The Dominic Zaki-trained three-year-old gelding Bull Valley confirmed himself a serious classic contender when powering to an impressive victory over1200m at Turffontein on Saturday and is another sophomore who will be representing the good value sire Toreador.

Meanwhile, at Greyville on Friday night the Kahal filly Witchcraft took a step closer to a berth in the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready to Run Cup to be run over 1400m on October 31.

Bull Valley won his debut over 1200m at the Vaal on May 19 in impressive style and the yard then decided to rest him and geld him. The form of that race looked increasingly stronger as the season progressed because the runner up Nephrite won next time out before going on to finish fifth in the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes, while third-placed Al Azraq won next time out by 8,25 lengths. Furthermore, there have been three other winners coming out of that race including the Silvano gelding Machismo, who won the second race on Saturday, a maiden over 1450m, to give Sean Tarry and Raymond Danielson the first leg of a double together.

Bull Valley was ridden by Craig Zackey on Saturday in a Progress Plate for three-year-olds and showed more than one gear when powering to a 3,25 length victory over Al Azraq, who is also by Toreador,  and he had a classy field spread out like the washing behind him. This race was a springboard to the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on October 31 and the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m on November 28. He looks likely to be a leading contender for both races. Toreador will not only be represented in the Graham Beck by Bull Valley and Al Azraq, but also by the like of Bull Valley’s twice Gr 1-placed stablemate Prospect Strike, the promising Sean Tarry-trained Rikitikitana and the equally exciting Paul Lafferty-trained Unbelievable Chad. This could well be Toreador’s best crop ever.

Later on in Saturday’s meeting Zaki’s Australian-bred Leila’s Charger, who is being targeted at the Gr 3 Starling Stakes over 1400m on October 31, was all the rage in a Progress Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1200m, but only managed a disappointing 3,35 length fourth as Danielson took the race by the scruff of the neck on the speedy Tarry-trained Dynasty filly Swift Sarah and won easily by 3,1 lengths.

The exciting Mike de Kock-trained Ideal World filly Persian Rug, who was most unlucky when put off by the grandstand shadow in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes, made her seasonal reappearance in this race and ran on for fifth over a trip too sharp.

At Greyville Witchcraft was the most popular filly among the panellists at last year’s Summerhill Ready To Run breeze ups and lived up to her billing when running on to win a maiden over 1400m. It was not the strongest of fields but the scopey chestnut, who had made her debut only five days earlier, is heading in the right direction.

Anthony Delpech was the only jockey or trainer to score a double at the Friday night meeting.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Craig Zackey (Nkosi Hlophe)

Some tonics are more effective than anything the doctors can prescribe and Mike Bass – already promised a trip to St Andrews – now has the Avontuur Fillies Guineas to inspire him as he drives himself on, pumping iron in the gym.

He went home for the weekend, attended trackwork on Saturday morning and in the afternoon he watched on TV in delight as Silver Mountain gave weight and an impressive beating to older horses in the Lyric Consulting Handicap at Durbanville.

The Silvano filly looked a possible Guineas horse when she won her maiden but this, frankly, was more the performance of a potential classic winner. Despite a three-month absence and receiving a hefty bump from a loose horse, the 14-10 favourite swept clear just inside the final furlong to come away under hands and heels with Aldo Domeyer waving his index finger in triumph.

He said: “I think very highly of this filly, she gave me a really good feel in her first race and she got me quite excited here.”

Candice Robinson added: “She is tiny – no more than 15.2 – and she is not very robust either but from day one she has done everything right and I have always rated her. I’m hoping that she can be something special and it certainly looks that way. She will run in the Choice Carriers (Nov 7) and then the Fillies Guineas.”

Basil Marcus was also in need of a tonic. According to son Glenn, he had a nasty fall three months ago landing on his shoulder with half a ton of steel-tipped horseflesh treading on his bicep so heavily that it was detached from his arm. The resultant operation failed to ease the pain and a further scan revealed two torn ligaments.

The second operation was performed last Thursday and so the victory of Georgeous Gaby, owned by Glenn’s syndicate and trained by Adam, had Marcus senior cheering. This was the second of three winners for Sean Cormack – he also scored on Candaleeyah for Shane Humby and the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Our Icon.

But it is on Dennis Drier’s army that Cormack expects to fight his biggest battles in the next few months – “We’ve got a nice young strong team with some real quality among them including Well In Flight and Rock On Baby.”

The jockeys’ efforts to promote this meeting were rewarded with by far the biggest crowd of the Durbanville season and R40 000 cheques for both the Western Cape Equine Trust’s rehoming programme and the local Grooms School Trust.

The jockeys’ chase revealed some unsuspected talent – Donavan Mansour managed to finish within two lengths of the supposedly unbeatable Domeyer – and it was fitting that MJ Byleveld (one of the principal organisers) should win the Darkhorsewheels.com Handicap on Victorious Jay.

Vaughan Marshall has his sights on the CTS Million Dollar with this colt whose time was only a quarter of a second outside Act Of War’s recent course record. The winner was also the subject of a massive plunge, being backed at all prices from 8-1 to 5-2 favourite.

Indeed this was an extraordinary betting race. Jet Air (second last) was supported from 14-1 to 6-1, Groen Gevaarte (sixth) drifted from 9-2 to 16-1 and Tar Heel, who dropped right out in the final furlong, eased from 22-10 favourite to 7-1.

The Somerset winner was to some extent a victim of his poor draw but also, as in the Cape Nursery, of his own impetuosity with Mansour reporting: “I tried to drop him out but he was too aggressive and when he saw daylight he went.”

Mike Robinson is reading his paper this morning in a more relieved frame of mind thanks to the Grant van Niekerk-ridden Imperial Guard ending a painful ten-week winnerless spell.

“It’s been a tough time,” said Robinson. “I’ve been slated and called everything in the book. I’ve just had to keep my chin up and carry on digging.”

Andre Nel, on the other hand, is in the happy position of finding himself sitting on a pool of unexposed talent and this was brought home to him when newcomer Quine, a chance ride for Bernard Fayd’Herbe, made a winning debut despite losing valuable ground at the start.

Sabine Plattner’s new trainer said: “Quine is honest and I was confident she would run a place but she is not one of our better ones so this was nice.”

– Michael Clower

Picture: Victorious Jay ridden by MJ Byleveld (Liesl King)

There is a double header in KZN this weekend with eight races at Greyville on Friday night and nine at Scottsville on Sunday and some fair chances for punters are in the offing.

At Greyville the first race is open, but each/way value could be found in Banda, a fresh arrival from the stronger Cape maidens. The other tips are Master Of Mischief to beat Eternal Ice in the second, Aficionado to beat the third-run-after-a-long-rest horse Starcraft Prince in the third, Last Tiger (another Cape arrival who looks well weighted) to beat the promising Top Form in the fourth, Golden High to beat Entrée in the fifth, Alessia to beat Lady Ami and Music World in the sixth, the very well weighted Cape arrival Off Ramp to win the seventh despite a wide draw over a trip slightly too sharp with Quintella being the back up, and the admirably hard trying Teppenyaki to beat Burrwood and Temple Rock in the last.

In the first over 1000m at Scottsville Simla’s early pace will allow her to overcome her wide draw and she is the form choice. Kingsview has early pace and is drawn favourably with a 4kg claimer up. Arcetri Dawn is drawn on the right side too and after being fitted with a tongue tie showed pace and improvement over 1200m last time out. Of the first timers Mater Familias by Trippi is a full-sister to the twice Gr 2-placed Paterfamilias. Free State by Ideal World is a full sister to Fear Not who ran an outstanding 1,1 length third to the champion Inara in the Gr 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m last weekend at Durbanville. A Star For Maria by Var is a half-sister to Maria Theresa who won her first two starts over 1200m and 1400m respectively.

In the second over 1000m Sea Urchin lost two lengths on debut on the poly and was green but ran on to finish second to a promising sort, so is the selection from a good draw. Shreya’s Star cost himself in his penultimate start here by fly jumping and losing many lengths but did catch the eye that day and then proved his ability last time out. Bagger Vance has always shown pace over 1200m and is interesting from a favourable draw over a step down in trip.

In the third over 1600m Just Like Magic is a fair sort who has Marcus up from a good draw. Power Of One found some support at long odds on debut and wasn’t disgraced over course and distance behind a classy sort. First Sea Lord has been expensive to follow but the blinkers are off from a good draw over a suitable trip.

In the fourth over 1600m Grand Jury caught the eye on debut over 1400m on the poly, when slow away and green before running on, and being by Ideal World good improvement can be expected. Modernista improved over course and distance last time and has a better draw. Toll Free ran on well over 1400m here last time when having a hard task from a wide draw.

In the fifth race Barbosa has been in fine form on the poly over this trip and likes this course too, so is interesting back to 1000m on the turf. The pacey Normanz gets a good draw for a change down the straight of his Gr 1 win and he looks well weighted on best form. Mr Whatever is a course and distance specialist but has to defy a six point merit rating raise. Flyfirstclass has pace and should have come on from his last run, although he is four points higher in the merit ratings. Tiger Territory is talented on his day and can’t be ignored.

In the sixth over 1000m, Regardstobroadway has a phobia about the pens but was impressive when winning on debut so could be the one to side with from a low draw off a mere 72 merit rating. Her stablemate Elephant Matriarch should be right there over her ideal distance from a favourable draw. Miss Argentina steps back in trip but could appreciate it with blinkers on and a 4kg claimer up. Black Velvet has pace which could help her overcome her high draw. Kept Secret is drawn well and has a chance if able to get a clear run in the closing stages. Fly Peg Fly has a 4kg claimer on and can’t be ignored. Vampirella was considered good enough to run in the Allan Robertson but doesn’t have it easy as a three-year-old making her comeback off an 83 merit rating.

In the seventh over 1400m Rikitikitana was impressive over 1600m here last time and looks progressive. Main Submission is also highly promising and should continue to progress, while Rap Attack falls into the same category. Translunar and Nineteen Fourteen make most appeal of the older horses.

In the eighth over 1400m Mission Rapids won impressively last time on the Greyville poly when losing ground due to a handler and the consequent hold up tactics appeared to be the key which unlocked her considerable ability. True Assett beat a good sort last time out over this trip in Cape Town, where the form is stronger, so she has a fine chance from an ideal low draw for her front running style. Lauderdale is a Gr 1 winner but has a tough task off a 101 merit rating, especially considering the jury is still out on the strength of last season’s two-year-old fillies Gr 1s.

In the ninth over 1400m Seek The Summit has improved with blinkers and could claim a hattrick from a good draw under Marcus. Private Dancer and Dizzy Feet make most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Rikitikitana (Nkosi Hlophe)

Somerset winner Tar Heel dominates the Darkhorsewheels.com Handicap at the jockeys’ charity meeting at Durbanville tomorrow but the Cape Classic entry faces a mammoth task.

Donavan Mansour’s mount has joint top weight and this is his first appearance since his shock odds-on defeat in the Cape Nursery four months ago. “He did too much too soon that day and Anton Marcus just couldn’t get him settled,” says Joey Ramsden whose treadmill will have diminished much of the lengthy absence negative.

But a draw nine out of ten over 1 400m is a huge disadvantage at this course and would appear to swing the balance against the forecast favourite.

Forward Drive’s catch-me-if-you-can style of running is ideal for Durbanville and in the normal course of events would make him the one to beat but his trainer wants this to be a learning process. “He has never been here before and going off in front might not be the best thing to do first time round a turn,” says Paul Reeves. “We are going to try and hold him up a bit.”

The hat-trick seeking Albarakah is 3kg worse with Forward Drive for just over a length and a half but is drawn eight and can be no certainty to confirm the placings, or with Joiners Arms.

Jet Air’s form is over a bit further (rider Aldo Domeyer, incidentally, looks the biggest certainty since Frankel in the post-racing Jockeys Chase) and stable rider Grant van Niekerk is on the worst drawn Marinaresco instead.

Eighth Wonder has run well here and was considered good enough to run in the Cape Nursery but his four point increase for last time’s second has lessened his chance. “That was cruel,” says Greg Ennion feelingly. “But he needed that last run badly and he has come on a lot since then.”

So what will win if there is good reason for so many of them not to? Maybe Groen Gevaarte. Brett Crawford’s runner was good enough to make a winning debut here four weeks ago and there are lines of form that suggest normal improvement could be sufficient.

Brilliant Idea, second on her last three outings, should finally get her head in front in the opening maiden sponsored by Richard Fourie who is making rather a slow start to his Hong Kong season – just one winner compared with four for Karis Teetan and 18 for the all-conquering Moreira.

But don’t ignore Supercilious just because of last time’s run – the blinkers are coming off.

Whatever his fortunes with her, Ramsden can win the next with Icy Trail whose first run showed potential. Shenyang and League Of Legends have more obvious credentials but Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount appeals.

Wednesday’s results suggest there is little to choose between The Best Of Me and Mount Fuji in the Mauritzfontein Stud Farm Maiden and MJ Byleveld’s mount gets only marginal preference.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Donavan Mansour (Nkosi Hlophe)

Greyville has another eight race meeting on the poly and there look to be some good opportunities for punters.

In the first, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, is a tough one for punters to assess. Banda showed pace over 1000m last time at Cape Town, where the maidens are generally stronger than Durban, and she will relish the step up in trip so would not be a surprise winner under a 4kg claimer. Witchcraft made a fair debut over 1200m on Sunday when green and will appreciate the step up in trip.

Drury Lane was caught late after opening up a big lead in the straight when using front running tactics last time and considering her pole position draw and the race times she does have La Gitano beaten on paper but the latter did have the saddle slip excuse. La Gitano went close last time over course and distance despite the saddle slipping slightly and a repeat of the latter incident is unlikely with one of the country’s strongest jockey, Sean Veale, aboard. Time Capsule was doing her best work late over 1000m at Scottsville on debut behind a highly promising sort and not only has the form of that race worked out well but she will appreciate the step up in trip.

Swan Dance over raced a bit last time over course and distance so is interesting with the blinkers off and Anton Marcus up. Eleven looks to have scope for improvement and considering she was a bit strong behind a slow pace over 1600m last time, a race in which she was also baulked late, she should appreciate the step down in trip. Thanda has beaten Eleven in both their meetings but is more exposed and not as scopey. The only first-timer is the Judpot filly Notability, whose sibling have not amounted to much and she only cost R90,000, but on the other hand she is trained by Mike de Kock and Anthony Delpech rides.

The second over 1400m, Master Of Mischief flyjumped last time when a touch disappointing on turf but ran a cracker over this course and distance before that and is the one to beat. Eternal Ice over raced with cheek pieces last time against winners and they are now off so he should be right there with Marcus back in the saddle. Leroy was not far behind Master Of Mischief when they met over course and distance.

In the third race over 1400m, Brave William wasn’t disgraced on debut over 1200m when slow away and green in a maiden that has worked out well, and on pedigree he should relish the step up in trip. Aficionado ran on well on debut over course and distance when green so with expected improvement should be right there. Starcraft Prince has shown some signs of ability and should be cherry ripe having his third run after a long rest. Buster Brown has a place chance on form. Long Walk is usually thereabouts over shorter and on pedigree should enjoy this trip.

The fourth over 1400m, Last Tiger looks well weighted on his Cape Town form and could provide yet another winner for Dean Kannemeyer’s new arrivals from Cape Town. Top Form will be fit in his comeback, as he is from the Charles Laird yard, and his class could help him defy an 86 merit rating from pole position. Fantasy Art has improved since being gelded and is course and distance suited. Storm Surf is now back to a competitive merit rating over an ideal course and distance from a plum draw. Red Rover is course and distance suited. Aware did well in blinkers in his last two and could earn off a one point lower merit rating.

In the fifth over 2000m Golden High has a touch of class and off just a two point higher merit rating than his last win he could follow up over an ideal course and distance. Entrée only just failed last time over course and distance and could make amends here. Night Lock is consistent and could earn again over a suitable course and distance.

In the sixth over 1600m, Alessia beat a fair sort last time and could have the class to defy her 83 merit rating first time out the maidens. Lady Ami is a runner here as a hard knocker with Marcus up, although she would probably prefer a touch further. Music World was still green when winning her maiden over course and distance and could improve further. Nanojet ran well last time but this is her second run after a long rest. News Weekly has a chance on form.

In the seventh over 1200m Off Ramp, who has won on the Greyville poly before,  looks extremely well weighted on her Cape Town form although the slight concerns are that she is widely drawn and would probably prefer 1400m. Quintella loves this course and distance and was a touch unlucky in her penultimate start. Chennai Babe has a hattrick chance with Marcus up over a suitable trip.

In the last over 1200m the hard-knocking Teppenyaki could lead all the way from a low draw. Burrwood should be running on strongly late. Temple Rock is off an attractive merit rating and could earn. Risky Rosco is always thereabouts and is distance suited. Rainer can’t be ignored over a suitable trip. Portelinha Samba could still improve and can’t be ignored.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Alessia (Nkosi Hlophe)