David Thiselton

THE promising Stuart Pettigrew-trained three-year-old Var filly Anything Goes has been entered for both the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes and Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes on WSB Gold Cup day August 29 and has drawn well in both.

The unbeaten Varsfontein Stud-bred filly is out of unplaced Parade Leader mare Dance Domain, who is a half-sister to Equus Champion Miler Capetown Noir, and she herself is a half-sister to the Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 SA Classic runner up Green Laser.

Anything Goes started her career over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track where she was drawn six out of 13 and jumped at odds of 11-1 after opening at 14-1. She came from a long way back and displaying a nice big action won in workmanlike style by 1,50 lengths under Diego De Gouveia. 

In her next start in a Juvenile Plate over 1400m on the Turffontein Standside track she opened at 3-1 and was backed into 19-10 favourite. This time from a draw of five De Gouveia had her more handy and after moving up under the hands he got to work at the 300m mark and she responded in fine style to fetch the decent Elusive Woman, who had a 4kg claimer aboard, and won by 1,50 lengths. The form has been franked as the 2,25 length third placed War Of Athena has since finished third in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson over 1200 with a flying finish and later won a Graduation Plate over 1400m by 5,50 lengths.

In Anything Goes’ last start she faced a decent field again, this time over 1600m on Turffontein Standside, and started at 8-10. She relaxed well near the back and after creeping up under a double handful she turned it on impressively at the 400m mark to win by a length from Shezaglo, who runs tomorrow at the Vaal. The rest were well beaten.  

Anything Goes has been priced up by Track and Ball as 33-20 favourite for the Thekwini and 8-1 for the Premier’s. 

A jockey has not been booked yet. De Gouveia has ridden on the Highveld this month so his chances of retaining the ride will be dependent on a change to the current protocols which allow jockeys one move at the beginning of the month.  

The second favourite in the Thekwini is the Sean Tarry-trained Caralluma, who was regarded as the meeting banker on Vodacom Durban July day but could only manage second in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m, having impressed with an easy win in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over that same course and distance. This classy filly is by Pomodoro out of a Kahal mare whose two wins were over 1600m and 2000m, so she will relish the step up in trip. However, she has drawn wide in 14 out of 17 entries. 

The Golden Slipper winner, the Frank Robinson-trained Love Bomb, is third favourite for the Thekwini together with the Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena. Jockey Sean Veale has no doubt whatsoever that Love Bomb, who is by Oratorio out of a Captain Al mare, will enjoy a mile. She certainly stayed on strongly from well back in the Golden Slipper and was not stopping at the line. She has drawn well in six.

War Of Athena is by Act Of War and has plenty of stamina in her female side, so she should have no problem with the trip. She is going to be dangerous as she hardly came off the bit last time over 1400m on Turffontein Standside when thumping Elusive Woman by 5,50 lengths. On the occasion she was beaten 2,25 lengths by Anything Goes she was finishing strongly and likely needed it because in comparison to Elusive Woman she has improved 6.25 lengths from that run.

Next in the betting is Princess Calla, who has been moved to the Adam Marcus yard.  This Flower Alley filly has plenty of substance and won going away by 3,20 lengths on debut over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly. She is out of the Grade 2-winning Captain Al filly Princess Royal, who is a half-sister to the champion filly Princess Victoria, and she certainly looks classy so has to go into the equation.  

The Glen Kotzen-trained Jasmine stayed on strongly for third in the Golden Slipper and this Futura filly, being a three-quarters sister to the decent stayer Alexander, will relish the step up in trip. However, she has landed a tough draw of 16. 

Trickster raced without cover in the Golden Slipper one out and back and stayed on well for fourth but she will have her work cut out reversing a beating of over two lengths by both Love Bomb and Caralluma.

Maledimo and Sentbydestiny, fifth and sixth in the Golden Slipper, could improve on those performances if their races pan out better but they have tricky draws of 11 and 12 respectively.

The Paul Peter-trained Cloth Of Ice could improve if ridden more handy than last time, when beaten six lengths by Anything Goes over 1600m despite receiving 2kg.   

The rest don’t make as much appeal as those mentioned. 

The field will be limited to 14 runners. The final supplementary entry stage ends at 11h00 on August 17 and declarations are due by 11h00 on August 20.  

The only declaration so far is Richard Fourie to ride Trickster. 

Pictured: The Sean Tarry-trained Caralluma.

Photo: Candiese Lenferna

Andrew Harrison

THE racing season officially ended on the last day of July but thanks to the now notorious virus lock-down, the running of the Vodacom Durban July was delayed by a month and there has been a further four-week hiatus between the July and the World Sports Betting Gold Cup meeting to be held on Saturday, August 29.

It will again be a close-shop affair with only essential staff on course and more is the pity with three Gr1 races, the Gold Cup and a host of other features making up the programme.

With the majority of the top horses already warmed up and ticking over for the big meeting, the quality of racing in the interim has tailed off but that’s not to say it does not remain interesting.

A race in point is the Soccer Any15 Handicap that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow.

It is a high merit rated handicap that has attracted some smart fillies who could well make their presence felt come the last Saturday of the month.

Diamondsandpearls takes a further step up in class and victory here and could set her up for a crack at some black type in the months to come.

She has won three of her last four starts, all on the poly, but the switch to the turf should not trouble her. At her penultimate start she was touched off by Cherry Road over seven furlongs when jumping from a wide gate but showed her true worth when trying 2000m for the first time last time out. She made most of the running under stable rider Donovan Dillon and although only getting home by a neck, she was never in danger of defeat.

She got a four-pound rise in the ratings for that effort but that may not be enough to stop her as she gets weight from many of her biggest dangers, notably stable companions Perfect Air and Escape Club.

Perfect Air in particular has a smart recent record, playing second fiddle to VDJ runner Mayabi Gold last time out and prior to that just getting the better of the useful Connect Me.

On a line through Connect Me and Rille, Perfect Air would appear to have the wood on Diamondsandpearls but the latter has a handy galloping weight and, even though a five-year-old, is lightly raced and only now hitting her straps.

Connect Me finished four lengths back to Diamondsandpearls when last they met and is 2.5kg better off. This is her third run after a break and should strip close to her peak.

Escape Club, On The Double, Rille and Star Vega are others to consider in an open but exciting contest.

Sean Tarry is in town until after Gold Cup and he saddles Magical Flight in the opening leg of the Pick 6. She showed plenty of speed when second best behind the smart Winter Smoke when taking on winners. That was a big effort and she should make a bold bid even though she goes this trip for the first time. Biggest threat could be My Lady who has been knocking at the door. She jumps from a good draw and should be thereabouts again

Dean Kannemeyer broke his season’s ice with Fade To Black at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Wednesday and he saddles the regally bred Lion’s Head in the fourth.  The son of Dynasty has put up two smart sprints and should much prefer the extra. From a good draw he should go very close. Of the balance, Chapter And Verse was a close-up fourth from the worst of the draw last run. He has put up two smart efforts and must have a big chance along with Ibutho that came in for strong market support on debut and was not far back. He is likely to make improvement on that first effort. 

Dutch Alley and News Stream look set to fight out the fifth. Dutch Alley has cracking form over the trip but a cautionary is that most of his recent starts have been on the poly. News Stream tried further last start but has good form over this trip. He has drawn well and should at least go close. Arizona bolted in last start when taking on stronger but got a hefty shunt up the handicap for his efforts which could have put paid to his winning chances while a lurker could be Karoo Lark who is back from a break and lightly raced.

The last two legs of the Pick 6 look a lot more difficult. Divine Hugh is lightly raced back and came back strongly after a break. He looks the part in this field. Storm Ruler has a tricky draw but has shown up well in two starts for his new stable. Everdene takes on males but has been running consistently. She gets first time blinkers which could make all the difference.

It may be prudent to load up in the last leg with plenty in with winning chances. Kenneth Macarthur is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last start after finding strong market support. He can go one better. All Time High, Sonjador and Flying Pekan may be others to consider.

DIAMONDSANDPEARLS image by Candiese Lenferna

Andrew Harrison

MOST jockeys battle to keep their weight in check. For apprentice Mfanelo Zuma it is a battle to put weight on. He arrived at the South African Jockey Academy weighing a little over 40kg and has been on a diet to boost his weight. He now goes to scale at 48kg so put up 8kg of dead weight to ride Wylie’s Wonder at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Gareth van Zyl’s filly was set to carry 60kg but with only one Kimberley winner under his belt, Zuma claims a regulation 4kg apprentice allowance and he needed it all to touch of multiple champion jockey Anton Marcus on race favourite and the rather luckless Lady Of Lutetia.

In his haste to get to the line, Zuma got himself into a tangle as he took the scenic route home, but he kept his mount going just long enough to hold Lady Of Lutetia.

“He’s strong and he’s brave and he’s got the right attitude,” said trainer Shane Humby.

Marcus, who had one of his worst months in recent years with only two winners in July, had earlier worked hard for his crust aboard the MJ Odendaal-trained Shavout.

Very green in only his second start, Marcus was hard at work before the final turn and then kept his mount all the way up the straight. Just when he looked to have the race in the bag, Tree Of Knowledge came roaring home under apprentice Kyle Strydom who failed by a piece of paper to catch Shavout. “This win was a big relief. I was beginning to think that there was a piece of pork in the winner’s circle,” quipped Marcus – he of Jewish faith.

In five starts, Tree Of Knowledge had finished no closer than nine lengths to the winner and a combined 80 lengths at his last two starts. However, Michael Roberts explained, “He was never right. But he had ulcers and I gave him a break. I didn’t think he could win today but I was hoping for him to run a place.”

Marcus and Odendaal go back a long way with Marcus a year behind Odendaal in the Jockey Academy. Odendaal’s career in the saddle was cut short by a series of horrific falls and on one occasion the pair also shared a hospital ward.

Odendaal had another near miss as he wrecked a wheel on his car on the way to Scottsville after hitting a large piece of metal lying on the highway.

David Thiselton

Rainbow Bridge pulled up from the Vodacom Durban July with a slight knee niggle so will be monitored before a decision is made about him defending his Grade 1 Champions Cup crown on Gold Cup day, 29 August.

His Eric Sands-trained stablemates Golden Ducat and Driving Miss Daisy are on track for the Champions Cup and the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet respectively.

Sands said about Rainbow Bridge, “He seems fine and we will check him but I won’t risk anything.”

Sands said he had been a little disappointed with Rainbow Bridge’s sixth place finish in the July.

He elaborated, “He has always run a little below par in his second run after a layoff but he had that respiratory problem upon arriving at Summerveld so had to miss the Drill Hall.”

Sands then admitted, “I outwitted myself a little bit really…”

He explained he had anticipated the chief Snaith trio of Belgarion, Do It Again and Bunker Hunt coming across from their wide draws and believed he would thus be trapped on the rail. Consequently, he had asked the jockeys to move off the rail in the first 400m.

He continued, “The filly (Silvano’s Pride) was out in front but the real pace was just in front of us. However, that pace fell away too soon. My pair were the only two up there who stayed on the others all fell away and finished close to tailed off. So, it just did not pan out well for us. It was no fault of the jockeys though, there was nothing wrong with their efforts.”

The sectional timing data provided by statistician Jay August showed the Sands pair to have gone through the 1800m mark in the lead in a blistering time of 107.46 seconds, which was 1,57 seconds faster than the previous fastest July to that point on the new narrow track and more than four-and-a-half seconds quicker than the 2018 and 2019 Julys. Golden Ducat and Rainbow Bridge thus did extremely well to stay on for a 1,90 length fourth and 2,75 length sixth respectively. 

Rainbow Bridge finished 0,40 lengths behind Do It Again last year when receiving half-a-kilogram and this year was 1,85 lengths behind the latter when giving away half-a-kilogram, which equates to only about a quarter of a kilogram worse performance in comparison to the latter from last year.  

Sands, along with many pundits, was particularly impressed by Golden Ducat’s performance. 

The big Philanthropist gelding had not handled Hollywoodbets Greyville well in his first two SA Champions Season starts and he had consequently been fitted with a new noseband for the July Gallops. That change brought the best out of him so was retained for the July. 

In the big race Golden Ducat raced without cover from the Drill Hall onwards in a handy position behind the strong pace with his half-brother Rainbow Bridge in his slipstream. After being overtaken by the latter at the 200m mark he amazingly fought back and ran all the way to the line, finishing almost as strongly as the first three who had come from way off the pace. 

Golden Ducat’s performance, on paper, had also improved despite the race having not panned out well for him. In his previous start in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 he had finished 1,55 lengths behind the comfortable winner Got The Greenlight and in the July on the same weight terms he had finished just 1,1 lengths behind the latter despite the latter having been flat to the boards. 

Sands said, “He is on the up.”

He added that having shown speed over 2200m and staying on well he believed the classic 1800m distance of the Champions Cup would suit him.

Driving Miss Daisy has also been in fine form and will be a big runner in the Gold Bracelet over 2000m. She stayed on well in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 and looked the winner before Summer Pudding got going to beat her by 0,90 lengths. Then on July day, wearing first-time blinkers in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m, she ran on strongly from the back of the field for a fine 1,90 length fourth in a star-studded field.

Image of Rainbow Bridge by Candiese Lenferna

David Thiselton

Marco van Rensburg is pushing to be back by September 1 after breaking a clavicle (collar bone) in a fall at the Vaal on July 14.

He had broken the same clavicle in March.

Both occurrences were the result of horses, Bondiblu and Green Gunston respectively, breaking down. 

The first breakage was accompanied by tremendous pain as the clavicle was shattered and a plate had to be fitted.

After the second fall Van Rensburg initially felt he was alright as there was no pain and the arm still functioned normally.

However, x-rays showed a clean break and the plate had been bent in half.

Van Rensburg’s six week layoff for the first break largely coincided with lockdown so he was able to finish the season in tenth place on the national jockey’s log with 78 winners. It was the first time he had broken into the top ten.

He said of his ambitions for this season, “I am going to be giving it a full go and want to finish in the top ten again and maybe even the top five.”

His optimism stems from the confirmation that top Port Elizabeth trainer Gavin Smith will continue to support him as soon as the travel restrictions for jockeys are lifted.

Last season he had 28 winners in PE from 170 rides but the support from Smith only started in November and then had to end in March due to injury and COVID-19 restrictions.

Van Rensburg effectively will not be losing his regular Monday rides as Cliffie Miller, with whom he has had a partnership for twenty years, has moved from the now defunct Kimberley to Ashburton. Van Rensburg will be hoping to pick up other rides in KZN too when his raids to support Miller are allowed.

Van Rensburg’s chief supporters in Gauteng are Lucky Houdalakis, Stuart Pettigrew, Weiho Marwing and he also picks up rides occasionally from the like of Mike de Kock, Mike Azzie and others. 

He will initially have to rely on that Gauteng support alone as the NHA rules for jockey movement, i.e one move per month, remain in place for the foreseeable future.