A Workrider’s maiden race meeting, which comprises the first leg of the 2015/2016 Workrider’s Challenge, is hosted by the Vaal Sand track today.

This course has been characterised by big exotic dividends, so punters will need to put their special Vaal Sand thinking caps on for last time in an attempt to find some of those big-priced winners and placed horses.

In the first race over 1450m, the first-timer Leigh Woods makes plenty of appeal from a fair draw as he is by Fort Wood, whose progeny love the sand, and his Mark Of Esteem dam was a fair sort, achieving a merit rating of 83 after a facile maiden win over 1600m and another win over 1800m. Le Clos will be involved in the finish from a good draw having gone close over 1200m on this surface last time. One concern is that he has made breathing noises before, but on pedigree he should enjoy the step up in trip. The Badge has a suitable sand pedigree. He should now be cherry ripe in his third career start, having led in a 1450m turf race last time out before fading, and he is well drawn under last season’s Workrider’s Challenge victor Lyle Hewitson.

In the second race for fillies and mares over 1450m there is not much form to go on but Carole Bouquet makes appeal being by Fort Wood and well drawn. She was beaten by Lindeman Lustre over course and distance three runs ago but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes. Lindeman Lustre only has one good effort to her name in seven starts, but she wasn’t disgraced last time out over course and distance and should be a big runner in this weak field. Gold Rupee wasn’t disgraced in her sand debut last time out over 1200m and showed some improvement in blinkers so could be a threat from pole position over a step up in trip which should suit on pedigree.

In the third race, a maiden over 1000m, Boogaloo has improved and went close to a fair sort last time so is the one to beat. Ziggy’s Boy hasn’t been disgraced behind some fair sorts from 1000-1200m, including on his debut on sand, and runs fresh having pulled up lame last time out in May in a strong turf race. Rock On makes his sand debut for an in form yard and on pedigree will be suited to the course and distance.

The fourth is a maiden over 1000m and Angie The Rebel only just failed over course and distance last time when cruising up and then being surprised by the kick the leader found, meaning she left her run just a fraction too late. She is the one to beat. Arrive At Five could go close in second-time blinkers as he showed some pace last time over course and distance and a horse he beat came out and won next time out, albeit on the turf. Fannalies Girl should love the surface being by Windrush and her best runs were over 1200m so she might enjoy the step down in trip from 1400m. Rain In Africa has blinkers and a tongue tie on having been close up to some promising sorts, but the concern is that she has made breathing noises before. Sister Mary has pace and has some fair turf form and tries sand for the first time.

The fifth over 1800m for fillies and mares represents a good opportunity for Angel Of Mercy, who wears second time blinkers and should be too strong for this field from a fair draw. Oblivion ran a cracker over 1950m at Scottsville last time out and is the danger because being by Announce she will love returning to the sand. Polly Woddle Doodle is a R200,000 first-timer by Judpot and is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Champions Cup winner Master Plan so the betting must be closely monitored.

In the sixth over 1800m Paratus’ only sand start wasn’t a bad effort and he looks perfectly suited to this trip. The race could represent an opportunity for the expensively purchased Umthetho as he should enjoy the sand on pedigree and his disappointing efforts over shorter suggested he would be looking for more ground. However, there are some stamina question marks on pedigree, although he is drawn in pole with Hewitson up and doesn’t face a strong field. Seven Single has to be included in all bets with the blinkers now off after a disappointing sand debut over 1450m. Il Duce ran a fair race behind a classy sort in his penultimate start over course and distance and should be involved in the finish. Lego House is never far off them and has gone close over 2000m on the Greyville poly before so should stay this trip. His pedigree suggests he should take to sand, albeit over a shorter trip.

The seventh over 1600m could be won by Cervantes as he ran a cracker over a too sharp 1200m on the sand and is now drawn in pole over a more suitable trip. Mr Balboa is a consistent sort whose one paced running style suggests he might enjoy this course and distance. Icy Avalanche’s two best sand runs have been over this trip and he could earn from a good draw.

The eighth is for fillies and mares over 1600m and Infinity Knot looks the one to side with having made a fair sand debut over 1450m last time and now jumping from a good draw over a step up in trip that should suit. Seattle Spice stayed on in eyecatching style on her sand debut over 1200m and should love he course and distance although the wide draw is a concern. Peggy Jay is a one paced sort who should enjoy the sand on running style. A Woman’s Will has run three fair races on turf and should also enjoy this surface on running style but she does have a tough draw.  Ginger Sioux has run a couple of fair races over course and distance and should be included in all exotics.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Lyle Hewitson

Port Elizabeth has its equivalent of the Vodacom Durban July this Sunday at Fairview, the Gr 3 R350,000 Algoa Cup over 2000m, and some good value could possibly be found in the talented but enigmatic Mitch Wise-trained Taarish.

This five-year-old Australian-bred Encosta De Lago gelding has the habit of dropping himself out at the beginning of his races, leaving himself with too much ground to make up in the closing stages. He always finishes well and connections are usually left wondering how much closer he would have been without his early race antics. However, the blinkers have at last been fitted and off a merit rating of 88, which sees him carrying a weight of just 52,5kg, he could be worth a small each/way bet at likely long odds. The cheek pieces didn’t appear to help in his penultimate start over 1800m on the poly, but his tailed off position early on in the race on that occasion had more to do with  dwelling in the starting stalls.

The big race has been won by a Cape Town raider for the last five times in succession.

However, the selection to do best of the Cape-based trainers’ horses is Current Event, a Justin Snaith-trained horse who has run his last three races in Port Elizabeth. He is a similar type to the winner of the last two Algoa Cups, Disco Al, in that he is effective over the 200m trip, but can win over further too. He looks to have been given the perfect preparation and jumps from a plum draw of six under Robert Khathi with just 52,5kg to carry.

Snaith also has a very interesting runner in the Jet Master gelding Masterly, who has improved from a 50-something merit rated horse to an 87 since arriving in PE from a Johannesburg yard earlier this year. He has won his last four starts, all on the poly, in fine style and sneaks into the handicap with bottom weight and from a good draw under the quality rider Keagan de Melo. There is no reason why he should not be just as good on turf.

Another of his stablemate’s Krambambuli announced that he is likely to be at his best this year when running on strongly to win over 1800m at Durbanville in his seasonal reappearance and he could be a big threat under Andrew Fortune, although he has a tricky draw of nine.

The Mike Bass yard send the Jet Master gelding Mountain Master and he has a definite chance as he has dropped back to a competitive merit rating, so only has to carry 52,5kg over a suitable course and distance and from pole position draw under stable jockey Grant van Niekerk.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Cape Town raider Gone Baby Gone is a frustrating sort who can’t be ignored on his best form, although he is 0,5kg under sufferance. His stablemate Political Power, who only has one eye, is an ultra-consistent sort and should be distance suited. His last win was off a one point higher mark, but he does have a tough draw.

The Alan Greeff-trained Kalamein is one of the big local hopes as he is a classy sort who could still be ahead of the handicapper and he has the polished Greg Cheyne aboard, but he unfortunately has to contend with the widest draw of all.

The Dorrie Sham-trained Symbolik should be ideally suited to this trip and in form Karl Zechner rides, although the draw of ten is not easy.

The East Cape polytrack horse of the year Gogetthesherriff is also effective on turf and is distance suited. Being by Go Deputy he is showing no signs of slowing down and is unbeaten in three this season, but he does have a big weight of 61,5kg to lug.

Gothic raids from Cape Town and from a good draw would not be a surprise winner for a trainer-jockey combination who have won this race before, especially considering he is off a two point lower merit rating than his last win. He is a similar type to Disco Al as he is effective over this trip and stays further, so he should be right there.

National champion trainer Sean Tarry sends two raiders down from Johannesburg and Orchestrated must be a runner carrying just 52,5kg from draw two, as he bounced back to form over 1800m on the sand last time in his first outing for over four months.

Stablemate Stonehenge is 2kg under sufferance but actually has Orchestrated beaten on their last meeting over this distance on turf, although that was back in May and the latter ran below par.

Zestful has been off form since arriving in Port Elizabeth and will have to bounce back to form.

Silent Partner finished third last year off a considerably higher merit rating, but is getting a bit long in the tooth now and won’t be carrying many local hopes as he comes into the race 4kg under sufferance.

A chance is taken with Taarish to beat Current Event and Gothic, with Kalamein and Masterly next best.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Taarish (Nkosi Hlophe)

The in-form Andrew Fortune rides at Durbanville for the second time in three weeks today and, as on his last visit, the former champion can kick off with a winner.

He has six rides but only one of them is a favourite and Betting World yesterday opened the well drawn Tumbles at 7-2 for the opening maiden. At that price the filly looks value.

This is the last meeting at the country course until February but, so far as Adam Marcus is concerned, the all-important factor is the fast going.

“Tumbles has a lot of natural speed and in her first two starts at Kenilworth the ground was very heavy,” says the Milnerton trainer. “She needs to be settled and Andrew has beautiful hands. I think she is going to be very competitive.”

She is drawn two whereas many of the form horses are drawn wide, notably 5-1 shot Gin For Genius who starts on the outside. Has she the gate speed to overcome that? “I don’t want her to have the speed early,” answers Eric Sands. “I want the speed to pull her along and I think she might be alright.”

Ichkeria, 100-1 on debut in a good Kenilworth maiden last month, ran well enough to suggest she could pose a threat here and she is a 4-1 chance but her 12 draw is hardly a positive.

Molly’s Chambers (14-1) has a bit of form but she failed to show it when making the running here last month. “It was her first time on the course,” explains Piet Steyn. “I think she has a place chance.”

Favourite at 3-1 is the Andre Nel-trained newcomer Skip A Beat, a daughter of Dynasty. This is not an easy course for a first timer and it will be interesting to see if she remains at the head of the market come race time.

Nel has made a sparkling start and his La Favourari is 18-10 favourite for the Soccer 10 Maiden Plate even though the colt’s debut second reads poorly with Roxy Babe (third) and Hammie’s Game (fifth) letting the side down on Saturday.

“La Favourari is a fairly decent horse,” says Andre Nel. “We thought he would win first time if there was nothing special among the other newcomers and he has come on since.”

The form of Heart Of Darkness’s fourth to March On, on the other hand, has been repeatedly boosted with the second, third and fifth all winning next time out and at 7-2 he makes more appeal despite not having raced for almost three months and being drawn seven out of ten.  Knight Of Glory (5-1) looks best of the rest

Fortune’s mount Moment To Shine is 22-10 favourite for the All To Come Maiden Plate but she and last time’s runner-up Excellent (5-2) are drawn wide. The vote goes to Sky Fly whose 7-2 looks reasonable. The Geoff Woodruff-trained filly lost valuable ground at the start on her first run here last month and she is sure to have learnt from that.

Icy Trail is a stingy price at 6-10 in the Place Your Bets Maiden Plate but he looks the one they all have to beat.  Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount had to drop back and switch when his path was blocked last time and he ran on as if he will be better suited by the extra distance here.

However if you don’t like betting odds-on,  a good case can be made for Roman Silvanus at 5-1 after  last Saturday  – he was the meat in the sandwich between One Away and Avail on their previous start – and Accountability (28-10) is the one that comes out best on merit ratings.

By Michael Clower 

Picture: Andrew Fortune (Nkosi Hlophe)

The PinkDrive Racemeeting, supported by Gold Circle, in aid of breast cancer awareness takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Friday evening, 23 October 2015.

PinkDrive is South Africa´s best-loved Breast Cancer Community Carer and is a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) powering South Africa´s first mobile PinkDrive Mammography Unit and PinkDrive Educational Unit, driving home the fact that `Early Detection Saves Lives´.

Night racing at Greyville has become a Friday institution in Durban and this Friday will see non-stop entertainment on-stage and on-track.

In the spirit of the occasion patrons are asked to dress up in pink as roving judges will dish out spot prizes for the best dressed in pink.

There is also a win-if-you-lose competition with four prizes of a weekend getaway worth R14000 up for grabs.

The ever popular Braai Zone will be in operation along with the Kidzone while the Lightning Shot Bar will feature live music and a happy hour.

Restaurant reservations for the Durban View can be made by calling Gail on 031 3141780.

Picture: ‘Pink Angels’ Carey-Ann Radford and Janice Benecke giving retired racehorse Tutazela some well-deserved attention before making his appearance at Greyville Racecourse on Friday evening in support of the Pinkdrive breast cancer awareness programme. (Chantal Cormack)

Champion trainer Sean Tarry will be taking two horses to Port Elizabeth on Sunday to contest the R350,000 Betting World Algoa Cup. The Grade 3 race is run over 2000m on the turf track.

Tarry’s two runners are Orchestrated, to be ridden by S’manga Khumalo, and Stonehenge, who will have Donavan Mansour aboard. Orchestrated has won four of his 15 starts and has placed on another eight occasions. The son of Jay Peg is one of those horses who performs well on the sand and on the turf.

This could be a shrewd move by Tarry because if, as has happened before, inclement weather results in the meeting being moved to the Polytrack, he has a horse who could win on either surface. Orchestrated four wins have been over 1600m and 1700m and he has yet to prove he stays 2000m. In fact, the last time he raced over the trip he was beaten 8.25 lengths by stable companion Stonehenge.

However, Orchestrated did run well enough in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2450m at Turffontein in heavy going when a 4.25-length fourth behind Cool Chardonnay.

In the Algoa Cup he is well drawn at No 2 and has just 52.5kg to carry.

Stonehenge has raced 11 times for two wins and four places but his best effort came in the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m at Turffontein last season when he finished a 2.25-length second behind Legal Eagle. Unfortunately Stonehenge has drawn No 14 but over this distance that should not be too much of a disadvantage.

Justin Snaith saddles three runners in Krambambuli, Current Event and Masterly, while Glen Kotzen sends out Political Playboy and Gone Baby Gone.

There are two other visiting trainers with runners in the main event. Vaughan Marshall has sent Gothic while the Mike Bass yard will be bringing Mountain Master. MJ Byleveld and Grant van Niekerk are the respective jockeys on the two runners.

Top weight is local star Gogetthesheriff, trained by Jacques Strydom and to be ridden by Raymond Danielson. They have been allotted 61kg and will jump from barrier No 8. The five-year-old son of Go Deputy has won seven of his 14 starts since arriving in Port Elizabeth, of which six have been on the Polytrack.

Final field for the R350,000 Betting World Algoa Cup (Grade 3) over 2000m at Fairview (turf track) on Sunday 25 October.

1 – 8 GOGETTHESHERIFF (JVA Strydom) R Danielson 61.0 – 105

2 – 9 KRAMBAMBULI (S J Snaith) A Fortune 57.5 – 100

3 – 4 GOTHIC (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 56.0 – 95

4 – 13 POLITICAL PLAYBOY (G S Kotzen) A Domeyer 54.5 – 92

5 – 10 SYMBOLIK (D Sham) K Zechner 54.5 – 92

6 – 15 KALAMAIN (A C Greeff) G Cheyne 53.5 – 92

7 – 5 ZESTFUL (JVA Strydom) X Ndlovu 53.0 – 89

8 – 6 CURRENT EVENT (S J Snaith) R Khathi 52.5 – 88

9 – 1 MOUNTAIN MASTER (M W Bass) G van Niekerk 52.5 – 88

10 – 2 ORCHESTRATED (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 52.5 – 88

11 – 12 TAARISH (M Wiese) J P v’d Merwe 52.5 – 88

12 – 3 MASTERLY (S J Snaith) K de Melo 52.0 – 87

13 – 7 GONE BABY GONE (G S Kotzen) C Zackey 52.0 – 86

14 – 14 STONEHENGE (S G Tarry) D Mansour 52.0 – 85

15 – 11 SILENT PARTNER (M Wiese) …………… 52.0 – 79

Same Trainer: (1,7) (2,8,12) (4,13) (10,14) (11,15)

RELEASED BY: PHUMELELA GAMING AND LEISURE LIMITED

Picture: Sean Tarry