aturday including the Gauteng Guineas and the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the first leg of the SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara. Phumelela Publishing got hold of some of the available trainers to chat about their runners.
MARCH 2, 2018
R1-MILLION GAUTENG GUINEAS (GRADE 2)
Paul Peter: I’m not worried about Majestic Mambo’s wide No 11 draw, to be honest. He can come from off the pace and he has proven that he has a good turn of foot. His prep has gone well. I’m scared of all these runners, but not because my horse has no ability. Only because the trip could be short – he is looking to go further, I think he will even stay 2400m. Should he win this leg I’ll be confident he can win the Triple Crown. Alssakhra is drawn wide at No 13, but he is a front runner and I’m hoping he can find a small place.
Robbie Sage: Vacquero is drawn 10, but a draw is a draw. If you have to run, you have to run – there is no use in complaining about it. I’m hoping he is a Triple Crown horse. I’m just under the impression he is a better horse over 1800m and further.
Mathew de Kock (for Mike de Kock): Noble Secret has a lot of potential and he hasn’t been exposed to Majestic Mambo or Surcharge. He has his issues which is why we gelded him. He can get uptight but it doesn’t get in his way when he runs. He could be anything. On form Pietro Mascagni is held by Surcharge but does show us more at home than he has brought to the races so far. As he matures we hope there will be more to come. Puget Sound has come on a lot since his first run as a gelding. I think he has a place chance. He has the draw at least. Royal Crusade has definitely made improvement at home in the blinkers. We just hope he can do it on race day. From draw No 1 he must be a big runner and he will go all three Triple Crown distances.
Sean Tarry: Big Bear has drawn deeply and we will change tactics and come from off them. He is good enough but may just need it. He will improve a lot with the race under his belt, and has had a problematic testicle removed since his last appearance. Wonderwall is fit and well and has the class, but has it all to do from a terrible draw. Silver God has a good draw and a good pedigree. We are taking our chances but on form he’s not good enough at the moment. He may need gelding.
Mike Azzie: Both Greek Fire and Ideal Secret are in a good space right now but Greek Fire is still inexperienced and Ideal Secret has to be ridden in a specific way. Greek Fire will only be having his fourth start in the Guineas. His only defeat was in his second start where he was far from ready. He was not even 50% fit and he gave the winner, Pietro Mascagni, 6kg. He will be better over further. I would say the SA Classic is more of his sort of race. Ideal Secret he has a powerful burst but it is not sustained for long so you have to keep him close and hold him up and let him got as late as possible. That’s why he is better off when he has a good draw. Last time he was drawn wide and he ended up too far back so Craig (Zackey) just nursed him through the race.
Gary Alexander: I fear 1600m could prove too short for Cash Time. He is a better horse over 2000m and further. His main mission is the SA Derby over 2450m on 5 May. Should he finish in the first four, it could be telling of his chances in the next two legs.
WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS
Paul Peter: Folk Dance is doing extremely well at home. She is fit and sound. Gavin worked her this week and was happy with her. I give her a massive chance, but she has the wide draw to beat. I’m not sure she’ll stay all three legs, but if she wins we might take a chance and see what happens.
Mathew de Kock: Fish River has had a perfect prep and seems to be an up-and-coming filly. Everything is in her favour. Silver Thursday is a filly who will go all three legs of the Triple Tiara and she’s much better in Joburg than Cape Town. She’s in a good space right now although she’s not fully wound up for this race as we’re planning to go for all three legs. She is a good filly and a good draw is a big plus because she’s a big-striding filly and she would battle to overcome a wide draw. Awfaa goes about her business quietly, she’s not a flashy filly. She’s won two nice races but hasn’t been exposed to this level. She doesn’t blow us away in the morning but she wins her races. Pearl Of Bahrain is a nice filly. She’s working with these fillies and hasn’t been outclassed and her work is good. Even if she wins or places there are limited penalties so her rating won’t go up a lot. Takingthepeace is a very honest filly. She did not have a bad run last time because she carried 2kg more than the others and it was her third run in a close period. She must also must have a chance.
Gary Alexander: I wouldn’t be surprised if Radiant Splendour wins this race but I can’t be confident. Winning the Guineas isn’t easy and we’re throwing her in the deep end. You can never know how good they are until you’ve run them against the best. I do see her running in the first four, plus, on paper, she should stay all three legs.
Ormond Ferraris: Dame Kelly takes on the best fillies and she has not proven herself at that level.
Sean Tarry: You can put a line through Aurelia Cotta’s earlier runs with the tongue tie. On her two Joburg runs with the tongue tie off she is good enough to be competitive. Rockin Russian is way better than what she showed in Cape Town. On her Joburg form she is a definite runner.
Phumelela Publishing collated various comments from trainers about their runners in the supporting races on Guineas day at Turffontein.
MARCH 2, 2018
HAWAII STAKES (GRADE 2) 1400m
Mathew de Kock: Sir David Baird’s prep has gone well. We chose this race as he drew badly in the Guineas. This will be the first time against older horse at weight for age terms so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
Gary Alexander: Kangaroo Jack has a good Eachway chance in this line-up.
Mike Azzie: Will Pays has to be a massive runner. He is ideally suited to the distance and runs well for Craig (Zackey).
Sean Tarry: Africa Rising is a 1400m specialist and has a definite chance. He has had a few little issues, but is a top horse. Matador Man is something of an enigma. He has the ability to win, but seems to reserve his best for KZN and Greyville.
Robbie Sage: I thought Coral Fever ran to his rating in the Met. He was trying the left-handed turn for the first time and the track simply didn’t suit him. We have decided to fit blinkers to his equipment and expect him to run well, but we a preparing him for the Colorado King Stakes (Grade 2) and the R4-million President’s Champion Challenge (Grade 1) on 5 May.
Johan Janse van Vuuren: This is a tough field for She’s A Giver but she’s working well. She will need luck in running from a poor draw but can finish in the money.
ACACIA HANDICAP (GRADE 3) 1600m
Johan Janse van Vuuren: Kilauea is showing lovely work and has been prepped especially for this race. Redberry Lane looks the right horse but we have a huge shout.
Sean Tarry: I have a very nice coupling. If Simply Royal settles she is a definite runner. I would lean slightly towards Redberry Lane though because she is definitely well suited to 1600m but there shouldn’t be much between them.
Paul Peter: Sabina’s Dynasty is a decent filly. I think you should just put a line through her last performance. She needs to be ridden a specific way. She needs to come from off the pace. If ridden that way she can make the frame.
Geoff Woodruff: Both Bi Pot and Al Danza are coming to hand and must have outside chances in a competitive race.
Lucky Houdalakis: I would have liked one more run for Banking April but have her as well as I could. I’m hoping she can run into the money.
Brian Wiid: Emily Jay is not drawn well but has reasonable form and I am hoping for a decent run.
Mathew de Kock: We’re hoping Alileo can stay and get some Black Type. The more mature she’s got the better she’s been racing.
Candice Dawson: Sylvan On Fire is doing well at home and is coming on nicely. I’m hoping she improves because if puts her best foot forward could have a say.
AQUANAUT HANDICAP (Listed) 2400m
Mathew de Kock: Kilrain won a good race last time in his first attempt at this distance. He has a nice draw and should put in the same kind of performance. We’re hoping this horse can improve as he now has more experience in a long-distance race.
Sean Tarry: Witchcraft has had a perfect prep, is very fit, and is down in the ratings. If correctly ridden she will be very competitive. Tambalang may well be looking for this trip. Her form is good, but I think she is better than what we have seen so far, and she is a big runner.
Gary Alexander: The Elmo Effect has a good Eachway chance.
RACE 5 THE CITIZEN PINNACLE STAKES 1800m
Johan Janse van Vuuren: Brazuca and Girl On The Run are both looking good but are prepping for bigger races. They could still run into the money. This is a very strong field and could easily have been a small feature race.
Mathew de Kock: Orchid Island has freshened up since Cape Town. She loves the course and distance and should be right there. She seems to do well against the boys when she gets a sex allowance.
Paul Peter: Fort Ember returns from a rest, but is doing very well at home. She is capable and can feature so I give her an Eachway chance.
Geoff Woodruff: Go Direct is being prepared for the Drum Star but should give a good account. Pagoda is over the virus he had so I am expecting a much better run.
Sean Tarry: After losing form Samurai Blade has turned the corner at home, and while he is out at the weights in this Pinnacle, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put in a good showing.
Gary Alexander: Unagi is working well and has a good Eachway chance.
Ormond Ferraris: Romany Prince always gives a genuine run and is not out of it.
RACE 1
Johan Janse van Vuuren: Tia and Forgimme (in Race 2) are showing good work and both expected to run very close. They’re probably our best two runners on the day.
Mathew de Kock: Rain Blossom has not shown much and we just hope the race can reveal more.
Robbie Sage: Mill Creek did well on debut and could improve enough to feature.
RACE 2
Sean Tarry: My first timer Proposition put up a fair gallop. He may need it but could end up in the money.
Geoff Woodruff: Shining Blade (first-timer) has shown some promise back home. The Turf King didn’t show much on debut but has come on since. He could make the back end of Quartets.
Lucky Houdalakis: King Of The Bay has been very disappointing because he shows so much at home.
Ormond Ferraris: Autumn Rain came to me full of booms but disappointed in his run on the turf. I have questions regarding him.
Brian Wiid: Lucky Deal may need another run but I am hoping for improvement.
RACE 3
Geoff Woodruff: Wolves Among Sheep made a fair debut and this step up in trip should suit, so I am expecting good improvement.
Lucky Houdalakis: Sucha Charmer has been thereabout lately but is badly drawn now so will need some luck in running. Whatsitallabout shows good work at home but has yet to reproduce that in a race.
Sean Tarry: Belfry will be competitive. I was happy with his last run, and the step up in trip will help.
Gary Alexander: Brand New Cadillac has a Place chance.
RACE 4
Geoff Woodruff: Prince Swarovski is coming to hand now and I expect him to be in the money.
Lucky Houdalakis: Tommy The Builder is another who has been thereabouts lately. I’m expecting more of the same.
Paul Peter: Corrido needed his last run after a gelding and wasn’t disgraced. He needed his last run and should go a lot closer on Saturday – expect a good showing.
Mathew de Kock: Limestone Mass slightly disappointed with first run. He was a little coltish on debut but his work at home is good and we’re hoping for a better performance
Candice Dawson: Shadow Man is doing well at home and I’m hoping he improves enough to feature in the Quartets.
Gary Alexander: The Bee Eff Gee has a Place chance.
Sean Tarry: Ghost Rider has a good draw and has a definite Eachway chance in a competitive race.
RACE 11
Mathew de Kock: Alwahsh is in good form and is a lot fitter. He’s a big burly horse and hopefully he can run well. This is Hakeem’s first run as a gelding. He is better for the gelding but he might need the run .
Lucky Houdalakis: Just As I Said will need the run after a long break.
Paul Peter: All has gone well with Pera Palace – he is very capable and I’m expecting him to go extremely close. He has an Eachway chance against this sort of field.
Geoff Woodruff: Zouaves is in a very competitive race but I am expecting him to run another honest race.
Sean Tarry: Torre Del Oro has a good course and distance record. He is doing very well, and will be finishing strongly.
RACE 12
Mathew de Kock: Well Connected has been a bit frustrating. He does work well and we’re trying blinkers. Hopefully he brings his best to the racecourse.
Sean Tarry: Both my runners here have let me down before. Changing Seasons and Silver King have had good preps and should be thereabouts, but I wouldn’t want to favour one over the other.
Bob Brogan wrote: I see from the above trainer comments that Azzie ran a horse” not even 50% fit”
Sad sad sad
Very Sad - However I think MA is just bloating and thats an exageration .
However the stipes should be wrapping them on the knuckles for this, As Mike Robinson said the other day on TT that he had two horses in the race TALLY-HO 5/1 to 17/2 and KAMAISHI 4/1 to 51/1, he liked KAMAISHI and TALLY-HO was just going for a run .
Guess who won and knocked most out of the Jackpot because of that comment .
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