The Vaal has an eight race card on the outside track on Wednesday and the high draws are usually favourable on this course.

In race 1 over 1600m Stunned is the form choice having been used early last time from a wide draw over 1700m and still managing to stay on for second. The concern here is the unfavourable low draw and a decision will have to be made whether to use him up early again to try and overcome it or perhaps drop him out and attempt to find cover at the back as he looks capable of running on well. Tapenzee was well beaten in fifth on debut over 1450m but was green and was running on well after the penny had dropped. The form of that race looks quite good to date and he should improve, but he does have a tough draw. Seven Sovereigns has a plum draw and might enjoy the step up in trip having stayed on at one pace from an unfavourable draw over 1200m at the Vaal last time. He is a half-brother to an Al Mufti gelding who won twice over 1600m, but on the other hand he is by the speed influence Seventh Rock and two of his other siblings by Var and National Assembly respectively were decent sprinters, so it is not a certainty he will stay the trip. Excellency ran on in eyecatching fashion last time after a slow start over 1600m but he has a tough low draw here. Mr Tinsel also has a tricky draw but looks likely to relish the step up in trip and Gavin Lerena aboard is a further positive. Flying Fool went to the front over 1450m at Turffontein last time and stayed on for a fair fourth so could find the outside rail here with his early pace and being by Daring Bid, who won from 1600-2200m, he has a chance of staying the trip.

In race 2 over 1600m Counterstroke has a plum draw and looks likely to find the outside fence with the slow starting Excalivar outside of him. He is dropping in class and running off a reduced merit rating over an ideal trip, so could be the one to beat. Star Point’s best recent run was over this trip and on formlines a case could be made for him to beat Counterstroke. However, he is drawn one inside of him and will have a tougher task finding the rail. Royal Master has hard-knocking form off his present merit rating and is distance suited as well as having a 1,5kg claimer up so the only concern is his number one draw, although in a field of this size he could get away with being dropped out to the tail of the field.

In race 3 over 1600m Realist found little extra from near the front on debut but looks to be a nice type and stripping fitter here from a good draw she could go close in this weak field. Mike de Kock sends out an Irish-bred filly by the top class sire High Chaparral from a fair draw and she wouldn’t have to be a champion to beat this field. Tennesse Red could improve and if doing so should earn.

In race 4 over 1200m, Khetiwe over raced over 1400m last time so should appreciate the step down to 1200m and has the ability to win this uninspiring event. Nine OÇlock news is drawn on the right side and this improving sort should be running on into the money provided he starts quicker than he has been. Pippi Shortsock has the form to earn here over a suitable trip.

Race 5 over 1200m is a potential stumbling block for punters as it is wide open. Rivarine Forest has a tough low draw but can afford to be dropped out as she runs on well from off the pace. The consistent Our Miracle can overcome her low draw with her good early pace. Freely Forever was not striding out and made a breathing noise last time but if reproducing the form of her maiden win over 1000m here she will go close from a plum draw. Raring To Go won over course and distance last week and off a three point higher shouldn’t be far back from a good draw. Beautiful Shay is well drawn and over a trip on the sharp side should be running on, although she was given a five point raise for her win last time out over 1450m.

In race 6 over 1400m Jubilee Line would prefer a lot further but is drawn on the ride side, has Gavin Lerena up and is easily the best in at the weights so is the one to beat running fresh. Nephrite was most disappointing last season after a promising two-year-old campaign but if bouncing back to form could earn here. Sky High Flyer won well second time out and although officially having a tough task at the weights with Jubilee Line (11kg under sufferance) he could rise above his current merit rating and will appreciate the step up in trip.

In race 7 over 1000m Ronin Warrior has been given a reasonable handicap mark after winning well over course and distance with a second time tongue tie. Tiger’s Legacy is four points higher for his win last time out, but that was his first attempt at this minimum trip for some time, so he has a shout from a plum draw.  Night Editor has won two from three since being stepped down to 1000m and has a chance again here despite a tough draw. Salute The Sun has the ability to win this and has a good draw. Striking Pose is a 1000m specialist and has dropped to a competitive merit rating.

In race 8 over 1000m the one to beat could be Wanted Man who made a good debut over course and distance and is well drawn. Flight Mode has a big shout too from a good draw over a suitable trip with Gavin Lerena up. Alpine Glacier, a first-timer by Var, is a full-brother to the speedy Valberg, who won easily on his debut over this course and distance, so Andrew Fortune is an interesting booking. Edgbaston could do well if reproducing the form of his penultimate start and he has every chance of doing so from a plum draw. Prince Of Savoy has speed and should be involved here. Miesque’s Rumba ran a fair race last time over this trip and if this slow starter is dropped to the back from a low draw he could earn.

David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne, having bounced back to win on his return at Kenilworth on Saturday, can go in again on Emerald Gal in the Quinte Plus Maiden at the Cape Town course today.

The Darryl Hodgson-trained four-year-old steps up to a mile after three runs over 1 200m and the extra distance is significant. Although the Irish-bred is out of a six furlong winner by the sprinter Johannesburg she is by Galileo who wanted a mile and a half.

Her form so far suggests promise rather than proven ability but the extra distance could swing the balance. She is reasonably priced at 7-2 and the sahorseracing computer has her winning by a neck and the same from the three-year-olds Figure Of Grey and Keep The Faith. The former is favourite at 33-10 with World Sports Betting but is drawn widest of all so the Vaughan Marshall runner looks a bigger danger at 7-2. Silver Laurel (4-1) is the highest rated horse in the race.

Purple Tractor can get punters off to a winning start in the Welcome Maiden. He beat all except Power Grid on his last run and the winner really franked the form by going on to win convincingly on his handicap debut last Saturday.

Don’t be put off by Corne Orffer riding the stable’s newcomer Give It Away instead. Brett Crawford confirms that Francois Herholdt partners the 22-10 favourite because he rode him last time – and the colt will not want for anything from the saddle.

The Marshall horses are on song and evens favourite Rock Of Africa is hard to oppose in race two. He started slowly when second at Greyville and had the third over five lengths back when occupying the same spot at Scottsville. Crawford’s 5-1 chance Pop The Question looks next best.

Andrew Fortune thought he had got up when Logan finished strongly last time and the former champion’s mount appeals at 4-1 in the Play The Bipot Maiden.  William The Brave, a full brother to the  2010 Cape Derby winner Bravura, is 22-10 favourite but he is badly drawn, as is 3-1 shot King Of The Rally, while Edict Of Nantes (33-10) has losses to recover after racing green on the bend when starting favourite 17 days ago.

Overshadow is a warm order at 16-10 for the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap but Richard Fourie’s mount only got up on the line last time and has been put up 2kg. Top weight Waiting For Rain (5-2) has been raised 3kg for his win and so Kirumbo is suggested at 5-1.

The Marshall-trained Mr Jay (33-10) appeals in the last with Fortune in the irons. Boldly Respectable (7-2) and 11-2 chance I Travel Light look the principal dangers.

Michael Clower

The dust has settled on another highly successful Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal and the 2016 National Championships of South African racing again produced many memorable and exciting finishes as well performances out of the top drawer by both horse and rider.

From the time Bela Bela and Black Arthur opened the Season back in early May with scintillating victories in their respective Guineas all the way through to Marinaresco’s brilliant season-ending emotional and nail-biting success in the Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup, the Season thrilled racing fans around the country and indeed the world. Piere Strydom, who celebrated his 50^th birthday during the year, was seen at his brilliant best from the worst of the draw when winning on The Conglomerate in the Vodacom Durban July. Another highlight was certainly Enaad’s Gold Vase/Gold Cup double, the first time ever that this staying double has been achieved.

Not to be outdone Anton Marcus rode the race of his life to get Rabada home in the Daily News, despite dropping his stick at the top of the straight, and Coenie de Beer’s Talktothestars took our breath away when carrying top weight to an effortless victory in the Tsogo Sun Sprint.

But while all this glorious action was taking place, Gold Circle came under fire for the condition of its turf tracks at both Greyville and Scottsville. While remaining silent at the time, so as not to further shift focus from the quality of racing, Gold Circle now wishes to set the record straight. The Company is satisfied that the condition of the tracks at no stage proved a threat to horse and rider. “Naturally in winter the tracks do not look as green as the summer tracks but the underfoot surface was good throughout the season, notwithstanding the torrential downpours in May and July, each of which delivered more than 200mm of rain within a 24-hour period,” said Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins.

“At Greyville in winter the Cynoden grass takes over from the Kikuyu which results in a mixture of green and brown turf – not aesthetically pleasing but the underlying surface was good and certainly fit for racing. This is borne out by the evidence and feedback we have had from NHA and private veterinarians as well as many of the leading trainers, locally and from around the country, who raced horses throughout the Season at both Greyville and Scottsville. The statistics appear to suggest that fewer injuries occurred during this past Season and KZN Champion trainer, Dennis Drier, was one of the leading trainers who reported that his runners all came through the Season largely unscathed,” added Hawkins.

“Scottsville, like the tracks on the Highveld, is subject to frost in winter and the colour of the turf quickly changes during the course of Champions Season. Unfortunately, the perception of draw bias down the straight persisted but by adding a false rail to the inside of the course we were able to counter this and ensure safe and fair racing for all at our big Sprint race meeting,” concluded Hawkins.

The Equus Awards take place tomorrow evening at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg and the KZN Racing Awards are scheduled for Friday night 26 August at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban.

The newly crowned national champion freshman stallion Gimmethegreenlight proved his worth at Scottsville yesterday as he was the sire of both the winner and runner up of the Bloodstock SA (BSA) Million Sprint, Hack Green and Green Pepper respectively, as well as being sire of the BSA Million Mile winner Legend.

KZN Champion trainer Dennis Drier and Sean Veale landed a four-timer together and their winners included 11/20 shot Hack Green, who was given a magnificent ride.

Later, Duncan Howells and Anthony Delpech converted favouritism in the BSA Million Mile with Legend, and in the meeting they landed a double and treble respectively.

Hack Green was covered up from a good draw in the Million Sprint and with the field cramming on to the inside strip Veale made a winning decision to switch outward for a run where he found the smallest of gaps. The horse had enough in the tank to squeeze through before courageously fending off another unbeaten horse, the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained filly Green Pepper, who was running on strongly under Randall Simons. Hack Green, under typically strong driving from Veale, held on by a hair’s breadth.

The winner and runner up are not only both by Gimmethegreenlight, but were also both bred by Varsfontein Stud and are both out of Fort Wood mares.

The four horses behind Hack Green were all fillies. Seattle Singer, who finished runner up in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion, proved her liking for the course and distance by running third ahead of Felicity Flyer and South Side.

Hack Green, who won the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Greyville by three lengths two weeks ago, is owned by M Dally, DG Abery, EW Buhr, H Adams and N Loubser.

Delpech had the progressive Legend about six lengths off the pace from a good draw in the Million Mile and he then made up ground rapidly in the straight before going clear to win by 1,5 lengths from the Gavin van Zyl-trained Last Outlaw. The latter also jumped from a good draw and stayed on strongly to be clear of the rest, who were headed by Palladium, Orapa and Eden Gardens Glitz.

Legend, who was bred by Mr and Mrs CF de Vos, has been brought on continuously by Howells and, like his sire, loves the one mile trip. He is owned by TL Tait, KJ Berry, Howells himself, SD Tait and BE Tait. It is the second R1 million sales race Howells has landed this winter.

In the first race on the card, a maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1200m, the Drier-trained Fort Wood filly Maple Story was backed in from 6/1 to 3/1 and overcame a wide draw under Sean Veale to beat the widely drawn Howells-trained 14/1 chance Online. Online’s stablemate, the 12/10 favourite Inyati, found no extra and was pipped for third by yet another Howells-trained inmate, the 33/1 shot first-timer Accidental Tourist. The latter is another horse by Gimmethegreenlight to follow. Fifth-placed Jay Jay’s Girl found some outside support and after this decent debut is another one to keep an eye on.

Drier and Veale later won a 1000m MR 86 handicap with the problematic Imperial Stride gelding Swakopmund, who is fortunately part-owned by veterinarian Manfred Rohwer. This horse knocks himself badly and has often cost himself by tearing off to the front. However, thanks to plenty of work done by Carrie Radford, Drier’s trusty workrider, as well as the reluctant fitting of a citation bit, the horse showed his ability yesterday to win at odds of 11/1 in a blanket finish from Speedy Suzy, the 2/1 favourite Monte Christo, Piano Man and Panza.

Drier and Veale completed a fine day when the hitherto disappointing Warm White Night gelding Saber’s Beads enjoyed the 1600m trip of the last and stayed on from the front to held off The Boxster.

Delpech, who was aboard Inyati in the first, had a fine card of rides. His mount in the second, the Howells-trained 4/1 shot Sir Edmund, was in with a shout in the 1200m maiden for three-year-olds but had no answer to the Michael Roberts-trained Argonaut colt Sarah’s Secret. The latter looked a picture in the preliminaries and found a strong finish from a draw of ten under Keagan de Melo to win by 0,25 lengths at odds of 16/1. The Klawervlei Stud-bred colt had not run since May 18 and looks a promising sort.

Delpech got on to the board in the third, a maiden for three-year-olds over 1200m, when the Alyson Wright-trained Var colt Life Is Good improved on his debut and forged clear from a handy position before holding on to win by 0,75 lengths from rank outsider Cabinda and another outsider Roy’s Magic.

In the fourth race, a weak maiden over 2400m, Delpech won narrowly on the 4/1 Belinda Impey-trained chance Sky Arrow, beating Osuna, who was backed in from long odds to 20/1.

In the seventh race, a MR 70 Handicap over 1600m, the Howells-trained 10/1 chance Baltic Amber, ridden by Randall Simons, just held on from the Doug Campbell-trained 17/10 favourite Pirogue to deny Delpech another winner.

In the ninth, a Maiden over 1600m for fillies and mares, the Gavin van Zyl-trained Mambo In Seattle filly Inga ran on well under Warren Kennedy to convert favouritism. Doctor Lembethe took a terrible fall around the bend in this race but at time of going to press was sitting up in the medical room and was suspected to have a shoulder injury. He was to be taken to hospital thereafter.

David Thiselton

Gold Circle is pleased to announce that the Company has been awarded level 3 status in terms of the new BEE Code.

CEO Michel Nairac commented, “I am extremely proud that Gold Circle has achieved its primary objective under the new BEE Codes. We will continue to place transformation as a priority on our agenda and we look forward to further progress in this very important area.”