today and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

The best bet could be Tambalang (G Lerena / S Tarry) in the third race, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m. Last time out over 1600m she didn’t settle perfectly from a low draw as she waited on the rail for a wider drawn horse to cross over and set the pace, so that is a slight concern going over this further trip. However, her pedigree suggests she should relish the extra trip being by Go Deputy out of a Western Winter mare who won over a mile.

Furthermore, Go Deputy’s progeny are known to improve as they get older. However, the main factor on her side is simply the formline. The two horses who beat her over 1600m in her penultimate start, Red Pomegranate and Little Swift, both won next time out. The horse who beat her last time, Komeshan’s Flight, also looks decent and was beaten only 0,2 lengths over 1450m by Little Swift in her penultimate start. Tambalang’s opposition tomorrow do not have nearly as strong form. Cidada, being by Galileo, should enjoy the step up in trip and coming from the Alec Laird yard should show improvement in her second career start. However, on the downside she made a breathing noise in her fair debut over 1600m. Nevertheless, she looks to be the chief danger.

The highest rated race of the day is the second, a Graduation Plate over 1600m. The classy Negroamara would prefer a bit further now but running fresh it is easy to imagine her running on strongly from off the pace to get up. She is 6,5kg better off with any other horse in the field on official merit ratings. However, Querari Falcon, who won the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over this trip on Gold Cup day could be a big danger if able to dictate from the front and use her decent kick to steal a march. On the downside she has a wide draw to overcome and also the Thekwini form has not worked out well to date.

The value bet of the day comes in the seventh race, a MR 68 Handicap over 1200m. The Alec Laird-trained Endearing has dropped to a mark six points lower than her last win. In her penultimate start she ran a decent race over 1160m when appearing to be a bit outpaced but staying on well. The 1200m over this slightly tougher track should suit her down to the ground, and in fact, she won her maiden over course and distance by a facile 5,25 lengths, albeit against a weak field. On the downside she is the only female in the race. She was also drawn two in the aforementioned maiden win, whereas this time she has a tricky draw of six. The horse who does have the plum draw of two is the Mike de Kock-trained Springhills, who just got up on debut over 1000m despite having to be switched inward in the closing stages. He is superbly bred being by top Australian sire Redoute’s Choice out of a Gr 1-winning sprinter by Volksraad. However, he didn’t actually reach his reserve of AUS$100,000, the final bid being AUS$90,000, so might not be the perfectly conformed sort.

However, his debut suggested he would enjoy this trip and it isn’t the most inspiring of fields so he can be involved off a reasonable merit rating of 77. Side Show has come class and will be perfectly course and distance suited from a draw of two. However, he was accorded a merit rating of 84 for his easy win against weak maiden opposition and it is never easy for a three-year-old to carry topweight against older horses off such a merit rating. His stablemate Copper Pot won his maiden in taking style over 1450m. However, he has to race off quite a harsh 81 merit rating, considering that was a weak workrider’s event. On the other hand he has a 4kg claimer up. Quattro is distance suited and could also earn from a fair draw off a competitive merit rating.

One of the most difficult races is the sixth, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Paree, in the typical fashion of an older horse by Silvano, has suddenly come into her own. The ease with which she has won her last two starts over 1160m and 1450m respectively suggests she has more to offer, so she is selected to make it a hattrick. However, one horse who could go off at decent odds and has a definite winning chance is the topweight Perfumed Lady. She has always had a touch of class and, after being hampered in her penultimate start over 1000m at Scottsville and then finding it too far last time out over 1400m, she is now back to a suitable trip and has been dropped to an attractive merit rating. Furthermore, she has a plum draw with Delpech up. Penny Serenade has also been dropped to an attractive merit rating. She was undone by a wide draw over course and distance last time and is now drawn well off a three point lower mark.

An intriguing runner on the day is Al Fahad in the fifth, a MR 80 Handicap over 1450m.  He likely has a feature campaign lined up for him, so this might be a preparation outing in his first run around the turn. Furthermore, he has to race off a merit rating of 89 in a handicap in just his second career start. However, the way he kicked again when challenged on debut over 1200m and then the courage he showed to get up in a ding dong tussle makes him the one to beat with Delpech up from a plum draw.

David Thiselton

Turffontein (inside) Tuesday Sep 27 race previews by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: FEARLESS FRED has run two decent races over 1200m. She is by Sail From Seattle out of a Western Winter mare who won one race over 1000m but did quite well in two races from 1400-1600m. He is drawn well and was not stopping at the line last time so should stay the trip and is tipped to win. DUKE OF EDINURGH ran a fair race over course and distance last time and should be involved again. ZOHAR is by Kahal and is a full brother to the fair sort Schachar who reached an 86 merit rating in Cape Town. He should enjoy this trip. UPOSEUPAY has had 29 runs in the maidens but has been running some fair races lately, mainly over 1600m, and should be affective over this trip too so can earn in this field. MEXICAN SUN has run a fair race over this sort of trip before and could still improve. (David Thiselton 6-2-10)

Race 2:

Preview: NEGROAMARA is a classy sort who would prefer further but her ability could pull her through here, especially considering she is 6,5kg better off at the weights on official merit ratings than any other horse. QUERARI FALCON won the Gr 1 Thekwini over 1600m last time out and has some speed too so should be effective over this trip, although she is 6,5kg out at the weights with Negroamara and the Thekwini form is not working out well to date.   KAHULA is officially 13kg under sufferance with Negroamara but ran a fair race last time in the BSA Million Mile and could earn.  (David Thiselton 1-3-6)

Race 3:

Preview: TAMBALANG ran a fine race last time over 1600m and will be improving all the time being by Go Deputy and she will appreciate the further step up in trip too. CIDADA, who is by Galileo, should improve on her debut run coming from the Alec Laird yard and should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but a concern is she made a breathing noise. The RED LIST could also earn but is another who has breathing problems. (David Thiselton 5-4-6)

Race 4:

Preview: HIGH DRAMA is an ultra consistent sort and being only four points higher than his last win should go close for an in form yard over a suitable trip. There does not look to be much between SEVEN SINGLE and High Drama. The former is drawn in pole over the course and distance of his best run. BUBBLY REPLY is 2kg under sufferance on official merit ratings. However, his maiden win over course and distance has worked out well and he could surprise here. (David Thiselton 1-2-8)

Race 5:

Preview: AL FAHAD looks set to be a classic horse after a fine performance over 1200m on debut in which he showed good pace and a telling kick in the latter stages when challenged. This is his first run around the turn and he has the tough task of running off an 89 merit rating in his first handicap outing, so he can by no means be regarded as a banker, but from draw three with Delpech up does look the one to beat. PROFIT RATIO has won over course and distance before and is back to the mark of his last win, which was over 1400m o the standside track. He did alright with first time blinkers on last time and they remain on off a two point lower mark.  SHOTGUN RIDER is 0,5kg under sufferance but has performed well in maiden races over this trip so should enjoy the slight step down in distance and has the advantage of pole position. APPLE CRUMBLE will also likely appreciate the step down in trip from last time but a concern is the respiratory noises he makes. MR MULLINER is course and distance suited but has a wide draw to overcome which will be tough carrying 60kg. (David Thiselton 3-2-7)

Race 6:

Preview: PAREE is showing the improvement typical of the older progeny of Silvano and considering the ease of her last two wins over 1160m and 1450m respectively she can continue on her winning ways despite a seven point raise in the merit ratings and a wide draw. PERFUMED LADY is well drawn and has dropped to an attractive merit rating over a suitable trip. PENNNY SERENADE was used up to overcome a wide draw over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track last time in a strong field but this time is well drawn and is three points lower in the merit ratings. EMBRASIATIC also has a fair draw and looks to be off a competitive mark over a suitable trip. NITROGEN touched off Embrasiatic last time and is only three points higher. She could continue to improve but has a tough draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 7-1-4)

Race 7:

Preview:  ENDEARING has dropped to a competitive merit rating and should be finishing strongly from a fair draw. SPRINGHILLS is a well-bred sort who got up late on debut over 1000m and should appreciate the step up in trip so can go close from a plum draw off a reasonable merit rating. SIDE SHOW has ability and over a suitable trip could be involved from a plum draw, but it is never easy for a young three-year-old to carry topweight against older horses off an 84 merit rating. (David Thiselton 4-6-1)

Race 8:

Preview: WANTED MAN went close on debut and with a repeat he will be a big runner from a plum draw, although he returns from a three month layoff. JIM CABLES ran a good debut and Lerena remains aboard, albeit from a tough draw. TIMEOFTHEVIKINGS has pole position draw and as an improving sort should be involved in this uninspiring field. MIESQUE’S RUMBA ran a good race in second time blinkers over this trip and also has a plum draw. SURF’S UP has a tough draw but might appreciate the step down in trip and could earn. ARLINGTON is by Pathfork out of a King Of Kings mare whose only win was in her eleventh start over 1450m. (David Thiselton 11-7-4)

The amazing Songbird (Jerry Hollendorfer/Mike Smith) took her unbeaten sequence to 11 with yet another resounding victory as she overwhelmed a field of top-class rivals in the Cotillion Stakes (Grade 1 – 1700m, dirt, 3yo fillies) , coasting home by nearly six lengths in a totally dominant performance.

On paper, the $1 million event looked set to provide the sternest test of Songbird’s flawless career to date. On the racetrack, it was to prove anything but as the brilliant daughter of Medaglia d’Oro scored in imperious fashion, tracking front-runner Carina Mia before easily taking command at the head of the stretch.

“A picture of perfection,” suggested the racecaller as the 3-10 favourite sauntered clear, and it was hard to argue as she won going away from front-runner Carina Mia. Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia, kept off the pace at her home venue, was a poor third nearly seven lengths behind the second.

“She was so happy, so calm and cool,” said Mike Smith, the only rider last year’s Eclipse Award-winning filly has known. “She was having fun today. That was the old her and I was so glad to see that.

“There have been times when I had to ask her for a jump or two, maybe in the Coaching Club American Oaks for about a good 100 yards, but she does things so easily and I’m so blessed to be a part of her. She seems to have blossomed. I don’t know if that’s possible or not.”

Songbird – who is named after a Fleetwood Mac song, specifically the Eva Cassidy version – stopped the clock at 1m44.02s. She has now won her 11 starts – seven at Grade 1 level – by a cumulative 60½ lengths.

“She just continues to amaze me,” said Rick Porter of owners Fox Hill Farms. “It doesn’t get any better than to watch her today, she was just gorgeous. I’m proud to watch her race; she gives me chills every time.”

Porter confirmed that Songbird’s next target is the Breeders’ Cup Distaff; she will also stay in training at four. “We got a big one coming now,” he said. “I think Jerry and I agree the Distaff is the race to run her in. There’s some big cheese in that race.”

RacingPost.com

Silvan Star could be in line for a crack at the Diana Stakes after bouncing back to form under Greg Cheyne in the All To Come Novice Plate at Durbanville on Saturday.

Glen Kotzen, who has already won the Diana four times this century, said: “The race comes up quite soon but I have nominated her and we will see how she pulls up.

“I thought she was going to be my Daisy Fillies Guineas runner but she had a dreadful Durban season with only one run in four months. She was suffering from travel sickness when she arrived and then she had foot abscess after foot abscess.”

Francia, on whom Cheyne led over a furlong out to become the first filly to take the Settlers Trophy since Let’s Be Cool in 2003, might find herself in the Gold Cup at the end of the season.

Justin Snaith said: “We were lucky to find a race like the Settlers – it was basically a 90 merit-rated Listed race – and I only stuck her in at the last minute when I saw the ratings of the entries but she is the sort of filly you could run in the Gold Cup.”

For the second Durbanville Saturday in a row Snaith won half the races but in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap it was Cheyne on 10-1 chance Union Jack who came off worst. In the closing stages Fifty Cents came off a straight line, possibly edging away from Richard Fourie’s whip, and Union Jack was squeezed like a lemon.

At least that was how it looked from the stands and on TV. The films in the boardroom showed rather more clearly how Union Jack, intimidated but not touched by the winner, bounced off the quarters of the strong finishing second-placed Icy Trail and lost his momentum.

The stipes decided there were no grounds for changing the result and Cheyne took the same view although he reported: “I was unfortunate. I was interfered with but I couldn’t win an objection because I was only third.”

The next Snaith winner, Sabine Plattner’s 22-10 favourite Twinkle Toes, also caused a stir but before the race. She dived into the parade ring gazebo and nearly decapitated rider Shadley Fortune. Her trainer then came up with the understatement of the month: “I’ve got to calm her down – she’s a bit hot.”

Fourie rode the stable’s other two winners and seemingly even he has joined the army of onlookers who openly wondered why he was so hesitant about taking his old job back earlier in the year. “It’s a thrill, and exciting how things are going at the moment,” he said.

It was also quite a day for Geoff Woodruff. At Turffontein newcomer Singapore Sling, backed from 8-1 to a still generous 3-1, lived up to the months of talk about him catching pigeons by romping home nearly six lengths clear in the manner of something special and at Durbanville the diminutive California Girl belied her lack of inches by following up her first time win, coming from last to first under Donovan Dillon.

Daughter Lucy said: “She is only 14.3 hands and she showed nothing until just before she first ran. Since then she has come on by leaps and bounds. She is a CTS Million Dollar candidate and hopefully she will be good enough to get in.”

Boyfriend Adam Marcus has taken his string from just ten when he started in 2012 to over 60 and he struck with the Grant van Niekerk-ridden Diva Fever in the opener while in the last Riaan van Reenen and Carl Burger made it three for their new partnership when Craig du Plooy sprang the shock of the season (so far at least) by making most of the running on 66-1 shot Royal Fleece.

Michael Clower