David Thiselton

The Betway Summer Cup’s final pointer race, the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes, has been run and the next step in the R6 million saga is to see whether there are any supplementaries on or before the final entry stage of November 18.

The final field announcement will be on Wednesday November 20. 

The most obvious horse for a late supplementary entry is the Victory Moon winner Greeting My Master.

However, that is unlikely to happen as he will face an impossible task with the Victory Moon  runner up Main Defender and also with the fifth-placed Purple Pitcher.

Greeting My Master beat Main Defender by half-a-length, but would face him on 6kg worse terms in the Summer Cup.

Greeting My Master beat Purple Pitcher by four lengths, but would face him on 11kg worse terms in the Summer Cup.

Purple Pitcher was used as the line horse in the Victory Moon and that allowed Main Defender to escape with a one point merit rated raise, which takes the latter to 130.

Purple Pitcher was 3kg under sufferance with Main Defender and was only 3,50 lengths behind him.

Greeting My Master was raised three points to 110, so as things stand would be 5kg under sufferance if entered in the Summer Cup.

Nothing has happened over the weekend to cause a major shake up of the final log.

However, Thunee Playa, who was one of the outside looking in horses on the log, did run fourth in the Victory Moon, which might warrant him for consideration despite his lowly merit rating of 93, which went up four points to 97.

Rule By Force also won a MR 106 Handicap over 1800m in good style on Monday.

Future Pearl finished last in the Victory Moon and Pure Predator was third last so their positions in the final field might be questioned, despite them both having been in the top 20 on the final log.

Furthermore, the number one on the final log, Dave The King, was said by Mike de Kock to not be running in the Summer Cup. He had him running in a Pinnacle event in December in preparation for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

So the certainties in the final field could be See It Again, Royal Victory, Winchester Mansion, Main Defender, Purple Pitcher, Barbaresco, Frances Ethel, Silver Sanctuary, Beating Wings, Hotarubi, Atticus Finch, Puerto Manzano, My Soul Mate, Madison Valley and Safe Passage and also Greeting My Master if he is supplemented.

Those fighting for the last four or five places will be , Pure Predator, Future Pearl, Rule By Force, Thunee Player, Zeus, Litigation, Son Of Raj, Meridius, Aragosta, Shoemaker, Cape Eagle, Red Maple, Nebraas, Indian Ocean, The Futurist, East Coast, Marauding Horde, River Romeo, Atarime and Pomodoro’s Jet.  

1

1 PRINCESS GOLDIE   4 HEAD GIRL   7 CHAKPORI   5 LADY SMALLWOOD

Summary: Dean Kannemeyer will be hoping that PRINCESS GOLDIE (1) can do better than stable mate Meritorious last Wednesday. Princess Goldie has shown promise in her two starts on the turf but the switch to the poly from a favourable draw can see her home. HEAD GIRL (4) has had plenty of chances but is never too far back and goes well on the poly. Andre Nel’s filly should have her place in the sun one day soon. Yadav Singh saddles CHAKPORI (7) who has been much improved on the poly, her best run being over course and distance. She can feature in this small field. (Andrew Harrison:  1-4-7-5).

2

7 GREY FANTASY   1 WAR EMPRESS   3 SWEET JULIA   2 EMERALD GREEN

Summary: Louis Gooden holds a strong hand with three runners, best of which could be top weight WAR EMPRESS (1). She has been contesting higher handicaps on the turf and the switch to poly could be in her favour in this event. SWEET JULIA (3) had no luck from a wide draw last start and Alyson Wright’s filly should go close for her second win. GREY FANTASY (7) has her third run after a break and showed improved form at her second start. She makes her poly debut but should strip at her peak. EMERALD GREEN (2) goes well on the ploy and from a favourable draw should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-2).

3

1 STAR OF THE FUTURE   4 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE   6 LIGHTINGFORK   8 FORTUNE HUNTER

Summary: Frank Robinson has two runners, best of which should be STAR OF THE FUTURE (1). He is lightly raced and has his third run after a break. He was a narrowly beaten third when tried over ground for the first time and if he takes to the poly he could be difficult to beat in this line-up. Danger could be Gareth van Zyl’s GIMMETHEGOODLIFE (4) who has improved in two starts since coming from the Cape. He was well supported in the market at his last outing over 1200m and the step up in trip could bring out the best. Kom Naidoo had two winners last Wednesday and sends out LIGHTNINGFORK (6) who made good improvement last run although it was over 2300m. He has only had three runs and the field could all be chasing as Naidoo likes his runners to go forward. FORTUNE HUNTER (8) shows some promise after only two starts and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-6-8).

4

6 MR HOTSTEPPER   2 KING BAVARIAN   4 PORFIRIO   8 WAVE WARRIOR

Summary: MR HOTSTEPPER (6) was due to run last Sunday but was withdrawn by assistant John Buckler due to an ‘interrupted work programme’. He shoulders top weight here but the form of his two races have held up well and if racing fit should make a strong claim. KING BAVARIAN (2) is due a change of fortune. His current form is solid and with a handy galloping weight he should feature again. PORFIRIO (4) goes very well on the poly and stays the trip. The stable appear to have hit some form and at best will make a race of it for Kom Naidoo. WAVE WARRIOR (8) has been knocking at the door for some time now and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard he too should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-4-8).

5

3 SUMMER SONG   7 GREEN VALKYRIE   5 DOCTOR’S ORDERS   1 KISSHOTEN

Summary: Competitive handicap. SUMMER SONG (3) appeared to have been in need of her last run behind KISSHOTEN (1) and should come on with that run. Andre Nel’s mare is now 3.5kg better off in the handicap taking Rachel Venniker’s allowance into consideration and if fit and well, Summer Song looks the part. GREEN VALKYRIE (7) was in that same race, finishing second to Kisshoten, beaten less than a length. She is now 1kg better off so there should not be much between the two again. DOCTOR’S ORDERS (5) is back on her favourite surface and cannot be left out of any calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-5-1).

6

1 KNIGHT WARRIOR   4 IBUTHO   9 SAVANTRIX   2 VOLDEMORT

Summary: KNIGHT WARRIOR (1) could solve the problem in a difficult handicap. The eight-year-old’s last win was over course and distance and he ran a smart race behind the rejuvenated Future Flo last time. He has the best of the draw and Dennis Bosch has booked Serino Moodley for the ride which is a big plus as he is riding at the tip of his game. Alyson Wright has booked 2.5kg claiming apprentice Nirvan Nastili for IBUTHO (4), one of her three runners in the race. Stable companions VOLDEMORT (2) and WINTER WAVES (3) are both in with chances and there should be very little between them and Dean Kannemeyer’s pair of SAVANTRIX (9) and BUGALUGS (8) with all four having met last time out with little more than a length between them. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-9-2).

7

3 MR MASTER STARTER   5 MR HENLEY   8 WILLIAM RUFUS   1 CONNERY

Summary: MR MASTER STARTER (3) is due a change of fortune after running two smart races in Pinnacle events at his last two outings. He has done well on the poly and with a better draw this time around should be competitive. Tony Rivalland was confident of the chances of MR HENLEY (5) if the gelding brought his A-game to the races and he won rather well. Kabelo Matsunyane stays with the ride and a repeat could see the gelding home again. WILLIAM RUFUS (8) was the lessor fancied of the Kannemeyer pairing when last he ran and was touched off by the useful Rivalland-trained Strathclyde. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for Mr Master Starter but he was wrong on that occasion too. CONNERY (1) is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape for Glen Kotzen with a four-claiming apprentice up on both occasions. He jumps in class after a seven-point ride in the handicap over a furlong further but still has the benefit of a 2.5kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-8-1).

8

10 LOU LOU THE LEGEND   3 STEVIE GEE   2 PURPLE POWAHOUSE   1 PHAKA IMALI

Summary: Lou is never going to be a legend  but MJ Odendaal appears to have picked the right race for LOU THE LEGEND (10) in spite of him having drawn widest of all. The gelding has been costly to follow but comes into the race with bottom weight over his optimum course and distance. He has a strong chance in this line-up. STEVIE GEE (3) has useful form over course and distance and is never far back. With some luck in running he can make it all the way. Veteran galloper PURPLE POWAHOUSE (2) is one short of his half-century of runs and is way better than his last effort. He has been consistent of late although possibly better over a furlong shorter. PHAKA IMALI (1) is consistent and Gary Rich does well with these older runners. The gelding has the best of the draw and is not out of it. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-2-1).

Andrew Harrison

Punters face some competitive handicaps on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and it could pay to load up their wallets in the first few races.

Dean Kannemeyer will be hoping that Princess Goldie can do better than stable mate Meritorious, a well beaten odds-on favourite last Wednesday. But Princess Goldie has shown promise in her two starts on the turf but the switch to the poly from a favourable draw can see her home in the first. Head Girl has had plenty of chances but is never too far back and goes well on the poly. Andre Nel’s filly should have her place in the sun one day soon. Yadav Singh saddles Chakpori who has been much improved on the poly, her best run being over course and distance. She can feature in this small field. 

In the second, Mike Miller’s filly Grey Fantacy has her third run after a break and showed improved form at her second start. She makes her poly debut but should strip at her peak and can win at good odds. Louis Goosen holds a strong hand with three runners, best of which could be top weight War Empress. She has been contesting higher handicaps on the turf and the switch to poly could be in her favour. Sweet Julia had no luck from a wide draw last start and Alyson Wright’s poly specialist should go close for her second win. Emerald Green is another Goosen runner who goes well on the ploy and from a favourable draw should be competitive. 

Frank Robinson has two runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6, best of which should be Star Of The Future. He is lightly raced and has his third run after a break. He was a narrowly beaten third when tried over ground for the first time and if he takes to the poly he could be difficult to beat in this line-up. Danger could be Gareth van Zyl’s Gimmethegoodlife who has improved in two starts since coming from the Cape. He was well supported in the market at his last outing over 1200m and the step up in trip could bring out the best. Kom Naidoo had two winners last Wednesday and sends out Lightningfork who made good improvement last run although it was over 2300m. He has only had three runs and the field could all be chasing as Naidoo likes his runners to go forward. 

In the fourth, Mr Hotstepper was due to run last Sunday but was withdrawn by assistant John Buckler due to an ‘interrupted work programme’. He shoulders top weight here but the form of his two races have held up well and if racing fit should make a strong claim. King Bavarian s due a change of fortune. His current form is solid and with a handy galloping weight he should feature again while Porfirio goes very well on the poly and stays the trip. The stable appears to have hit some form and at best will make a race of it for Kom Naidoo. 

The fifth is a competitive handicap but Summer Song appeared to have been in need of her last outing behind Kisshoten and should come on with that run. Andre Nel’s mare is now 3.5kg better off in the handicap taking Rachel Venniker’s allowance into consideration and if fit and well, Summer Song looks the part. Green Valkyrie was in that same race, finishing second to Kisshoten, beaten less than a length. She is now 1kg better off so there should not be much between these two again. Doctor’s Orders is back on her favourite surface and cannot be left out of any calculations. 

Knight Warrior could solve the problem in the sixth, another difficult handicap. The eight-year-old’s last win was over course and distance and he ran a smart race behind the rejuvenated Future Flo last time. He has the best of the draw and Dennis Bosch has booked Serino Moodley for the ride which is a big plus as he is riding at the top of his game. Alyson Wright has booked 2.5kg claiming apprentice Nirvan Nastili for Ibutho, one of her three runners in the race and he could prove the pick of the trio given his form in stronger company. Stable companions Voldemort and Winter Waves are both in with chances and there should be very little between them and Kannemeyer’s pair of Savantrix and Bugalugs with all four having met last time out with little more than a length separating them. 

Mr Master Starter is due a change of fortune in the seventh after running two smart races in Pinnacle events at his last two outings. He has done well on the poly and with a better draw this time around should be competitive. Tony Rivalland was confident of the chances of Mr Henley if the gelding brought his A-game to the races and he won rather well. Kabelo Matsunyane stays with the ride and a repeat could see the gelding home again. William Rufus was the lesser fancied of the Kannemeyer pairing when last he ran but was touched off by the useful Rivalland-trained Strathclyde. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for Mr Master Starter but he was wrong on that occasion too. Connery is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape for Glen Kotzen with a four-claiming apprentice up on both occasions. He jumps in class after a seven-point rise in the handicap over a furlong further but still has the benefit of a 2.5kg claimer aboard

Lou Lou is never going to be a legend  but MJ Odendaal appears to have picked the right race for Lou Lou The Legend in spite of him having drawn widest of all in the last. The gelding has been costly to follow but comes into the race with bottom weight over his optimum course and distance and can round off the meeting. Stevie Gee has useful form over course and distance and is never far back. With some luck in running he can make it all the way. Veteran galloper Purple Powahouse is one short of his half-century of runs and is way better than his last effort. He has been consistent of late although possibly better over a furlong shorter. Phaka Imali is consistent and Gary Rich does well with these older runners. The gelding has the best of the draw and is not out of it. 

David Thiselton

Marco van Rensburg is the most in form jockey in the country at present with eleven wins this month at a strike rate of 29.73%.

However, Gavin Lerena looks likely to be the one who will be the biggest competition to the odds-on favourite to retain his title, Richard Fourie.

Van Rensburg has ridden in seven meetings this month and his wins include a treble and three doubles.

His eleven wins have taken him to 32 wins for the season at a strike rate of 11.68%.

Van Rensburg has also enjoyed big race success as he won the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile on the Brett Crawford-trained Winchester Mansion (Trippi) and on the same day was successful on the Roy Magner-trained Olivia’s Way (Pathfork) in the Gr 3 Allied Steelrode Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m.

Both of those feature wins were notable because Winchester Mansion was coming off a tailed off last place finish, while the up and coming three-year-old filly Olivia’s Way was actually 5,5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings (she was duly given a 13 point raise for her cosy two length win).

Meanwhile, Gavin Lerena’s treble on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and double yesterday saw him go to 66 wins for the season at an excellent strike rate of 27.05%. That puts him just two wins behind the log leader Muzi Yeni, who is side-lined after fracturing a clavicle in a nasty fall in the Charity Mile. 

Winchester Mansion was ultimately blamed for Yeni’s fall after an inquiry, but no blame was apportioned to Van Rensburg’s riding.

A report by The Sporting Post said, “The Stipes said that the racing manners of Winchester Mansion was the major contributing factor, and several less substantial contributions resulted in Back In Business clipping the heels of Meridius and Jockey Muzi Yeni being dislodged.

They suggested that the seriousness of any incident like this one where a horse/s suffers interference and a Rider falls in a race cannot be underestimated, but at the same time to level a charge against a Rider/s there needs to be sufficient carelessness and/or recklessness to the required degree to sustain a competent charge.

The Stipes determined that due to the complexity of this incident and the role played by several horses and riders, that a charge could not be sustained against riders and have decided to close the matter.”

Richard Fourie is on 57 wins for the season at a strike rate of 23.85%.

He is on the same number of wins as Craig Zackey, who has done it at 14.62%.

Fourie is generally only riding in two centres, which is the same as Lerena who is riding on the Highveld and in KZN.

However, Fourie’s association with the prolific Alan Greeff yard makes him the favourite for the title.

At this stage last season Fourie had 84 wins, which gives an inkling of his down-pedalling this season, and so the 3/1 odds of Lerena for the title with Hollywoodbets could be tempting for some compared to the 7/10 odds of Fourie.

Zackey is riding in all four centres, so he is an interesting proposition for the title at 4/1, but he would need to up his strike rate.

Yeni has now drifted to 7/1, after the unfortunate incident which came at a time when he looked to have a good chance of realising his long held dream of winning the championship. He had been riding on the Highveld, the Eastern Cape and KZN and his 68 wins had come at a strike rate of 15.53%. He is not out of it, but will need to ride his socks out in his comeback and will need to keep up his usual taxing schedule.

The only jockey who has a higher strike rate than Gavin Lerena for the season so far is the amazingly evergreen Piere Strydom, who rode a four-timer yesterday and his 31 wins have come at a phenomenal strike rate of 30.39%.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a very competitive eight-race card at the Vaal track today where does not look to be any stand-out bets. That said, tricky cards generally make for better dividends for those that get it right.

One of the better bets could come in the first where Endizayo run two smart races for Paul Matchett and should make another bold showing although the Tony Peter-trained Shesarocket started favourite on debut but raced green and was not beaten far. Gavin Lerena stays with the ride and she can make amends. Flying Solo was also green on debut and should come on from that. 

The second looks wide open but Neerah is one of the first runners back for Barend Botes since his return to the Highveld and it could be a winning one. The filly had some useful KZN form to stronger and with a 4kg claimer aboard she could go all the way. Piere Strydom is riding at the top of his game and rides for Clinton Binda so Smashing comes into the picture after two useful handicap efforts. Just Var made a smart local debut when dropped to a sprint. He was heavily supported in the betting that day and cast a shoe in the running.

The Specialist was highly rated by MJ Odendaal when racing in KZN but ran well below form when sent out favourite last time out. He looks the part in this set weights event with Strydom aboard for Sean Tarry and if back to his best he should get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. 

The fourth is a competitive handicap. Kadizora ran a much improved race last start when down in class. Mike de Kock’s filly is 1kg better off with race winner I Am Regal and there should not be much between the two if that form holds up. Sneak Preview has a light weight and although stepping up in class she was not far back at her last start and can feature.

The fifth is a tough handicap but Free In Seattle comes from a very much in form stable and has not been far back at recent outings. The step up in trip should suit St John Gray’s filly. Have A Party has improved in blinkers and was a comfortable winner last time out but she did get a six-point shunt up the handicap for the effort. Stable companion Fetching Flyer was an easy maiden winner last time out but got an eight-point rise in the handicap for the effort. She has only had six runs and looks progressive. The six-year-old Damova has come well of late but has been racing over much further but Strydom replaces the injured Muzi Yeni.

Silent War gets first time blinkers in the sixth and as an older horse with seven wins to his name, he could add an eighth. Bob’s Your Uncle had his consistency rewarded last run. He has another light weight with a 4kg claimer up and can follow up. Max The Magician has twice finished in front of Bob’s Your Uncle but is now 6.5kg worse off in the weights which could prove telling.

Corne Spies has confined Chocolate Soldier to sprints but was seemingly outclassed in the recent Gr2 Golden Loom which was his first run back from a break. He should come on from that and has smart form this trip. He is down in class and should go close. French Bolt not been out since June so returns from a lengthy break. However, he does have a touch of class and although this may just be a warm-up for the Gauteng Guineas  the form behind him is strong. Magic Tatoo may just have needed his last run in the Golden Loom and finished ahead of Chocolate Soldier but the latter is taken to turn the tables. 

The strangely named Cars Big As Bars can round off the afternoon. She has been a late starter but won well second time out after making a promising debut. She looks progressive and although shouldering a big weight, looks capable of following up in the field who all have big mileage on the clock. Dancing Dora makes her half-century but has been in consistent form over the trip and is due a change of fortune while the ten-year-old Samoa has her 98^th run but has finished in the money 58 times, seven times in the winner’s enclosure. Another win will not be out of turn.