The Highveld’s sand season has begun and there is an interesting nine race card today.

The meeting begins with a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. Magic ran an improved race last time over course and distance and has landed a favourable draw of ten as far as trends go. Justash is one-one in meetings with Magic over course and distance and has the eyecatching booking of Gavin Lerena  aboard, but he does have 2,5 lengths to make up from their last meeting. Fidelio has pace and is open to improvement but he is drawn one which is usually the unfavourable side. Corné Spies has a first-timer by Fort Wod, whose progeny love the sand, and one of his half-sisters Societi won on debut as a young two-year-old so there he could have some precocious speed. Another interesting first-timer is the St. John Gray-trained Jam Donut, who is by Jam Alley out of a mare, Sandy Beach, who loved the Vaal sand and was effective from1200-1450m.

The second is a Maiden Plate over 1000m and here Blue Tractor is an interesting runner. He hails from Cape Town where he wasn’t disgraced in some typically strong Kenilworth maiden races and he is by Rebel King meaning he should love the sand. Gaisce Gold showed a lot of pace last time over course and distance after a long rest and was blowing heavily after fading out, but the run would have brought him on plenty and he has a plum draw. His stablemate Victory Silks was only run out of it late over 1200m last time out and could also earn. Winter Soldier shows pace on the turf and on this surface could keep going, although he has an unfavourable low draw. Victories Folly and Commentator are two others who could surprise in this weak race.

The third is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m. Madam Alexis has shown some pace before on turf and on pedigree should enjoy the sand so could win this from a good draw under champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo. Attract The Crowd goes well for Ian Sturgeon and from a wide draw should be running on again. Eastside could overcome her wide draw with her early pace and under Lerena has a chance in a weak field. Her stablemate Hazel Nut showed pace at Durbanville, but usually made breathing noises, so might need it after an eight month layoff, although her ability could carry her to a place from a good draw. Buddy’s Falcon’s best run was over course and distance so she could also feature.

The fourth sees some good horses turning out in a Conditions Plate over 1600m. Form Up was not striding out last time but will be a big runner from a good draw if bouncing back. The Royal Rumba is an improving sort who has taken well to sand and is carrying a low weight from a good draw over a suitable trip, so should also be right there. All The Bids can hardly be separated from The Royal Rumba according to the form of their last meeting and should make a bold bid from pole position on a surface he loves. Captain Haddock has won twice over this distance so is interesting stepped up to it on the sand, which he has taken well to. Lavender Landscape won over course and distance last time despite being slow away and stumbling at the start. Uncle Tommy would win this if at his best but a concern is that in his last two starts he has finished lame and not striding out respectively. Iwo Jima is interesting in his third run after gelding and his first try on the sand.

The fifth is a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m. Nero could be the one to side with despite a wide draw, as he has run some fine races over course and distance. Fort Navidad should relish the step up in trip and should be involved. Lord Windsor won well in his first start on the sand over course and distance when under sufferance so could feature here again for an in form stable. Let’s Go West should take to the sand well on pedigree and should be considered. Dakiwe was very slow away last time and on best form could be a player from a good draw.

The sixth is a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m. River Trip has some good form over course and distance and should settle better than he has been lately in the good hands of Gavin Lerena. Roman Carnival has taken to the sand like a duck to water and if taking his place has a chance again here. On The Nod is interesting on his sand debut, as he should take to it on pedigree, although the question is whether he will have enough pace to be handy from his pole position draw.

Qawaasem is a classy, improving sort and can overcome a two point raise to win the seventh, a MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Lady Casey has a batter draw this time and is 1kg better off for a 0,75 length beating by Qawaasem so could reverse the form. Captain’s Diva could also earn.

The last is a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Portrait has a good sand pedigree and was unlucky on the turf over this trip last time so should go close from a nice draw. The pacey Jet Trip should be involved as she has a good sand pedigree and is drawn in pole. Joyful Spirit has been showing pace without finding extra in the closing stages on turf and this should see her taking well to the sand.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Championship chasing Gavin Lerena rides a few with good winning chances at the Vaal today.

Saturday’s Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner and reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate will not defend his Vodacom Durban July crown, but might well still take part in one or two Champions Season Gr1s. The brilliant Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old Dynasty colt will be nominated for both the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint and the Gr 1 Champions Cup, which are both to be run at Greyville, on July 17 and July 25 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Snaith’s ruling July favourite Futura is “very much” on track for the big race and so is Saturday’s Gr 3 Cup Trial third-placed Dynamic.

The yard have pulled Legislate out of the July in his “best interests.” They had ruled him a doubtful starter at the beginning of May, as he expended a lot of energy after his scratching at the start of the Drill Hall Stakes on May 2, and the feeling at the time was that a tilt at both the Gold Challenge and the July would be too much to ask of him, especially as he would be asked to carry a big weight in the July. The yard have stuck to their guns despite Legislate having won Saturday’s Gold Challenge, which was always his chief Champions Season target.

Futura, winner of both the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met, flew from last place in the Gold Challenge over 1600m on Saturday to finish 1,15 lengths back in fourth, while Dynamic likely boked his place in the July by staying on strongly for a 1,75 length third in Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m.

Jonathon Snaith said, “Futura has pulled up like a lion and Dynamic also pulled up well. I think Dynamic is a massive runner in the July with around 53kg on his back with Richard Fourie riding. He has run very well in three feature races in KZN, all from wide draws. After his Met run he was found to be sick with the same virus that affected Legislate. Bar that run his form has been unbelievable. He is a huge runner.”

By David Thiselton 

Picture: Justin Snaith and Legislate (Snaith Racing)

Captain Chaos gave Ronnie Sheehan one of his biggest wins for a long time when striding away from the opposition in the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth yesterday and, what is more, the veteran trainer reckons there is more to come.

Grant van Niekerk sent the 9-1 shot to the front a furlong out and his mount strode away to beat the strong-finishing 33-1 chance The Stone Thrower by three and a half lengths with the winning jockey punching the air in delight. Van Niekerk said: “This is a good horse, he quickens well and he was taking on what are probably the best two-year-olds in the Cape at the moment.”

Sheehan added: “I have never had a Captain Al before and I am over the moon. He is a top horse and when he goes over 1 600m he will be even better.”

The disappointment of the race was Tar Heel who started at 13-20 and managed only fourth with Anton Marcus reporting: “”Obviously he wasn’t the same horse as last time.”

Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith followed up Legislate’s great win by taking the Kenilworth Fillies Nursery with Petala, leaving Chris Snaith to reflect on what might have been had that devastating virus not struck at the height of the summer season. He said: “It was a terrible virus and it affected all the horses although the two-year-olds recovered faster than the others.

“Training is a juggling act. You try to keep as many balls in the air at the same time as you possibly can but when you drop the whole lot it’s very hard to start again.”

Riaan van Reenen was talking about balls of a different kind when Red Rex slammed his head against the wall of his racecourse stable a month ago – “I said that they had to come off. He knocked his face against the wall so aggressively that he knocked teeth out. It was horrible to see.”

Seemingly the operation worked a treat because Morne Winnaar was able to deliver him with a strong run to lead just inside the last 100m of the Soccer 6 Maiden and spring a 20-1 surprise. Van Reenen added: “He’s got a skew leg and one cloudy eye that means he can’t see properly but he will win more races.”

Stan Elley is still puzzling over the disappointing run of Betting World 1900 winner Dynastic Power in Saturday’s Cup Trial won by stable companion Punta Arenas. Dynastic Power was backed from 7-1 to 11-2 but finished with only one behind him.

Elley said: “He was 100% sound this morning (Sunday). He did have a foot abscess between the 1900 and this run and, while that should not have accounted for it, he was on antibiotics for four or five days and that may have left an effect.”

Robert Khathi travelled to Nairobi to renew his successful association with the David Southey–bred Happy Times. The Casey Tibbs filly started long odds-on for the Kenya St Leger and won easily. Khathi had already ridden her to victory in the Kenya Derby, Oaks and Fillies Guineas. He is convinced she would have won all five classics had she not been reluctant to load in the Guineas and been withdrawn by the starter.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Ronnie Sheehan and Captain Chaos (with Grant van Niekerk up) – Equine Edge 

There were a feast of racing accomplishments over the weekend, including Legislate’s successful return in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, but the highlight was no doubt American Pharoah becoming the 12^th horse in history to win America’s Triple Crown.

“And the 37 year wait is over! American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown!”, roared the overwhelmed commentator and the massive crowd did not stop cheering for the big Bob Baffert-trained colt by PioneerOf The Nile, who hardly looked as if he had been in a race.

It was one of the rides of the century by Victor Espinoza. Usually a horse with stamina doubts will be given a chance by dropping it out, but instead Espinoza, despite a tardy start, took American Pharaoah straight to the front. The tall horse relaxed beautifully at a steady gallop. The Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij travelled well throughout behind him on the rail and was switched out to challenge around the final turn.

Meanwhile Frosted had slipped through down the inside and went with Amrican Pharaoah when he kicked for home. Mubtaahij fought on bravely but was no match for the front two. Meanwhile, the crowd’s roar dipped momentarily and millions of viewers around the world also held their breaths.

Could Frosted become the 14^th horse in the last 37 years to spoil a Triple Crown party? And the answer was no as American Phraoah found extra and pulled clear. The roof of the grandstand virtually lifted off as he passed the line five lengths clear. There was then a six lengths gap back to Keen Ice, who beat Mubtaahij by a length.

The rest of the eight horse field were unsighted and a sign of American Pharoah’s greatness was that despite apparently ambling for most of the journey his time of 2 minutes 26,65 seconds was only 2,65 seconds slower than the immortal Secretariats 31 length romp in the Belmont Stakes in 1973. Affirmed was the last to have achieved the Triple Crown in 1978 and the year before that Seattle Slew did it. In the build up to American Pharoah’s bid Seattle Slew’s trainer Billy Turner commented, “The way he (American Pharoah) ran in the Preakness, it sure looked like it didn’t take anything out of him.”

It looked the same after Saturday’s history-making accomplishment. Most race fans like to think great horses have a certain showmanship about them and know they are good, but American Pharaoah’s demeanor throughout the wild cheering post race was one of nonchalance and he remained relaxed to the point of being almost half asleep. This horse looks to be a legend in the making and he will no doubt become a great asset to the Sport Of Kings.

At Greyville, Legislate showed once again that he loves to run fresh and that he also loves Greyville. Richard Fourie gave him an enterprising ride, taking him to the front and on course part-owners Dennis Evans and Jack and Nancy Mitchell would have been thrilled to see him back to his best. His kick at the top of the straight was enough to send him clear and he was then able to hang on from a brave Willow Magic, who showed his class in his first trip beyond a sprint since he had won the Dingaans 19 months ago.

The lung infection that blighted Legislate’s L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate run has clearly not had any long term effect and it will be no surprise to see him announced as a definite to defend his Vodacom Durban July crown, now that he has accomplished his main Champions Season goal. Bezanova showed his liking for Greyville again by finishing third. Futura made up a lot of ground from last in the steady-paced race to finish a 1,15 length fourth and should be spot on for the July.

Punta Arenas deservedly won the Gr 3 Cup Trial under the underrated jockey Ian Sturgeon, as he has had to contend with a plethora of wide draws in big races since landing his first graded success in the Gr 3 Winter Derby three years ago. The six-year-old Silvano gelding is an evergreen sort who always gives the impression he loves his racing. It was a fitting win for popular Cape trainer Stan Elley, his second Graded success in the space of a month at Greyville, as he had announced earlier in the week that he would retire from training at the end of this season.

Hammie’s Hooker has always appeared best at 1400m and she duly defended her crown in the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m. She put up a career best effort in last season’s Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on July day when going close against the brilliant Beach Beauty, and will need to again because Same Jurisdiction ran a cracker in the Tibouchina, her comeback from a luckless Johannesburg campaign. Coming from near the back, she was doing her best work late.

The Neil Bruss-trained Go Deputy filly Flying Ice remained unbeaten when winning the Listed Devon Air Stakes under Weichong Marwing, beating a still green looking Almashooqa. This was a deserved win for owner Michelle Paterson, who now resides in Australia, as her first expensive purchase for Bruss, Savannah Air, turned out to be a “wobbler”. However, Paterson did not throw in the towel and her second purchase for him, a R10,000 Go Deputy called Bandana Girl, has won a race and she now has a lot to look forward to with Flying Ice.

The impressive 3,25 length winner of the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes Rabada provided  an exciting moment for KZN breeding as he is by the promising Summerhill Stud sire Brave Tin Soldier. Jockey Anton Marcus confirmed he was still green and would likely be even better as a three-year-old.

In Harare an incredible crowd of over 70,000 poured into Borrowdale for the Gr 2 Ok Grand Challenge, where the side attraction was a plethora of cars and other prizes being  given away. The St. John Gray-owned-trained-and-bred six-year-old Jam Alley gelding Yer-Maan became the second horse in two years to do the Gr 1 Castle Tankard-Ok Grand Challenge double, following Silvano filly Equina achieving it last year. Yer-Maan, ridden by Zimbabwean Champion jockey Quinton Riddle, will no doubt try and go one better by winning the Gr 3 Republic Cup in early July.

At Epsom Downs in the UK, Frankie Dettori won the world’s most famous race, the Epsom Derby, on the unbeaten John Gosden-trained Golden Horn, who quickened in emphatic style in the closing stages to win in the manner of a great horse. It was also a second Derby win for Gosden.

By David Thiselton 

Picture: American Pharoah winning the Gr1 Belmont Stakes (Getty)