Most punters missed Albarakah when he scored at 25-1 at Kenilworth 11 days ago and, while you won’t get this sort of price in today’s ICA Laboratories Handicap, the remarkable seven-year-old should be a decent price and he has a real chance of winning again.

Greg Cheyne’s mount has won three of his last five, going up in the ratings from 74 to 89 in the process. He was raised five points (2.5kg) for last time but won comfortably, suggesting there is another win in him.

So how come the incredible improvement? “Tender loving care,” says a grinning Glen Kotzen but he is not joking. “At one stage Albarakah was rated 90 but he then had problems with his feet and last season we were going to retire him. But he is a happy horse once more and that means a lot.”

Forward Drive, seventh in the Magnum Cape Classic, reverts to 1 200m. “He had to be gelded because he was haemo-concentrating badly – his blood was like soup,” explains Paul Reeves, “and this run is to get him back.”

The tough little grey doesn’t know what it means to have an easy race so expect to see him up there all the way. However in the circumstances The Tripster, who probably needed last time’s run, may prove the main threat. He opened 3-1 joint favourite with Russian Speed yesterday with Betting World who went 7-2 Macduff and 5-1 Albarakah.

Overshadow stands out at 22-10 in the opening Macsteel Maiden  –  despite Grant van Niekerk riding 9-2 chance Mr Piscato rather than Jiggery Pokery – but he has been off for almost three months. Will he be ready enough? “I think so, yes,” answers Justin Snaith. “He is doing very well at home.”

Snaith and Donovan Dillon can follow up with Sabrina Fair (2-1) in the Investec Maiden 35 minutes later but watch out for Skip A Beat who started favourite for her debut last month only to lose ground at the start and run green. “She has come on since and she will be right there,” says Andre Nel who took his total to nine from 76 runs when La Favourari landed the odds in the first last Saturday. Skip A Beat opened favourite yesterday at 16-10.

Mr Bond’s chance in the Bradbury & Sankfin Handicap has been given a boost by the good Selangor run of Illuminator who was the only horse to beat him last time. Brett Crawford’s gelding remains on the same mark and looks the one.

However don’t be tempted into taking too short a price, certainly no shorter than the opening `16-10, because this is a cleverly handicapped race with several in with a chance after having their ratings adjusted. Notable amongst these are 5-1 chances Professor Brian and Another Idea.

Stable jockey Corne Orffer rides the badly drawn Bezamod (4-1) rather than form horse Silver Snaffles (18-10) in the Market Toyota Culemborg Maiden but apparently this is because of owner arrangements. “Silver Snaffles ran a good race last time [when second to Black Arthur] and I think he would be the stable select,” says Crawford.

By Michael Clower

A racing fairytale unfolded at Kenilworth on Saturday when the unheralded Gavin Van Zyl-trained KZN raider Budapest scorched to a dominating 4,25 length win in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m under Anthony Delpech despite odds of 33-1.

While pundits were scrambling to find out who the gelding’s sire Lithuanian was, a vindicated few celebrated triumphantly in various parts of the world and their overriding thought was, “Yes indeed, he does have gears!”

The vindicated included ebullient owner Brian “Buffalo Bill” Burnard, trainers Gavin and Gareth Van Zyl, Budapest’s sales consigner Spencer Cook, Breeder Johan Loftus of Witzenberg Stud, Bernard Kantor, who owns Lithuanian, and Jannie Meyer, who stands Lithuanian at his Rietvlei Stud in Mossel Bay.

Spencer Cook began planning a pin-hooking strategy for the CTS Ready To Run Sale three years back. He was loathe to put himself under pressure by spending big money at the yearling sales, so scoured the Cape looking for “precocious colts” to purchase off the farms. He had identified the sire Great Britain as a precocious sire, so visited Witzenberg Stud who had a few by him. He failed to find any suitable Great Britains, but “Lofty” then whispered, “I do have this one very nice specimen, but unfortunately he is by Lithuanian.”

Cook recalled, “I liked him from the second I saw him.” He had to have him and forked out R30,000 for the youngster.

Cook broke Budapest in and was also the only person to ride him in the lead up to the sales.
The colt impressed him from the beginning and then came the unforgettable morning when he decided to “sprint him up”.
“I realised this horse had proper gears and he had an overdrive gear too.”

Cook was so excited he jumped off the horse, ran to his office and immediately dialled bloodstock agent John Freeman, asking him to pass on the message to Bernard Kantor in London that he had found a Lithuanian that was “very, very good”. Freeman was true to his word and inspected the horse on behalf of Kantor at the sale grounds.

Later, Cook bumped into Piet Steyn, who spoke highly of Budapest’s mother, the three-time winning Count Dubois mare Fashion File, whom he trained. Steyn was also impressed by Budapest. Then Cook had a chance meeting with Van Zyl and while sitting on a bale of straw discussing their respective career plans, he confided, “Gavin I know you are not going to believe me, but I have a proper horse for you.”

Van Zyl was impressed by the specimen, as well as by the rider’s breeze up gallop report. Later, Burnard reviewed the gallop and was determined to buy the horse.

Van Zyl secured him on behalf of Burnard for R160,000 much to the delight of Cook, who had made a handsome profit. Van Zyl revealed that Burnard had been prepared to bid quite a lot higher. Freeman’s final bid had been R140,000, despite his pedigree page “being quite light”.

Cook recalled one of his breeding friends asking him how he could sell a Lithuanian for that price and not feel guilty. His serious response to the quip was that “R160,000 for a champion was cheap”.

Budapest travelled from Summerveld last Tuesday under a bit of a cloud as his final gallop at Summerveld had been “moderate”. The connections had always felt anything better than fourth or fifth in the Lanzerac would be a bonus. Strangely enough, he had also put up a moderate gallop before his only previous win, an impressive 6,75 length romp in a maiden over 1200m on the Greyville poly.

The other concern was the starting stalls. He had to be schooled after rearing in the pens in one of his early starts. Gelding helped and he was fine for the next couple of starts, but then refused to load in his final intended preparation race for the Lanzerac. Malan du Toit and Michael Shaw worked with him and he was passed for the stalls shortly before the Lanzerac acceptances.

During Saturday’s race, standing on the deck of the Lanzerac Marquis, Van Zyl and Burnard were pleased with Delpech’s placing of Budapest, but then wondered whether he would “stop or go”.

“Then he increased … and increased … and we started to go mad in the last 200 metres!” recalled Van Zyl.

The defeated owners were all sporting, including big guns Chris van Niekerk and Markus Jooste. The latter told the connections the victory had been great for the game as it showed that every buyer had a chance.

Burnard has poured millions into his passion for racing and is a fine horseman in his own right.
Van Zyl has compartmentalised his training operation, with son Chesney in charge of the Turfontein satellite yard and son Gareth in charge of all of Burnard’s horses at Summerveld. Gavin oversees the operation as well as giving his full attention to the rest of the horses at Summerveld.

Delpech was glowing in his feedback on Saturday, mentioning the athletic bay’s range of gears. Budapest will now stay on in Cape Town for the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas.

Kantor bought the Australian-bred Lithuanian, by Nureyev, for Aus$525,000 as a yearling, and he won three races in eight starts between the UK and South Africa. He has had limited numbers of mares, but sired a Listed winner in his first crop (born 2008), Pacific Breeze.

Budapest looks likely to add more black type and it would be no surprise to hear the words, “He’s by the sire from Mossel Bay” once or twice later in the season.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein has an eight race card on the Inside track today and most the races are competitive so the dividends should be handsome for those who have done their homework.

In the first race, a fillies and mares maiden over 1450m, Hatfield Square is by the good sire Mambo In Seattle so probably has plenty of scope for improvement and she can build on her decent first two runs, including last time over 1700m when the jockey dropped the crop. Lindelize’s best run was when handy over this course and distance so a draw of two will benefit her and she can do better than last time, in September, as the Tarry yard were not yet firing.

Andrew Fortune has stayed aboard Samarra, who stayed on well over 1600m on this course from a tough draw last time and she now has a good draw. Global Ethos can’t be ignored having run well over course and distance last time and Piere Strydom now rides. Tangerine Lady showed improvement last time when stepped up to this course and distance but does have a wide draw to overcome. Jewel Of Gibraltar is an Australian-bred by Rock Of Gibraltar and the Woodruff yard have been in form. First-timer Giveusakiss is a full-sister to King Of Pain, while Flying Silver is by Silvano out of a Jet Master mare.

In the second race, a MR 97 Handicap over 1600m, Master ‘N Commander represents the in-form Woodruff yard from a plum draw over a suitable trip and champion jockey Gavin Lerena stays aboard. Fah Fee is drawn well over a suitable trip and is off a competitive merit rating. Shadow Of His Smile has proved classy over this trip before and with the Woodruff yard in form he could be a runner with Andrew Fortune up, although he is still five points higher than his last handicap win, a five length victory over this course and distance in a MR 92 in January.

In the third race, a Maiden over 1600m, Champions Cup is drawn well in his third career run and with natural improvement will be the one to beat. El Bombero showed improvement last time in a workrider’s event when stepped up to this trip and is now well drawn in his third run after a rest and gelding. Seattle Prince should enjoy the step up in trip here and is a runner from a good draw as he should be improving. Gaggle can earn if repeating his decent debut over course and distance and he wasn’t disgraced in a strong field last time either. Arabian Bay is usually thereabouts and could place although this is his 31^st career start.

The fourth, a Maiden over 1000m for fillies and mares, is tough to assess because the obvious selection Honeybush Tea has quite a tricky draw to overcome. First-timer Qarman is by Var out of a once-winning Silvano mare and Fortune is up from a plum draw. Matron Prilli made a fair debut on the sand, before disappointing second time out, and has a chance from a fair draw if bouncing back. Perfect Dream has run two fair races to date and now has Strydom up from pole position. Pipkin has a wide draw but ran on late on debut after losing a length at the start so can’t be ignored. Jay River has run some fair races and returns from a rest. Black Opium is by Toreador, who is having a fine season, out of twice winner from 1000-1400m by Silvano. Gimmeabreak is by Overlord out of a Sapieha mare.

In the fifth, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, Tripp Force has been rested since May having always made breathing noises but he was often backed and if that issue has been sorted out he could be a big runner from a good draw. Occulus has been knocking on the door and should be improving. Laughistheanswer has a wide draw but more conservative tactics than last time when run out of it could see him involved.

In the sixth, a MR 67 Handicap over 1200m, One Yesterday is off an attractive merit rating and has a good draw for a change so could be a big runner with Strydom up. Al Dee Kay is potentially well weighted and will be a threat despite a tricky draw. Cash In Camilla is an interesting runner stepped back to the 1200m of her 14 length victory over this trip on the Vaal sand in her penultimate start especially as she is has a fair draw with Lerena up.

In the seventh, a MR 69 handicap over 2000m, the Dynasty colt Trees Of Green impressed in his second career start and looks to be going places so should run up a sequence from his starting handicap mark of 70. Commodore Al goes well for Andrew Fortune so should bounce back from his last disappointing run. Rushing Lark has come down to a competitive merit rating and Gavin Lerena is up. Colonel Rockjaw wasn’t disgraced over this trip at The Vaal last time out and is off a competitive merit rating. Peregrine has been a frustrating sort but has the ability to earn over this trip off this merit rating.  King’s Drive and Double Bind make most appeal of the rest.

In the last over 1600m Street Flyer with Gavin Lerena up improved last time without blinkers when staying on over 1400m so will be a big runner over a suitable trip from a fair draw with the blinkers off again. Oreo Shake could have done better last time if switched outward at the top of the straight instead of inward through traffic and Piere Strydom now has the ride from a plum draw. Pacific G has been knocking on the door and is off a competitive merit rating and he should be running on from a wide draw. Steel Wing has been competitive off this merit rating and is distance suited but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Klondike River has been thereabouts off his current mark and Fortune keeps the ride after a good run on the Greyville poly.

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry has given Saturday’s Sansui Summer Cup favourite French Navy a vote of confidence despite the horse’s 60kg burden.

The champion trainer said at the weekend: “French Navy is doing well. Yes, he’s got a lot of weight  but he has won two Grade 1s and I think he deserves it.”

The highest weight carried to victory in the great Turffontein race in the last ten years was Louis The King’s 59kg 12 months ago and he was the first favourite to score since Rudra in 2008. Tarry won with Aslan in 2009.

French Navy heads the market at 7-2 and Betting World go 11-2 Power King, 7-1 St Tropez, 9-1 Deo Juvente, 10-1 Master Sabina, Ultimate Dollar, 12-1 ML Jet, 14-1 Mac De Lago, Easy Lover, 16-1 Diesel Jet, 25-1 and upwards others.
– Michael Clower

Next year’s Lanzerac Green Point will be run on the new course if the trainers get their way. Justin Snaith has even volunteered to provide staff to help move the rails!

He said: “This is now a very big meeting and, as such, it should be run on our premier track.”

The longer straight is the most significant difference between the so-called new course and the winter one and over it Futura would almost certainly have collared Captain America instead of being beaten a rapidly-dwindling half length.

But Corne Orffer made it a never-to-be-forgotten 35^th birthday by stealing the race. He swept Captain America straight to the front and, as he turned into the straight, he kicked into what proved an unassailable lead.

Brett Crawford said: “This horse likes to use his action so we decided to go on if nobody else did. It’s the Queen’s Plate next.”

It will be for Futura too with Snaith saying: “There is nothing else for him in the meantime but I am over the moon at the way he ran here.”

Paterfamilas, at 50-1 the rank outsider of the field, was only another half length back third but there were some complaints from the riders in the stands that the leader was given too much rope. Joey Ramsden called for the stipes to adopt the Australian approach of questioning jockeys about their tactics.

His Act Of War was deliberately ridden with patience (Derek Brugman: “From that bad draw we didn’t want to let him go and teach him bad habits”). He made up six lengths in the straight and he remains very much in the spotlight for the L’Ormarins January 9 showpiece.

Vaughan Marshall will run both Kenilworth Cup winner Gothic and fourth-placed Desert Swirl in the J & B Jet Stayers but Greg Cheyne would fancy his chances of beating them on the front-running Parachute Man if that race was run on Kenilworth Cup terms.

He said: “Aldo Domeyer only got it because Gothic’s nose was down as we crossed the line. My horse would not lie down and even in another furlong and a half Gothic would never have passed me.”

Marshall’s Exelero was reported striding short when a heavily backed joint favourite for the Cape Merchants but the Milnerton trainer said: “He hit his head on the pens but I had him checked out by my own vet and he was OK. He did have a slight discharge afterwards and he is not yet back in full work.”

The Lanzerac City Of Oaks Handicap was a landmark for Money Surger. It was her 75^th race – more than twice as many as the rest of the field combined – and the eight-year-old got up on the line to thrill Piet Steyn.

– Michael Clower
– Picture (Liesl King): Gothic (farside) edges out Parachute Man in the Kenilworth Cup