The exciting Duncan Howells-trained four-year-old Dynasty filly Sabaha will travel up to Johannesburg on Friday night for her engagement in the Gr 2 World Sports Betting Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m.

Howells has described her before as a difficult horse to train, chiefly because she pulls very hard in her workouts, but she is a different kettle of fish both at the races and on the way to the races, relaxing well, so Howells is not at all concerned about the float journey up to the Highveld.

Sabaha, who has won three of her six career starts, is held in high regard by Howells and needed her last start when touched off over 1400m at Scottsville in a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m.

She has put up a very good gallop since then and Howells confirmed she was now “very fit”.

She should be cherry ripe, but Howells did admit that she was a difficult horse to judge due to her antics on the training tracks.

However, he is expecting a good run and predicted a top three finish.

She tends to start slowly and this is probably by design, because she relaxes well when slotted in behind horses. This will likely be the tactic employed from the outside draw of nine in Saturday’s nine horse field. Coming from well back doesn’t pose a problem for her as she has a fantastic turn of foot.

She came from near last when winning her penultimate start in a MR 81 handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m at Scottsville by a comfortable 2,25 lengths and a signal of her class is that the second and third horses in that race, Deputy Rider and Come Fly With Me, have both come out and won twice since and one of the former’s victories was in a Listed event.

Sabaha is merit rated 95 and runs at level weights on Saturday with two other four-year-old fillies rated over 100, the 109 merit rated Lazer Star and the 103 merit-rated Sarve.

However, both of the latter horses have a stamina doubt hanging over their heads.

The only other horse rated above 100 in the race is the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championships third-placed Madame Dubois. She lost at odds of 1/3 in her first try at this sort of trip, but she was likely below par as she was laid off for the rest of her two-year-old season. She made a good comeback in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m three weeks ago, when just touched off by the decent mare Shepard One.

Other interesting runners on Saturday are the progressive Mike de Kock-trained four-year-old pair, Alice Springs and Love To Sail, and the mare Featherfoot, who is lightly raced and typically of a Silvano is coming into her own at the age of five.

The only Gr 1 winner in the field is the Sean Tarry-trained For The Lads, but she is a frustrating sort who has now dropped to an 81 merit rating.

The Corné Spies-trained Fire Dancing looks to be outclassed.

Sabaha might well be the one to beat, catching Lazer Star late, and they could be followed home by Featherfoot, Madame Dubois and Alice Springs.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Sabaha (Nkosi Hlophe)

Log leader Andrew Fortune rode in Cape Town for the first time this season yesterday and promptly gave his army of supporters a 16-1 surprise on a horse that only has one eye.

The Eric Sands-trained newcomer Hanabi was down to be ridden by Grant Behr and, when Sands found that he had not fully recovered from the nasty kick he suffered here a week ago, he had little hesitation in going for Manna Fortune.

However the former champion, who now gets the majority of his rides in Johannesburg, promptly ruled out becoming a Cape Town regular once more.

He said: “The reason I came here today was to gallop Princess Victoria’s sister Princess Royal because I am riding her in the features this season and they then put me on a few horses. A winner was a bonus.”

Fortune’s searching pace this term – he has ridden more winners (37) and has had more rides (almost 230) than any other jockey – has given rise to speculation that he is going all out for a repeat of his 2008/09 title.

Seemingly, though, it is too early to say that as he commented: “I am working hard and if the championship is there I will go for it – but not yet. One thing I have learnt, though, is that I am very tough.”

Indeed he has got over the weight and other niggling problems that threatened to end his career and in the previous four seasons restricted him to less rides, and less winners, than he has had in the first two months of the current campaign.

He said: “I’m hungry and I’m in the type of mood that you have got to put me on anything.”

Andre Nel got off the mark in his new role as Sabine Plattner’s private trainer when the Aldo Domeyer-ridden Ma Choix defied top weight and an eight month absence in the Gold Circle Handicap.

By Michael Clower 

Picture: Andrew Fortune 

The Vaal Sand track hosts an eight race meeting today and will provide opportunities for those punters who have done their homework.

In the first, a Workrider’s Maiden over 1000m, Racing Red relished the step down to this trip last time and put up a fine display against a promising sort so is an obvious form choice.

Captain Ali is a six-year-old who has only had three starts but he has shown pace and could earn here. Gold Comet has a suitable sand pedigree and has shown the odd sign of ability so could earn despite being an exposed sort having his 19^th start. Victor’s Folly has faced a couple of talented sorts in his last two starts over course and distance when well beaten but could earn on the form of his previous start which was against a similar field to this. Boogaloo has some pace and should have come on from his first two starts.

In the second over 1200m, Son Of Approval is interesting dropped in distance from a good draw off a decreased merit rating as he has won twice over course and distance before. Aleut made a good debut over course and distance before winning his second start easily on turf and he can be excused his last start when up against a good sort because his saddle slipped. Fleetfoot Mac did quite well in his first sand start in his penultimate start over course and distance despite stumbling and he could earn from a good draw despite officially being 2kg under sufferance. Angel Gabriel has dropped to a competitive merit rating and is distance suited. Dravidian recorded a good time when winning over 1000m on the sand in his penultimate, but the 200m further from a wide draw is a concern.

In the third over 1200m, Span Die Seile is a R1,5m purchase by Captain Al and doesn’t have a lot to beat. School Of Dynasty has struck as one who will enjoy the sand and certainly has a fitting pedigree so he could do well from a good draw. Abby Blue wasn’t disgraced in his Cape Town starts which makes him a runner here despite returning from a six month break as the class of horse down there is superior. Narnia had a fair introduction to sand last time out over course and distance despite stumbling, but she did finish distressed which is a concern.  Attract The Crowd could earn if reproducing her best run over course and distance.

In the fourth over 1450m, News Filter starts in handicaps off a reasonable merit rating of 80 after two effortless wins over sprint trips on the sand so could record a hattrick. Rippit Whippet is 5,5kg better off with News Filter for a six length beating over 1200m and has the overall sand form to be a contender. Bodega is course and distance suited and well drawn. Inkolo has done well lately on the turf off this sort of rating and has a chance here considering he has a good sand pedigree. Wensleydale won in commanding style last time out over course and distance so looks to have improved and could also be a contender for a hattrick despite her tough draw.

In the fifth over 1450m, Viking Castle has a better draw than when charging home last time so could be the one to beat. Formal Request is in form and drawn well over a suitable trip. White Christmas might well prefer this trip to 1600m and had an excuse last time so could earn.

In the sixth over 1000m, Sweet Pickings ran a cracker in a feature over course and distance on Saturday and this will be easier. Scandal was beaten just under a length by Sweet Pickings in that race and is now 0,5kg better off, so could also be a contender. Slick Deputy finished well over course and distance last time and could earn if repeating.

In the seventh over 1600m, Gaisge Gold won his maiden well over course and distance last time with front-running tactics and from draw two with a light weight he could repeat the effort. Inala just failed over course and distance in his penultimate and should go close again. Kidmambo is course is 2kg better off with Inala for a 4,6 length beating over course and distance and is drawn in pole so could be a threat. Ciao Ciao could earn of repeating her last start over course and distance when staying on well. Pay As You Go is 2,5kg better off with Inala for a 5,1 length beating over course and distance so could be a factor despite a tricky draw.

In the eighth over 1800m Mooghamir’s merit rating of 82 after his impressive maiden win over course and distance doesn’t look high enough to stop him. Colonel Lockjaw loves this course and distance too and is drawn in pole. Triple Beat is distance suited and being by Trippi should love the sand, so is an interesting contender.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Vitruvian Man (Nkosi Hlophe)

Charles Laird will travel the brilliant Ice Machine up to Johannesburg late on Friday night to take part in the Gr 2 World Sports Betting Spring Challenge over 1450m on Turffontein’s Inside track.

The evergreen seven-year-old Silvano gelding’s regular rider Anton Marcus is engaged to ride last season’s Cape Champion Three-Year old colt Act Of War in the Gr 3 Kuda Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville on the same day, so the top class veteran Andrew Fortune, who is currently leading the National Jockeys Championship by two winners from Anthony Delpech, takes over.

Laird believes Fortune will suit the horse. Fortune is known to have a great pair of hands and for his ability to place a horse in the running, so he does indeed look ideal for  Ice machine, who likes to be held up and relaxed in the running before displaying his exhilarating turn of foot in the straight. If anybody can help him overcome his tricky draw of nine in the eleven horse field on the tight course it will be Fortune.

The 117 merit-rated Ice Machine is officially the best in at the weights, being rated at least eight points higher than any other horse, while only have to give them between 0,5kg and 1,5kg.

Laird gave Ice Machine a bit of a break after his narrow defeat to the subsequently named Equus Horse Of The Year Futura in the Gr 1 Champions Cup on Super Saturday and gave him his compulsory African Horse Sickness Vaccinations, but he said the horse had been doing well.

Laid has only trained Ice Machine for four of his 27 career runs, but he is thriving in the yard and his career record shows that he runs well fresh.

This will be his first stepping stone to the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate, for which he will also raid.

Ice Machine faces some classy opposition in the Spring Challenge, not least of whom is the Sean Tarry-trained four-year-old Trippi colt Trip To Heaven, who is the second highest rated horse in the field on 109. In his seasonal reappearance over 1200m on the Inside course in a Graduation Plate he started slowly, possibly by design, and then relaxed beautifully near the back.

However, the most impressive part of the run, in which beat the 101 merit-rated pair Lineker and Forest Fox, was that after making up the ground possibly too quickly with his scintillating turn of foot he was then able to find yet another gear when challenged. This suggests he will be suited to the step up in trip and he should be cherry ripe having his third run after a six month layoff. His stablemate Halve The Deficit, who is a 107 merit-rated seven-year-old, has it tough from draw eleven. However, the Tarry string are coming to hand and he will be suited to this trip running fresh. Tarry’s third runner is the seven-year-old Whiteline Fever, who was at one stage at his most dangerous when making his seasonal reappearance. However he has needed the help of blinkers in his last two starts so this time is likely to have come on from his seasonal reappearance three weeks ago and he could be a threat with Piere Strydom up from draw two over his ideal trip.

Alec Laird’s Bezanova ended last season in fine style and won his seasonal reappearance exactly a year ago over this course and distance, albeit in a Graduation Plate. This big horse has come into his own, but does have a wide draw and the stable elect is likely Bouclette Top, who had a new lease of life when blinkers were applied last season. Bouclette Top now looks ideally suited to this trip and Gavin Lerena up, from a fair draw of six, is a further bonus.

Mike de Kock’s Moofeed is interesting in only his second try beyond sprints as he often does his best work late over 1200m and won his only start over 1400m. However, stable jockey Delpech is aboard Anjaal, who looked to have a fine career ahead of him after his narrow third in the Gr 1 Premiers Champions Stakes over 1600m. Breathing issues ruined his three-year-old feature campaign, but he did bounce back with a couple of decent efforts after a wind operation and could be excused his last run on the poly when striding short and found to be coughing.

Easy Lover has his first run for Stuart Pettigrew and this progressive sort should be ideally suited to the course and distance as he likes to come from off the pace and has a fine turn of foot. He has a plum draw of three with Weichong Marwing up.

The enigmatic Forest Fox is talented but unreliable. However, he did run on well when beaten 1,7 lengths by Trip To Heaven over 1200m last time and is now 1 kg better off.

Light The Way has a tough task at the weights but did finish in front of Whiteline Fever over course and distance last time out, although he is now 2,5kg better off for a one length beating.

It is an intriguing race, but Ice Machine looks the one to beat with Trip To Heaven giving him most to think about and they could be followed home by Easy Lover, Bouclette Top and Halve The Deficit.

By David Thiselton 

Picture: Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Persian Silk could be the answer to punters’ prayers in the opening Gold Circle Maiden at Durbanville today.

What everyone is looking for is a horse who is better than the bare form suggests and is available at a better price than it should be – and this filly ticks both boxes.

On her second start, over 1 200m at Kenilworth, she went to the front two furlongs out absolutely cantering. It was quite a way from home to go clear but it looked simply a question of how far. However she weakened in the final 200m to finish third.

Kenilworth three and a half weeks ago was a carbon copy – going easily, leading at the 400m mark only to run out of steam in the closing stages. The only difference was that she finished fourth instead of third.

Clearly the trip was a furlong too far, or she needed to be waited with for a bit longer. This time, though, she runs over a surely ideal 1 000m. Betting World opened her at 22-10 yesterday and that looks generous.

“After the first of those two I said to the jockey that I would put her over five furlongs but he said no,” Glen Kotzen recalls. “Last time I think she didn’t see the two horses on her outside until it was too late but this trip is really going to suit her.”

Kotzen also runs the frustrating Mamselle Al who has started favourite in all her last five starts and is actually a kilo better than Persian Silk on adjusted merit ratings. “I have been trying everything,” says the trainer who took the blinkers off last time. “And now I am running her in cheekpieces.”

Mamselle Al was a 6-1 chance yesterday and the 2-1 favourite was Sandton Rocker who started odds-on here last time but was not suited by being taken on when trying to make it. She is probably better than that last run would suggest but she should not beat Persian Silk

Supercilious’s nine draw will test Donavan Mansour’s talents to the full in race two but she managed third to the talented Icy Fire when drawn just as badly over the same distance at Kenilworth last time and a repeat of that effort would be good enough. However yesterday’s 1-3 is too short considering the draw and punters should only back her if they can get better.

Nebula is drawn eight out of 11 in the Pick 6 Maiden but he stands out after going close on debut when he was backed from 12-1 to 3-1. “I expected him to run well and he did,” says Brett Crawford. “But he ran a bit green and he only got going late. He then had a break but he is doing well.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe returns after three weeks off and, although he has three rides for Justin Snaith, his best chance is probably on 9-2 chance Exclusive Knight in the 2 000m maiden (race four).  This will be the five-year-old’s 30^th attempt to win a race but he keeps going close.

“He is perfectly genuine but he just keeps finding one too good for him,” says Piet Steyn. “Three Balloons, who beat him a few races back, was second to Hard Day’s Night on his next start last Saturday. Exclusive Knight has won almost R160 000 in stakes and that’s as much as winning four races.”

But 5-2 shot Eastern Charm comes out 1.5kg better and is preferred. Avail is the 22-10 favourite and his good performances here suggest he will also make the frame.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Glen Kotzen