Donovan Dillon boosted his chances of getting more of the Bernard Fayd’Herbe mounts by booting home his first four-timer at Durbanville on Saturday.

Fayd’Herbe, 34 today, is taking three weeks off on doctors’ advice to help heal the knee he damaged in the KZN season and so the mounts on the Justin Snaith winner-producing machine are up for grabs.

Dillon has taken to Durbanville like a duck to water – “It takes a different style of riding, you’ve got to get your position early and I feel I am getting the hang of it” – but on Aspara in the mile handicap he broke one of the most important of the Snaith Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not win too far.

He set the 22-10 favourite alight fully 400m out and rode him to the line to score by six and a half lengths with commentator Jehan Malherbe announcing to the world: “This horse races off 83 and he shows that’s all wrong.”

Snaith, promptly envisaging a 13 point hike, said: “Donovan’s a young jockey and I don’t think he knows there is a handicap system in South Africa. You certainly don’t want to expose a horse too much and when you win that far the handicappers nail you.”

To be fair, Dillon was only keeping to the letter and spirit of rule 62.2.3 which requires jockeys to ride their mounts right to the end. The rule is presumably intended to avoid all the trouble that Piere Strydom got himself into but trainers regard it as helping the handicapper. Most are intent on keeping as much up their sleeves as possible. Karl Neisius would have got there with half a length to spare and two more victories still in the tank.

Dillon is too talented to make this mistake more than once, and too dedicated. The time between the second and third legs of the four-timer was spent in the sweat box. He rides work on the Snaith battalions almost every day as well as for as many other trainers as he can, and second string on Thursdays involves a mad rush to Durbanville to ride racecourse gallops. Of course many other jockeys are just as busy but it shows his commitment to making the grade in Cape Town.

Three of the Snaith winners – Jo’s Bond and Fifty Cents as well as Aspara – are eligible for the  CTS Million Dollar (R13.5 million), prompting their trainer to remark: “You are not worried about the Guineas when you’ve got a race like that. What’s the Guineas worth?  A million?”

He was promptly reminded by one owner that for those operating at the top end of the bloodstock market the status and prestige of the Grand Parade-sponsored classic are more important than mere money!

Donavan Mansour has had less opportunity to display his talents to the Western Cape than Dillon but the way he made all on Arachne – repeatedly asking for more, and getting it, when the pursuers came at him – was inspired stuff. An impressed Adam Marcus commented: “Donavan rode exactly to instructions. It was a great ride.”

Mike Stewart emerged from a cough-induced six weeks in the wilderness to score with Casey’s Jet (Heavelon van der Hoven) to delight his ex-MI5 brother Paul while Shane Humby and Neil Bruss also got off the mark for the season with outsiders Exploracy (Neisius) and Argun to give punters little chance. The former started at 30-1 and Devin Ashby’s mount at 50-1.

– Michael Clower

Andre Nel has been appointed trainer to the Plattner Racing operation, filling a post left vacant since Sabine Plattner split with Yogas Govender over six months ago.

Nel, 36, is a long-serving Plattner employee. He worked in the yard at Yzerfontein for four years before spending the next four in the Summerveld satellite yard. He then switched to the breeding side and was manager of the La Plaisance Stud near George for more than five years.

He said: “I got my licence just over a fortnight ago and my first runners could possibly be at Durbanville on the 23rd^st but more probably on the 26^th. We did nominate horses for this Saturday’s meeting but it doesn’t now look as if any of them will run.”

His initial entries included the useful I Am The Law and Ma Choix who won on her last appearance (on J & B Met day) as well as three newcomers. Ma Choix has been entered for the Settlers Trophy on the 26^th.

– Michael Clower

Ian Sturgeon (pictured) was in fine form on Greyville’s polytrack on Friday night and rode an unlikely treble, two of them for Ashburton-based Des Egdes, while up and coming Summerveld-based trainer Lezeanne Forbes scored another double of her promising career and her husband Alec also rode a double.

The polytrack showed its value as the meeting was completed despite continual rain.
The first of Sturgeon’s winners, the Bruce le Roux-owned and bred Just As Well filly Just Rap, was allowed to open at odds of 50/1 despite having been green and staying on well on debut in a strong juvenile fillies maiden over 1200m at Scottsville behind the promising Tony Rivalland-trained Judpot filly Not A Word.

However, punters quickly snapped up that price upon viewing her striding out superbly going down to post and she started at 20/1. The filly was once again green but showed a touch of class when quickening well at the top of the straight and holding on to beat Swan Dance by half-a-length with the perennial bridesmaid Masked Girl a short-head further back. Later Sturgeon scored on another Bruce le Roux-bred horse, the Egdes-trained Fort Beluga gelding Keep Your Light On, who ran on strongly to win a MR 66 handicap over 1200m by one-and-a-half lengths having been backed in from 10/1 to 11/2. Sturgeon’s other winner was aboard the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained raider Princess Tantan, who won the last race over 1400m after being backed in from 12/1 to 8/1.

Lezeanne Forbes won the sixth race over 1400m with Mogokity, who was ridden by 4kg claimer Tristan Godden, and this was the Mogok filly’ second win over course and distance since being purchased into the yard at the Mike Holmes Bloodstock Shongweni Horses in Training Sale in February. Forbes followed up by winning the next race over the same course and distance with Mission Rapids, ridden by her husband Alec, and this was an amazing victory considering she had lost a few lengths at the start. All seemed lost when Forbes was seen glancing angrily over his shoulder at the handler who had held on to the horse for a few moments after the starter had pressed the button. However, this allowed the filly to use her big action early and she was soon sitting in the back seat travelling comfortably. She scythed through the middle in the straight to win easily by 2,75 lengths and the key to her might now have inadvertently been found.

Alec had earlier scored on the Alistair Gordon-trained Triptronic, who looked a picture going down to the start of the 1200m maiden. Like many Trippi’s this gelding loved the poly and was at last able to bring his excellent home work to the racecourse.

Friday’s racing was characterized by starting woes with the worst of them being in the R100,000 Founders Trophy over 1600m at Fairview. The starter pressed the button while the fancied topweight Gogetthesherrif was still standing behind the stalls being readied for loading. The starter had apparently been misled by a couple of the horse’s hoods having been removed too early and jockeys shouting “let’s go”. Two jockeys drawn next to Gogetthesherrif as well as a third jockey immediately began pulling their horses up expecting a false start to be called. However, no false start was called so they had to be declared runners despite being tailed off at the finish. The race was won by the favourite Symbolik, one of four winners on the day for trainer Dorrie Sham with three of them including this one being ridden by Karl Zechner. However, an enquiry will be held into the action of the starter and the riding of the three jockeys.

At Greyville the outsider Oracle Kingdom was declared a non-runner in the fourth race as the handler was still holding him at the off, understandably, as the horse reared just as  the starter pressed the button. Later, Mission Rapids was also still being held by the handler at the off but went on to win the race.

– David Thiselton

The Greyville polyrack tonight and Scottsville on Sunday are the venues for two eight race meetings in KZN this weekend and the highlight will be the sixth race on Sunday, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, where the former Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Guiness makes his comeback and faces Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes winner Lauderdale as well as the exciting prospects Bunker Bill and Executive Power and the capable Silence Descends.

Just Like Magic could get the ball rolling in race 1 at Greyville by beating Apple Jack and the other tips are Winter Wood to beat Roy’s Monkey in the 2^nd, Swan Dance to beat Masked Girl in the third, Whitley Willows to beat Oracle Kingdom in the 4^th, Victory Takeover to beat Teppenyaki in the 5^th, Tiptol to beat You Bolt in the 6^th, Shezaleader to beat Trini’s Collateral in the 7^th and Taking Chances to beat Red label in the last.

Guiness had to have a wind operation after his disappointing effort over 1000m at Kenilworth last December and the Dennis Drier yard said, “So far so good but only the race will tell.” The four-year-old Seventh Rock gelding has been given plenty of work and has had two grass gallops so will be fit enough.

Bunker Bill won second time out over this course and distance by eight lengths and the runner up African Ruler has won both of his starts since.

Lauderdale won her only start over this course and distance by three lengths and the horse she beat, Trini’s Collateral, won next time out over the same course and distance by six lengths.

Executive Power cruised to an impressive 3,5 length victory over course and distance on debut, although the runner up New Hampshire was beaten 11,35 lengths by Bunker Bill when making his debut.

Silence Descends will need to bounce back to his best. They are tipped in the order mentioned.

In the first over 1000m and the Drier yard said the R3 million purchase Ante Omnia would likely need more ground. However, it is not a strong field and he can’t be ignored. Another first-timer Treasure Hunter is by Trippi out of the Gr 1 Alan Robertson winner Gee Pee S. Of those to have run Apollo’s Gift makes most appeal having finished 8,85 lengths behind Bunker Bill, although he will need to jump better than he has been.

In the second over 1000m Miss Varlicious is a progressive sort who has the ability to overcome another unfavourable draw. Clear Sailing is very quick and has Anthony Delpech up from a favourable draw, but she might just be running out of puff late on this tough course. Flying Loot is having her third run after a rest and is capable of carrying topweight. Fly Peg Fly is talented but would probably prefer 1200m. Don’t Mention It has won three times over course and distance, but the handicappers might have caught up with her.

In the third over 1000m Royal Kaitrina caught the eye on debut and is tipped to win. Seventh Moment stayed on in eyecatching style after showing good cruising speed over 1200m on debut but does have a tricky high draw. Cyclone Sassy, who has Anton Marcus up, was beaten only 0,25 lengths by Seventh Moment and as a pacey sort is likely to appreciate the step down in trip.

In the fourth over 1400m Honeysuckle Rose caught the eye on debut over 1300m on the Greyville turf as she came wide into the straight but still stayed on to finish just six lengths behind the decent sort Mella Maria. She will have to overcome a wide draw but Marcus is aboard. The Mike de Kock-trained Fort Wood first-timer Rozenna is a three-parts sister to the twice winner Sovereign Reign and Delpech is up from a good draw. Perfume Girl will appreciate the step up in trip. Feature Bid hasn’t been disgraced from tough draws and is now well drawn. Ginger Quill by the classy sire Ideal World is a full-sister to the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 fourth-placed Zante and has a fair draw.

In the fifth over 1400m Unbelievable Chad is a promising sort and will be hard to beat from a fair draw over a step up in trip he will enjoy. Eternal Ice has been backed in both of his runs, should improve for the step up in trip and Anton Marcus remains aboard. Kolinsky will enjoy the step up in trip, although he has another tough draw to overcome. Blunderbuss found some support on debut over course and distance and could earn from another good draw. Caprivi has not been disgraced in two runs on the Greyville poly over this trip, but his wide draw makes it tough.

In the seventh over 1600m the improving Pure Valor gets on well with Ian Sturgeon and should be cherry ripe over his ideal trip. Hassen’s Bid could reverse form with Pure Valor on paper, but the latter likely needed the run when the last met as it was his first after a layoff and gelding. Buck Shot has dropped to a competitive merit rating and could finish in the first three from a good draw.

In the eighth over 1600m. Pimpernel is well drawn over a suitable course and distance and has the form to win. Delray Beach has caught the eye before and has a fair draw at last over a step up in trip he is likely looking for. The disappointing Night Shadow has dropped to a mark where he could now be competitive and is well drawn over what should be a suitable trip. Bonsai could be in the shake up if repeating his last run over course and distance although he now has a wide draw. Bold Attitude could earn if producing his best. In The Trenches has dropped to a competitive merit rating and from a pole position draw can’t be ignored.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Guiness (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kryptonite, badly interfered with by a winning stable companion a fortnight ago, can gain compensation in the opening Gold Circle Maiden at Durbanville tomorrow.

“She is not a champion,” warns Candice Robinson. “She showed nothing before her first run but she should have finished second last time had Moonlight ‘N Roses not spooked and she has come on since.”

Grant van Niekerk, suspended for seven days for failing to prevent the interference, was down to ride but he has decided to take the ban early so that he is free to ride next weekend and so Aldo

Domeyer has switched from second string Aunty Carol.

Domeyer’s first problem is going to be how to overcome his eight draw – Candice is optimistic that he will be able to slot into a decent position – and then he has to look out for Dance At Dawn and Valediction.

The former finished over halfway down the field on debut but she was only beaten four lengths and is bound to have improved while Valediction might well have won with a clear run on her last start two months ago. “She was very unlucky that day,” recalls Darryl Hodgson who believes she will be fit enough – “She is a light sort and she doesn’t take much work.”

Echuka, 2kg better with Jo’s Bond for a length and a quarter, could give Domeyer a quick double in the Gold Circle Handicap but the Justin Snaith-trained filly has already won over this course and distance and that advantage may enable her to confirm the placings.

Vaughan Marshall for once drew a blank on Wednesday but Sandton Rocker may be able to make all to beat Indonesia and Pegasi in the Pick 6 No Couplings Maiden.

The 1 300m handicap 40 minutes later is wide open but Mr Bond appeals despite being off longer than any of his seven rivals and giving weight to most of them. He was good enough to win first time but finished second last when upped in class in the Somerset a fortnight later.

“The Somerset came too soon for him and he just wasn’t ready for it,” says Brett Crawford. “He looks well and is doing very well. I think he will be fit enough.”

Fifty Cents has not dissimilar credentials but Snaith is not optimistic about his chance, saying: “He is a nice horse but I think he has it all to do. It’s his first time out of the maidens, he has never been to Durbanville before and he has never seen a turn.”

While Mr Bond is the selection a few Rand each way on Robertson could be tempting because he will be a big price. He is a course winner and loves nothing more than going off like a bat out of hell. He usually gets swallowed up before the end but this course favours front runners with the 600m straight downhill all the way to the line.

BLOB The jockeys wore black armbands here on Wednesday as a mark of respect to Rhona Beck who died in London that morning at the age of 78. A noted owner in her own right, she was the widow of bloodstock legend Graham Beck and their son Antony owns the famous Gainesway Farm stud in Kentucky.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Aldo Domeyer