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

Greyville will be all abuzz again tonight as the second meeting of the current night racing series, which runs through until next April, takes place and has eight intriguing races.

In the first, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, Just Like Magic makes appeal as one who has faced some promising sorts without being disgraced and is now up against weaker over a suitable trip from a plum draw and with Anton Marcus up. Apple Jack stayed on last time in his first run around the turn at Durbanville over 1300m after being squeezed at the start so he could do well in his first run for an in form yard over a trip which should suit. Beluga has been expensive to follow over shorter but has always been up against fair sorts, although she is by Argonaut out of a sprinting Fort Wood mare so is not sure to appreciate the step up in trip. Well Bound has been green in two starts over 1200m and could improve over this trip. Courageous King ran on over 1400m here last time and should appreciate the step up in trip.

The second is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m. Winter Wood ran on well over 1200m last time out here and not only has her third run after a rest but should appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree. Roy’s Monkey strikes as one who will relish the step up in trip having run on well from off the pace over 1400m at Scottsville last time out although she does have a wide draw to overcome. Queen Of Thrones is a hard knocker who is suited to the course and distance and Marcus is up from a good draw. Topaz Rain stayed on over 1400m last time and could begin fulfilling her potential as she matures. Royal Mazari could improve over this trip.

The third is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m. Swan Dance has shown up well behind some fair sorts when up with the pace over further. Last time out with first time blinkers on over 1400m on the poly she over raced early and found no extra late. She could get it right here over the step down in trip, especially considering Delpech is up and that her dam by Fort Wood was speedy. Masked Girl always seems to find one better but she should be right there again as her excuse last time here over 1000m was that she was cut into. Stunning Angel has shown pace over this trip on the Vaal sand before and has Marcus up from pole position.

In the fourth, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, the pole position-drawn Whitley Willows made an eyecatching debut over 1000m at Scottsville last time, starting from an outside draw and continually shifting inward until he was on the inside rail, and he will appreciate the strip up in trip. Oracle Kingdom has always been up against good fields but has shown glimpses of ability and in this weak field could earn over a step up in trip he should enjoy. Aguero is always thereabouts and wasn’t disgraced in a stronger field in his only try at this trip so could earn here.

The fifth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m and Victory Takeover could be the one to side with running over a suitable trip off a competitive merit rating and with a 4kg claimer up. Teppenyaki has good early pace and is interesting stepped down in trip as he could well make a bold bid from the front. The hattrick-seeking Copper’s Pride is improving and is only three points higher for his win over course and distance last time, so should be right there again on this surface he clearly loves. Burwaaz was a touch unlucky over course and distance last time and should be running on strongly again despite being given a three point merit rated raise. Keep Your Light On has come down to a competitive merit rating and could be concerned in the finish if reproducing his maiden win over course and distance.

The sixth is a MR 73 Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares and the promising Silvano filly Tiptol is interesting in her first start on the poly and first try at this trip from a good draw as she has finished strongly from off the pace to win over 1000m on the turf course here before. You Bolt moved up well over 1200m last time at Scottsville and she could prove to have a good kick over this trip on a surface she enjoys. Mogokity is off a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip so should be right there from pole position. Big Sugar ran in a Gr 1 last time and did quite well in some features before that but as a young three-year-old doesn’t have it easy off a merit rating of 83. Royalsecuritypower should finish just about together with Mogokity according to the form of their last meeting over course and distance.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and Shezaleader is a handy type who is interesting with the excellent judge of pace Anton Marcus up, although the wide draw is not ideal. Trini’s Collateral was not disgraced in the KZN Breeders Yearling Sale Million over 1300m when racing green and should relish the step up in trip but she has a tough task off an 89 merit rating. Dizzy Feet looks to be off a competitive merit rating now and could earn over a suitable course and distance having been rested during the Champions Season.

The last is a MR 91 handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. Taking Chances loves the poly and is only four points higher for her easy course and distance win last time out which came from a similar wide draw. Red Label should be cherry ripe and will appreciate the step down in trip so should be right there. Royal Denise showed some class last time out over this trip at Scottsville when beating some good sorts and she could handle a four point raise over a course and distance she enjoys. Peace Again can never be ignored over this trip on any course and should be finishing strongly. Princess Tantan needed her last start in the Highveld and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Taking Chances (Nkosi Hlophe)

Piere Strydom was yesterday handed a 90 day suspension by the National Horseracing Authority for the error of judgement he made when riding Dublin Rebel in race 3 at Turffontein on  August 27, which cost the horse almost certain victory, although forty of the days have been suspended.

The legendary 5000-winner jockey has the right to appeal against the penalty imposed and said yesterday (Wednesday), “I have seven days in which to appeal but am still in two minds whether to do so, so will take a couple of days to decide.”

Strydom is riding at The Vaal today (Thursday) and if he takes the suspension from after the meeting onward, he will be back in time for the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile racemeeting at Turffontein on October 31.

A press release was sent out by the NHA after the inquiry in Johannesburg yesterday.

It stated:

Inquiry – Jockey Piere Strydom

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday 9 September 2015, Jockey Piere Strydom was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride the horse DUBLIN REBEL out to the end of Race 3, run at the Turffontein Racecourse on 27 August 2015, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining first place.

Jockey Strydom pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Strydom guilty and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of ninety days, of which forty days are wholly suspended for a period of two years, provided that during the period of suspension he is not convicted of a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 prejudicing his chances of finishing in the first, second or third position.

Jockey Strydom has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

– David Thiselton

A potential field for North America’s richest race, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, is shaping up now almost two months out from October 31.

Contenders are still chasing American Pharoah in leading into it, with the Triple Crown winner again topping the latest NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) Top Thoroughbred Poll released on Tuesday.

Mare Beholder (Pacific Classic), Honor Code (Whitney) and Liam’s Map (Woodward) follow American Pharoah off their own major Grade I wins. Others who could go in the Classic, Keen Ice and Tonalist, rank seventh and tenth, respectively, this week.

Shared Belief remains in the top 10 but continues recovering from a hip injury and isn’t expected to be ready in time for the Breeders’ Cup.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll (first-place votes)

1. American Pharoah (28)
2. Beholder (1)
3. Honor Code (2)
4. Liam’s Map
5. Private Zone
6. Shared Belief
7. Keen Ice
8. Lady Eli
9. Flintshire
10. Tonalist

Others receiving votes: The Pizza Man (31), California Chrome (19), Sheer Drama (17), Frosted (15), Big Blue Kitten (9), Cavorting (6), Songbird (5), Stellar Wind (5), Wicked Strong (5), Ironicus (4), Lovely Maria (4), Big John B (3), Coach Inge (2), Dortmund (2), Nyquist (2), Rachel’s Valentina (2), Rock Fall (2), Tiz Shea D (2), Catch A Flight (1), Hard Not To Like (1), Runhappy (1), Wise Dan (1).

The Courier-Journal‎.com

Picture: American Pharoah