David Thiselton
War Front is one of two sons of the great Danzig, along with Hard Spun, still standing at stud and he is making a massive impact in South Africa through his three sons standing here, the late Lancaster Bomber, Fire Away and Declarationofpeace.
Fire Away is on fire at present and in the month of March got the exacta in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic with the Fabian Habib-trained Confederate and the Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack and now on Saturday won the R1.5 million CRS Cape Slipper over 1200m with the Peter Muscutt-trained Military Command.
Military Command led from start to finish under Craig Zackey and has the ability to kick off a strong pace.
He could add to Fire Away’s record of seven stakes winners and he is from just his third crop.
The Cape Slipper was not a stakes race, but the Champions Season will provide many opportunities for Military Command to become a stakes winner and possibly a Gr 1 winner too.
Military Command was bred by James Goodman, who trained his dam, the Australian-bred High Chaparral mare Lady Val.
She won second time out for him in a poly race over 1400m.
Goodman retired from training a couple of months after that win, but bought back Lady Val at his dispersal sale for R400,000. 
She is out of a half-sister to Intelligence Cross, who won a Gr 3 for Aidan O’Brien and was a Gr 2 and Listed runner up.
Intelligence Cross was by War Front, so it is not surprising Goodman sent Lady Val to War Front’s son Fire Away and that decision has paid dividends. 
Lady Val herself won third time out for Mike de Kock after that dispersal sale, but that proved to be her only other win.
At stud she has also produced the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Talk Of The Town filly Famous Lady, who won first time out over 800m and finished a narrow second in the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m.
Goodman still has Lady Val and in fact she has a Fire Away yearling filly, so she will be valuable and the BSA National Yearling Sale might be beckoning.
Another Fire Away to have impressed lately was the Michael Roberts-trained Fortress Of Fire, who ran in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and was allowed to drift out to 10/1.However, he won like a 1/5 shot under Rachel Venniker.Like Military Command he showed the ability to kick off a strong pace and he won with ears pricked by 3,30 lenggths from the 11/10 favourite Gotta Go Eddie, a Hollywood Racing Gimmethegreenlight colt trained by Mike de Kock.Peter Blyth of Clifton Stud bred Fortress Of Fire and it was also of no surprise that he used Fire Away.He said, “I was in love with Fire Away from the day he arrived in South Africa, because he is by War Front and War Front is by Danzig and of course I have always been mad about Danzig. Going back some time we bought Allied Flag, who was by Danzig, and he produced Classic Flag who won the July, say no more! I’ve always leaned towards Danzig and the closest you can get to him at present is War Front. He is one of the last living sons of Danzig. Lancaster Bomber has done really well and we have Declarationofpeace here in KZN … he has started well and we hope he continues to do so because he is right on our doorstep.”Fortress Of Fire’s granddam was the classy daughter of Joshua Dancer, She’s A Winner, who won the Gr 2 Godolphin Barb over 1200m for Corinne Bestel. Corinne also trained Fortress Of Fire’s four-time winning dam, She’s A Fortress, a Fort Wood daughter of She’s A Winner.She’s A Winner’s son, the Canford Cliffs colt Cliff Hanger, folllowed in her footsteps by winning the Godolphin Barb and Fortress Of Fire could be another of her descendants to win the Goldolphin Barb, as the 1100m Gr 3 event on April 27 looks an obvious target for him.It could be a target for Military Command too as well as for a Muscutt-trained Declarationofpeace colt called Spacebound, who won his debut over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth by four lengths, beating Military Command by six lengths. The race did not pan out well for the latter that day on his debut, but it was still a spectacular performance by Spacebound.Spacebound is one of only three Declarationofpeaces to have run to date and another one of them, the Mike Miller-trained Treaty Of Paris, also look promising having won by two lengths over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in just his second start.Meanwhile, Lancaster Bomber is proving to be an enormous loss.The Drakenstein Stud-based stallion passed away just before his third season.He was not only freshman champion stallion, but his two crops have to date produced four Gr 1 winners, dual Gr 1 winner Beach  Bomb as well as Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot, Maine Chance Farms Majorca winner Rascova and WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen.Fire Away stands at Wilgerbosdrift Stud, while Declarationofpeace stands at McRath stud in the KZN Midlands.The latter pair are sure to be in demand.

Andrew Harrison

Rain has been a bugbear for Hollywoodbets Scottsville this Summer with a number of abandoned meetings, but with a dearth of local racing on the current calendar, Gold Circle were able to reschedule last Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting to today.

However, punters need to take into account that the track is currently rated as soft.

 One of the better bets on the card could come in the fourth where Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray. The gelding may just have needed his last run, his first back after a lengthy break and he meets some modest opposition. He should be able to go one better. O Space O could be his biggest threat although he was a little disappointing when send out a short-prices favourite last time out. MJ Odendaal’s charge has improved in blinkers and this shorter trip may suit. Vencedor has not been far back in his last two on this course and this appears to be his ideal trip. Doin’ Time is a long-time battler having his 24^th start but his last run was much improved although that was on the poly.

Beautiful Rania in the sixth could come home at decent odds as she has come down in the handicap and now looks to be off a more competitive mark. She is never too far behind. Fort J’Dore is the best performed in the race going for her sixth win and although she has the widest draw she is back on her more favoured surface and should feature in this company. Siberian Winter also has a wide draw to contend with but has shown up well in her two recent sprints and the extra furlong could suit. Buttercup Baby looks progressive and has only had three starts. She was not far back in her handicap debut and could prefer this shorter trip.

Golden Chandelier has her first run for Dennis Bosch in the seventh and is one to watch in the market. Her Highveld form had gone off at recent outings but the change of environment could bring out the best although she does return from a lengthy break. Happy Analia found stable companion One Smart Cookie just too smart at her last run but it was an improved effort. Tienie Prinsloo’s filly goes well on this course. Mamas Baby could be a threat as she has started favourite in four of her last five starts. Her last two were on the poly where she won and was a close-up second at her most recent so is one to include in most calculations.

In the eighth Lexican Point makes his local debut for Frikkie Greyling after showing some fair Cape form. That form has recently proven stronger than local and the change of environment and a big drop in the ratings could see him home for his second win. Mar Del Plata has been in good form over course and distance and should give another good account. All The Time has run two big races over course and distance of late and is now 1.5kg better off with Abaddon who jumped five points in the handicap for his last win with All The Time less than a length back.  

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Ms Galore has not had much luck in running in both starts. She made a smart debut and if building on that could be the one to beat in an open affair although she does take on males. Verification made some improvement second time out and her first on turf. She can do better in this field while Life On The Tides improved nicely second time at the races. He should have a god chance in this field. Upset material is Sovereign Command who has been disappointing since showing early promise but could surprise on his best showing.

In the opening leg of the jackpot, a maiden plate, Call Me Harriet got a big shunt up the ratings after her second to the promising Mocha Blend but disappointed next time out on the poly. She stays the trip and should be competitive in this line-up. Danger could be Royal Mermaid who has only had three starts, two of those on the poly where she did not shape. However, her one effort on the turf showed some promise and she meets a modest line-up. Umzolozolo has not been far back at recent outings over shorter. The step up in trip should suit while Magic Maverick put in a much better showing last time out when running on late. This trip should suit.

Black Frost is the only runner to have been in a race in the card opener and has shown some ability. Experience could count but I’m A Fireball  got a thumbs up from the De Kock stable and given a good each-way chance. 

In the first leg of the PA, Captain’s Pride has shown up well in both starts to date and does rate the one to beat while Malshana Mou found some market support on debut but did not handle the soft ground and is likely to improve. 

RACE 1

3 BLACK FROST   1 I’M A FIREBALL   8 PINETTI   5 MAGIC SURPRISE

Summary: BLACK FROST (3) is the only runner to have been in a race and has shown some ability. Improved last run when runner-up and experience could count. I’M A FIREBALL (1) gets a thumbs up from the stable and given a good each-way chance. PINETTI (8) could prove best of the balance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-8-5).

RACE 2

8 CAPTAIN’S PRIDE   2 MALSHANA MOU   10 MISS DANON   5 WILLOW GEM

Summary: CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (8) has shown up well in both starts to date and does rate the one to beat. MALSHANA MOU (2) found some market support on debut but did not handle the soft ground and is likely to improve. MISS DANON (10) started at long odds on debut but was not too far back and likely to improve. WILLOW GEM (5) has had the benefit of a run and can improve. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-10-5).

RACE 3

6 MS GALORE   9 LIFE ON THE TIDES   2 VERIFICATION   8 SOVEREIGN COMMAND

Summary: MS GALORE (6) has not had much luck in running in both starts. She made a smart debut and if building on that could be the one to beat in an open affair although she does take on males. VERIFICATION (2) made some improvement second time out and her first on turf. She can do better in this field. LIFE ON THE TIDES (9) improved nicely second time at the races. He should have a god chance in this field. SOVEREIGN COMMAND (8) has been disappointing since showing early promise. He could surprise on his best showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-2-8).

RACE 4

7 MASTER DU ROUVRAY    10 O SPACE O   4 VENCEDOR   1 DOIN’ TIME

Summary: MASTER DU ROUVRAY (7) may just have needed his last run, his first back after a lengthy break. He meets modest opposition and can go one better. O SPACE O (10) was a little disappointing when send out a short-prices favourite last time out. He has improved in blinkers and this shorter trip may suit. VENCEDOR (4) has not been far back in his last two on this course. This appears to be his ideal trip and he must have a strong chance. DOIN’ TIME (1) is a long-time battler having his 24^th start. His last run was much improved but that was on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 7-10-4-1).

RACE 5

8 CALL ME HARRIET   4 ROYAL MERMAID  5 UMZOLOZOLO   3 MAGIC MAVERICK

Summary: CALL ME HARRIET (8) got a big shunt up the ratings after her second to the promising Mocha Blend but disappointed next time out on the poly. She stays the trip and should be competitive in this line-up. UMZOLOZOLO (5) has not been far back at recent outings over shorter. The step up in trip should suit. ROYAL MERMAID (4) has only had three starts two of those on the poly where she did not shape. However, her one effort on the turf showed some promise and she meets a modest line-up. MAGIC MAVERICK (3) put in a much better showing last time out when running on late. This trip should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-7-3).

RACE 6

7 BEAUTIFUL RANIA   11 FORT J’ADORE   10 SIBERIAN WINTER   4 BUTTERCUP BABY

Summary: BEAUTIFUL RANIA (7) has come down in the handicap and now looks to be off a more competitive mark. She is never too far behind. FORT J’ADORE (11) is the best performed in the race going for her sixth win. Although she has the widest draw she is back on her more favoured surface and should run well in this company. SIBERIAN WINTER (10) has also drawn wide but has shown up well in her two recent sprints and the extra furlong could suit. BUTTERCUP BABY (4) has only had three starts and was not far back in her handicap debut. She could prefer this shorter trip. (Andrew Harrison: 7-11-10-4).

RACE 7

3 GOLDEN CHANDELIER   5 HAPPY ANALIA   6 MAMAS BABY   1 WINGS OF JOSEPHINE

Summary: GOLDEN CHANDELIER (3) has her first run for a new stable. Her Highveld form had gone off at recent outings and the change of environment could bring out the best although she does return from a length break. HAPPY ANALIA (5) found stable companion One Smart Cookie just too smart at her last run but it was an improved effort. She goes well on this course. MAMAS BABY (6) has started favourite in four of her last five starts. Her last two were on the poly where she won and was a close-up second at her most recent. WINGS OF JOSEPHINE (1) is way better than her last run and can surprise with a 4kg claimer up. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-6-1).

RACE 8

2 LEXICAN POINT   8 MAR DEL PLATA   10 ALL THE TIME   7 ABADDON

Summary: LEXICAN POINT (2) makes his local debut after showing some fair Cape form. That form has recently proven stronger than local and the change of environment and a big drop in the ratings could see him home for his second win. ALL THE TIME (10) has run two big races over course and distance of late. He is now 1.5kg better off with ABADDON (7) who jumped five points in the handicap for his last win with All The Time less than a length back.  MAR DEL PLATA (8) has been in good form over course and distance and should give another good account. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-10-7).

Join us as we check out Racing Gear, it’s role and how it can help a horse find the Winners Box. This week it’s all about ear muffs, which were worn by THE FUTURIST when winning the Grade 3 Ridgemont Peninusal Handicap in December. The ever-popular GARTH PULLER and veterinarian MARK DITTBERNER share their valuable knowledge with us. We jump right in to find out more!

David Thiselton

Grant van Niekerk is at the centre of the controversy which saw the hot favourite One Stripe hampered on two separate occasions in the R5 million Big Cap, which was expected to be the superstar One World colt’s glorious swansong before departing for the big stage in the USA.

It is difficult to defend the jockey who has built up a reputation for causing interference and for gathering an above average amount of suspensions.

The interference was a pity on more than one count as it also detracts from the performance of the Van Niekerk-ridden winner All Out For Six, who is a Vaughan Marshall-trained stablemate of One Stripe’s, as he put in such a stirring performance he might have won the race anyway.

All Out For Six was actually weighted to beat One Stripe on the form of their meeting in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup over 1600m, although One Stripe put him in his place in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, beating him by 8,45 lengths.

The interesting point was that the Punters Cup was a small field and All Out For Six was able to get an easy lead.

One Stripe had to pull out all the stops to fetch him that day.

Van Niekerk went into the race believing he had a chance on the evidence of the Punters Cup as this race was over 1400m on a track running fast, so if he got an easy lead here there might be a repeat of One Stripe having to work hard to fetch him.

That is likely why Van Niekerk said afterwards on Saturday he believed he would have won easier if he had got to the front.

That plan was effected by All Out For Six not being able to outdo some of the others on the jump.

He was unable to beat a few of the others for gatespeed and early pace and from draw eight of nine ended up behind Coastal Commander, who had drifted outward from draw five and was in third place behind The Grey King and Passchendaele on the inside.

Van Niekerk’s first misdemeanour was at the 1200m mark when directing an overracing Hit For Six inward instead of outward when awkwardly placed on the heels of Coastal Commander.

This caused him to bump One Stripe, who faltered as a result.

However, it was understandable he did this as he was virtually at the turn and One Stripe had been running a couple of horse widths wide of the rail down the back straight, despite no horses being on his inside.

Furthermore, switching All Out For Six outward at the turn would have seen him slungshot way wide.

In the straight All Out For Six switches around Coastal Commander and masters him comfortably.

He now has The Grey King and One Stripe, who is aiming for a gap between the inside rail and Grey King, to deal with.

He reaches the Grey King traveling on a straight line.

The Grey King is traveling straight too and just before All Out For Six reaches him he shifts outward slightly and brushes the latter.

Thereafter, All Out For Six shifts inward continuously forcing The Grey King inward and the latter’s movement shuts the door on One Stripe, forcing Gavin Lerena to snatch him up to avoid being forced over the rail.

 There will be an inquiry into this incident (which will include looking at the incident at the 1200m mark too).

The inquiry board will be looking at whether Van Niekerk made every effort to avoid hampering The Grey King.

The experts will be looking at Van Niekerk’s body and leg positions and his whip and rein actions and looking at head on and side on film to adjudge whether he is attempting to stay straight or whether he is deliberately hanging inward.

His whip remains in his right hand throughout the incident. The horse seems to be pointing outward, but is hanging inward. However, this is just from looking at YouTube replays and not hearing any evidence from jockeys.

All Out For Six, like One Stripe, is by One World and was bred by Drakenstein Stud, and he passed the line 1,75 lengths clear of the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Pomodoro gelding La Pulga, who came from a long way back with a strong finish.

Great Plains comes from second last and has to be eased and switched halfway down the straight due to the inside rail being blocked and he then uses his big stride to fly home when finding clear space on the outside of horses. He is beaten 4,50 lengths into third.

The Grey King plugged on for a 4,70 length fourth.

Empire State stays on well for a five length fifth, a length ahead of the unfortunate One Stripe.

All Out For Six is owned by The One World Syndicate.

All Out For Six ironically carried the Big Cap slot ticket of Hollywood Racing, who part-own One Stripe, with Rikesh Sewgoolam, part-owner of One Stripe,  holding the voucher for One Stripe.

One of the spokesman for the One World Syndicate, Ken Truter, said the victory was “bitter-sweet”.

“I have been a huge fan of One Stripe and I had kind of hoped …”, he said before becoming quite emotional and asking for the mic to be redirected to the next syndicate member.

It was indeed one of those eerie occasions on the racecourse when the winner is greeted with little fanfare, as most around the country had hoped to see the equine hero One Stripe going out with a bang and arriving overseas without a blemish.

However, nothing should be taken away from All Out For Six, who certainly proved himself a top class racehorse.

Nor from Vaughan Marshall, who has had a fine season and when his chief stable star suffered one of those inevitable racing incidents that will happen in any horse’s career, it was his stablemate that was there to pick up the pieces.