Fourie Barometer 369 (updated on 06/05/2024)

Rivalland's Fruitful Meeting With NHA Re TCO2

Tony Rivalland (picture above), representing trainers as chairperson of SANTA (National Trainers Association), said he had had a fruitful meeting with the NHA today (Monday) on the issue of TCO2 testing, which caused three scratchings over the weekend, with one of them leading to a big racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville being abandoned.

The outcome of an earlier meeting with the NHA about the issue was that there had been an agreed concession that despite an international norm of a 36.0 mmol/L threshold level for TCO2, in SA the threshold would be raised one point to 37.0 mmol/L.

Today’s meeting was called due to a request from some trainers that it be upped to 38 mmol/L.

However, Rivalland emerged from the meeting happy to concede that 37 mmol/L was the right way to go.

He added, “At this point in time no trainers will be fined when their horses are scratched for being 37 or over. There is no penalty at the moment because obviously at this stage maybe some of these horses testing 37 or slightly over are not being intentionally “milkshaked”. There is something that is causing a higher than normal alkalizing effect in the horse and there will be road shows taking place over the next month whereby the NHA will convene meetings with trainers to explain to them why there are no fines at present and discuss the possible reasons for inadvertently high levels of TCO2. He said sometimes they will inform the trainer if it is above 35, just so the trainer is aware that something that is inadvertently in the feed, or something that the horse may have been given, could have caused it. However, information that is not breaking rules is never published.”

He continued, “So at this stage I am happy to concede that 37 is the level at which they will scratch horses. All this data has been reviewed and it will be reviewed again in the future. I think it was a productive meeting and I think they are addressing the matter reasonably, because there are no penalties for being above the limit at this stage, although obviously the penalty is that the horse does not compete in the race.”

He added, “So I feel it is fairly positive. I think the trainers will accept it. I will be sending them a letter with a bit more detail about what took place in the discussions and about the road shows.”

He continued, “There have been a lot of horses tested and there are only a very few of them who have been over the limit. I think six horses have been scratched in total since they have been doing it and they have data right from last year.”

Rivalland said he did not believe any “milkshaking” had occurred for the horses that were slightly above the threshold.

He added, “For the ones who were a bit more above it is possible there was an alkalizing agent given. Whether it was intentional or inadvertent based historically on what trainers were used to doing going in to a race, is why there is no penalty. So I think that is a reasonable approach. It gives the trainer an opportunity to review his or her feeding methods or any natural method or regimes that he or she has been using going in to a race and to make adjustments to it.”

He continued, “There will be penaties at some stage in the future otherwise it is pointless doing the test and that should act as a further deterrent to the trainer who is misguided in his or her approach into bringing a horse into a race.”

Rivalland said that most horses suffered from a form of excercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) (defined as detection of blood in the airways of horses after strenuous exercise).

He said, “Worldwide trainers administer substances that can help dehydrate a horse slightly going into the race. It is possible that the substance used to help dehydrate the horse to prevent EIPH are possibly being used incorrectly and at the wrong time. When horses dehydrate it is possible for them to have higher TCO2 levels than what they would normally have. That for me could be the explanation for some of the higher than expected levels. In America some states allow the use of furosemide (lasix) at race time and it has been shown to cause levels of TCO2 1.7 mmol/L above the normal threshold and they can be as high as 39. Those states allow a higher threshold level for TCO2.”

Tony continued, “In South Africa lasix is not allowed at race time, so we generally use a lot of homeopathic stuff before the day of the race, but it still causes the horse to dehydrate. Possibly some trainers may be witholding water too long, they maybe just slightly overdosing this homeopathic remedy and it could be causing slightly elevated TCO2 levels … but that is why they are not fining at present. That was appropos our agreement from the beginning that the horses would still be scratched, because they are following the IFHA’s thresholds.”

He continued, “So they have now given us a one point leeway, because the international threshold is actually 36. However, some trainers asked for it to be two points higher on 38, but at today’s meeting they showed me all the data. They couldn’t show me how all the horses tested because that is private information, but each horse had a number and what their bicarb level was. So I wouldn’t know which horses they were or which trainers, but clearly the horses with these higher TCO2 levels definitely performed well every single time. Not every one won, but a lot of them peformed very well. So that is whey they started doing this.”

“Overseas they have caught trainers doing milkshaking and they have been suspended. But it is not so easy to catch them. The problem is when you take a blood test the TCO2 level deteriorates very quickly after 12 hours, it dissipates in the blood, so that is why they are doing on course testing, because then it is being tested realtime.”

He added, “Normally what happens with milkshakes or Alkalizing agents is the trainers who are cheating are fully aware of the efficacy of what they are administering and you will find that they administer it at a time where it will be peaking at the time a horse is going to race. That is what gives the horse the advantage. All it is supposed to do is reduce the onset of fatigue or delay the onset of fatigue. But now there is evidence to suggest that bicarb has caused some horses to run worse. Just because they have higher bicarb levels doesn’t mean they race better. However, bicarbonate of soda can disguise other drugs in the system, because what happens is the horse ends up in an alkolitic state instead of acidotic or normal PH state, and that alkolitic state is what causes the masking of other drugs tested for.”

There has been the question of the handheld blood gas analysers not being calibrated properly.

Rivalland said, “If I looked at the data and the way they tested for the first month, then it is difficult to believe the machines are not being calibrated correctly. I’m no expert in them and I can’t say 100% for sure there is margin for error in them, but if they have all that data and only six horses have been scratched I think that is pretty reasonable if I look at how many hundreds of horses have been tested and if you look at where the average level lies. Don’t forget they have also correlated that data with blood samples that have then been sent away and when the blood samples are sent away the level drops slighly, but the diminished level correlates very closely to the on course level.”

He concluded, “But they are giving trainers the benefit of the doubt, they really are, and they agreed with me the first time to give us a point over. So to go another point … it must be remembered that we want to ensure the integrity of our product. We want to make sure that the Graded races that horses win in this country can stand scrutiny in the rest of the world. If we are now going to export horses overseas and horses that have won some of these Graded races have possibly had some help that they would not otherwise be able to get overseas, they are not going to be able to perform to the level expected of them and people who have paid big money could turn around and say what is the point of buying horses from South Africa, because it is all a hoax. It could ultimately effect the value of our bloodstock.”

Saturday's Dark Day Raised Question Marks About TCO2

The exit to the parade ring was blocked on Saturday by protestors (Supplied)

It was a dark day in South African racing on Saturday as the Champions Season’s always much anticipated opening meeting had to be abandoned after an unruly mob blocked the exit to the parade ring before the first feature race of “the season”, the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes.

The controversy revolved around the scratching of the hot odds-on favourite Main Defender after being tested to have elevated TCO2 levels.

It is alleged that the level was initially 39 mmol/L and had later risen to 41 mmol/L.

The question of how it could have risen in what was alleged to have been ten minutes by two points was part of the reason for the ensuing controversy i.e. was the testing procedure or machinery flawed or not calibrated correctly?

Connections of the Tony Peter-trained favourite were allegedly among the protesters and they were allegedly joined by punters, who were irate that with one of the meeting’s Pick 6 bankers now scratched they would have to rely on the Tote favourite in a very open race.

The three features that did not happen will now be run at the same venue, Hollywoodbets Greyville, on Wednesday.

Main Defender remains a scratching in the Drill Hall and has been joined by Texas Red, who is trained by Tony Peter’s sister-in-law Robyn Klaasen.

The Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and the Gr 2 WSB Guineas had no card scratchings at the time of writing.

A strongly worded press release by Gold Circle, included the following statement, “Gold Circle firmly intends to sanction those responsible, which may include a banning order from it’s race tracks and facilities going forward, and would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all connections and racing fans who were compromised by the unseemly actions of a minority whose behaviour bordered on anarchy.”

Award winning veteran journalist CharlPretoriusironically wrote an article released before racing on Saturday about the subject of TCO2 (total carbon dioxide).

The administration of sodium bicarbonate (bi-carb) in the hours prior to racing, is viewed by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) as performance enhancing. It is performed using a practice widely known as ‘milkshaking’ – commonly via the insertion of a naso-gastric tube between 3 to 5 hours prior to a race.

This is intended to elevate TCO2 and therefore reduce lactate.

The National Horseracing Authority, mandated and under increased pressure to identify trainers who use illegal methods to gain an advantage, last month introduced a new specimen analysis procedure for TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) measurement on a race day.

These are tests performed on the blood samples of racehorses to combat the practice of administering alkalizing agents for the purpose of enhancing performance.

Blood specimens are taken from selected horses approximately 50 minutes prior to race time, on any given race day. The specimens are immediately analysed using handheld blood gas analysers.

When a sample taken is found to have an elevated pre-race blood TCO2 level above of 36 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) – the threshold set by the International Horse Racing Federation (IFHA) and prescribed to by the NHA – a second blood specimen is collected, between 10 and 15 minutes later. If the TCO2 concentration of the second specimen is more than 36.0 mmol/L, the horse is withdrawn and then detained for additional specimen collection.
During the additional tests, screening can be performed for other illegal substances that may or may not be present in the blood sample.

Dr. Matthew Bawden, the NHA’s Chief Veterinarian, remarked: “The main goal of measuring TCO2 before racing is to detect horses that may have received an alkalizing agent. Alkalinization of a horse or the use of an alkalizing agent is prohibited on race day, and a level exceeding the international threshold constitutes prima facie evidence of alkalinization. The administration of an alkalizing agent results in a measurable increase in the TCO2 over time with an intent to achieve maximal buffering capacity at the time of the race.”

Charl Pretorius continues by saying, “The implication here is that a horse could pass the TC02 test before the race, but could possibly fail it afterwards, which presents an interesting conundrum.”

He follows by questioning why pre-race tests, which only lead to a scratching at present, are done and not post-race which could lead to a career ending fine?

The tests being done by the NHA have drawn praise from many quarters including from the renowned activist against drug use in horsesracing, Barry Irwin, a successful American owner and breeder who is very much involved in SA horseracing.

Irwin said, ““Welcome to the real world of horse racing. It is about time. This technology has been around for decades. This updated protocol will go a long way in levelling the playing field on the Highveld. Targeting trainers whose horses improve is a proven formula used by regulators worldwide. Not to follow this practice would be wasteful and foolish.”

However, there are detractors with one study showing that bicarbonate did not improve horses’ performance at all. The man who did the study, Dr Michael I. Lindinger, PHD, also reckoned the threshold level arrived at by the authorities was based on statistically manipulated data and he added that the conclusion that an elevated level was caused by the administering of an alkalizing substance was based on assumption not fact.

To put some other points in to summary about a complex issue, some research suggests it is possible that different barns might create different environments for TCO2 readings given their combination of feed and exercise programs.

CLICK HERE TO READ CHARL PRETORIUS’ ENLIGHTENING ARTICLE ON TCO2

The NHA are doing their best to level the playing fields, and in the road shows taking place shortly they will be addressing the concerns trainers have about the testing procedures and attempting to give them some guidelines to avoid horses from inadvertently testing abive the TCO2 threshold.

One of the other implications is the impact sudden scratchings have on punters. This is particularly in the case when they have splashed out on a Pick 6 with a banker, who is suddenly replaced by one with much less chance.

However, the operator have viewed the taking of the law into one’s own hands as totally unacceptable and will be going out of there way to prevent the shocking events from happening again.

Tony Peter Opens His Heart About Saturday's Debacle

Tony Peter – opens his heart (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

Tony Peter’s open letter today sent to the Sporting Post

Being a regular reader of the Sporting Post, I read the comments of the editor regarding the unfortunate incident at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, and the newspapers inability to get hold of me for a comment with regards thereto.

Tony Peters writes in a statement, which is published unedited below, that this could have easily been done by making a call to him, or to his father, who, he says, was also present during the incident.

Unfortunately, in the past, when numerous members of my family, supporters and/or patrons of the stable have attempted to either make comments or have articles published in the Sporting Post, these articles have in the main, not been published by the Sporting Post.

It just so happens that those articles have been in my defence and/or raised questions about dubious behaviour of certain individuals, impugning my integrity. I hope that this is not indicative of the racing press and media having been captured. For the record I am, and always have been willing to be contacted by the Racing Press for my comments.

Neither my father nor I participated in the fracas that occurred at Hollywoodbets Greyville, save for us talking to the owners of the horse and those people associated with them. My father and I left the racecourse well before the abandonment of the race meeting.

Whilst we do not condone the behaviour of those persons who eventually prevented the race meeting from proceeding, it is necessary to remember that those punters’ main concern was that due to the scratching of Main Defender all their exotic bets would now be placed on the new favourite in that race.

This was unacceptable to them as they had not in any way chosen to gamble on that new favourite. This was their gripe. My father suggested to the powers that be, in order to pacify the situation, that the entire field of the race should count towards the exotics. This was refused.

Unfortunately, my family and I have been branded as, “cheats and thieves” by various persons in the industry.

For the record, Main Defender is and always has been an extremely fractious and nervous horse.

Prior to him joining our stable he was scratched from a race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as he would not enter the starting gates. On Saturday, upon his arrival at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, Main Defender was sweating profusely when he exited the float as he does not enjoy being in confined spaces.

Subsequently he was extremely stressed by being detained by the NHA in a confined, and humid space, whilst they prodded and took blood again and again.

“Main Defender” ended up cutting himself on his leg and bumping his head due to the strenuous treatment he received on a hot and humid day and his confinement.

At no time has he and/or ANY of my other horses ever received any bicarbonate of soda, nor have they ever been “milkshaked”.

It is worrying that when one of my horses tested over the limit, that we are branded “dope artists” and “undesirable” for the industry, but the very next day, when another trainer has two horses test over the limit for TCO2, no such accusations are made against him and it appears to be accepted that the same process as the following day is incorrect.

Drug testing

Surely it is obvious that the testing process is severely flawed and needs to be desperately and urgently re-looked at. People’s reputations and livelihoods are depending on it.

In order for the readers to fully understand what behaviour we have been subjected to recently, I will summarise them:

In July 2023, 3 of my horses were scratched on the Thursday morning before the race meeting, even though an inspection by NHA officials were conducted at my yard three days previously. The NHA to this day have failed to provide any satisfactory reason for the scratchings of these horses. A few weeks later the NHA made amendments to the rules in order to justify their actions.

On Summer Cup day 2023 (25 November 2023), all of my runners for the day were scratched after the running of the first race. The NHA to date have still not provided any reasonable explanation for this and have zero evidence of any wrongdoing on my behalf to justify the scratchings.

For the past five months prior to every race meeting, the NHA have placed two to three “observers” at my stables from early in the morning until at least 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

My horses have been followed on race days, from the time they leave the stables until they arrive at the racecourse.

More of my horses have been tested for TCO2 than any other trainer’s horses.

My mother has been man handled and physically abused by an employee of the NHA and to date the NHA have not even opened an investigation into this matter.

My grooms and assistant have been publicly humiliated and bodily searched at the saddling enclosure on a race day in public and NHA officials have video recorded us saddling our horses.

The attorney for the NHA has lied to my attorney including denying the existence of agreements between us and the NHA. Even after they were provided with a transcript of the proceedings proving that they had lied, they still have not apologised.

The NHA attorneys have also failed to provide information which we are entitled to that we have requested from them, without providing any reason therefor.

They have also made unsubstantiated allegations about members of my legal team, and when requested in writing to provide proof thereof and further information they have failed and/or refused to do so.

On Saturday, despite my request thereof I was banned from taking photographs or videoing the proceedings in the testing area. We were also refused access to the document regarding the third test results.

I leave it up to the court of public opinion as to whether the above behaviour is reasonable/acceptable or not.

But I am advised that never in the history of horse racing in South Africa has any trainer been subjected to that kind of treatment.

As can been seen from our statistics I am a successful horse trainer. However, this is not due to any doping or unlawful activity but rather due solely to mine and my father’s one hundred precent dedication to our horses and by us paying 100% attention to finer detail.

As well as all credit must go to our team at the yard, especially the grooms who love and take special care of their horses.

As well as our sponsors/owners/supporters. My family and myself live for horseracing and for our horses 24/7 – 365 days. It is our passion and our way of life. This has, however, unfortunately caused great jealousy amongst some trainers, owners, and punters in the industry.

I hope that this clarifies matters to some extent. I state categorically that neither my father nor I participated nor encouraged any demonstration on Saturday. In fact, we left the course early in order to disassociate ourselves from the situation.

Media statement by Tony Peter on Monday 6 May 2024.

Ed – We note Mr Peter’s comments and thank him for issuing the statement. We can confirm that we did not endeavour to make telephonic contact with him, and in fact have only ever spoken to Paul Peter, who has always been most approachable over the years.

It is worth noting that the environment in the parade ring on Saturday during the upheaval was not conducive to interviews, although we did attempt to speak to one of the group, whom we believed to be a connection. He declined us. A response was received on request independently from Suzette Viljoen and Garth Puller, who were both some way from the crowd, and thus able to speak without interference.

As regards Mr Peter’s assertion that we have generally declined to have articles or comments in his favour being published, we would like to point out that we have a policy that frames what is permissible for publication. That policy is definitely not based on choosing sides, but focusses rather on determining facts and ultimately on the responsibility of publishing accurate information. The Sporting Post has in fact published numerous articles, letters and comments from various sources – so much so that we have even been labelled, at times, as ‘favouring the Peter narrative’. Such are individual perceptions, and we respect the fact that everybody is entitled to their opinion. But these polar opposite views are sufficient endorsement that we do hold a neutral position in this, and all other matters, and make a conscious effort to provide our readers with the best of balanced news.

Snaith Supportive Of NHA Initiative Despite Two Scratchings

Justin Snaith holds The Met trophy for the second successive year (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Justin Snaith yard were left shocked by two of their horses being tested above the TCO2 threshold level at Hollywoodbets Kenulworth on Saturday and scratched.

They have looked in to the matter and at this stage believe that most horses in Cape Town that have had second samples requested were all on the same ulcer medication.

Justin Snaith was still supportive of the NHA and their procedures to preserve the integrity of the sport and said to the Sporting Post,

“The welfare of our horses is what is most important to me as a trainer.”

“I welcome all and any testing that can help protect our thoroughbreds. This testing is being done with that goal in mind. I am sure there will be some tweaks and amendments to the testing protocol and procedures as the NHA gets more of these tests under its belt,” he added.

“I know our withdrawn filly, in a third test taken ten minutes after she was scratched, tested below the threshold. So presumably it is still a bit of a learning curve. That said, this initiative is to be applauded and supported.”

A Trainer's Reputation Worth More Than A Fine

Summerveld training centre in the morning (Gold Circle)

Although the NHA have at present not fined trainers for being over the TCO2 threshold, the damage done to reputations can be hard to repair in an industry in which the general public have scant knowedge of medication control and horse physiology.

A name attached to a press release for a “positive” is usually thought by the public to be a “dope artist”, whereas in most cases the positive is for a therapeutic substance which did not withdraw in time before the race.

Likewise names attached to scratchings for TCO2 are being taken note of by the fickle public.

The public should take note that these scratchings are intended as part of the education process for everybody on the issue.

That is why there are no fines at present.

It has become evident, as industryman have started reading extensively on bicarbonate soda and raised levels of TCO2, that this is a naturally occurring substance in a horse and the levels can rise through practices done inadvertently and apparently even environmental factors like the weather and the time of season can effect the levels, as can feed, the time of feed and excercise.

The wide normal range of TCO2 is said by some to be 23 to 38 mmol/L, although the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have set the threshold at 36 and South Africa’s NHA have raised it from an intial 36 to 37.

Those whose horses have been scratched up to now for elevated TCO2 levels should not be villified as “dope artists”.

It is a learning curb and some of the teething problems have obviously been extreme, but this all looks to be for the good of the SA racing industry in the long run.

Bicarbonate Soda In Water A Decade's Old Horseman's Remedy

Picture: orequine.com

Many questions have arisen about the use of bicarbonate soda in racehorses and the measuring of TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) that has been associated with it’s use.

It has emerged during these discussions that putting a scoop of bicarbonate soda in the drinking water of a horse after a work out has been a decades long horseman’s remedy and is apparently not limited only to thoroughbred horseracing.

The only reason for this being done is for the purposes of recovery because it helps to remove the lactic acid from the muscles.

Bicarbonate soda is not a drug and is freely available for anybody to buy in a supermarket.

A horse who gets muscle soreness is said to have “tied up.”

Many young trainers of yesteryear were apparently advised by experienced older trainers that when a horse tied up after excercise the remedy was a scoop of bicarbonate in the bucket of drinking water.

Bicarbonate soda adminstered in this way does not have to be registered in the veterinary register.

One veteran trainer said bicarbonate soda used in this way is known to only be in the body for an hour or so and can in no way enhance a horse’s performance for a forthcoming race.

Another trainer said a horse would never be able to drink enough water or eat enough food with bicarbonate soda administered in this way to get it up to the threshold level.

One of the reasons is bicarbonate soda is not nice to taste and a horse would unlikely want to drink enough of it to register a significant reading.

One veteran trainer said he regularly administered bicarbonate soda in this way as close as two days before race day.

He said his general practice for a race on Saturday was to give a horse a last sprint up on the Thursday beforehand and a scoop of bicarbonate soda would be put in the water after that workout. As stated earlier this is purely for recovery purposes.

He said he had never hidden his use of bicarbonate soda.

In his yard there was always a container of bicarbonate soda for everybody to see.

The administration of sodium bicarbonate (bi-carb) in the hours prior to racing, is viewed by the International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities as performance enhancing.

In the practice widely known as ‘milkshaking’ the bicarbonate soda is commonly adminsitered via the insertion of a naso-gastric tube between 3 to 5 hours prior to a race.

The veteran trainer spoken to above said the practice of “milkshaking” had completely different motives and he hastened to add that he would never know how to even put a tube in a horse’s nose let alone administer a solution through it.

He did not know of any trainers who would and said it would likely have to be done by a qualified veterinarian.

“Milkshaking” apparently has another motive other than just reducing lactic acid. It is also said to mask the presence of drugs in the system.

Pacaya Bounces Back To Best

Pacaya wins the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)

by Mark van Deventer (Cape Racing)

Justin Snaith’s PACAYA won the Legal Eagle Stakes (Gr3) over 1800m with ever-alert jockey, Richard Fourie, making an early move to attack reluctant leader RASCALLION at the top of the straight before vigorously riding the whole length of the stretch to hold off stable mate RAPIDASH’s belated rally.

Fourie acknowledged that he’s been caught out before by PACAYA’s quirks: “He makes you work, and it’s important to see him through the flat spots and keep him in a good rhythm.” The five-year-old son of Trippi out of Ash Cloud was bred at Drakenstein Stud, who enjoyed another highly productive day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Trainer Snaith was nonplussed by his charge’s bewildering fail when dead last in the World Sports Betting Cape Town MET and gratified to see the talented 2023 Greyville 1900m winner come back to form. “He’s deadly at this level and 1800m is the perfect distance.”

PACAYA started at 6/1 and was followed 1.5 lengths behind by RAPIDASH who did enough to snare second ahead of one-paced odds-on favourite, RASCALLION who came back to edge GREETING THE MASTER out the placings.

Talented juvenile, ONE STRIPE, added to his winning haul when he cruised in a length ahead of his Vaughan Marshall trained companion, LION RAMPART in the Winter Nursery (Gr3) over 1100m. Reputedly an exceptional workhorse, there is no faulting his racetrack record either, which now shows three wins in succession after a debut sighter in January.

RAMA FORCESA led early, stalked by LION RAMPART, with ROMAN AGENT held up at the rear of the five-runner field. But none could cope with ONE STRIPES’ potent finish as he quickened up from a midfield position.

The victor is yet another accomplished son of One World, out of the Silvano mare, Silver Stripe. The 7/10 odds-on favourite was ridden by Gavin Lerena and bred at Drakenstein Stud.

TIME FOR LOVE scored a 33/1 upset in the Ladies Mile (Listed) over 1600m, which forms Leg 2 of the Winter Feature Racing Season for fillies and mares three years and older. Craig Zackey had the Time Thief filly perfectly poised and moved up in mid-stretch to seize control. She belied her humble official merit rating of 82 to significantly outrun that assessment at her 8th career start, catching many bettors looking the wrong way.

She was bred at Nadeson Park and is conditioned by Crawford Rix Racing. MY FLOWER FATE tried hard to bridge the deficit down the inside, with RAINBOW LORIKEET and PRINCESS IZZY completing the order of finish.

Winning rider Craig Zackey said, “She showed me a good action going to post and I decided to use it in the race. She’s a nice filly.” Positioning her handily on the rail proved key, and she duly produced a career peak performance in an odd contest where many of the main protagonists ran way below market expectations.

Vaal Classic Preview

Munchkin could win the last race (JC Photos)

The Vaal Classic course has an eight race meeting today and it should provide some opportunities for on the nose and exotic punters.

In the first race, a workriders maiden over 1500m, the Paul Peter yard send out Ambitous Lady, a Pathfork filly who has run one fifth in four starts for a previous yard in KZN, but she has always been close up. Considering the record the Peter yard have first time out with horses from other yards she must have a good chance in this uninspiring field despite having not raced since December. Sacambaya ran a good race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time and had some fair form in Cape Town too, but her Highveld form in three starts has not been close to those performances. However, if she can reproduce that last run in KZN she should go close under experienced Chamu Mabaya, despite jumping from the widest draw of all. Pomo Clapper ran a cracker over 1700m in her penultimate start. She might well enjoy the step down in trip after disappointing last time, considering she fought the rider in that good penultimate start. She is drawn in pole and could be dangerous. Oklahoma Twister is a couple of lengths behind Pomo Clapper on collateral formlines and is not out of it under the handicap conditions. Summer Shade is not out of it at the weights either.

In the second race over 1200m There A Light has a fair draw and the last time he went over this trip he was far from disgraced in a 4,20 length second to the subsequent Gr 3 winner Mid Winter Wind. However, he does have to carry topweight. Together Again has run two fair places in her last two starts and is distance suited, so, carrying 52,5kg, should be right there. Someday Maybe has good enough form over this trip to stand a chance carrying 54kg plus the half-a-kilogram overweight of top jockey S’Manga Khumalo. The Navy Lark was just a quarter of a length behind Together Again over this trip last time but is 1,5kg worse off and has another wide draw. Sovereigns Call ran an improved race when dropped to this trip last time and carries only 56kg.

In the third race over 1800m In A Blue Moon has been threatening a win and gets a good opportunity here over what should be an ideal trip against an uninpsiring field. He has a fair draw of four out of eleven, but he has to carry second top weight. Perform has a chance on form carrying just 54,5kg with a 4kg claimer up, but she does have to overcome a tough draw. Main Mission has a tough draw and has to carry topweight and also comes off a well below par effort following a layoff. He should have come on from that run though. Incredible Indrani is drawn in pole and carrying just 56,5kg has a chance having run well in first time cheekpieces last time. Master Tik Tok ran a cracker on Saturday and carries only 58kg. The blinkers were taken off for that last run and might stay off.

In the fourth over 1800m Viva de Janiero is capable of better than last time and as a full brother to the useful Viva Brazil, who has won twice over 2000m, he should relish the step up in trip and has a fair draw. Ideal Future is a long-striding sort who will enjoy the course and distance from a good draw. Full Go has been in good form since dropped to a 56 merit rating and looks capable of being involved with a further drop to 55.

In the fifth over 1600m Sparkling Jubilee should be fit enough returning from a layoff coming from the De Kock yard and has a form chance from pole position. Can’t Catch Me disappointed last time but will enjoy the step back in trip and has a fair draw with a 4kg claimer up. Count Your Chances ran quite well for fourth after a win and can be in the shake up again. Kittyboy’s Girl is 1,5kg better off with Count Your Chances for a 0,60 length beating but has a wide draw. Secret Recipe is well drawn and beat Count Your Chances by two lengths last time and is only half-a-kilogram worse off.

In the sixth over 1450m Gimme The Flame won well the last time she ran over this course and distance and although seven points higher she now has a better draw. Putins Promise is drawn in pole and has dropped to a competitive mark so can be involved over a suitable trip for an in form yard. Written In Stone retains talent despite his age and has a fair opportunity here with the same 4kg claimer who extracted a strong finish from him last time over the same trip. Southern Style reverts to the course and distance of her best recent run and has a good draw. Feeling Groovy looks capable of placing off this mark.

In the seventh over 1200m Empress Game was unlucky last week and is knocking on the door. Khumalo stays aboard over the same trip from a plum draw. Golden Aspen is course and distance suited and drawn in pole. Dakota Cat can bounce back dropped to a competitive mark. Fennec Fox is also off a competitive mark. Lady Elliot could be involved off a mark reduced a further two points if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the last race over 1000m Munchkin has always been well regarded and looks to have come into his own. Dark Tide can be in the shake up if reproducing his fair fourth last time. Della’s Sword, Van Meijel and Knockemstiff make most appeal of the rest.