Highveld trainer Dominic Zaki had his second highest ever seasonal stakes earnings in the term just past and is expecting this season to be even better.

Zaki relocated to the Vaal training centre about four years ago and his yard looks to have a lot of feature race potential to look forward to this season, particularly with some of the exciting youngsters that emerged at the beginning of this year.

Arabian Beat (Nkosi Hlophe)

His Gr 1 SA Nursery winner Arabian Beat will be having one preparation run before being aimed at the Gr 2 R450,000 Merchants over 1160m at Turffontein (the course and distance of the SA Nursery) on Sansui Summer Cup day, November 28. The Merchants is a handicap so the three-year-old Black Minnaloushe colt won’t have it easy considering the handicapper has accorded him a merit rating of 110. Arabian beat was caught late in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Greyville on Vodacom Durban July day by the subsequently named Equus Two-Year-Old Male champion Seventh Plain., but he did jump from a wide draw that day so could be forgiven for running out of steam late. However,

Zaki will keep him to sprints for the time being and this is not surprising as the sprint division in the country has been thrown wide open by the retirement of the Equus Sprint Champion Captain Of All as well as the brilliant filly Alboran Sea. However, he hasn’t ruled out putting the colt over further later on in his career.

Zaki is viewing his classy son of Toreador, Prospect Strike, as a classic hopeful and this gelding will likely go straight into the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on October 31 before being aimed at the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m on Summer Cup day. This well-bred individual finished a fast-finishing third in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion (1200m) at Scottsville and followed that two runs later with a runner up finish in the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville. He jumped from unfavourable draws on both occasions. Prospect Stike has won his other two career outings, over 1200m and 1400m respectively, by margins of 12,75 and 4,65 lengths so is clearly a decent sort.

Bull Valley is another son of Toreador that the yard have high hopes for and he will also be aimed at the Graham Back and Dingaans, although he will have a preparation run in a forthcoming 1200m handicap. Bull Valley won impressively by 2,5 lengths over 1200m on debut at the Vaal in May and the form looks strong with three winners having come out of the race, including Nephrite who went on to finish fifth in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes. The yard gelded Bull Valley after his debt and decided to rest him for the rest of the winter.

Storm Warning (Nkosi Hlophe)

On the three-year-old fillies front Leila’s Charger, an Australian-bred by Charge Forward, will run early next month before taking in the Gr 3 Starling Stakes over 1400m on October 31 and the Gr 3 Fillies Mile on Summer Cup day. She charged to a 5,25 length victory on debut over 1160m at Turffontein on August 2, beating a Mike de Kock-trained Trippi filly who had been backed into even money after a decent debut. Leila’s Charger’s form is looking strong because the filly Inyanga, whom she beat by 8,6 lengths, came out and won by five lengths over the same course and distance.

The yard’s surprise horse from last season was the Judpot filly Little Genie, who finished an eleven length third over 1160m on debut before running unplaced over 1600m. However, she was then brought back to 1200m and blitzed the field, winning by 7,25 lengths. First time out the maidens in a handicap off a merit rating of 77 and carrying a weight of 58,5kg she was even more impressive over 1000m, once again winning by 7,25 lengths. Zaki described this now four-year-old filly as one who was “getting better all the time.” He will keep her to 1000m “maximum” and after running her next week he could target her at a couple of feature races. He believes she will go well on sand too.

Zaki believed his classy Captain Al speedster Precursor would “without a doubt” stay the 1450m trip of the Gr 2 R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP on September 26, especially considering he had landed the pole position draw. His dam Oracle News was indeed a classy sprint-miler.

The yard also have Lavender Landscape in the Supreme Cup, but considering it might be on the sharp side they haven’t yet decided whether he will run there or in an 1800m event on the same day.

Prospect Strike (Nkosi Hlophe)

The yard’s good stayer Storm Warning has benefitted from a wind operation and ran on strongly for a 2,65 length fourth in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup. Shimmering Gem is the other feature class stayer in the yard and this pair will be aimed at the Listed Java Handicap over 2450m on October 31 and the Gr 3 Racing Association Handicap over 3200m on Summer Cup day.

Three decent sprinters in the yard, Bad Boy Buddy Boy, Victorious and Valberg are being aimed at the Listed Golden Loom Handicap over 1000m on October 31. Valberg hasn’t run since two below par runs in January and February and that is because he was given a wind operation. He has always been highly regarded so is one to keep an eye on as the operation might bring a new lease of life.

Zaki finished in 16^th place on the National log in the past season with earnings of R6,259,275. However, the yard’s record position on the log has been 6^th in both the 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 seasons and in the latter of those seasons they had their highest ever earnings, R7,213,175.

Zaki was full of praise for the excellent training tracks at The Vaal training centre and all of the facilities in general. His yard is now clearly well established there and look ready to break back into the top ten on the national log.

By David Thiselton

Lucky Houdalakis had no fewer than four winners at The Vaal’s ten race turf meeting yesterday, a first for the yard, and the in form Vaal-based stable are on their way to breaking their record of ten winners in a month they set last month.

The Houdalakis yard’s nine winners in June was also a record month for them at the time.

Houdalakis’ wins yesterday were through Joan Ranger (17/10 Gavin Lerena), Howdulikeit (30/1 Chase Maujean), Lundy’s Star (16/1 Craig Zackey) and Allegorical (6/1 S’Manga Khumalo).

By David Thiselton

Picture: Lucky Houdalakis (Nkosi Hlophe)

Renate du Plessis has her first Durbanville runners today when the country courses stages the first of its 11 consecutive meetings.

Two of her three runners are drawn in the bush but the interesting one is Oh So Modus with Karl Neisius (Pictured) up who sprang a 20-1 shock for Paul Reeves here last October and then completely lost his form. Mrs du Plessis has since rejuvenated the horse who has won his last two, the most recent by five lengths.

There is often a suspicion – not to put it more strongly – that Port Elizabeth winners are moved up the ratings too quickly and so have little chance in other centres.

Oh So Modus, to be ridden by Karl Neisius for the first time in the 2 400m handicap, was raised 2.5kg for his first Fairview win and a further 4kg for his second. He is now on a mark of 72, much the same as when he started to lose his form after that maiden win.

Mrs du Plessis races mainly in PE, although she trains at Stilbaai which is nearer Cape Town. “There are a lot of polytrack meetings in PE and I have horses which I would like to run on grass,” she says, explaining this trip to Durbanville. “The horses travel on the morning of the race and it will take about three hours.

“I am really enjoying training Oh So Modus who is another reason why I am coming. He is ever-improving and so progressive on the poly, and I now want to give him a go on grass.”

Logic suggests he has it all to do and that punters would be well advised to go for 13-10 favourite Arezzo who is also a course winner and who’s 79 mark is unchanged despite last time’s good Kenilworth run. However an improving horse is always worth following and so the visitor, attractively priced at 4-1 when Betting World posted up the odds yesterday, gets a tentative vote to justify his 230k journey.

Twenty Four Carat was officially reported to be hanging out when joint favourite in a Kenilworth sprint last time and a repeat of that would be disastrous on this left-handed course. “In fact he wasn’t hanging out, he was hanging in,” says Vaughan Marshall and that puts a different complexion on his chance in the opening Gold Circle Maiden.  However fellow 18-10 chance Glanto is marginally preferred as his most recent run reads better.

Exclusive Night is the form horse and 22-10 second favourite for race two (also called the Gold Circle Maiden as is race four!) but he was the one who finished second to Oh So Modus 11 months ago and he still hasn’t won. He will do so one day, maybe even today, but so far he has proved to be one of those expensive sorts who always appears to have a good chance but never quite does it. This is his 29^th attempt and in the circumstances Baksteen at 18-10 looks a more sensible bet.

However don’t ignore 33-10 shot Charlie Strong. “He has been disappointing in that he has taken a long time to win,” admits Adam Marcus. “But he is fit and well and he has run well over this distance here.”

The proven race fitness of 22-10 favourite Bella’s Empire should give her the edge over Mamselle Al (5-2) and Pixelate (28-10) in race four.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Karl Neisius (Liesl King)

The Vaal stages a ten race meeting on the Outside turf track today and there look to be one or two opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1000m Oculus was backed on debut in a similar field and finished a close second despite losing a length at the start. The Houdalakis yard are in fine form and although Oculus is now drawn on the wrong side by trends he has Strydom up and looks to be good enough to win. The Berry Lady has been knocking on the door and over this trip from a favourable draw can get away with her breathing issues. Antagonist has improved since dropped down to sprints and should be finishing strongly again.

In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Nowuseeme Nowudont caught the eye going down last time and in the race over 1200m in which she was unlucky, being baulked for a run before finishing strongly. She should love the step up in trip and has a favourable draw. Angel Of Mercy has run two good races, including on debut over course and distance and should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Elusive Prophecy represents the in form Houdalakis yard and finished well to be close up last time despite making a breathing noise.

In the third, a Maiden over 1400m, Kununata is a talented but difficult sort and he over raced over 1600m last time. He will appreciate the step down in trip but is drawn on the wrong side according to trends so won’t have it easy. Sands Of Time pulled up lame last time but if back to his best has a form chance. De Lujo could be involved if reproducing his best run. Bridegroom Bertie has run two fair races and was still green last time so can improve. William Nicol made a good debut over 1200m in an uninspiring field and should enjoy the step up in trip, although he does have a tricky draw.
In the fourth, a Maiden over 1400m, Kinaan comes from strong KZN maiden formlines and is drawn on the right side over a step up in trip he should enjoy. Baylisiana was green on debut when staying on over 1450m for a 1,6 length third so with natural improvement will be right there. Seven League Boots is by Mambo In Seattle and is a half-brother to the useful Star Jet.

In the fifth, a MR 86 Handicap over 1300m, African Ruler won well second time out over 1200m having finished second in a maiden where the form has worked out very well. This well-bred Trippi gelding should improve over this trip. Angel’s Power has won both of his starts over 1000m and will relish the step up in trip, but he has to give 1,5kg to African Ruler. Roman Calamity beat a fair sort over 1450m in a maiden in June and then finished eight lengths back in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m. He faded late in the latter event so might enjoy the step down in trip.

In the sixth, a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares, Gain Ground is a well regarded, progressive sort who is drawn on the right side with Delpech up and starts off on a reasonable merit rating. Firstimesacharm won convincingly on debut and can improve further, but does have to give the first selection 1,5kg and has a low draw. Intergalactic was hampered last time on the Greyville poly but had shown signs of good ability before that and could also earn.

In the seventh, a MR 91 Handicap over 1200m, Talktothestars, having faced a good field at Scottsville last time when beaten 2,3 lengths over this trip, might appreciate a return to this easier track and could resume winning ways. Gambol will appreciate the step down in trip and could be a threat. Dennisthemenace showed he is competitive off this merit rating last time and could earn.

In the eighth, a merit rated 72 handicap over 1200m, Supanova rallied back to win his debut over course and distance and the form has been franked so he could win off a lowly Merit rating of 63. Cosmic Tom, who represents the in form Houdalaksi yard, ran a good second over course and distance last time and jumps from a favourable draw off the  same merit rating with Weichong Marwing now up. The Gobi bounced back with a fine run over 1160m last time and a repeat of that effort under S’Manga Khumalo could see him involved in the finish.

In Race nine, a MR 68 Handicap over 1600m, Limited Edition ran on well over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track last time and is interesting from a favourable draw. Flaming Ace is in good form but was raised five points for his second place over 1800m last time. Lundy’s Star won a maiden well over course and distance last time and starts his handicap career off a reasonable merit rating.

In Race ten, a MR 69 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, Miristocrat has loved the step up to this trip and looks to have promise so could win this from a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up.

– David Thiselton

Gerrit Schlechter looks like being out of action for several weeks after his back injury flared up painfully when he returned after three months off at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The July and Met-winning jockey said: “I was fine on Aspen Fire in race two and when True Brave played up badly going down the chute for the next. But I really felt it when he began doing the same thing going to the start.

“Three months ago I had what they call a prolapsed disc – basically a torn ligament in my back. My neuro-surgeon said that the last thing he wanted to do was operate because there would be no comeback if he did. He said to rest it before it tore completely. Now I will have to go back to him again.”

When Schlechter eventually reached the start, several minutes late and still in pain, he was promptly stood down and his mount withdrawn. The race was won by Karl Neisius on Nabisco, the middle leg of Justin Snaith’s second treble in as many days, but the former champion trainer seemed just as impressed with Black Arthur even though the newcomer finished with only two behind him after being backed from 8-1 to 7-2 second favourite.

Snaith said: “He is a special horse but we had no alternative but to drop him out from his wide draw because he didn’t have the experience to go to the front. Also this was my last opportunity to run him for seven weeks.

“I’m not knocking Durbanville – the track is in great nick – but he is a heavy type of horse and the undulations wouldn’t suit him.”

Stable companion Twinkle Toes, who would have started favourite for the Pravda Maiden, has had a setback which saw her going lame on her off-fore and having to be scratched on Thursday evening.

Snaith related: “She injured herself in her first race but it didn’t come out until after her final sprint.”

There were some high trainer expectations for several newcomers in this race but victory went to 8-1 shot Sails Set, the most experienced horse in the field. Aldo Domeyer’s mount is trained by Brett Crawford whose Midnight Breeze, sixth after being backed from 20-1 to 7-1, had a genuine excuse because Robert Khathi’s saddle slipped back from the start.

Vaughan Marshall has some ambitious hopes for Olympian who romped home four lengths clear in the Michaud Agencies Handicap without even having to be shown Domeyer’s stick.

Marshall said: “This horse has got more in the tank and hopefully he is good enough to run in races like the Cape Flying Championship.”

The Mike Bass stable had a frustrating afternoon – two beaten favourites including Arabian Winter being pipped on the post by no more than the hair on the nostrils of the Glen Kotzen-trained Deep Secret – but Greg Cheyne employed much the same inspired last gasp tactics to snatch the last on Sheer Trouble and raise the roof in the Milnerton Medi-Clinic.

Candice Robinson said: “My father is now doing well. He is out of Intensive Care and in a ward. He is still weak – he needs to get himself exercising to get stronger – but he is talking and eating.”

Shock of the day was Piet Steyn’s Belcourt Castle, 28-1 outsider of the ten-runner Perpetua House Handicap. He made all under Brandon May after having the blinkers taken off for the first time in more than 20 races.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Gerrit Schlechter