Wayne Badenhorst only as a small string under his care at his Richmond yard next door to Doug Campbell and he will be pinning his hopes on his useful mare Mark My Card in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap that heads up the first of the regular Greyville Friday night meetings that will run for the next seven months.

Mark My Card has been battling from coffin draws in her last five outings and finally cracked pole position this evening. Badenhorst has also booked the useful 2,5kg claimer Diego de Gouveia and the combination of a good draw and a claim could be enough to see the mare home.

Duncan Howells saddles Wind Singer who could prove the biggest danger to Mark My Card. She won her penultimate start on this course very easily but was then dropped back to a sprint and was caught for finishing speed. She will much prefer tonight’s trip.

Anthony Delpech, who has been confirmed to ride Met winner Smart Call in her UK debut, is beholden to the Kannemeyer yard and rides Little Chapel so Kegan de Melo gets the leg up on Wind Singer.

Harry Da Wheels can get Candice Bass-Robinson’s satellite yard off the mark in the Download The SA Racing App Handicap. The gelding has some consistent Western Cape form and makes his local and poly debut this evening. Weskus Klong has his second outing since arriving from the Cape and can improve over this extended trip while Des Egdes thinks Trendy Guy will be suited to the poly and will trouble the judges.

Scottsville was washed out last Sunday and the meeting moved to the Greyville all weather. The forecast for Sunday’s 10-race card looks more promising with today’s forecast of light rain due to clear by tomorrow. But as a consequence of last Sunday’s wash-out trainer’s looking for the turf have emptied out their yards.

Duncan Howells has a busy afternoon ahead with 16 runners to saddle but unfortunately for punters Magic Memory, a winner without a penalty and probably a cast iron exotic bet banker, has been scratched from the Electric & Pump Services Maiden.

However, A Womens Way is one of the stable stars after her victory in the Gr2 The Debutante and can give further notice of her ability when she takes on a more than useful field in the White Heart Décor Handicap where Howells also saddles the top weight in Littleblacknumber.

Although starting at long odds for The Debutante, the stable was quietly confident, the optimism tempered only by a wide draw on the tight Greyville turn. It proved to be a dog fight to the end with A Womans Way prevailing by the narrowest of margins.

On Sunday she has a handy galloping weight and although taking on some smart and seasoned older horses she has a lot in her favour.

Littleblacknumber and the lightly raced Free State are obvious dangers but are giving lumps of weight to a filly that seemingly has plenty of scope and a bigger threat could come from Call Me Winter. Mike Miller has saddled relatively few runners this past winter but is starting to step them out.  Call Me Winter landed her first two starts at short odds and found plenty of market support in a Gr3 at her next outing. That was over seven furlongs and she didn’t feature from a tricky draw.

She has not been out since June but has obvious ability and is in receipt of a kilo from A Womens Way.

The Niresh Gayadin Financial Planner open sprint has attracted some seasoned geldings and a lot could rest on how the top weight Asstar takes to blinkers and is able to lump 62kg to victory.

A month back Garth Puller’s charge was all the rage in the market for a Pinnacle Stakes but had an off day, finishing last of the 12 runners, that after winning the Umgeni Handicap and finishing third in a strong Gr2 Post Merchants line-up.

If blinkers put him back on track he rates the one to beat. Alec Forbes, who was aboard Asstar in his last three starts, partners stable companion Saint Marco but that may have more to do with the weights rather than anything else as Gavin Lerena goes to scale at around 57kg.

Saint Marco is obviously talented, winning his first two sprints before going down narrowly over a mile. However, he has not been out since November last year.

Andrew Harrison

Scottsville Sunday race previews Sep 25 by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: ACCIDENTAL TOURIST has shown up well in both starts and should be right there again. DELECTABLE DESIRE found good market support on debut but found one too good on the day. She can go one better here. FASHION QUEST raced green in a promising debut and the form of that race has worked out well. HOT MAMBO showed up well on debut and is another that is sure to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-10-12)

2

Preview: Some nicely bred first timers here. Will pay to watch the betting. CABINDA has put in two smart efforts over course and distance since returning from a break and gelding. He should go close again. SCENT OF THE TIGER improved nicely at his second outing and can feature. CHICAGO BEAT blew the start when favourite last outing and was then hampered on the turn. Back to a sprint and has a chance on previous. UP AND UNDER returns from a long break but made marked improvement when tried in blinkers and switching to the turf. (Andrew Harrison: 8-14-1-3).

3

Preview: RAND HEDGE also returns from a break. He has been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but has been racing in useful company. AMAZON KING improved nicely at his second start and can improve further. VARADISO also showed good improvement on his debut run. He has had a short rest since but the stable is in very good form. GOOD TEAM needed his last run. He has gone well over course and distance and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-16-1)

4

Preview: INTERFERMETER has improved with each run and should enjoy the extra. He looks to have a bright chance. CAPTAIN OF ROCK didn’t feature when tried in blinkers. Blinkers are off. He made a smart debut and has a big chance on a repeat showing. AIR SALUTE made a promising debut at long odds. He switches to the turf but can feature again. SABRE CHARGE has not been too far back in his first two starts and can still improve. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-4-12)

5

Preview: MAGIC MEMORY was a very easy winner last time out only for the race to be abandoned with all the jockeys not heeding a call for a false start. She does not have the best of draws here but a repeat of her last showing will make her hard to beat. JAY JAY’S GIRL has shown some promise in two starts and has a much better draw this time around. KUTLWANOSLOVE was green in a fair sprint debut and will much prefer this trip. BLUE HYDRANGEA raced green on debut and is another who will do better over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 13-11-12-8)

6

Preview: Competitive fillies handicap. A WOMENS WAY had to dig deep to win the Gr2 Debutante Stakes but is unbeaten in two. She has a light weight and could have too much class. FREE STATE is lightly raced but has yet to finish out of the money. She should be right there. LITTEBLACKNUMBER returns from a break but has good form in strong company and goes well for this jockey. WELL IN FLIGHT has been competitive in useful company of late and with a claiming apprentice up she can feature. CALL ME WINTER made no show in a stakes race last outing but won well in her first two and is one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-1-5)

7

Preview: Wide open with very little separating the older brigade. LILY GRAY is way overdue for her third win but always finds one or two better. She has dropped a further point in the ratings and that may just be enough. VINE STREET STAR showed up nicely first time out of the maidens and there should not be much between her and POSTER GIRL who showed signs of a form return last time out. KINGSVIEW has improved in blinkers but needs to repeat her last showing. (Andrew Harrison: 12-10-6-14)

8

Preview: ASSTAR hardly raised a gallop when sent out favourite for his last start but has smart form before that. He has a big weight but now wears blinkers and at best he is the horse to beat. SAINT MARCO returns from a very long break but is useful and has a light weight. MUSCATT is at his best over course and distance but has not been out since April and could need this outing. SWAKOPMUND found his best form when returning from a break. He is out at the weights but could still be slightly ahead of the handicappers. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-2-8)

9

Preview: Wide open. MISS MINVER returns from a break but has shown ability and scope to improve. She tries blinkers and jumps from a plum draw. LA GITANO has been consistent and goes well this trip. She had a tough draw last time out and can do better here. TYRON’S JET has a tricky draw to overcome but showed up well to stronger last time out and can feature here on her turf debut. OVERLY IMPRESSED is lightly raced but has yet to run a bad race and can feature although she too has a difficult draw.  (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-7-6)

10

Preview: FLORRICK has a tricky draw but showed up well in her local debut and may be the one to beat. PIPPIN also has a wide draw to contend with but has improved in blinkers and should be running on at the death. CRYSTAL RIVER improved nicely at her second outing and should much prefer this trip. She jumps from a good draw. MERMAID SIREN raced green on debut but will much prefer this trip and should improve. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-15)

Durbanville Saturday race previews Sep 24 by Warren Lenferna

1

Preview: TIGER STAR made an excellent debut when going very close to winning. Her odds were generous that day and she is likely to be one of the shorter priced runners today. She does have a bad draw to deal with but if overcoming it could be hard to beat. ROCK STEWART showed good improvement last time and if continuing to progress should be right there at the finish – big runner. NANNA’S ROCK’S last run is best ignored. She has a chance based on her good debut. (Warren Lenferna 12-11-9)

2

Preview: FOXY PRINCESS is lightly raced and probably still has a lot more to offer. Her first run out the maidens was a good enough one to warrant giving her a big each way chance. LEISURE TRIP ran last of eight runners last time and clearly something was out of order. Her earlier form in KZN was good and she need only repeat those runs to be very competitive in a line up like this. LOUISIANA is always there and thereabouts and must be included in quartet perms. (Warren Lenferna 6-3-1)

3

Preview: SAVUTI made a smart debut finishing third behind One Direction and surely he has tons of scope to improve from that run! He gets a neat draw and tries the mile which could suit him down to the ground. STRATHDON also made a good debut but will have to negotiate a wider draw – he, too, should relish the mile – big chance. LOGAN ran well last time and he is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 15-16-6)

4

Preview: FIFTY CENTS is ultra consistent and looks ready to record his third career victory. His stable is in red hot form as always. THIS IS SPARTA is seldom far off the action – he is by no means a good thing but in this small field off a light weight could get much closer. RAHVAR has been running in PE but his trainer has raided Cape Town with some success. He has some solid PE form and could run a huge race here – include. (Warren Lenferna 1-7-2)

5

Preview: AZARENKA has been knocking loudly at the door in her last two starts and looks cherry ripe to win. She gets the best draw; her form is solid and might take a power of beating. WHOSE THAT GIRL is lightly raced and doing exceptionally well. She is one of the main contenders for top position. TWINKLE TOES has sparkling form and comes into the race with a very light weight. She too, has a massive chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-5)

6

Preview: CALIFORNIA GIRL won impressively on debut and has been selected to remain unbeaten after today’s race. She does have a dreadful draw to overcome but has a more than capable enough rider to put her in a winning position. GIMME SIX won well last time and is worth including. If she had to follow up it would be no shock at all – the same can be said about SCANDOLA – however, my first choice remains CALIFORNIA GIRL. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-5)

7

Preview: LADY REDOUTE is coming back to form fast after her two bad efforts earlier. She gets the best draw and will carry a light weight. Her last run was very good and even though this is a tough field and a feature race she could run well and go very close at a nice price and provide some value for punters. FRANCIA and CAN COPE have consistent form and their usual bold effort can be expected. (Warren Lenferna 10-3-5)

8

Preview: A competitive maiden event to close off the proceedings at Durbanville today. FIGURE OF GREY, COME ON INN, GOLD FORCE and SEATTLE GOLD all have very bright chances of shedding their maiden tags. Include as many as your budget will allow but I am selecting FIGURE OF GREY to win and COME ON INN to fill the exacta position. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-2)

 

 

Turffontein (inside) Saturday race previews Sep 24 by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: BABY BEAN runs as if he will enjoy this trip and is by Ecomium who won over ten furlongs. PIPER ARROW ran well with first time blinkers on in over 2000m in his penultimate start and has run a reasonable race over 2400m before so if his last start is ignored he has a chance.  REMINISCENCE has improved with blinkers on and his best recent start was over 2400m. (David Thiselton 2-3-1)

Race 2:

Preview: SIERRA REDWOOD made  a fair debut over 1000m when running on and should enjoy the step up in trip. TIME TO BE GREAT was close up behind a fair sort over this course and distance last weekend so should earn here despite a wide draw. SINGAPORE SLING is by Philanthropist out of a three-time winning Western Winter mare from 1000-1600m and is a half-brother to two winners. DEVADIP is by Captain Al out of a Sadler’s Wells mare and is a half-brother to Listed Oaks Trial third-placed Estimation. CALL TO BATTLE has been backed in both of his starts but he seems a problematic sort as he faded tamely in his last race after seeming to be travelling well and last weekend he dislodged his jockey on the way to the start and bolted so had to be scratched. PRIVATE SWAROVSKI is by Brave Tin Soldier and is a half-brother to the Gr 2 runner up sprinter Pej. TIMEOFTHEVIKINGS has run a some fair races and could earn. (David Thiselton 10-1-11)

Race 3:

Preview: Piere Strydom is aboard FINGERS CROSSED who ran well in a fair 1200m race last time and she was doing good work late so should enjoy this trip. She is well drawn in three. TURN BACK TIME was backed when running well over course and distance last time and duly went close. The form has been franked but she now has a wide draw to overcome. SUGAR CUBE showed some zip on debut and this Miesque’s Approval filly will improve for the run, coming from the Alec Laird yard, and will appreciate the step up in trip, being a half-sister to Bezanova. SEEKING GOLD is by Golden Sword and is a half-sister to four-time winner Bajan Fantasy. DELIGHTFUL DANCER is by Dynasty out of the brilliant Dancer’s Daughter, but the latter has not produced a winner yet from two foals to have raced. (David Thiselton 1-11-10)

Race 4:

Preview: PATRIC flew from last over 1800m last time when dropped out from a wide draw and now has a good draw over a trip he might prefer. He is by Silvano so should be coming into his own. MATCHMAKER tended to take too keen a hold with blinkers on and is interesting with them now off. He showed the benefit of gelding last time and this will now be his third run after gelding. However, he does have a tricky draw to overcome. PAJAMA PARTY made a decent debut over 1450m considering he pulled badly in the early stages. That was in a weak workrider’s maiden and he now has a professional jockey up from pole position so will be a runner if settling. PERSIAN APPROVAL has been knocking on the door and is well drawn over a suitable trip. LUTE SOCIETY wasn’t disgraced against a well regarded sort on debut and has a good draw over a step up in trip he might enjoy, being by New Approach, although on the other hand his half-sister Flying Loot was a 1000m specialist. (David Thiselton 2-1-5)

Race 5:

Preview: DEALER’S CHARM gets a good draw over a drop in trip which should suit and he has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight off his one point lowered merit rating. DAKIWE, who is a half-brother to Pierre Jourdan, has come into his own and should give another good account of himself despite a four point raise and having to carry topweight. BOY BOY is a consistent type who is competitively merit rated at present and he is affective over this trip. (David Thiselton 8-1-3)

Race 6:

Preview: DELAMERE’s last win was over 1800m on this course and he has run some crackers over 1600m so he should be in the shake up HAMLEY’s shock maiden win over this trip on the Vaal Classic track has worked out well and he is back to the same trip for the first time, albeit from a wide draw. He did not run like a no hoper that day and as a gangly type is likely coming into his own. He has been dropped seven points after his last two starts and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight so could surprise again. LISNOBLE is drawn wide but loves this course and  distance and is holding form. (David Thiselton 1-12-6)

Race 7:

Preview: STORM WARNING was unlucky not to get into the Gold Cup field and could prove a point here. COLTRANE is joint best in at the weights and is due a form return. COBY beat Elusive Flyer the last time they met and is joint best in at the weights with Coltrane and Kisseemee. ELUSIVE FLYER is 4kg under sufferance with Coltrane but enjoys the trip and has some eyecatching form. THE ELMO EFFECT could reverse form with Elusive Flyer at the weights considering their last meeting but has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 2-1-9-6-5)

Race 8:

Preview: FORTISSIMA finished second in the Gr 2 SA Oaks and was raised the maximum five points, so is running off a capped merit rating here. She has won two races over this trip, but has had a layoff since finishing downfield in the Gr 1 Woolavngton 2000 on May 28. However, her class should pull her through, especially as he has been said by te yard to have strengthened and matured over the winter. SULTRY won better than the margin suggests last time over 1800m here in just her second career start as she had quite a lot to do coming off the elbow. MY CHERRY is out of a Galileo mare so should enjoy the step up in trip and this will be her third run after a layoff. She was not disgraced in some maiden races in the strong centre of Cape Town before winning her maiden easily on the Highveld and then coming up against a promising sort last time when not disgraced again. TRICIA DUPONT is better than her last start and will enjoy this course and distance. CRANBERRY CRUSH is only 0,5kg under sufferance and ran well first time out the maidens over this course and distance. She is now well drawn. There is not much between her and BLUE SAGE at the weights. (David Thiselton 1-7-6)

Race 9:

Preview: BIRD ALLEY was doing good work late last time over 1800m and will love this trip but from a high draw she will have to be dropped out again and it won’t be easy. YOUNG FLIRT by Announce should enjoy the step up in trip as her dam by Winter Romance won over this distance. EYE THE COUNTESS has not done well beyond a mile before but ran on well over 1600m last time so might do well in this weak event. PEG O’MY HEART ran on well over this trip in her penultimate start and is now nine points lower so could earn in this uninspiring field. BELINSKY enjoyed hold up tactics last time over 1600m and ran on well giving her a possibility of getting this trip and a chance in a weak field from pole position. SAVANNAH JADE stayed on quite well last time over 1600m and won her maiden over 2200m so has a chance here if producing her best. SECRET ANGEL has done well over course and distance before and is off a competitive merit rating. SEAL MY FATE can do better than her first run out the maidens. (David Thiselton 5-3-11-12-6-9-10-2)

Greyville Friday race previews Sep 25 by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: Wide open. LUCKY BARB is better than her last two. She makes her poly debut and has a chance if she can find her earlier form. MANDOLIN made a fair local debut and has shown some ability on the Highveld. NATIONAL AGENDA made a fair debut but returns from a lengthy break. Delpech rides. MUNGO CHERRY improved nicely second time out and has a chance in this company. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-4-9)

2

Preview: WINTER IS COMING is knocking hard on the door and it should open here. STORM OUTGOING made a smart debut for his new stable and now tries blinkers. He could prove a big threat to Winter Is Coming. MASTER RUNNER is lightly raced but has some fair Cape form and the switch to poly could bring out the best in him. GOLD DASH has improved back in cheek pieces and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-11-1-8)

3

Preview: LEDIMASPRINCESS drifted in the market last start but was only narrowly beaten. She shows some scope and can go one better. RAES’’ DYNA JET has raced in feature company as a maiden. She has a difficult draw but looks the pick of the Van Zyl trio. TICKY TIN has shown up well of late. She makes her poly debut but can feature. KUDRA made marked improvement last run but Delpech has jumped ship to partner Ledimasprincess which may be telling. (Andrew Harrison: 8-12-5-7)

4

Preview: WESTCHESTER has shown up nicely on the poly at his last two. He is also down in class and can give Liam Tarentaal his first winner. GINGERBRED MAN is a recent maiden winner and took on much stronger in his first run in open company. He can do better in this company. MILLRACE has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing. He also drops in class and has a handy weight. BLUNDERBUSS is back in blinkers and did improve at his last start. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-6-3)

5

Preview: HARRY DA WHEELS was a beaten favourite in the soft at Kenilworth last time out. He has consistent Cape form and can go close in this line-up. WESKUS KLONG is lightly raced and made a fair local debut. He looks set to improve. TRENDY GUY is never far back. He has consistent recent turf form and the switch to poly could see him find his best. WHAT A SCORCHER has shown his best form on the poly. He has been up against slightly stronger of late and can feature here. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-10-1)

6

Preview: Open. MARK MY CARD has been showing good form and is due a change of fortune with a claiming apprentice up and a plum draw. WIND SINGER only got gong late last run over a sprint and will much prefer this trip. She has a handy weight and should put in a good effort. PEACH DELIGHT needed her last run and should come on from that. Stable companion LITTLE CHAPEL has excellent form on the poly but has been rested and may need it. OVERLAP is a course and distance specialist but also returns from a short break. (Andrew Harrison:  4-5-3-2)

7

Preview: AIR CHIEF MARSHALL made a promising local debut when send out favourite. He has a good draw and although he makes his poly debut he looks to have a strong chance. DOUBLE CLUTCH has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well on the poly although this may be a touch on the short side. SECRET WARNING has his third start after a short break. He has been up against stronger of late and from a good draw should be right there. THIRTYTWO SQUADRON has just been beaten at his last two over further. He must have a chance in this field.  (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-4-2)

8

Preview: MR O’NEILL looks to have some scope and has been running on late in both recent starts. He could do better this trip. ROY’S PAST has been close-up in his last two on the poly and steps up in trip again. PRINCIPATE improved last run and looks to be coming to hand. He makes his poly debut. PATROCLUS has come good on the poly and he should handle the step up in trip. He does have a tricky draw to overcome. (Andrew Harrison: 5-2-6-1)