Captain America is in with a real chance of defying a seven-month absence in the aptly named Hollard Humdinger Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Horse Chestnut winner has a theoretical three lengths-plus in hand on merit ratings and Brett Crawford says: “He is obviously not at his best because we want him peaking in January but he has been on grass. He is definitely fit enough to run a good race and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won.”

KRA Guineas winner The Conglomerate has been off since the Durban July and, while Joey Ramsden’s treadmill gives him a big advantage, the trainer cautions: “He is a long way from being fully wound up and seven furlongs might be a bit sharp for him.”

The Mike Bass stable fields six of the 13 but it’s 11 weeks and more since any of them ran. Candice Robinson points to the trip being too short for some of the sextet and feels that Night Trip just might prove best as he is so well drawn.

Readytogorightnow is the best rated of the few that are provenly race fit but he has a coffin box of a draw – “We might have to drop him in but he is versatile and I will leave it to Bernard,” says Justin Snaith.

Blarney Bay is also fit and loves the trip but is not at his best on the fast ground. Mike Robinson disagrees, saying: “He looks like a mudlark but he is not and he will run a good race.”

Auditorium’s solid form makes him the obvious, safety-first choice in the first but don’t ignore newcomers Shamrock Skipper (a R450 000 Captain Al out of a half-sister to Vercingetorix) and in particular the Var colt Percival – “He is very smart and he can run,” says Andre Nel who has had five winners in his first five weeks and struck with a 50-1 first-timer on Wednesday.

Ramsden’s Free Agent is the form pick in race two but the potential shown by Purple Rock on debut makes him a more appealing bet, particularly now that he is stepping up in trip.

La Flambee, 100-1 when second on her first outing, missed a subsequent engagement because of coughing but she stands out in the Fig Fillies Maiden. “She is above average and, although it’s her first run for some time, she is doing well at home,” comments the in-form Adam Marcus.

The Tripster was quoted at 5-10 for the Prescient Maid In Pink Handicap in the TAB sheet forecast and at that price the top weight is worth opposing.

The one that stands out is Illuminator who showed an extraordinary turn of foot to win on debut, making up ten lengths in little more than a furlong. The third and fifth have won since and runner-up Arctic Blast was second on Wednesday.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Captain America (Wayne Marks)

The Gr 2 R1 million Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile heads a lucrative card at Turffontein tomorrow which has six stakes races in total as well as two expensive sales races.

Rampant Ice will love the Standside course and distance of the Charity Mile as a horse with a good turn of foot coupled with a resolute finish. He is drawn well and being by Go a Deputy will now be coming into his own.

Ultimate Dollar takes a while to wind up into his big stride so will love the long straight and the draw is not insurmountable as he can run from the front or be held up. Mac De Lago is another with a resolute finishing effort so he can be dropped out from a wide draw. Last year’s winner Bezanova had improved by the end of last season and it would be no surprise to see him win it again from a good draw off just a three point higher merit rating. Toro Rosso is a lightly raced progressive sort who could still be anything. These five make the most appeal and are selected in the order mentioned.

The first two races are both R250,000 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Maiden Plates.
In the first over 1160m, Amazing Var was backed on debut and didn’t do badly considering she lost ground at the start. First-timer Miss Wales by Trippi is a full-sister to the top class Not Sulking. São Pualo is another interesting first-timer Trippi filly.
In the second over 1600m, West Coast Warrior caught the eye on debut running on strongly for a close second over 1450m and has a fair draw. Hearts ‘R Pumping finished well over 1200m on the Inside track on debut and this big, strong horse is likely to enjoy the course and distance.

The third is the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. Persian Rug was unlucky in a Gr 1 over 1600m as a two-year-old and will relish this course and distance. However, she is a giant of a horse so the current hard going might be against her and others to include are The Centenary, who will love the long straight, Peep Show, who is ever improving, Love To Sail, who should enjoy the step up in trip, and Gr 1-winner Bilateral, who will be staying on.

The fourth is the Listed World Sports Betting Java Handicap.  The talented but enigmatic Golden High has a fair draw for a change which should allow him to settle before using his good finish. Topweight Storm Warning had class on his side and others to consider in order of preference are J’s Outsider, Fulcrum, Noblestar, Kolkata and Savage Wind.

The fifth is the R2,015,000 Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. Netflix is way out at the weights but is a nice type who will rise above his current merit rating in time. He will relish the long straight, so could provide good each/way value from a nice draw with Gavin Lerena up. The Gr 1 two-year-old filly form of last season is suspect but Chestnuts ‘N Pearls did catch the eye last time over 1200m against older horses when flying late. Lineker is classy and is likely coming into his own now. Redcarpet Captain also has class and should be ideally suited to this trip. Lauderdale is Gr 1 winner over 1600m but the form does not look outstanding and she has a wide draw. Howdyulikeit makes most appeal for f the rest.

The sixth is the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup. The unbeaten Gr 1 winner Rabada is full of class and looks hard to oppose. Main Submission is a progressive sort and could be threat. The progressive Champagne Haze is a half-brother to Pierre Jourdan, who won this race, and he looks distance suited. Dance On Air is an impressive specimen who looks ideally distance suited. Duke Nukem and Top Form have to be considered too.

The seventh is the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes over 1400m and Madame Dubois looks to have the class to win it under Piere Strydom despite a wide draw. Leila’s Charger was all the rage on course last time out but disappointed, but she could bounce back from a good draw over a trip that should suit. Melliflora is not much to look at but has proven ability and heart. Swift Sarah stole it over shorter last time and can’t be discounted. Shaama impressed in her first two and might have benefitted from a rest after being above herself in a Gr 1 sprint in May. Miracle Rising makes most appeal of the rest.

The ninth is the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m. Bull Valley looks to be full of class and on pedigree should love the step up in trip. Unbelievable Chad was impressive when stepped up to this trip last time. Muwaary also has plenty of class and should be right there.

The tenth is the Listed Golden Loom Handicap over 1000m. Isphan has speed and class and by previous big race day trends could be drawn on the right side. Zambezi River also has speed and class and is likely to have improved since gelding. Bad Boy Buddy Boy is very speedy and can’t be ignored over this fast 1000m. Topweight Dollar Dazzler loves the course and distance. Doing It For Dan and Viva La Var will have chances if the going does not put the low draws at a disadvantage.

The eleventh is a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m Gr 1 winner For The Lads could win it if settling. The hard-knocking China Beach could pick up the pieces.

The twelfth is a MR 92 Handicapover 1600m and Rushmore River makes most appeal over a course and distance he loves.

By David Thiselton

In the first race, a maiden plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, Dark Rose’s first two starts with blinkers on over 1000m were good efforts and she now runs over the course and distance of her fast-finishing close up third in June, so from a good draw and the headgear on over this possibly more suitable trip she looks the one to beat. Cronological was unable to find the necessary extra last time out over 1400m in a race which had a false start and was also found to be coughing afterwards. The blinkers were off probably due to a below par effort over 1000m at Scottsville, but in her previous start with first-time blinkers she went close over this course and distance. It is therefore significant that Marcus remains aboard with the blinkers back on from a plum draw. Seven Tales is the least exposed of the prominent runners in this race, so is open to improvement, and she will relish the step back to 1200m having over raced over 1400m last time out. She is drawn in pole with Anthony Delpech up. Paix Embleme finished a length behind Cronological the last time they met over course and distance, but has a tougher draw this time. Drury Lane shows pace over 1400m but might find this a touch sharp.

In the second, a Maiden over 1200m, Winter Auralius fared well in strong fields over this trip at Scottsville and is tipped to win. It can’t be a confident tip because of the draw, but his good natural pace will give him a chance of overcoming it. Texas Cowboy has some fine hard-knocking form over course and distance and trainer Tony Rivalland felt he had done enough work to get away with a layoff since June. Red China, who shows pace over1400m, might find this a touch sharp at first glance but being by Silvano he will be coming into his own now as a four-year-old and with master of pace judgement Anton Marcus aboard from a good draw he could improve on his only other run over this trip to date. Samovar was carried out at the start last time when running on well over 1400m and beating Red China, but he has another wide draw to overcome. Jason Argo ran a cracker with first-time blinkers over this trip at Scottsville last time out but the wide draw and a stronger field makes it tougher here. Imagination is by Visionaire and is a half-brother to the Gr 1-placed sprinter Showmetheway. Trainer Michael Roberts said he would not be fully wound up and would prefer further.

In the third, a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m, Var Du Bois is likely to have improved from his fine debut win and is drawn well again, so could go in again off a reasonable merit rating of 77. Moi Power proved he is off a competitive mark when going close last time over course and distance and is once again drawn in pole, this time with Marcus up. Wild Namaqua is well drawn for his front-running style and will be a tough nut to crack, considering he is 1kg better off for a 0,75 length beating over course and distance by Var Du Bois and he also cast a shoe on that occasion. Victoria’s Love cruised in last time out over 1000m and a repeat could see him go close despite a maximum eight point merit rated raise. Lizard’s Pursuit likely needed his last run when well beaten by Victoria’s Love and now being 4kg better off he could be involved if reproducing some of his best Cape Town form. Semonkeng has the eyecatching booking of Anthony Delpech and trainer Michael Roberts said he would be fit enough after a layoff but the wide draw is a concern.

The fourth is a weak maiden over 1600m and Noordhoek Ice is the one to beat from a good draw having run on well for third over course and distance on his KZN debut after being dropped out from a wide draw. He should have benefitted from the outing and Delpech replaces Marcus. Kepler ran on well from last over 1400m at Scottsville last time out with first-time blinkers and will relish the step up in trip so could be in the first three from a good draw. The Lonsdale should also go close as he is doing well with blinkers and should handle the step up in trip. Suzie’s Arrow has his third run after a rest and could earn on best form. Turn Up The Heat is having only his second KZN start and could also improve, although he was comfortably beaten by a seven-year-old maiden last time. The first-timer Silverturnstogold is by Brave Tin Soldier and this trip should suit but he has a tough draw.

The fifth is a weak fillies and mares maiden over 1600m and Grand Jury could be the one to side with as she did well with this 4kg claimer up over 1400m here on debut despite losing three lengths at the start and being by Ideal World she should be improving. Delpech has deserted her after her disappointing last run and is aboard Cherry Tree Lane, who will likely relish the step up in trip, but she did not show much to get excited about over 1200m on debut. Topaz Rain is a disappointing sort who could earn here and Maybe and Make My Own Luck make most appeal of the rest.

The sixth is a weak Maiden over 1600m and Zagora stayed on well last time when stepped up to this course and distance so is the one to beat. However, Juds Express stayed on well over 1200m at Scottsville last time over course and distance and will relish the step up in trip, so will be a threat. Fort Afreet could improve over this trip too.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m. Sovereign Reign didn’t get any cover last time over course and distance and still fought on well in the straight. There is not much pace in this race either, but he has a nice draw and Anton Marcus has stayed aboard so is tipped to win from a good draw. Last Tiger won well in his KZN debut last time over 1400m and will enjoy this trip. He has come from the stronger Cape Town centre so his seven point merit rated hike is unlikely to stop him. Black Jaguar should be suited to the lack of pace from a good draw and looks to be a big runner. Pure Valor is drawn well over a suitable trip and should stay on strongly as usual from a handy position, although this is a step up in class. Cage Fighter has done well after a long layoff before so can’t be written off over the course and distance of his easy win here last December.

The eighth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m and the always-fast-finishing Quintella has a short run in and the stronger pace of a 1000m race might be just what she is looking for. Victory Takeover has good pace and with Marcus up from a good draw will go close. Race Me Home won her maiden well from the front over course and distance and she has not been punished by the handicapper so has a chance under Delpech. Jolo has been competitive off this mark and should be running on strongly. Maria Estella had to be snatched up on the turn for a few strides last time and with better luck trainer Roberts expects a good run. Girlfriend and Royal Honeymoon are outsiders to consider.

By David Thiselton

Horse racing’s version of the Ryder Cup, the Breeders Cup, will be staged at the iconic Keeneland racecourse for the first time in its history this weekend and the Pick 6 on Saturday will provide a get rich quick opportunity for South Africans as the local Tote will comingle into one of the world’s biggest guaranteed Pick 6 pools.

The stars of the USA and Europe, headed by American Pharoah (pictured) and Golden Horn, will do battle and 20 of the 22 races will be shown live on Tellytrack (DSTV 239), starting from 6.30pm on Friday night and 5pm on Saturday evening.

SAFtote are providing a full betting menu. On Friday, Tellytrack will broadcast races 1 to 9 of the ten-race meeting and SAFtote will provide betting on only those nine races. On Saturday, broadcast and betting will be provided for races 1 to 11 of the twelve-race meeting.

The highlight of the meeting is the Breeders Cup Classic, which is race 11 on Saturday night, taking place at 11.35pm South African time.

The betting will consist of a combination of commingled and local pools.

Wins, places, exactas, doubles, Pick 3s and Pick 6s will be commingled, but please note that instead of the normal R1 unit, the unit will be R20. Furthermore, the Pick 6 will have no fractional betting.

The Breeder’s Cup Pick 6 pool on Saturday will have a guaranteed pool of $2 million.

On Saturday night there will be a “Classic Pick 3″, with a minimum pool of $750,000, on the Breeders Cup Juvenile, Turf and Classic, Races 9-11.

Local pools will host Pick 4s (Jackpots), swingers and trifectas.

Commingled pools:

> Win (Commingled at R20 unit and R20 minimum)

> Place (Commingled at R20 unit and R20 minimum)

> Exacta (Commingled at R20 unit and R20 minimum)

> Pick 6 (Commingled at R20 unit and R20 minimum with no fractions)

> Double (Commingled at R20 unit and R20 minimum)

> Pick 3 (Commingled at R10 unit and R10 minimum)

Local Pools – SAFtote rules apply:

> Pick 4/Jackpot (SAFtote rules)

> Swinger (SAFtote rules)

> Trifecta (SAFtote rules)

 

 

 

Horse of the Year Futura delighted Justin Snaith when galloped over 1 400m yesterday in the five-year-old’s first serious piece of work this season.

Snaith said: “He went with a companion and he was very good so now it’s all systems go.”

Stable companion Legislate, rated a kilo below Futura, is not quite at the same level of readiness and Snaith explained: “Legislate takes less time and so we are waiting a bit longer with him – and really he only needs to be ready in January.”

No decision has yet been taken on which of the big two will represent the stable in the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on November 21 although, according to their trainer, “One of them will start there. The main aim with both is the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (January 9).

“Act Of War has raised the standard and so we are going to have to raise our game but it’s all good so far.”

Last year’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner Act Of War broke the Durbanville 1 400m record on his reappearance in the Kuda Matchem Stakes early this month and has both the Green Point and the Queen’s Plate on his shopping list. He is officially rated on the same 117 mark as Legislate.

So too is the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Captain America who was yesterday  reported by trainer Brett Crawford to be in good heart for his reappearance in the Hollard Humdinger Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Same Jurisdiction, Duncan Howells’ winner of the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on July day, has been given top weight of 60.5kg in the six furlong Cape Merchants on November 14. This is 2.5kg more than Tevez who has won the last two runnings for Mike Bass.
– Michael Clower
– Picture: Futura and Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)