The Dennis Drier-trained six-year-old Captain Al gelding Barbosa proved himself a 1000m sprinter to be reckoned with when missing the break in a Pinnacle Stakes race at Scottsville yesterday and still managing to win cosily under Sean Cormack. He gave 1,5kg to both the course and distance specialist Mr Whatever and the Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint winner Normanz and quickened well to beat them by 1,25 lengths plus a shorthead. Cormack praised Drier’s workrider Carrie Radford because Barbosa, who was recording a hattrick of wins, has apparently come into his own since she began working with him at Summerveld.

Later the ever improving Charles Laird-trained three-year-old Oracy colt Main Submission proved himself a classic contender when finding another gear to repel  Nineteen Fourteen in a Graduation Plate over 1400m and win by 0,75 lengths under Anton Marcus. He was only receiving 1,5kg from the 84 merit-rated five-year-old runner up, so this was a decent performance. Furthermore, he was giving 3kg to his classy and fast-finishing contemporary Rikitikitana, whom he beat by a length, although he did benefit from the latter’s jockey dropping the whip.

The strength of last season’s two-year-old Gr 1s has been questionable and last season’s Gr 1 Thekwini winner Lauderdale was apparently not up to running off a merit rating of 101 in a MR 90 handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. This was her second run after a layoff and she would likely prefer further, but that was possibly not enough to excuse a 5,5 length beating by her lightweight Duncan Howells-trained stablemate Trini’s Collateral, who was ridden by Sean Veale. Furthermore, the runner up Umoyana was 1,5kg under sufferance, but beat Lauderdale by 3,75 lengths.

A Howells horse to watch is the Australian-bred Henrythenavigator colt Ten Gun Salute, who was green before doing eyecatchng work late when finishing runner up in a Maiden over 1600m. This race was won in good style by the Robbie Hill-trained Just As Well gelding Just Like Magic to give Marcus the second leg of a treble. Marcus’s other winner was aboard the Gavin van Zyl-trained Noordhoek Flyer gelding Bagger Vance who converted his strong maiden formlines into success over 1000m.

Wendy Whitehead looks to have a fine prospect in the Ideal World filly Free State who was backed from long odds into 33/10 favouritism in a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m and a high draw didn’t bother her as she powered to an easy 2,25 length win under Alec Forbes. It was part-owner Dr Ralph Katzwinkel’s 50^th winner as an owner and this filly could join another one he owns, the brilliant filly Same Jurisdiction, as a feature race contender. Free State’s win completed a weekend double for the in form Whitehead stable and both winners were ridden by Forbes.

Forbes later rode the Windrush filly Velvet Wind to victory in a fillies and mares maiden over 1600m and as it was only her second start she looks to be another nice horse to look forward to for the flourishing Alistair Gordon yard.

Drier scored a double when apprentice Calvin Ngcobo rode the Toreador filly Fiery Goddess to victory in a MR 80 fillies and mares maiden over 1000m.

The meeting was rounded off by Glen Kotzen and Billy Jacobson who combined to comfortably win a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares with the Casey Tibbs mare Dizzy Feet.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Barbosa (Nkosi Hlophe)

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)