Seventh Plain bids to get back on track for the CTS Million Dollar in the Fairview Wine Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth on Saturday – and the indications are that he will probably do so.

The Dennis Drier dual Grade 1 winner started hot favourite for the Lanzerac Ready To Run but failed to find anything when push came to shove and was beaten nearly six lengths into fourth.

“Fitnesswise he wasn’t where we thought he was despite all our best intentions,” recalls racing manager Derek Brugman. “But he is now pretty close to where he needs to be.”

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Moving this race from its traditional September slot has proved to be an inspired move. There might only be nine runners – even so only once in the last six years has the field been bigger – but there is no shortage of quality and, with all but Psycho Syd eligible for the Million Dollar, the race has significance aplenty.

The penalty structure, too, could hardly have worked better had the race been a handicap. When you adjust the merit ratings for the weights the top three are separated by less than half a length with the Puller pair the same margin further back.

Anton Marcus brought out the most of Tar Heel’s sprinting ability last time and, while the extra furlong may not play to the horse’s strengths, he represents a live threat. “A big runner and the main danger to Seventh Plain,” is Brugman’s assessment.  “On pure class Seventh Plain is the better but Tar Heel will have a big chance if he sees out the trip and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won.”

Ernie went up nine points for his last win and, if the handicappers are right to hike him that much, he also comes into the picture. “He’s got a chance – definitely,” says Candice Robinson who adds that this 1 200m to 1 400m is the gelding’s best distance.

Illuminator drops back in trip after the last 200m proved too much for him in the Cape Guineas. “He needs to be cut because he haemo-concentrates quite badly,” Glen Puller explains. “He kicks on well but in the final furlong his muscles start aching and that’s what happened in the Guineas.”

Puller adds that Western Storm needed the run when performing below his best last time but fears that the gelding “might need it this time too.”

Forward Drive relishes this trip and, although his Million Dollar ticket is already booked, he has a bit to find here, particularly as he will effectively be carrying 2.5kg overweight because his rider can’t claim.

Psycho Syd is also a couple of kilos adrift but it’s worth remembering that he had it won a long way out when making all for his maiden win.

Winter Prince has won his last three but all over 1 400m.  “He is quite a speedy horse,” says Brett Crawford, explaining that he doesn’t see the shorter trip as a problem. “The idea is to qualify him for the Million Dollar. He is only rated 86 and I think you need to be about 92 to get into the race. If he can run close to some of the high-rated horses he is going to get a penalty.”

By Michael Clower 

The Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m heads the New Year’s Day eight race meeting at Greyville, in which the first three races are on the poly and the rest on turf, and there is also a nine race sprint meeting at Scottsville on Sunday.

Olma stands out as the horse to beat in the Flamboyant, which will be run on the turf. Trainer Frank Robinson now believes he had overestimated the classy filly’s ability to stay and is now of the opinion that the mile to 1800m is her best trip. She is the best in at the weights and drawn well and this is her third run after a layoff. The lightly raced and progressive four-year-old In Other Words has won four in a row on the poly from 1200-1400m but there is no reason why she should not enjoy turf as well as the step up in trip. Sabaha is a talented sort who has perhaps been a touch disappointing and she does have a hard task of reversing form with Olma from their last meeting over 1800m as she is now 2kg worse off despite being beaten 1,75 lengths and she is now also drawn wide, although on the other hand she would prefer this trip. Trini’s Collateral looks to be the second string of the Duncan Howells-trained horses on jockey bookings but being by Lateral is likely to love going over a mile for the first time. The three-year-old Visionaire filly Lala has some class and her dam won over 1600m, so she is interesting stepped up to this trip.

Those five make the most appeal and are selected in the order mentioned.

The first is a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m on the poly and the quick Royal Honeymoon has come down to an attractive merit rating and also has a 2,5kg claimed up so could be hard to catch if jumping well from pole position. Bermudabreeze is one point lower than his last win and the yard is in good form so he could be involved over a suitable trip. Roy’s Gul Gul Ha is down to a competitive merit rating and is course and distance suited.

The second is a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and Tigeress Dance seems well handicapped off a 66 merit rating considering she has some good Cape Town form from 1200-1400m. Dark Rose finally got off the mark last time out when stepped up to 1400m and off a lowly merit rating of 61 could go close. Ginger Biscuit is drawn well for a change over a suitable trip and is off a competitive merit rating.

The third is a MR 70 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Vampirella is a talented sort who is drawn well over a suitable trip. Victory Takeover proved herself up to her merit rating last time and is now reunited with Anton Marcus. Quintella is still off a competitive merit rating and will be running on strongly from behind as usual. La Gitano has pace and will enjoy the step down in trip and as an improved sort should be thereabouts. You Bolt should be running on strongly over this suitable course and distance.

The fourth is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m on the turf. The hard knocking Durban Blues needed her last start and as one who has done well against good sorts should go close over a step up in trip age she should appreciate. Scarlet Riviera did well over 1200m on the Greyville turf on debut and caught the eye doing good work late so should relish the step up in trip and will be a big threat. The improving Coastal Spell finished a good second over this distance last time and the form has been franked.

The fifth is a weak maiden over 1600m on the turf and Nirvana is well drawn and can build on three decent runs over this step up in trip which he should appreciate. Apple Jack has some fair form and will appreciate the step down in trip, but does have a tough draw to overcome. Super Sonic improved last time and can go close with a repeat.

The seventh is a Graduation Plate over 1800m on turf and here the talented Run Rhino Run will have come on from his last run and is the one to beat. Rio De La Plata looks to be a horse who is going places too and could be a threat. Translunar is a useful sort who is very consistent and he might now be ready to step back up to 1800m having failed over this trip in his only attempt 15 months ago.  Rap Attack should handle this trip and being by Go Deputy will be improving all the time. Killer Woman is the only filly in the field but is not without a chance as she showed signs of class last time and Delpech stays aboard from a good draw.

The eighth is a Maiden over 1800m for fillies and mares and Roy’s Emblem could be the one to beat from a fair draw having done well over 2000m last time on the poly. The typically big Ideal World filly Badger Creek was slow away on debut but should improve considerably in her second career start as she will enjoy being on turf and will relish the step up in trip. Seattle Belle looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip too and has a chance.

The highlight on Sunday is the Non-Black Type African Holly Handicap over 1000m and the talented Beloved Country could beat home the course and distance specialist Mr Whatever with the up and coming Big King also being an interesting runner.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)

An eight race meeting at Turffontein brings down the curtain on 2015 and punters look to have a good chance to go out on a high note.

The first race is a competitive Maiden over 1450m and some promising types are involved. Just A Gigolo caught the eye with a tremendous finishing run from the back for third when stepped up to 1400m on the Standside course, having raced wide from a wide draw. He is drawn wide again and the shorter straight will make it tough but he should go close if he could be placed closer this time.

Crimson Magic ran on strongly from last over 1400m a week ago and is better drawn now so should go close. Danza has obvious ability having run behind some good horses and is well drawn. However, last time out when showing pace over 1160m after a two-and-a-half month layoff, he swished his tail, changed legs and then hung outward, so doesn’t look like a straight forward customer. In The Moment was flying late over 1200m last time and looks to have improved with gelding, although that was a weak race. Duzi Moon could earn as the form of his improved last race over 1200m had been franked and he should enjoy the step up in trip while Gavin Lerena retains the ride. First-timer Nawra is by Kildonan out of a maiden Fort Wood mare who has produced a few winners and cost R160,000.

The second race is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1450m and the scopey Girl On The Run looks the one to beat in an uninspiring field having run on well from a tough draw over 1200m on debut. Monarch Air has run two good races over this sort of trip and has a fair draw. Bay Of Thunder will appreciate the step up in trip and could earn from a good draw as one who can improve from her first two runs.

The third is a fillies and mares maiden over 2000m. Gains Tax is well drawn and could beat this uninspiring field if ridden more conservatively than last time. Lingerie has a tough draw but looks likely to enjoy this step up in trip. Gavin Lerena retains faith in the hard knocking Topography, who is the stand out on bare form, but the concern is she always makes breathing noises which doesn’t augur well for a step up in trip.

The fourth is a MR 71 Handicap over 1800m and Gentelman Only should relish the step up in trip and is interesting from a good draw. High Drama has been raised two points after being caught late over 2000m and this trip looks to be ideal although the quite wide draw won’t make it easy. The trip looks likely to be ideal for Tom Fool. Charanga beat High Drama by a short-head last time and has a chance again. Facebook looks likely to enjoy this trip nowadays and is drawn well. Aqua Blue could earn off a lowered merit rating, although the wide draw makes it tough.

The fifth is a MR 92 handicap over 1600m and Imperial Gold has been disappointing but having been lowered seven points he could fire in his third run after a rest and gelding over what should be an ideal trip. Shea Devon was raised five points for his last comfortable win over 2000m and can continue to progress in his third run with blinkers. Loco Por Ganor has improved and has a good course and distance record.

The sixth is a MR 67 Handicap over 1600m and Arctica proved himself up to this merit rating last time when going close over course and distance despite stumbling at the start. Post Grad is knocking on the door and should be staying on. Rushing Lark could be dangerous over this step down in trip from pole position as he travels comfortably in his races and should be staying on.

The seventh is a Mr 81 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Zrinski is off a competitive merit rating so looks the one to beat from a good draw over a trip which might be ideal, looking at her overall form. She’s A Looker loves the course and distance and has been dropped two points, so will be a big runner. Party Magic should be running on strongly from a good draw.

The last race of 2015 is a Mr 67 Handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares and the in form Eina could be a tough nut to crack from a good draw over a step down in trip as she has been handy over this trip before and will be staying all the way to the line. Swazi Lily has ability and will be running on but doesn’t have it easy off a 79 merit rating and a wide draw. Nkolo scrapes into the handicap off a competitive merit rating and with a 2,5kg claimer up should run on well as she usually does and could be good value for a place.

David Thiselton

Picture: Snaith Racing (Futura and Legislate with Bonang Matheba)

Greyville stages a nine race meeting today, the first three on the poly and the rest on turf, and punters have a fair chance of signing off the old year on a high note

The first is a MR 78 handicap over 1400m. Sovereign Reign is well regarded and the 1400m might be exactly what he is looking for, while Marcus remaining faithful speaks volumes. Beluga ran a fine race last time behind a useful sort over course and distance and is well drawn. Ferdinand The Bull was a little bit strong in the running over 1600m last time when just failing to catch the promising Team Guys so he should relish the step down in trip and Delpech stays aboard. However, He was given a four point raise for that last race so it won’t be easy.