Greyville’s second ever Twenty20 meeting on Friday evening saw the in form Gavin van Zyl and Dean Kannemeyer yards on fire once again.

Van Zyl scored two wins, a second, a third and a fourth from six runners, while Kannemeyer notched up two winners and a third with his only three runners on Friday evening.

The twenty minute gap between races makes for an exciting evening and appears to be a popular innovation as long as it remains an occasional event, because the downside is obviously that with the format being jockeys riding alternatively with apprentices, trainers are unable to always book their first choice riders.

In the third, a MR 94 Handicap over 1400m, the Van Zyl-trained four-year-old Seul Amour gelding Just Ask Me proved he could soon take in a feature as he won well off his merit rating of 90 under Billy Jacobson, holding off the admirably consistent Translunar. Just Ask Me has won four times from just ten starts and Seul Amour is proving to be a useful sire.

In the fifth, a Novice Plate over 1600m, the Sean Tarry-trained Intergalactic was attempting to book her place in the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, but instead it was the R2,015 million Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup candidate Way Out Front, who showed her big sales race credentials with a good win under Keagan de Melo. The Van Zyl-trained Mogok filly showed a fine turn of foot from the back of a small six horse field to quickly reel in the Kahal filly Khonza, who was beautifully relaxed in the running and made an early dash for home. Khonza fought back well when headed to be only 0,75 lengths shy at the line and is a horse with plenty of scope so is definitely one to follow.  Intergalactic ruined her chances by over racing and was well beaten in third.

Kannemeyer’s new arrivals from Cape Town to his Summerveld satellite yard kept up their fine record and in all have now had 18 runs, 9 wins, one second, three thirds and four unplaced runs.

His five-year-old Judpot gelding Surrey relished the step back in trip to 1400m in an Apprentice 78 Handicap , having over raced early when narrowly winning his KZN debut over1600m on the poly two weeks earlier. The event fortunately fell in one of the four apprentice-ridden races on the night, which allowed 4kg claimer Eric Ngwane to keep the ride. Ngwane took Surrey straight to the front from a wide draw and the gelding strode out at relaxed pace. Ngwane simply had to use hands and heels to drive him out to a comfortable 3,75 length victory over Mackdesi. The handicapper might take a while to rein in this horse and he could make it a hattrick next time out.

Later Kannemeyer’s once well regarded Argentinian-bred Giant’s Causeway five-year-old gelding Capel Top enjoyed the slight step up in trip from 1800m to 1900m, having battled to stay in touch early last time out before running on. This was also his third run after a layoff and he was clearly a touch sharper which allowed Anthony Delpech to get him into the perfect position early, one wide of the rail in fifth place, having jumped well from draw six. The luckless Van Zyl-trained Rocketball had to be driven to get into a handy position from a wide draw and this early exertion might just have been his undoing as he only just failed to hold on from a running on Capel Top. Rocketball should be cherry ripe next time out.

In the first race of the evening, which was interrupted by a false start, the Sean Tarry-trained King’s Chapel filly proved perfectly suited to the 1400m trip at this stage of her career. She had not been disgraced in some fair company in two races over 1200m. However, she then appeared to be a bit uncomfortable at the maiden 1600m pace last time out, despite being out of a Badger Land mare, and over raced slightly throughout before finding little extra. This time she relished the quicker pace and despite being caught wide she found plenty in the straight to win comfortably under Muzi Yeni at generous odds of 12/1. She will enjoy stepping up in trip against a better class of horse next time out.

In the second, an Apprentice maiden for three-year-olds  over 1400m, the Tony Rivalland-trained New Zealand-bred Kolinsky looked hard to oppose having not been disgraced against strong opposition in his previous two starts. He easily despatched the weak field, cruising in by three lengths hands and heels under Luyolo Mxothwa. Runner up Mighty Mississippi and the third-placed favourite, the first-timer Bahamas Woodstar, will both enjoy a step up in trip as they stayed on well.

The sixth race, an Apprentice Maiden over 1800m, saw an exciting finish as the three-year-old James Goodman-trained A.P. Answer filly Fashion Talk, ridden by 2,5kg claimer Tristan Godden, just touched off Cherry Orchard by a short-head with the rest of the field well beaten. This was far from being an inspiring field but the front two are at least improving.

In the eighth, an Apprentice MR 64 handicap for fillies and mares, Doug Campbell kept up his good recent form as the five-year-old mare Lucky Packet enjoyed stepping down to a sprint trip for the first time in over two years off her competitive merit rating and won comfortably under Callan Murray at odds of 5/1. The 54 merit-rated mare won on debut way back on Boxing Day at Clairwood in 2012 as an early two-year-old and this was her first victory since.

The ninth race, a Maiden over 1600m, was a thriller. The Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred three-year-old gelding Fareeq started 5/10 and led from the off under Anthony Delpech, although he did have to do some work to get there from a draw of six. Meanwhile, the Wynand Nel-trained five-year-old Fort Wood gelding Danish Wood, returning from a nine month layoff and ridden by Mandla Ntuli, had settled well on the rail about three lengths off the lead from a low draw. Fareeq maintained a resolute finishing run in the straight and fought back after being headed by the running on Danish Wood. The judges were unable to separate them. The Kannemeyer-trained third-placed Noordhoek Ice is one to watch having run on strongly from second to last in the running.
– David Thiselton
– Picture: Surrey was an easy winner at Greyville on Friday night (Nkosi Hlophe)

The double header in KZN this weekend has two nine race cards, a much anticpated 20/20 meeting at Greyville tonight, and a Scottsville meeting in which some good horses are being turned out.

The selections for tonight are Swiss Note to beat Chronological in the first, Kolinsky to beat Mighty Mississippi in the second, Translunar to win the third from Just Ask Me and Diamond King, Surrey to beat Military Leader in the fourth, Intergalactic to beat Khonza in the fifth, Yell to beat Cherry Orchard and Fashion Talk in the sixth, Grey’s A Rockin to beat Capel Top in the seventh, Quintella to beat Jolo and Lucky Packet in the eighth and Fareeq to beat Blue Ocean and Sunshine City in the ninth.

Mark Dixon turns out the classy sprinter African Dream in the fifth race at Scottsville, a Conditions Plate over 1200m for fillies and mares, and he said that while she would not be “fully wound up” he believed she would be at her best this season as she has strengthened and improved. She will take a power of beating, but two horses who will definitely be tough nuts to crack at the weights will be the Charles Laird-trained Beloved Country and the Paul Gadsby-trained Miss Varlicious. Beloved Country will arrive fit from a three month break, being from the Charles Laird yard, and this classy sort receives 6,5kg from African Dream. Miss Valicious has struck as one with a bright future and she not only receives 8kg from African Dream, but also has a 4kg claimer up, which makes it a 12kg advantage in all. Miss Varlicious is therefore the tip to win with Beloved Country second under Anthony Delpech and African Dream third under regular pilot Keagan de Melo. Littleblacknumber is useful but has a tough task at the weights and the Gr 1 winner Chestnuts ‘N Pearls is likely a bigger threat, although the GR 1 two-year-old form of last season is not standing up too well to date.

In the first race, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Nikki reverts to a sprint, having been beaten as favourite over 1600m. She finished 6,75 lengths back to the highly promising Rock On Baby when third on debut over 1000m and the runner up Elephant Matriarch, who was only 0,5 lengths in front of her, won next time out so she will take a lot of beating. Juds Express makes most appeal of the rest having been slow away on debut over course an distance before running on well and the Duncan Howells yard horses usually come on from their first runs.

The second is also a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m and here Seventh Moment could be the one to beat from a favourable draw. She made a fine debut over course and distance and her saddle then slipped second time out over 1000m. Anthony Delpech has kept the ride. Bella Miesque has run against some fair sorts and her form has stood up well so she could be a big danger from a favourable draw for an in form yard. Diamond League showed pace on debut over 1200m on the poly in May before finishing just under five lengths back to a very promising sort, so should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Isingamoya could improve on her debut in which she was slow away and not disgraced over 1000m. Aventurine is from the champion trainer Sean Tarry’s yard and should also improve, although Delpech has defected to ride Seventh Moment. Anton Marcus is an eyecatching booking for the first-timer Poise, who is by Kahal out of a Fort Wood three-time winner from 1400-1800m.

The third is a Maiden over 1200m and of those to have raced the hard-knocking Destined For Dawn could get it right at last for an in form yard.  Re-Examined is an interesting runner as the form of his debut looks quite strong. Bacca Laureate improved considerably last time in a weak field and Delpech now rides from a favourable draw. Roy’s Power could earn another cheque in this uninspiring field. Humidor returns from a one year layoff after making a reasonable debut and Anton Marcus is a significant booking from a plum draw. None of the first-timers make much appeal.

The fourth is a Maiden over 1200m and Protea Power returns to the course and distance of his excellent effort in early August and this time runs from a better draw so is the one to beat. Brave Knight was green on debut and ran on well and although the form does not look strong he should improve considerably being from the Howells yard. Powder Keg is back to the course and distance of his best run and has first-time blinkers on from a plum draw. Purple Splash made a fair debut here over 1000m and could earn. Delirious Nomad could also be in the frame. Neruda is by Second Empire and is a half-brother to the useful sprinter Dennis the Menace and the speedy battle Of Alma.

The sixth is a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m and  Gavin van Zyl said that this would be a preparation run for Redcarpet Captain for the forthcoming Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup on October 31 at Turffontein, so he won’t be fully wound up. Hunting Owl will enjoy the course an distance and is tipped to beat Talktothestars, who jumps from a favourable draw with a 4kg claimer up, and Redcarpet Captain could be next best.

In the seventh over 2400m Battle Hammer looks well weighted over a suitable trip and Depech rides. Your Worship and Sugarbuzz make most appeal of the rest.

In the eighth over 2400m Forest caught the eye last time behind a good sort over 1600m when caught wide from a high draw before running on well and he should relish the step up in trip. Desert Sunset should enjoy the trip and looks be the danger alongside Roy’s Horse, who stayed on for third over course and distance last month.

The last over 1600m could be won by Estimation, who was green when backed on debut and is now well drawn over a step up in trip she will appreciate and Marcus is up. Zilla and Coastal Spell look to be the dangers.

By David Thiselton

Picture: African Dream (Nkosi Hlophe)

Our Destiny should get punters off to a winning start in the opening Welcome To Durbanville Maiden at the country course tomorrow.

The Glen Kotzen-trained filly really caught the eye in her first start proper, racing prominently and coming again in the closing stages to finish second to Sails Set with subsequent winner Taffety Tart in third.

Kotzen sent her down early that day, explaining: “The first time she ran she wouldn’t go in the pens so I wanted her to get into a routine and get things right.

“I think she is a special filly and, while I could have run her over 1 200m again, I want to find out if she gets the 1 400m and see where we are going with her.”

The Var filly will have Greg Cheyne in the irons and should get the trip as her dam won over it. She has already been to Durbanville for a gallop and is part-owned by former trainer Ralph Rixon whose long list of big race winners includes the 1976 Durban July with Jamaican Music.

The obvious danger is Qing who lost a lot of ground at the start on debut last month and will obviously know much more about it this time.

Qing is trained by Justin Snaith who has a favourite’s chance with Bora Bora in the next although there are distance doubts. “It’s a bit short for him and that’s why I am putting blinkers on,” says the former champion trainer who is again setting a hot pace.

However punters should not be put off by stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe riding newcomer Benji’s Dynasty instead – “Bernard was meant to be riding for Joey Ramsden (Ridgemont has first claim on Fayd’Herbe) but the horse was scratched and I had already confirmed Sean Cormack for Bora Bora.”

The Brett Crawford-trained Winter Prince is the danger on form but his nine draw lessens his chance. However stable companion Carrie Bow Cay has 5kg in hand in the Place Your Bets Maiden if the handicappers have got it right

The mare has much in common with Gift Of Rain in that she is also well bred but was not quite good enough to win in Britain or Ireland, even when dropped down to the all-weather. Gift Of Rain started off here on a mark of 67 but had dropped to 62 by the time she managed to win at the fourth attempt.

Carrie Bow Cay ran well on her South African debut off a rating of 72 and has remained on that. Whether she is as good as the handicappers think is open to question but she is probably good enough to win this and five runs at Dundalk – tight by our standards – should ensure Durbanville holds no fears.

Andre Nel has hit the ground running and Arctic Teon looks another for the Western Cape’s newest trainer in the Soccer 10 Maiden. This gelding would have lost his maiden tag months ago but for the Plattner-Govender split and his run a fortnight ago should have brought him on.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Greyville stages the second of its 20-20 meetings tomorrow night, whereby all nine races are only twenty minutes apart, and the races will be once again be ridden alternately by jockeys and apprentices.

In the first race starting at 6.15pm is a Maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1400m to be ridden by jockeys. Swiss Note has caught the eye running on well over 1200m on three occasions and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip, although the wide draw is a bit of a concern. Chronological had excuses when going close over this course and distance in July without blinkers and the blinkers have come off after a disappointing race over 1000m last time, so she should go close with Anton Marcus up from a suitable trip. Martita Ridge ran a disappointing race last over 1600m last time after catching the eye over 1200m on debut, but she might appreciate the step down in trip so is a runner, especially if she starts on terms for a change.

In the second, an Apprentice Maiden for three-year-olds over 1400m, Kolinsky has faced good sorts in all three of his runs and hasn’t been disgraced in the last two of them over 1200m and 1400m respectively, so looks hard to oppose in this weak field from a good draw. Mighty Mississippi has also faced good sorts in three runs and should appreciate the step up in trip after running a fair third over 1200m last time out. Jabuticaba improved with first time blinkers in his second start over this course and distance in an uninspiring field and he could earn again from pole position with a 2,5kg claimer up.

In the third, a MR 94 handicap over 1400m, Translunar has performed admirably against good sorts from 1400-1600m and is a decent, consistent horse who is tipped to beat a fair field here from a good draw as he should now be cherry ripe having his third run after a two month layoff. Just Ask Me has a touch of class and is ideally course and distance suited so should do well from a good draw. Diamond King has always had plenty of class and found consistency after some of his problems had been resolved, so he should be involved from pole position with Marcus up. Buffalo Bill has been knocking on the door from 1400-1600m but this is his first run for two months. Eddie Sweat did well in his only start over course and distance and the old soldier Stolen Destiny can’t be ignored either over his favourite trip.

In the fourth, a MR 78 Apprentice Handicap over1400m, Surrey over raced early on his poly debut before fighting back in the straight to win over 1600m, so he should appreciate the step down in trip. The four point raise he was given looks unlikely to stop him with the same 4kg claimer up, although the wide draw is a little bit of a concern. Military Leader is back to his favourite course and distance and has an astute apprentice up for an in form yard. Furthermore, his merit rating has also been lowered by two points after two disappointing runs over 1600m. Ready For Take Off has not been disgraced against some good sorts recently and has a 2,5 claimer up from a good draw over a suitable course and distance.

In the fifth, a Novice Plate over 1600m, Intergalactic will be attempting to cement her place in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and from a good draw over the course and distance of her facile maiden win she is the one to beat. Khonza should also go close as she struck as being a decent type when finishing powerfully to win over course and distance last time out in the maidens. Way Out Front was not disgraced against good sorts in her first two starts and then beat another promising type over course and distance last time, so she should be thereabouts.

In the sixth, an Apprentice maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m, Yell has the form to succeed in this uninspiring field and should be finishing strongly from a good draw. Cherry Orchard is a consistent earner and this trip on the poly should suit. Fashion Talk showed some improvement last time when stepped up to 2000m with second time blinkers on and she could earn again.

In the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap over 1900m, Grey’s A Rockin has impressed in his last two starts with a change to hold up tactics and Marcus is up. Capel Top should be cherry ripe having his third run after a rest and will appreciate the step up in trip having had to be ridden to stay in touch over slightly shorter last time. Rocketball only just failed last time over 1600m when running on and is interesting stepped up to a trip he should enjoy.

In the eighth, a MR 64 Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares, Quintella loves this course and distance and will go close if ridden from well off the pace before running on strongly, which is the effective tactic employed by her regular rider. Jolo jumps from pole position and has been knocking on the door over this course and distance. Lucky Packet won over 1000m on debut so is interesting stepped down in trip for the first time in ages having run well for second over 1400m here last time when handy throughout.

In the ninth, a Maiden over 1600m, Fareeq flew for a good second after losing two lengths over 1200m at Scottsville on debut and should appreciate the step up in trip, so is the one to beat in an uninspiring field. Blue Ocean has only run once in the last two years but did have some fair form and ran a fair race fresh last time out in February. Sunshine City’s debut has been a fair form race and he could earn with expected improvement.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brazilian Silvestre de Sousa will be crowned British Flat Jockey Champion on Saturday as he currently has an unassailable lead of 36 over nearest challenger William Buick.

The controversial decision to change the starting point of the championships from the Guineas meeting at Newmarket in early May, and the ending point to the Champions Day meeting at Ascot in mid-October, has not had the intended effect of bringing the elite jockeys to the forefront.

However, an injury at a crucial stage to Ryan Moore and the retirement of the pre-season favourite Richard Hughes after the Glorious Goodwood meeting also contributed to the runaway win by De Sousa.

The championship previously ran from the beginning of the turf flat season in March through to its end in November, although All Weather wins do also count during the championship period.

However, as part of the statement made when announcing the change, Great British Racing said, “The new Jockeys’ Championship will replace a title contest which, on occasions, has seen leading jockeys either publicly rule themselves out from competing due to its attritional nature or who are absent on overseas riding duties at its start and end.”

De Sousa, who counted the like of leading Northern trainer Mark Johnston as well as Mick Channon and David Elsworth as his chief supporters, had three Gr 3s and the Gr 1 Juddmonte International as his only Group winners during the championship period.

Ryan Moore, regarded by many as the best jockey in the world, had seven Gr 1 wins, seven Gr 2 wins and three Gr 3 wins in Europe during his curtailed championship period, and was in the title race until a neck injury attained when unseated in the stalls at Newmarket on July 9 put him on the sidelines for a while.

Moore is currently in 13^th place in the championship, but his strike rate of 22% is the highest on the log. However, his 61 winners are not even half those of the 132 winners to date of De Sousa, who has ridden to a strike rate of 18%.

William Buick’s chief obligations have been to Godolphin and he is currently on 96 winners ridden at a strike rate of 20%, one clear of the twice champion Paul Hanagan.

De Sousa’s previous best finish was as runner up to Hanagan in 2011 when riding 161 winners to the latter’s 165.

The championship race lost a lot of its spark when Richard Hughes, who had won the previous three titles, announced he would retire after the Glorious Goodwood meeting, which takes place at  the beginning of August. Hughes was still in the title hunt when he made the announcement in July and apologised to those who had backed him for the title before adding that he felt his first year as a trainer next year would be his most important, so he needed to devote all his time to the pending Sales.

Brazilian De Sousa joins the like of Australia’s Scobie Breasley (1957, 1961, 1962 and 1963), South Africa’s Michael Roberts (1992) and Frankie Dettori (1994, 1995 and 2004) as Non-British or Irish jockeys to have won the title.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Silvestre de Sousa (Independent.co.uk)