There is an eight race meeting on the Greyville poly tomorrow and there look to be some good opportunities for shrewd punters.

In the first, a Maiden over 1200m, Omega Onslaught’s two 1200m formlines look strong and he is the one to beat despite a high draw of nine. Wild Namaqua is ideally course and distance suited and bounced back to form last time so will be a contender from pole position. The in-form Doug Campbell yard could place here with the consistent The Lonsdale and others to consider are Hot Chilli, who has shown signs of ability, and the Mike de Kock-trained Quantity who wasn’t disgraced against a classy sort last time out over this trip on turf.

In the second, a fillies and mares maiden over 1200m, Glimmer Of Silver should be continually improving being by Silvano and has a chance here from a good draw of three as the form of her last 1200m race has worked out well. Euthenia is a hard-knocker and the form of her last couple of races has worked out quite well so she could earn despite a high draw. De Kock sends out the well-bred first-timer Cherry Tree Lane by Fastnet Rock and it would be no surprise to see her win, so the betting must be monitored. Classy Chic and Night Frost are others who make some appeal.

In the third, a Maiden over 1800m, Mr Winsome went close over 1400m in Cape Town last time out in July and his dam won over 1900m so being by Silvano he should relish this trip.  The Charles Laird-trained Team Guys has often found market support and has some good form behind fair types. Laird always has them fit enough on their comebacks and this trip looks likely to suit. Jullidar ran an improved race last time and if he settles he could earn from a good draw. For Ever stayed on well here over 2000m last time and should be improving being by Ideal World. Township Talk travels nicely in front in his races but never seems to find the necessary extra so he could be interesting in a slight step down in trip.

In the fourth over, a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m, Pure Valor is an improving gelding by Dynasty who has won his only previous start over  this course and distance and is now well drawn off just a four point higher merit rating. Guilty As Charged packs a strong finish and the form of his maiden win over course and distance has worked out well so he should be thereabouts off a reasonable 68 merit rating. In Your Dreams won his maiden with a sustained finish over 1400m and should relish the step up in trip. Phoebus is only three points higher in the merit ratings after running on well to win over this trip at Scottsville. Electroshock could earn having come down to an attractive merit rating.

The fifth, a MR 86 handicap over 1600m, could go the way of Baracah who had a few excuses last time over course and distance when still managing to run second. The three-year-old Exit Here is a decent sort but does not have it easy in his first handicap outing off a 94 merit rating. Pioneer Spirit will have come into his own being by Go Deputy and could be interesting stepped down in trip provided he jumps well. Gold Bank and Mambo Master make most appeal of the rest.

In the sixth, a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m, Charles My Boy is stepped down in trip as his form over 1900m has not lived up to his earlier promise and he is now down in the merit ratings too. Queen Of Credit was only 3,8 lengths back in a probably below par Gr 1 over 1400m and had excuses last time. Pearly King could represent place value as he has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight and is four points lower in the merit ratings than his last win that was over this course and distance, although his wide draw is a concern. Spritzer is back to the course and distance of his best run, so could earn despite a wide draw. Yurie’s Gold looks to be off a competitive merit rating and can be dangerous.

In the seventh, a MR 74 Handicap over 1200m, the talented but unsound H’Oponopono went close over 1000m here last time when running on and Marcus is now up. Astro is a fair sort who has come down to an attractive merit rating and has a 4kg claimer aboard over what could well be a trip he will appreciate. Budapest looks a promising sort but doesn’t have it easy first time out the maidens off an 87 merit rating. El Gallo won easily over 1000m here last time and could earn off a fairly reasonable merit rating. Lala ran third in a Gr 2 over this trip but is having her seasonal reappearance against the boys off a tough merit rating of 86.

In the eighth, a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m, Strummer won easily on debut over course and distance and looks capable of handling a 76 merit rating. Threshold could be a threat if held up for a run by the 4kg claimer off this current attractive merit rating as he appeared to do better with those tactics in his penultimate start. Thunder Run is an honest type who should be right there if reproducing the form of his last run over this distance on turf.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Strummer (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kieren Fallon has accepted an invitation to take part in next month’s international jockeys match at Turffontein and Fairview and he will captain the visitors.

Fallon, 50, was a big draw when he last rode here five years ago and he has a tremendous record behind him, having ridden as stable jockey to Henry Cecil, Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien. Six times champion jockey in Britain, his big race triumphs include the Epsom Derby three times and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice.

He is also no stranger to controversy. He has twice had lengthy bans for testing positive in France and in 2007 he went on trial at the Old Bailey in London on charges of race-fixing but the judge ruled that he had no case to answer.

He spent four months of this year riding in America because he felt that he was not riding as well as he should in Britain and said that the change would do him good.

Racing Association boss Larry Wainstein, the driving force behind the jockeys match, said yesterday: “It was great to get him to come to South Africa again and it’s going to make it all very interesting while Hayley Turner is on record is saying that her South African rides will be the last of her career.”

Pat Cosgrave, who has ridden here before, will also be in the team as will fellow Irishman Robert Havlin. It will be his first time in South Africa as it will for Panamanian Eduardo Pedroza and Frenchman Aurelien Lemaitre who replaces much better known compatriot Christophe Lemaire.

Former champions Piere Strydom and Anton Marcus are the two wild cards in the South African team, otherwise decided by the first four in last season’s national log – Gavin Lerena (captain), S’Manga Khumalo, Greg Cheyne and Anthony Delpech.

The home team leads the series five-two since its reinstatement in 2008. The Fairview leg is on November 13 and the match finishes at Turffontein the following day.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Kieren Fallon

Vodacom Durban July hero Power King is among 34 powerful entries for this year’s R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday October 31.

Trainer Dean Kannemeyer had said a while back he could be bringing Power King to the Highveld for a shot at the R2-million SANSUI Summer Cup over 2000m at the end of November. He is one of three runners from the Kannemeyer stable nominated for the Charity Mile, the others being Afrikaburn, who is sure to love the Turffontein 1600m, and Solar Star, a five-time winner from 17 starts.

All three are currently based at Kannemeyer’s Summerveld satellite yard and, if they run, will raid from there. “I only brought the majority of my Durban Champions Season horses home to Cape Town last Thursday so I could do their African horse sickness vaccinations in the warmth – it only really starts warming up in Cape Town from late October, early November,” said Kannemeyer. “Some, like Power King, Afrikaburn, Solar Star, Master James and Hot Ticket remained behind to, perhaps, run in Johannesburg during the spring season.”

He added his plans had not yet been finalised. “They have been provisionally nominated. We still have to have a look at the conditions and handicaps and do what’s best for the horses.”

Justin Snaith, who has stables locally, has entered Dynamic and Ultimate Dollar, who finished third behind Deputy Judd in the recent Supreme Cup, sponsored by SAP, over 1450m on the Vaal sand.

He could get a second crack at Deputy Judd as Mike Azzie has entered the son of Judpot into the Charity Mile. Azzie has also nominated Prince Of Orange.

As expected there is a strong entry from the Mike de Kock yard which is headed up by Mitraad, a winner of four of his five starts. Other De Kock entries are Kingmambo’s Legacy, Anjaal, Flying The Flag and Toro Rosso.

Mitraad’s lone defeat was to Zambezi River and he is one of five entries from the Sean Tarry yard. Among the others are Equus Champion Three-Year-Old French Navy and Heavy Metal.

This year’s Charity Mile will be the biggest yet, with the 16 chosen charities receiving a share of R1 million, a dramatic increase from last year’s total of R550,000.

The barrier draw, which will be held at Emperors Palace on 21 October, will decide which of the 16 thoroughbreds will represent which charity. Sixteen celebrities will each be matched with a charity for the day.

The charity who draws the winning horse will receive R150,000, the charity represented by the runner-up will receive R100,000 with the other 14 charities getting proportionate amounts of the total donation, depending on the allocated horse’s placement.

Supplementary entries close at 11am on Friday after which the weights will be posted.

Declarations close at 10am on Tuesday 20 October and the final field will be announced at a special event on Wednesday 21 October when the draws will be made. The draw for charities and celebrities will be performed at the same function. (TABNews)

Entries for the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 31 October in order of merit ratings:

French Navy	(4G)	Sean Tarry	113
Power King	(5G)	Dean Kannemeyer	109
Bouclette Top (ARG)	(5G)	Alec Laird	108
Flying The Flag (IRE)	(6H)	Mike de Kock	108
Bezanova	(5G)	Alec Laird	107
Deputy Jud	(4G)	Mike Azzie	107
Rampant Ice	(4G)	Weiho Marwing	106
Bold Inspiration	(5G)	Charles Laird	105
Halve The Deficit	(7G)	Sean Tarry	105
Master Sabina	(6G)	Geoff Woodruff	105
Afrikaburn	(4G)	Dean Kannemeyer	104
Killua Castle (AUS)	(6G)	Geoff Woodruff	104
Mac De Lago (AUS)	(4C)	Weiho Marwing	104
Whiteline Fever	(7G)	Sean Tarry	103
Zambezi River	(4G)	Sean Tarry	103
Heavy Metal	(7G)	Sean Tarry	102
Ultimate Dollar	(4G)	Justin Snaith	102
Anjaal (AUS)	(4G)	Mike de Kock	101
Disco Al	(6G)	Joey Ramsden	101
Dynamic	(6G)	Justin Snaith	101
M L Jet	(4G)	Gavin van Zyl	101
The Hangman	(6G)	Sean Tarry	100
Shadow Ofhis Smile	(5G)	Geoff Woodruff	99
The Captain’s Tune	(4G)	Geoff Woodruff	99
Solar Star	(5G)	Dean Kannemeyer	98
Toro Rosso (BRZ)	(4C)	Mike de Kock	98
Mitraad (AUS)	(4G)	Mike de Kock	97
Saratoga Dancer	(4G)	Duncan Howells	95
Prince Of Orange	(4G)	Mike Azzie	93
Master ‘n Commander	(4G)	Geoff Woodruff	92
Pivotal Pursuit	(6G)	Gary Alexander	91
Kingmambo’s Legacy	(4G)	Mike de Kock	90
National Key	(6G)	Brian Wiid	90
Fulcrum	(6G)	Weiho Marwing	85

Picture: Power King winning the 2015 Vodacom Durban July (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Charles Laird-trained Oracy colt Main Submission would have climbed up to about second or third position on the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup log, which was last issued on October 1, after his win in a Graduation Plate on Sunday and there was plenty of activity over the weekend for horses attempting to both prepare and book their berths in the big race.

The Mike Azzie-trained Rabada still has the R2,5 million race, which will be run over 1400m at Turffontein on October 31, to himself on paper. The unbeaten 111 merit-rated Brave Tin Soldier colt, who counts the Gr 1 Premiers Champions Stakes over 1600m among his three victories, put in a pleasing gallop on the Randjesfontein grass on Saturday and Azzie was left admiring the professionalism of jockey Anton Marcus, who flew in and out from Durban especially for that one piece of work.

Meanwhile, Main Submission kept on finding down the straight in the 1400m event at Scottsville on Sunday to beat the ultra-consistent five-year-old gelding Nineteen Fourteen by 0,75 lengths. Three-year-olds receive 7kg from five-year-olds at this time of the year on the weight for age scale over a distance of 1400m, but Main Submission was only receiving 1,5kg from the 84 merit rated Nineteen Fourteen under the conditions of the race.

This means Main Submission would have run to a merit rating of 97. Winners of Plate races are only allowed to go up six points anyway, so Main Submission’s merit rating looks likely to increase from 91 to 97, which would put him one point behind the second placed horse on the Ready To Run log, the Joey Ramsden-trained Tar Heel. However, 98 merit-rated Tar Heel finished last in a MR 84 Handicap over 1400m at Durbanville on Saturday, although he did over race from a wide draw, so it remains to be seen how the handicapper and the Ready To Run cup log panellists view the performance.

The Laird-trained Kahal colt Top Form ran a respectable third to two five-year-olds who look well handicapped in a MR 74 Handicap over 1400m on the Greyville poly on Friday night and looks likely to qualify for the Ready To Run Cup as he was merit rated 86 and was in joint 12^th place on the last log.

Laird’s strongly built Kahal gelding Dance On Air won well over 1400m on the poly on October 2 and has also been merit rated 86, so he also has a good chance of qualifying. Both Top Form and Dance On Air are lightly race and entitled to improve.

On Friday night the well regarded Sean Tarry-trained Kahal filly Witchcraft won a maiden over 1400m, but the 76 merit rating awarded to her will not be enough to qualify for the Ready To Run Cup. The yard are likely going to have to find another race for her. She looks a big strong horse who will be able to take a lot of racing and Friday night’s race was in fact only five days after her debut, in which she was green down the straight at Scottsville.

Another Tarry yard contender is the 81 merit-rated Kahal filly Intergalactic, who is entered in a Novice Plate over 1600m on the Greyville poly on Friday night. The fillies 2,5kg allowance is built into the log assessment and Intergalactic was placed in joint-11^th place on the last log.

The Tarry-trained St Petersburg filly Faberge Style was in joint-third position on the last log on a merit rating of 88 and only managed a 7,65 length seventh in a Progress Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1200m at Turffontein on Saturday. However, it was a strong event and her merit rating is unlikely to change. Both of her wins have been on all weather surfaces (sand and poly), but she did run a good second in a turf maiden over 1000m to the subsequent Gr 1-placed Madame Dubois.

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Captain Al filly Khaleesi finished third in the above-mentioned Progress Plate and this confirmed she was up to her merit rating of 88, which also had her in joint third on the last log. She is yet to go beyond 1200m but ran on in eyecatching style on Saturday and on pedigree will also relish the step up in trip.

Khaleesi’s stablemate Emperor’s Lass finished last in Saturday’s race, way below her debut win last March over 1200m, but was interfered with on the turn which might have offered an explanation. She was merit rated 83 and in tenth place on the last Ready To Run Cup log, but this run might put a bit of pressure on her qualification.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Visionaire filly Sobonana just held on for second on Saturday ahead of Khaleesi, at level weights, proving she is worth her 86 merit rating, which had her in joint 8^th position on the last Ready To Run log. She showed fine gatespeed and dictated, so it remains to be seen whether she will enjoy the step up in trip, although her dam by Toreador did win over 1400m.

There was also a strong Progress Plate for three-year-old males at Turffontein on Saturday and in this race the Gary Alexander-trained A.P. Arrow colt King Of Chaos could only manage a 9,25 length seventh in his first outing outside of Port Elizabeth. However, he did have to give 2,5kg to the outstanding winner of the race Bull Valley, who is one of the most exciting three-year-olds around. Twice-winning King Of Chaos was in joint fifth on the last log with a merit rating of 92 together with the Mike de Kock-trained Perfumed Lady and the Louis Goosen-trained A Million Dreams.

King Of Chaos’s stablemate, the Bankable gelding Duke Nukem, put his hand up for a place in the final Ready To Run Cup by running a fine third to Bull Valley. He was previously rated 79, which put him in only 24^th place on the last log, but he ran to a 90 on Saturday and the trainer will be allowed to request that he is officially accorded that merit rating (In the handicapping rules winners of Plate races will not be adjusted more than six points and placed horse will not be adjusted upwards unless requested by the connections).

The Alexander-trained Kahal colt Champagne Haze, who is a half-brother to Pierre Jourdan, booked his place in the Ready To Run Cup field the previous weekend when waltzing home in a MR 92 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1450m, which earned him a merit rating of 90.

The Joey Ramsden-trained Australian-bred High Chaparal filly Chisanyama, in 13^th place on the last log, will attempt to cement her place as she is entered in a Novice Plate over 1600m at Durbanville next Saturday.

Three-time winner Country Gent was also in joint 13^th place on the last log, but finished unplaced in a MR 84 Handicap over 1800m at Flamingo Park yesterday in which he was only 0,5kg under sufferance off a merit rating of 85.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Main Submission (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Vaal’s eight race sand meeting today represents one of the last chances for punters to reap some of the good dividends that can be found on this track as there are only three subsequent meetings before it is replaced by a turf track.

In the first race over 1450m the champion yard of Sean Tarry is kicking into top gear and Le Dominion looks to be a horse who will take well to the sand on both running style and pedigree so could win it from pole position. Seventh Apostle showed early pace over 1000m on debut and is stepped up in trip from a good draw. On pedigree he is not certain to stay the trip being by the sprinter King’s Apostle from a very fast female line which includes the like of National Colour. However, on the other hand horses that carve out a big lead on this surface are sometimes hard to catch even if plugging on at one pace.

Bullion Bay is drawn well over the trip in which he went close last time from a similarly good draw and the form of that race has not worked out too badly. Pera Hur has been knocking on the door from 1200-1450m on the sand and now has Andrew Fortune up from a fair draw. Battle Of Arcole has the form to be a contender here and has champion jockey Gavin Lerena up, but on the downside he has a terrible draw.

In the second race over 1000m Magic has gone close to some good sorts including in a feature over course and distance last time, so now has a good opportunity from a fair draw to get off the mark. Boogaloo ran a fine race over course and distance last time when showing pace throughout and the low draws have appeared to have been getting an early advantage over course and distance recently so he will be a threat. Justash has pace and a low draw with Lerena up and in second time blinkers should do better than last time when bumped at the start, so he could also be a threat as his score in meetings with Magic over course and distance is one victory and two defeats.

In the third over 1000m Supanova is a consistent sort with plenty of speed and the ability to stay on, so he could just get up with a late rally from a high draw as he looks capable of rising above his lowly merit rating. The progressive Racing Red is by the impressive sire Querari and would not be a surprise winner following his taking maiden win over course and distance as he looks to have also been awarded a lenient merit rating. Buster Posy faced a fine field on his sand debut last time and back in this class his good pace could see him finishing thereabouts under Lerena. La Tasca won well over course and distance last week, but will carry 2kg more than carded as a result. The Gobi has come down to a competitive merit rating and could earn.

In the fourth over 1000m Ballerini has been knocking on the door against some fair types over course and distance and has Lerena up from an ideal looking draw. La Strada has dropped seven points in the merit ratings despite finishing a respectable fifth in a feature last time on the sand when bumped at the start. Winter Darling comes from an in form yard and was not disgraced over course and distance last time in a feature despite losing a length at the start. Slick Deputy won impressively over course and distance last time out and being by Go Deputy should have come into her own now as a young five-year-old, so she would not be a surprise winner. Captain’s Diva should be running on strongly and can’t be ignored. Super Guppy has been facing good sorts without being disgraced and is off a competitive merit rating so has to go into the equation being from the Tarry yard who are kicking onto top gear.

In the fifth over 1200m Wishful Heart has some class and looks ideally course and distance suited, so from a good draw is the one to beat. Return To The Sun has been knocking on the door off this merit rating and has a fair draw over an ideal course and distance. Shine Tiger won in commanding fashion the last time he had this pole position draw over this course and distance, so he could be a threat back despite being six points higher in the merit ratings since that last win.

In the sixth over 1600m, Opah Latino should love the sand on both running style and pedigree and from a good draw looks to be the one to side with in an ultra competitive affair. White Christmas is running over his best trip and off a slightly lowered merit rating should be right there as he comes from some fair formlines.  Perfect Trip runs from a much better draw than he had last week when well beaten here over 1450m and he could run into the money.

In the seventh over 1800m Arabian World is an improving sort being by the classy sire Ideal World and he is drawn well over an ideal course and distance off just a four point higher merit rating than his last win. Commodore Al has a fine record over course and distance, but the handicappers are taking no chances with him and he is ten points higher in the merit ratings since his last win. Colonel Rockjaw was a facile winner over course and distance last time out and on paper could have the edge on Commodore Al, but that doesn’t take into account that Commodore Al stumbled in their first meeting and still beat him.

In the eighth over 1800m Knock Knock will appreciate the step back to this trip and could have the beating of this field with Gavin Lerena up from a good draw, especially as his recent runs over shorter are likely to have brought him on for this race. Siena’s Star is officially 3,5kg under sufferance, but won well when stepped up to this trip at Flamingo Park last time so is the dark horse, although her wide draw makes it tough. Imperial Empress is not far behind Knock Knock on the form of their last meeting over course and distance. Seattle Fairy has won over course and distance before and could earn in this weak contest. French Approval is very lowly merit rated and way out at the weights but has shown signs of ability and could possibly place from pole position.

By David Thiselton 

Picture: Gavin Lerena