The second of the Greyville meetings this weekend, to be run on Sunday, has eight races with an even split between polytrack and turf and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

In the first race, a Maiden over 1200m on the poly, Master Sam has a strong formline behind some of the best horses in the province and has improved in his training since being gelded, so will be hard to beat despite returning from a four month break as he is fit enough. Hot Chilli found no extra late when handy throughout over 1400m on the turf last time out and is interesting with first-time blinkers over this trip from a plum draw under Delpech. Lancat ran on well over 1000m last time in a stronger overall field than this after losing a length at the start and should appreciate the step up in trip. First-timer Global Flyer is a New Zealand-bred by Stravinsky. Black Samurai and Tropical’s Son are by King’s Chapel and Tropical Empire respectively.

In the second over 1200m, Anton Marcus rides Joyful Mystery, who will likely enjoy the 1200m because this should enable her to settle in behind, which is how it panned out on her debut when running on strongly from behind, whereas in her second start over1400m at Scottsville she fell in a hole from a handy position. Spinning Win showed some zip on debut after a tardy start and should appreciate the step up in trip. Turquoise Water is an Australian-bred first-timer by Authorized and is owned by Drakenstein Stud. Eternal Blossoms is by Ideal World and a full-sister to two-time winner Panchatanta. Paixe Emblem could earn again here.

In the third, a fillies and mares maiden over 1600m, Seventh Moment is the obvious choice having run well in three sprints at Scottsville but on pedigree there is a stamina question mark. Milla’s Smile, a full-sister to a Listed winning miler, is therefore the marginal choice as she ran on well over 1400m at Scottsville in late September in a stronger field than this when needing the run and will appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree. Grand Jury could also go close as the blinkers should help her get into the race earlier as she ran on strongly too late last time for second in an admittedly weak field.

In the fourth, a maiden for fillies over 2000m, Work Ethic should relish the course and distance, having been baulked before flying late for a close third over 1700m at the Vaal last time out. She is ultra-consistent and has a good draw. Lady Linda ran a close second over course and distance last time and could still be improving. However, Work Ethic’s form looks a touch stronger. Racey-J is improving and could earn.

The next four races will all be on turf, weather permitting.

In the fifth, a Conditions Plate over 1000m for fillies and mares, Beloved Country is very well treated at the weights and this classy sort looks hard to oppose from pole position under Anton Marcus. Regardstobroadway is an up and coming sort with a big reputation and the turf might be what she is looking for after a decent effort behind a good sort on the poly over this trip last time. Miss Argentina makes most appeal of the rest.

In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, Top Form has plenty of natural pace so will have an advantage from pole position over a suitable trip. Theseus has some class and from a good draw should go close as he has run well fresh before. Spanish Captain showed promise when winning on debut and should have come on from the run so will be a big danger as he could still be anything. Monte Christo has shown signs of class in both outings but his wide draw makes it tough. Hunting Owl is joint best in at the weights with Monte Christo, but will have to bounce back from a poor effort last time.

In the seventh, is a MR 81 Handicap over 2400m, and Star Point faces Forest on the same weight terms as when beating him with a bit in hand over this trip at Scottsville. He looks a useful stayer in the making. Forest, as a three-year-old by Silvano, is likely to be improving all the time and will not make it easy for the first choice from a plum draw. Qatar Springs has some class over this trip. Kentucky Guest has dropped to a six point lower mark than his last win and is interesting in his first attempt at this trip. Innate Quality bounced back to form with an easy win over this trip at Scottsville last time but is unreliable and two points higher than his highest winning mark.

The last is a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m and Snowman is an interesting runner here as one who is held in high regard and who has certainly shown signs of class before over this trip. His draw is a concern and he is only the marginal choice over the well drawn Fully Charged who ran on well over 1400m last time and should be cherry ripe in his third run after a layoff. Worship Dancer is an eyecatching sort who should be in the shake up off just a two point higher mark than his last win. Saint Marco is unbeaten in two and should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but the wide draw is a concern in his first run around the turn. Cage Fighter and Nitro Nori have good draws and make most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus’s famed brilliance at the pens will face one of its biggest tests at Kenilworth tomorrow when the four-time champion has to overcome nightmare draws on fancied horses in all three big races.

He and Joey Ramsden are bidding for their third Lanzerac Green Point in five seasons and the race-fit Act Of War is expected to head the market.  Favourites have won four of the last five runnings and this one should be hard to beat despite his outside draw and some talented opposition.

Futura was only third when he reappeared for Brett Crawford 12 months ago and the Horse of the Year’s present trainer is seemingly not expecting much more. “He is a good horse and he will run well but it is his first run of the season and so he would have to need it,” says Justin Snaith. “In addition the short run-in is not ideal for him.”

Crawford, on the other hand, is more bullish about the Horse Chestnut winner Captain America. “He is close to being 100% ready,” reports the Philippi trainer. “He was pretty well for his first run and I think he has come on since.”

Durban July second Punta Arenas receives 2kg from the big three but, like Futura, he has been off for 16 weeks. “I am expecting a nice run but a mile is a bit sharp for him,” cautions Dennis Drier.

The Conglomerate only receives a kilo from the Grade 1 winners and that is not enough. Ashton Park, 55-1 when second 12 months ago, will again be a big price and he may prove best of the Mike Bass quintet.

But it’s on Seventh Plain, 16 out of 16, in the R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run that Marcus faces his biggest task. A conventional start would cost him ten lengths, and easing back to drop his mount in would be even more disastrous.

Most punters will elect to put their trust in genius and on the jockey’s past form they should be rewarded because the stable seemingly has no reservations about the horse’s 20-week absence. Dennis Drier, asked how ready his horse would be, replied (with no ifs or buts): “He is ready.”

Ramsden is quite keen on The Stone Thrower but Liege is held by Seventh Plain on a line through Muwaary and Captain Chaos could be the one to take advantage should Marcus prove unable to pull off another miracle.

Forget last time’s Cape Classic disaster. “He lost 12 lengths at the start and it wasn’t the horse’s fault,” says Ronnie Sheehan who has all along insisted that he was aiming to have the colt at his peak for this – “and I think I have.”

Muwaary, fresh from his triumph in the Graham Beck Stakes, looks the one in the Selangor Cup although Eighth Wonder and Hard Day’s Night represent strong Cape form. Marcus’s mount worked well with Act Of War last Saturday and Ramsden has won three of the last four but draw ten out of 12 is hardly a plus.

There is not much between this horse and Eighth Wonder on Cape Classic running but on that occasion it was Eighth Wonder who had to overcome the coffin-box.

“This is a tough race and I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground,” says Greg Ennion who is quietly hoping to celebrate next week’s 67^th birthday in appropriate style. “His work is good and the jock says he has improved – and this time he is not starting from the sticks.”

By Michael Clower

Horses shuttled in from other provinces by trainers with satellite yards in KZN do not sit well with some of their local colleagues but it has proved to be a mark for local punters to cash in. Dean Kannemeyer has been particularly successful with this strategy and it could pay off again at Greyville on Friday night where he sends out What’s News in a lowly 66MR Handicap, fifth race on the card.

Owned by fellow Milnerton-based trainer Greg Ennion, What’s News boasts some useful Cape form, most recently finishing close-up over the Durbanville ‘mile’. He drops to a sprint on Friday but Anthony Delpech takes over from apprentice Xavier Carstens and the switch to the poly track could be the reason for his move to KZN.

However, he does take on a progressive colt in Doug Campbell’s runner Strummer, a winner on debut on the poly before following up with a second place behind the older Victoria’s Love after being backed in to favourite. He obviously has ability and the step up in trip should not be a bother.

But on a card that consists of Maidens and lowly handicaps, punters could have their work cut out finding the right combinations. In the opening leg of the PA, Charles Laird holds a good hand with The Deacon and Stokvel both in with winning chances but the year older Silver Finalist can defy a deep draw in his poly debut while Winter Auralius showed improvement first up on the poly and should enjoy this trip.

Laird sends out a choicely bred import in the third in the form of Italian Miss and she does not have to be any great shakes to have the measure of this field so any market moves must be respected. Golden Earings and Dark Rose are both battling but have been consistent while Make My Own Luck looks set to improve.

The fourth is a fillies and mares handicap that has upset written all over it. Anton Marcus has stuck with Victory Takeover and the former champion jockey is renowned for doing his homework as he books his own rides so it may pay to follow his judgement. But the list of possible winners is a long one.

In the sixth, the veteran Dun Carrer has been dropping quickly in the handicap and Frank Robinson’s runner now looks to be off a competitive mark again with Muzi Yeni staying aboard. However, this race is also wide open with the likes of Just Like Magic, Bez-Art and Selvan’s Jet also in the mix.

Marcus booked himself the ride on Pure Valor in the seventh and Lowan Denysschen’s runner could possibly be the best bet on the card. He has only got going late in his recent outings over 1600m and the step up in trip with Marcus aboard looks a good combination.

The last is another open event where Kannemeyer’s runner Canigao can improve on a modest debut but Dark Avenger, Blue Ocean and Silverturnstogold are also in with a shout.

By Andrew Harrison

Kenilworth hosts a jackpot of features on Saturday culminating in the clash between reigning Horse Of The Year Futura and last season’s Cape three-year-old champ Act Of War in the Gr 2 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes over 1600m.

Act Of War was able to overcome a wide draw to win the Gr 3 Kudu Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville when showing an exceptional turn of foot from some way off the pace to reel in Heartland. He is up against a lot better this time and drawn wide again. However, he relaxes well wherever he is in the running so a wide draw over 1600m on this course will be a touch easier to overcome, especially considering there doesn’t look to be a lot of pace in the race. This will be his first test against the best horses in the country, but he is unbeaten over this distance and should have benefitted from his Matchem run. He is the one to beat and could go on to prove himself the best miler in the land in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate

Futura ran on well in this race last year from a tough draw. He usually needs his first run after a rest, so will likely not run quite to his peak and likely prefers more than a mile. However his class will make him a tough nut to crack from a plum draw.

Paterfamilias could be the surprise package as the best has seldom been seen of him. He is drawn well over a step up in trip he will relish, having stayed on in a 1400m event in his first run since an 8,5 length victory over 1400m at Turffontein in March.

Ashton Park found a nice position from a high draw over 1400m last time out and stayed on well, losing to Captain America by a short-head despite a crop drop, so he has a chance of repeating his runner up finish in this race last year as he appears to love the Winter Course.

Captain America finished fourth in this race last year but on that occasion it was the big horse’s seasonal reappearance so he should be better this time having had a preparation outing on October 31 in the above mentioned 1400m race when just failing after running on late. He would appreciate cut in the ground, but the 10mm of rain forecast for tomorrow might not be enough to swing it in his favour. He would also prefer a more galloping track too, so his wide draw is a concern.

Sail For Gold has finished close to Act Of War over course and distance before at level weights and appears to be the Mike Bass yard elect. Punta Arenas loves to gallop and is still thriving as a seven-year-old, but would prefer further.

The Conglomerate proved he can be affective over this trip when winning the KRA Guineas, but he is unlikely to get the strong pace which played into his hands in that race and would ideally prefer further.

Helderberg Blue would prefer both further and a more galloping track. Night Trip has talent and is distance suited but his last run was uninspiring. They are selected in the order mentioned and Act Of War and Futura should be enough for the last leg of the Jackpot.

In the third leg of the Jackpot, the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, Equus Champion colt Seventh Plain should be too strong despite having to jump from draw 16 in the 16-horse field.

Liege was impressive in his maiden win over 1600m and then ran a good second to the top class Muwaary in the Graham Beck over this trip, so he could be the chief danger, although his wide draw won’t make it easy.

Anglet was unlucky in the Gr2 Choice Carriers over 1400m as she had to be eased when running on strongly from last and is now interesting from a fair draw with blinkers on.

The Stone Thrower could be a threat from a good draw if he jumps on terms, because with first time blinkers last time out in a strong Graduation Plate over 1200m he caught the eye running on strongly late.

Elysian Park is a progressive sort and from pole position can’t be ignored. Captain Chaos could be one to consider from a plum draw if jumping on terms. My Emblem has ability and should be cherry ripe. Waity Katy is well drawn and ran on well to beat older horses over 1600m last time, so could earn a cheque. Budapest, Dragon Flame and Kemal Kavur make most appeal of the rest.

Seventh Plain could be a Jackpot banker, otherwise the suggestion is to go wide. Muwaary is the one to beat in the second leg of the Jackpot, the Gr 2 Selangor Cup, as he is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and is full of class. Eighth Wonder won the Cape Classic well and a repeat will see him in contention from a good draw.

Hard Day’s Night will appreciate the step up in trip after his third place in the Cape Classic, but his wide draw is not ideal for his handy style. Rodney flew home in the Cape Classic and will likely love this trip. Sylvester The Cat is better than his last run, but as a difficult sort his wide draw makes it especially tough.

The Listed Lanzerac Le General Kenilworth Cup over 3200m could see Friendly Tibbs running down Ovidio and Arezzo late in the day.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith expects “a nice run” when Futura reappears in the Lanzerac Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday but he points out that it has not been easy to get the Equus Horse of the Year ready for the race.

He said yesterday: “Futura is well and he looks fantastic but we have had some very heavy tracks at Philippi during the present dry spell and we haven’t had the benefit of the water tanker that was meant to come. As a result it is hard to get a horse stripped fit for his first race of the season.”

Glen Kotzen has abandoned Cape Fillies Guineas ambitions for Princess Royal who managed only tenth when starting second favourite for the Choice Carriers Championship.

He said: “We were disappointed with that and, while there are so many things going around that you never know, it looks as if she didn’t stay. She has now had two runs round the turn and she didn’t go through with it in either.

“We are going to go the sprint route with her and, if we decide that she should go further once more, there is always Durban.”

Kotzen did not enter her for the World Sports Betting-sponsored classic on Saturday fortnight and impressive Choice Carriers winner Silver Mountain heads the 21 nominations. Mike De Kock has entered SA Nursery runner-up Shaama – although she is drawn widest of all – and he has put Choice Carriers second Entisaar into the Southern Cross Stakes on the same card.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)