“We had that virus in the yard so we thought we would rather wait with him,” says Justin Snaith, explaining the absence. He believes the horse will be fit enough – “Definitely, and he is doing well.”

The drop in trip could be a problem, particularly against seasoned sprinters. After all, he is Jackson’s full brother and the impression he gave when winning over 1 400m last time was that the further he goes the better he is. “That was a slow run race,” his trainer points out. “But we want to see what he is like in a sprint and also I want to sharpen him up for the Durban season.”

Richard Fourie’s mount was raised 3kg for last time’s win and that shouldn’t stop him – he scored impressively – but the distance might and the 8-10 at which he opened with Betting World yesterday suggests it could pay to look for alternatives.

Mister Matchett (4-1) and Captive Action (10-1) have gone up 2.5kg and 1.5kg for recent wins, suggesting both could struggle to go in again. But Tiger Tiger may prove rewarding at 4-1 as he went close when dropped back to this trip last month and he runs off the same rating.

“We put him back to 1 200m because the pace hadn’t been on in his races over a mile,” says Paul Reeves. “He ran a nice race that day and we are sticking where the form is. He is doing very well.”

Snaith introduces the Singapore import My Son who is a 7-1 chance. “I have had him about four months,” says the champion trainer. “What surprised us was that he raced in Singapore off 82 and they have given him a rating of 95 here so we want to see how he runs.”

The handicappers say they contacted the director of racing in Singapore and were informed that the correct South African mark for the horse is 95.

Prize Peg ran well enough on debut to suggest she could be the one in the first and 35 minutes later Jet Air looks worth an interest. He was heavily backed on his Durbanville debut but lost several lengths at the start.

Captain’s Dove and Annigoni are the form horses in races three and four but the Brett Crawford/Corne Orffer combination have a good chance of collecting both with Amarillo Rose and Silver Snaffles.

“Silver Snaffles is a really nice horse in the making and, while he will probably want a bit further at some stage, I am expecting a competitive run,” says Crawford. “Similarly Amarillo Rose who improved from her first race to her second.”

The well-travelled and internationally respected Marwing appears to be a lot more careful with his choice of rides these days but the results have been positive. His strike rate continues to improve with nine of his last 14 rides earning a stake, including four wins.

Similarly, the Alexander stable have been selective with their runners and the Turffontein-based yard appear to be turning the corner with five of their last six runners finishing in the first four. However, visits to the winners box have been few and far between but that could change in the second tomorrow when they send out King And Empire to contest a Maiden Plate.

Similar to his yard’s recent fortunes, the son of Brave Tin Soldier has had a recurring habit of featuring in the boxes adjacent to the winner’s enclosure but the recent addition of blinkers appears to have solved the problem. King And Empire was a strong finisher when fitted with the equipment for the first time at the Vaal recently and he looks set to run a big race back at a more suitable track.

Any support for the improving Pataudi and Counterstroke should be respected but King And Empire’s experience, together with Marwing’s handling, is expected to give the Alexander runner the edge.

The pair combine again with Mr Mulliner in the seventh and the four-year-old gelding looks well-weighted, back in a handicap, based on his second to Exelero at level weights in a Graduation Plate last time out. Mr Mulliner is 5kg better off this time around for a four-length defeat. Add to that the services of Marwing, as well as a good draw of three, and a form reversal looks likely.

Marwing and Alexander also combine with the consistent Classic Illusion in the eighth, a Pinnacle Stakes over a mile, but the mare looks up against it at the weights which clearly favour the classy Arcetri Pink.

It’s rare to see Marwing ride for the Alexander yard but the timing of this collaboration appears spot on and it could pay to follow them at Turffontein tomorrow.

The betting suggests a wide open race with Honolulu a marginal 4-1 favourite. Mark Dixon’s runner has taken to the poly in her last two starts and can defy top weight however, Stirling Leaves was a touch unlucky behind Don’t Mention It last time out and can make amends. Flash McQueen showed promise before a lengthy break and any market support should be taken seriously.

Course and distance specialist Nitro Nori took an eight-point penalty for his last win that could put a spanner in the works as far has making it four wins on the bounce. Supreme Power gets the services of Anton Marcus but Glen Kotzen’s runner took a hefty penalty for beating Black Jaguar three runs back and his subsequent second to Nitro Nori saw another four added to his handicap mark which will make things even tougher. Firewood was tossed into a strong handicap first up out of the maidens and the drop in class here may make him the one to beat.

First Sea Lord caught the eye when third behind All Together Now at only his second outing and looks the part in the third as he steps up to a “mile”. Baltic Amber should prefer this trip and was not far off Firewood in his last start which makes him a big runner while Colchis has been knocking at the door for some time now and was only caught late last time out.

The Sir Juice Durban Progress Plate heads the card and Fly Peg Fly returns to the turf, having run all her races on the poly since the surface was commissioned back in August last year.

The switch back to grass does raise concerns but Paul Gadsby’s runner has exemplary poly form and should make a bold showing. She was up against the highly rated African Dream last time out and finished under two lengths to Mark Dixon’s charge after moving up smartly in the straight.

Four-claiming apprentice Nicholas Patel gets the leg up tonight and from a plum draw, Fly Peg Fly should be a big runner.

However, there are only seven runners carded and if the handicappers have added their numbers up correctly then recent Maiden winner Dreya’s Gold is the filly they all have to beat. She is rated 3,5kg better than the opposition and has a light weight with apprentice Jose Barnes taking 2,5kg off her back. Last time out she took on a very smart field of males in a Graduation Plate won by London Call and this field is arguably weaker.

Top weight Imperial Faberge has some useful sprint form but has not been out since December last year. However, horses from this yard seldom step out short of a gallop but if it comes to a really tight finish she may just be found wanting.

The seventh sees a couple of promising sophomores in action with Highway Explorer, Hunting Owl and Fortissimo seemingly the pick. Highway Explorer has been fitted with blinkers for the first time and there was a lot to like about his third behind London Call at Scottsville recently. Blinkers and a plum draw see him 12-10 favourite ahead of recent poly track winner Fortissimo on offer at 5-2.

Majmu is apparently not yet at her best and the decision has been taken by De Kock not to run her in the SA Fillies Classic. That opens the way for Sean Tarry’s charge, Siren’s Call, to stake her claim for the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and the R1-million bonus that goes with it.

Siren’s Call won the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and will prefer the extra 200m but she could face a tougher challenge from Same Jurisdiction. In the Fillies Guineas she had to overcome a wide draw and also suffered interference. This time Duncan Howells’ charge has a very decent No 2 draw and Anton Marcus in the irons.

De Kock saddles Estidraaj, who scored an impressive win last time out but takes a jump in class.

Harry’s Son, winner of the Betting World Gauteng Guineas, will take his place in the Classic despite his No 17 draw, and is the only runner who is capable of claiming the R2-million bonus for winning SA Triple Crown.

Piere Strydom has retained the ride but there are stamina doubts about the Paul Lafferty-trained Australian-bred runner. Even if he does win the SA Classic it is questionable whether the connections will be tempted to try him over 2450m in the SA Derby on Saturday 25 April.

Ertijaal, impressive winner of the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby in January, will take his place in the final SA Classic field. He is another with a wide raw but over 1800m on the standside track jockey Gavin Lerena will have the opportunity to position his charge as they have around 400m of back straight before they hit the turn. In addition, based on the manner in which he won the Cape Derby, it would come as no surprise to see the Mike de Kock-trained runner go off to the front.

French Navy, a flying second in the Guineas, is well drawn at No 2 and will have many supporters over this extra 200m. Raymond Danielson retains the ride.

Only 16 runners can go to post for the race which means one runner has to be a reserve runner. Racegoers might find it strange that Unparalleled, the second highest rated runner in the race, has landed up in that position.

Unfortunately trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren did not declare his horse before the stipulated deadline. In terms of the rules his horse remains a declared runner but goes to the bottom of the pack. As more than 16 runners accepted, Unparalleled becomes the reserve and will only race if there is a withdrawal.

 

Final field for the R2-million SA Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m

1 – 17 HARRY’S SON (P V Lafferty) P Strydom 58.0 – 114

2 – 16 ERTIJAAL (M F De Kock) G Lerena 58.0 – 107

3 – 2 FRENCH NAVY (S G Tarry) R Danielson 58.0 – 105

4 – 1 MLJET (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 58.0 – 105

5 – 6 FOREST FOX (P A Peter) A Marcus 58.0 – 102

6 – 13 ILLUMINATI (W H Marwing) S Cormack 58.0 – 100

7 – 11 PRINCE OF ORANGE (R R Magner) G van Niekerk 58.0 – 99

8 – 10 MUTAMAKKIN (M F De Kock) A Delpech 58.0 – 97

9 – 3 ARNISTON (J A Soma) …………… 58.0 – 94

10 – 15 DEPUTY JUD (M G Azzie) B Fayd’Herbe 58.0 – 94

11 – 14 GREEK LEGEND (M G Azzie) J P v’d Merwe 58.0 – 94

12 – 9 AMSTERDAM (P A Peter) I Sturgeon 58.0 – 88

13 – 5 DIESEL JET (E Verdonese) M Yeni 58.0 – 88

14 – 8 MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing) W Marwing 58.0 – 86

15 – 7 RAMPANT ICE (W H Marwing) M V’Rensburg 58.0 – 86

16 – 12 FINCHATTON (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 58.0 – 83

Reserve Runners

17 – 4 UNPARALLELED (J A Janse van Vuuren) Reserve 1 58.0 – 112

Same Trainer: (2,8) (3,16) (5,12) (6,14,15) (10,11)

 

Final field for the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m

1 – 2 SAME JURISDICTION (D C Howells) A Marcus 58.0 – 110

2 – 7 SIREN’S CALL (S G Tarry) P Strydom 58.0 – 105

3 – 6 BANBURY (G H Van Zyl) B Fayd’Herbe 58.0 – 104

4 – 8 PINE PRINCESS (M F De Kock) G Lerena 58.0 – 103

5 – 3 TROPHY WIFE (S G Tarry) R Danielson 58.0 – 103

6 – 5 SMART CALL (A G Laird) W Marwing 58.0 – 101

7 – 4 SENSIBLE LOVER (W H Marwing) M V’Rensburg 58.0 – 99

8 – 9 TAMAANEE (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 58.0 – 99

9 – 1 ESTIDRAAJ (M F De Kock) A Delpech 58.0 – 93

10 – 10 ZRINSKI (R R Sage) G Wrogemann 58.0 – 84

Same Trainer: (2,5,8) (4,9)

 

• Phumelela Racing

There will be plenty for South African fans to cheer as Tony Millard saddles Super Jockey in the Golden Shaheen and Mike de Kock sends out a total of seven runners on the night, including Pylon in the Godolphin Mile;  Al Moonqith, Star Empire and Mushreq in the Dubai Gold Cup;  Mubtaahij (pictured) in the UAE Derby;  Via Africa in the Al Quoz Sprint and Umgiyo in the Dubai Turf.

Runners and their trainers are listed below:-

$1,000,000 Gr2 Godolphin Mile – 1600m (dirt)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Graphic (Ireland)	William Haggas
2.	Sloane Avenue (USA)	Jeremy Noseda
3.	Bradester (USA)	Eddie Kenneally
4.	Tamarkuz (USA)	Musabah Al Muhairi
5.	Pylon (South Africa)	Mike de Kock
6.	Surfer (USA)	Satish Seemar
7.	Frankyfourfingers (France)	Salim bin Ghadayer
8.	Dark Emerald (Ireland)	Brendan Powell
9.	Gold City (Ireland)	Satish Seemar
10.	Prayer For Relief (USA)	Dale Romans
11.	Layl (USA)	Doug Watson
12.	Forjatt (Ireland)	Dhruba Selvaratnam
13.	Nolohay (Ireland)	Musabah Al Muhairi
14.	Footbridge (USA)	Charlie Appleby
15.	Free Wheeling (Australia)	Saeed bin Suroor

 

$1,000,000 Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup – 3200m (turf)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Brown Panther (Great Britain)	Tom Dascombe
2.	Bathyrhon (Germany)	Pia Brandt
3.	Dubday (Great Britain)	Jassim Al Gazali
4.	Ahzeemah (Ireland)	Saeed bin Suroor
5.	Meandre (France)	Doug Watson
6.	Al Moonqith (USA)	Mike de Kock
7.	Cooptado (Argentina)	Doug Watson
8.	Rio Tigre (Ireland)	Salim bin Ghadayer
9.	Star Empire (South Africa)	Mike de Kock
10.	Brass Ring (Great Britain)	Ismail Mohammed
11.	Havana Beat (Ireland)	Andrew Balding
12.	Mushreq (Australia)	Mike de Kock
13.	Marzocco (USA)	John Gosden
14.	Al Saham (Great Britain)	Saeed bin Suroor
15.	Dormello (Ireland)	Dhruba Selvaratnam
16.	Vaasa (Ireland)	Ahmad bin Harmash

 

$2,000,000 Gr2 UAE Derby – 1900m (dirt)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Dear Domus (Japan)	Yutaka Takahasi
2.	Tap That (Japan)	Yasutoshi Ikee
3.	Golden Barows (USA)	Noriyuki Hori
4.	Faithful Creek (Ireland)	Brian Meehan
5.	My Johnny Be Good (USA)	Eoin Harty
6.	Sir Fever (Uruguay)	Charlie Appleby
7.	Mubtaahij (Ireland)	Mike de Kock
8.	Maftool (USA)	Saeed bin Suroor
9.	Al Najem Al Faiz (Saudi Arabia)	Badr Reziac
10.	Motaa (Saudi Arabia)	Badr Reziac

 

$1,000,000 Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint – 1000m (turf)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Sole Power (Great Britain)	Edward Lynam
2.	Amber Sky (Australia)	Ricky Yiu
3.	Peniaphobia (Ireland)	Tony Cruz
4.	Bundle Of Joy (Australia)	David Hall
5.	Distinctiv Passion (USA)	Jeff Bonde
6.	Stepper Point (Great Britain)	William Muir
7.	Via Africa (South Africa)	Mike de Kock
8.	Farmah (USA)	Francois Rohaut
9.	Sir Maximilian (Ireland)	Ian Williams
10.	Ahtoug (Great Britain)	Charlie Appleby
11.	Caspar Netscher (Great Britain)	David Simcock
12.	Caspian Prince (Ireland)	Tony Carrolll
13.	Lancelot De Lac (Italy)	Dean Ivory
14.	Hototo (Great Britain)	Fawzi Nass
15.	Green Mask (USA)	Wesley Ward
16.	Mirza (Great Britain)	Rae Guest

 

$2,000,000 Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen – 1200m (dirt)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Lucky Nine (Ireland)	Caspar Fownes
2.	Rich Tapestry (Ireland)	Michael Chang
3.	Big Macher (USA)	Richard Baltas
4.	Secret Circle (USA)	Bob Baffert
5.	Salutos Amigos (USA)	David Jacobson
6.	Muarrab (Great Britain)	Musabah Al Muhairi
7.	Shaishee (USA)	Musabah Al Muhairi
8.	Krypton Factor (Great Britain)	Fawzi Nass
9.	Super Jockey (New Zealand)	Tony Millard
10.	United Colour (USA)	Dhruba Selvaratnam
11.	Speed Hawk (USA)	Robert Cowell
12.	Cool Cowboy (USA)	Doug Watson
13.	El Padrino (New Zealand)	Alwin Tan

 

$6,000,000 Gr1 Dubai Turf – 1800m (turf)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Euro Charline (Great Britain)	Marco Botti
2.	Mshawish (USA)	Todd Pletcher
3.	Solow (Great Britain)	Freddy Head
4.	Cladocera (Great Britain)	Alain de Royer Dupre
5.	The Grey Gatsby (Ireland)	Kevin Ryan
6.	Hunter’s Light (Ireland)	Saeed bin Suroor
7.	Trade Storm (Great Britain)	David Simcock
8.	Farraaj (Ireland)	Dhruba Selvaratnam
9.	Earnshaw (USA)	Salim bin Ghadayer
10.	Umgiyo (Australia)	Mike de Kock
11.	Limario (Great Britain)	Doug Watson

 

$6,000,000 Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic – 2410m (turf)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Main Sequence (USA)	Graham Motion
2.	Designs On Rome (Ireland)	John Moore
3.	Flintshire (Great Britain)	Andre Fabre
4.	Harp Star (Japan)	Hiroyoshi Matsuda
5.	Dolniya (France)	Alain de Royer Dupre
6.	One And Only (Japan)	Kojiro Hashiguchi
7.	Just The Judge (Ireland)	Charles Hills
8.	Sky Hunter (Great Britain)	Saeed bin Suroor
9.	Sheikhzayedroad (Great Britain)	David Simcock
10.	True Story (Great Britain)	Saeed bin Suroor

 

$10,000,000 Gr1 Dubai World Cup – 2000m (dirt)

No	Name	Trainer
1.	Epiphaneia (Japan)	Katsuhiko Sumii
2.	California Chrome (USA)	Art Sherman
3.	Hokko Tarumae (Japan)	Katsuichi Nishiura
4.	Ron The Greek (USA)	Nicholas Bachalard
5.	Lea (USA)	William Mott
6.	African Story (Great Britain)	Saeed bin Suroor
7.	Prince Bishop (Ireland)	Saeed bin Suroor
8.	Side Glance (Great Britain)	Andrew Balding
9.	Candy Boy (USA)	Doug Watson

(Fields sourced from:  Thenational.ae)

Picture: Mubtaahij (Dubai Racing Club)

– Sportingpost.co.za