Racegoers will have a sense of déjà vu on Saturday at Kenilworth when seeing national log-leading jockey Andrew Fortune climb aboard the classy Glen Kotzen-trained filly Princess Royal, as he was unbeaten in four starts on her champion half-sister Princess Victoria, two of them in Gr 1s.

Princess Royal is running in the Gr 2 R400,000 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m and Fortune is replacing Kotzen’s stable jockey Greg Cheyne on her because the latter is retained along with Bernard Fayd’Herbe by Ridgemont Stud and was unable to commit early.

Fortune has duly flown to Cape Town twice to gallop the Captain Al filly and Kotzen said the veteran jockey had been “very excited” with the workouts.

She has gained a reputation as a temperamental sort who can misbehave badly on the course on occasion.

However, Kotzen said, “She had a nice long break after the Champions Season and is exceptionally well. She didn’t enjoy Durban at all but has never put a foot wrong in Cape Town. We chose Andrew to ride her as he should suit her quirkiness and of course he was unbeaten on Princess Victoria. She has matured beautifully but we will still take precautions and take her down early. Andrew said she has the equine equivalent of being bipolar as she will suddenly throw her toys for thirty seconds and will then come through it and behave as if nothing had happened.”

Princess Royal was a touch unlucky when losing by a length to Entisaar in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville as she was forced to switch around runners and ended up on the unfavourable outside going. In the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day she moved up ominously in the straight and then didn’t go through with it, but none of the yards runners appeared to run to their best on the day.

Princess Royal has landed a fair draw of eight in the 16 horse field on Saturday and on a merit rating of 105 is the second highest rated contestant behind Entisaar.

She has an electric turn of foot, just like her half-sister, and looks to have the potential to follow in the latter’s footsteps by winning both the Choice Carriers Championship and the Gr 1 R1 million World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas on December 5.
– David Thiselton

Mike de Kock will send his Allan Robertson winner Entisaar (Anthony Delpech) for the Choice Carriers Championship at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The filly is officially the best horse in the 16-strong field – a kilo better than the Glen Kotzen-trained Princess Royal (Andrew Fortune) who was a length second in the Allan Robertson – and a minimum 4kg better than any of the others. De Kock last won this Cape Fillies Guineas trial with Phillipa Johnson 12 years ago.

Justin Snaith, who has won half the last eight runnings, fields four but not R1.4 million purchase Bela-Bela who made such a big impression when scoring on debut in August.

Chris Snaith explained that the team were not willing to run her from a wide draw but she needs to run (and win) again to be sure of getting a run in the World Sports Betting-sponsored classic on December 5. Her engagements include two 1 400m handicaps at Kenilworth next Wednesday.

Neil Bruss is bringing down Keagan de Melo for his Thekwini Stakes fourth Flying Ice while former champion Delpech also has four rides for Dean Kannemeyer.
– Michael Clower

Arniston has over four lengths in hand in the All To Come Graduation Plate at Kenilworth today if he can be persuaded to produce his best form – and he has disappointed in his last two starts.

There were legitimate excuses when  he finished plum last on July day – he was found to be not striding out on his left fore – but the reasons for his dropping back in the closing stages of the Matchem were less obvious.

However stable confidence is higher now that he is back at Kenilworth. “He hated Durbanville,” says Chris Snaith, referring to the Matchem performance, “and he will run well here.”

The main threat, certainly on adjusted merit ratings and probably also on form, is the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Lord Marshal who was second to Ready To Attack in both the Langerman and at Durbanville last time. He opened favourite at 18-10 with Betting World yesterday and Arniston was a 2-1 chance.

Half the 16 in the opening maiden are newcomers and Twenty Four Carat, who opened 7-2 favourite,  looks the pick of those that have raced even though Auditorium didn’t do much for the selection’s last Kenilworth run when only fourth on Saturday.

Grant van Niekerk (pictured) has opted for 5-1 first timer Mr Piscato in preference to stable companion Barnstable (10-1) whose form is in the book. Significant? “Not really,” answers Candice Robinson. “Grant quite likes Mr Piscato but I think the horse is going to need it. Barnstable is not the easiest ride and Robert Khathi has ridden him twice before.”

The in-form Adam Marcus introduces Gyre (10-1) and Saint Roch (14-1) with Sean Cormack booked for the latter. “They are both nice sorts and I’ve put Sean on Saint Roch because this is a progressive sort and I’m hoping that Sean will be able to stick with him,” Marcus explains. “But I haven’t wound up either of them so I’m not expecting that much.”

One of the basic Kenilworth punting principles is not to back those drawn wide over 1 400m but Mulher De Branco (woman In white in Portuguese and big in monster movies) has shown so much promise in her two starts that she might well be able to cope with pen eight out of ten in the Place Your Bets Maiden. She is 12-10 favourite with Durbanville runner-up Kryptonite next best on 5-2.

Ma Choix was raised 2kg for her Durbanville win but, as that was her first outing for eight months, she should be able to confirm the placings with Elusive Wave despite being 1.5kg worse for just over a length.

“It’s her second run after a rest which is a concern,” cautions Andre Nel. “But she is doing well and the extra furlong this time is definitely in her favour. We are aiming her at the Victress Stakes in December.”

Aldo Domeyer’s mount is attractively priced at 9-2. The hat-trick seeking Sea Glass and Durbanville scorer Good Grace dispute favouritism on 4-1 but the latter has been raised 2.5kg for her win.

Roman Silvanus lost his Durbanville race in the boardroom but he could be hard-pushed to beat three-year-olds Nebula and Bora Bora in the concluding maiden. Preference is for the Snaith horse who ran on well from some way back over two furlongs less last time and is 5-2 second favourite.
– Michael Clower

Turffontein has the first of its summer series of night races tomorrow evening and there are usually some good opportunities for punters on the fair Standside track.

In the first over 1400m Green Goddess finished well on debut from a wide draw over 1450m on the inside track and although she has another wide draw she looks likely to appreciate the more galloping Standside track. She is six months older than Christmas Carol and only has to give her 1kg. Christmas Carol stayed on well on debut over 1000m and will relish the step up on trip being a full-sister to Castle Tankard winner Winter’s Night. Zafira is by Silvano out of a Fort Wood mare but the full-brother has been disappointing.

Smart Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the second over 1400m Magical Moon led over 1600m last time before being run out of it and although he did not really give the impression that the step down to 1400m would be  more suitable, his class could carry him through from a good draw being a half-brother to the like of Jackson, Jade Vine and Heartland. My Favourite Brown likely needed his last start when catching the eye staying on over 1000m on the Inside track from a wide draw and he should love the step up in trip. Koncealed, who is out of a half-sister to the champion Promisefrommyheart, was staying on over 1200m last time from a tough draw at the Vaal and could have done better considering he cast a shoe.

In the third over 2000m Penteliko should be improving all the time being by Go Deputy and his good draw will suit his handy style. He fought back bravely over 1950m at Scottsville last time and will be a tough nut to crack. Scare Tactics enjoyed this trip last time when running on from a wide draw and only just failed to get there in time, so looks likely to appreciate the Standside track’s long straight. Talbec by High Chaparal was not disgraced on debut over 1600m and gave the impression he would relish this trip and further. Piere Strydom has stayed aboard Thiel who made late progress over 1800m last time. Arabian Bay is a well exposed but consistent sort. Yours And Mine is distance suited and could earn.

In the fourth over 2000m the outcome could depend on how well Peg ‘O My Heart jumps because on visual analysis she has the ability to win this if breaking on terms for a change from pole position. Terepova has been knocking on the door over 1600m and could attempt to dictate with Delpech now up and, although he is not 100% sure to enjoy this trip on pedigree, trainer Weiho Marwing sure knows how to get them to stay. Fortissima stayed on well over 1800m last time and is drawn well with Fortune up.  Laurel Cherry is likely to be staying on dourly but being a typically big daughter of Ideal World she is likely not enjoying the current hard ground. Rich And Dark disappointed last time but on best form will be a threat from a plum draw. Oblivion and Peggy Jay should be staying on too.

In the fifth over 2000m, American Magic has been competitive since his maiden win and over a suitable trip is drawn in pole with Piere Strydom up. Commodore Al is two points lower than his last turf start when not disgraced over this trip. Jubilee Line is well regarded and should be distance suited so could possibly defy a MR 84 merit rating in his first handicap. Africain has proved he is competitive off his current merit rating over this trip. Like A Boss has won twice in three starts over this trip and Lerena remains aboard off a five point higher merit rating for his last win. Ilitshe has won a Listed race over course and distance before but will have needed to have improved a lot from his last start which followed a break of more than a year. Delamere bounced back to form with a win over 1800m last time and is only two points higher but is widely drawn.

The sixth over 1400m the top class Smart Call is well weighted and the key to her, hold up tactics, has been found. She is returning from a layoff, but her yard is in fine form. Bichette is versatile and could be a threat. Kwinta has class and could be dangerous from pole position. Featherfoot is likely to be coming into her own being by Silvano. Drifting Dusk is interesting over this trip as one who always stays on well over sprints.

In the seventh over 1000m Silver Class proved suited to the step down in trip last time and looks hard to beat. Speedy Suzy is the danger and Miss December could earn.

In the eighth over 1160m Rough Justice looks to be off an attractive merit rating and is tipped to win. Will Pays has some class and will appreciate the step up in trip after winning over 1000m last time which earned him a four point raise. The progressive Thrust was staying on over1000m last time and is 1kg better off with Will Pays for a one length beating.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Smart Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

There were two meetings at Greyville this weekend and patrons had a particularly festive time at the Halloween theme gathering on Friday night.

Sunday’s nine race meeting saw the long awaited return of the turf, which staged six of the nine races on the card, and the day was dedicated to Gold Circle staff who had given over 30 years of service.

The highlight was a turf Pinnacle Stakes race over 1200m and all eyes in this event were on Ice Machine and Power King, who were having preparations before heading for big race engagements in Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively. The former had to switch at the top of the straight after a slow start and had too much to do, finishing fourth, while the latter finished a flying third. The Craig Eudey-trained Flyfirstclass was more at home over this trip than the two big names and won comfortably under Alec Forbes.

Future Fantastic (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the previous race, a turf Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m, trainer Stuart Pettigrew and in form Karl Zechner pulled off a successful Highveld raid with the four-year-old Lateral filly Future Fantastic, who was well weighted.

The ride of the day must have been Sean Cormack’s win on his guv’nor Dennis Drier’s Fort Wood filly Queen Delta in the second, a poly maiden over 2000m. Cormack didn’t take kindly to Muzi Yeni easing outward on the market rival Lady Linda at the 1200m mark and after initially attempting to hold his position he accepted his fate for the time being and dropped his mount in behind the trespasser. He then got the last laugh as a determined finishing effort saw him getting up to beat Lady Linda on the line.

The opening turf race, a Maiden over 1400m, saw a start to finish victory for the Charles Laird-trained first-timer What A Poet under Anton Marcus, who rode a double on the day. The Australian-bred Dylan Thomas colt was well drawn and didn’t beat a strong field but will appreciate further, so this was an encouraging introduction.

The Doug Campbell-trained three-year-old Visionaire filly Lala also did well to win the last, a turf MR 76 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, off a merit rating of 86 under Ian Sturgeon.

Friday night’s meeting had eight races on the poly and the most significant happenings on the racecourse were a double for in form trainer Alistair Gordon, both of them ridden by the increasingly confident Mandla Ntuli. Muzi Yeni and Sean Veale both rode doubles too.

Gordon’s second winner, the Noordhoek Flyer filly Gavea Girl, provided a first winner for Protea’s cricketing hero David Miller who part-owns her with his well-known auctioneer father Andrew and others.

By David Thiselton