Skukuza wins cosily at Headquarters today (Racing TV)

Gaynor Rupert’s UK-based stud operation Cayton Park Stud won a one mile handicap with the 85-rated homebred Skukuza on the Newmarket Rowley Mile today (Friday) and later former Summerveld trainer Dylan Cunha sent out the hardknocking Mart to win a six furlomg handicap.

Skukuza is a three-year-old by Blue Point out of Trippi mare Shingwedzi, who was out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, and this colt is trained by Ed Dunlop.

Shingwedzi won three races from 1600m to 1800m in SA, including the Oaks Plate on the Fairview poly, and she did well in stakes races inluding three Gr 2 thirds, a Gr 3 third and fourth, and two Listed runner up finishes.

Shingwedzi was effective from a mile up to 3200m.

Skukuza was ridden by Callum Shepherd.

He was held up in last before being shaken up and making headway from three furlongs out. He was a bit short of room and switched left under two furlongs out. He was then ridden and kept on well to lead inside final furlong and won going away by a comfortable 1,25 lengths, converting 5/2 odds.

Later, the Dark Angel grey gelding Mart led from a long way out to win by a length off a 71 rating, converting odds of 6/1 under Rhys Clutterbuck.

Cunha received Mart into his yard as a maiden in October last year and in eleven starts has now got four wins out of him as well as four seconds and a third.

Earlier in the day T’Challa, a William Haggas-trained Kingman colt out of the great SA-bred Jet Master mare Ebony Flyer, made a bold bid from the front in a Novice Stakes race over a mile and was only overtaken late before weakening intgo 7th place.

Zapatillas make his comeback from knee surgery after a long layoff (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Zapatillas returns to racing action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the seventh race tomorrow, the R165000 Cape A Stakes over 1400m, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following knee surgery as a result of an injury sustained in the Champions Cup (Gr 1) on 30 July 2023.

“He is doing well at home but there is a chance he may be a little “ring-rusty”,” trainer Brett Crawford advised when I contacted him during the week. “He has had one grass gallop and has done a lot of work on the treadmill coming into the race tomorrow, and his vital signs are all positive,” he added. “But, there is always the possibility he could just need the run,” he warned. Clearly as a former winner of the WSB Guineas in 2022, Zapatillas is the class package in the race, is very well handicapped and has pole position as an added advantage. Stable jockey, Louis Mxothwa, has opted to partner the son of Master Of My Fate but Crawford suggested that both stable companions, Future Prince and Port Louis, are very much “alive” in a highly competitive event.

Port Louis has been runner-up in his last two starts behind the talented sorts, Rascallion and Coastal Commander. He is probably at his very best over this track and trip but does have a tricky draw to contend with. Future Prince has been knocking at the door but the three-time winner has been absent from the winner’s circle for 817 days, no doubt much to the frustration of his connections. That said, he must have a chance of breaking the drought tomorrow with just 54kgs to shoulder.

But while Crawford clearly holds a very strong hand, there are a number of others who could spoil his party. San Pedro rises in class but he has enjoyed a good season thus far and with the very low weight of 52,5kgs could lead them all a merry dance. That, coupled with the fact that Vaughan Marshall and Ashton Arries are in very good form, suggests that you cannot ignore San Pedro when it comes to formulating your exotic permutations.

Wecangoallnight is another who is capable of rising to the challenge over this track and trip. He does occasionally throw in a below-par effort, but on top form would have a chance of troubling the best of them here. Two runs back Wecangoallnight beat Café Culture by just over a length but is now 2kgs worse off and the swing in the weights should bring them closer together. Richard Fourie takes the ride on Café Culture and the combination warrant utmost respect, although both Wecangoallnight and Café Culture could be held by Port Louis.

Sugar Mountain is interesting. He is unbeaten four-from-four over the course and distance but returns from a disappointing raid on the Highveld. Chatting to Candice Bass-Robinson, she is concerned that, although he has recovered nicely from his foray to Turffontein, he may well just need this run. But if one is going to play wide in this leg then, given Sugar Mountain’s form over the track and the trip, it would be silly to leave him out of your calculations. Another with an outstanding record over the Kenilworth 1400m is Silver Operator. He has not been seen since January and will find it tough with 61,5kgs to shoulder from the worst of the draw but, as the only “millionaire” in the race, victory would not come as a complete surprise. We’re Jamming hinted at a return to form last time and rates an upset chance from a handy draw.

To summarise, the outcome of this very intriguing contest hinges on Zapatillas. He is weighted to win comfortably, but returning from a ten-month absence levels the playing field somewhat and it may be wise to hedge your bets.

Be Merry appeals as a potential banker in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. The 2yo daughter of Lancaster Bomber has shown terrific promise in her first two starts and could have the edge over the well-tried Charlene and Ellorix, both of which bring consistent maiden form into the race. Stu’s Girl could be the improver in this line-up, but I am going to take my chances with Be Merry.

Hampstead Heath and Plum Pudding renew rivalry in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1800m, and on past form hat-trick seeking Plum Pudding may once again have the measure of Adam Marcus’ runner. A bigger threat to Plum Pudding could be Summer Night City who brings good form into the race and is now 4kgs better off with Plum Pudding for a two-length beating last month. I am hoping this trio will prove sufficient to carry us through.

Marshall Field was penalised 3kgs for his last win but he could follow up in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 2000m. One has to respect the consistent Sudden Song, recent maiden winners Daimyo and Blue Bay and the ratings-dropper Diamond Rock, but Marshall Field may have more to come and is a fairly confident selection to win the final race on the programme.

Giavellotto made it back to back Yorkshire Cups (Sporting Life)

Giavellotto dominated his rivals to make it back-to-back wins in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup.

Racing TV

Six runners went to post for the Group Two feature on day three of York’s Dante Festival, with Tower Of London the 7-4 favourite to provide Aidan O’Brien with a first victory in the race following lucrative winter triumphs in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

The presence of the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban, a top-class hurdler turned quality Flat horse, added further Irish interest, but neither were able to lay a glove on Marco Botti’s defending champion.

Giavellotto, who had finished behind Tower Of London on both of his starts in the Middle East earlier in the year, was a 7-2 shot in the hands of Oisin Murphy, who cut a confident figure in the saddle when looming ominously alongside Vauban and William Buick as the race began in earnest.

The three-times champion jockey had a nonchalant look over his shoulder for non-existent dangers with a furlong still to run and with Tower Of London unable to pick up, Giavellotto put real daylight between himself and his rivals late on, passing the post with four and three-quarter lengths in hand.

Connections of Vauban will doubtless be satisfied with his performance on what was his first competitive outing since failing to fire in the Melbourne Cup in November, but Tower Of London was bitterly disappointing, finishing a well-beaten fifth under Ryan Moore.

ItsrainingWilliam should make a bold bid in the Pinnacle over 1500m (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Plotting a way into the Hollywoodbets Durban July can be a tricky road. For some the challenge is to make it into the field, for others it’s a case of ticking over without incurring any unwanted penalties that would affect their weight.

The Pinnacle Stakes that heads-up the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday has both elements and one that will keep punters guessing. Some of the big guns warm up for a crack at the South Africa’s ‘big one’ but with little to lose except the winner’s cheque is Glen Kotzen’s runner Grinkov.

He has no July aspirations and was a close-up third to smart miler Royal Aussie over the Kenilworth 1400m last time out. If he can reproduce that form, he could be the horse to beat. Justin Snaith has six runners included in the preliminary Hollywoodbets July log. Itsrainingwilliam is not one of them! The gelding has won his last two and comes into this race off some cracking Cape form so looks to be the most likely danger to the selection.

Locally, The Shepherd is progressive and although he jumps in class, he only has 52kg to shoulder and with many of his rivals ‘practicing’ he could be the surprise package. Mike de Kock’s runner Shoemaker is a July entry but this trip could be more up his alley ahead of head-strong stable companion Dave The King and Summer Cup and Champions Cup winner Royal Victory who has the class but this should be far too short to show his best. That said, top horses are capable whatever the trip.

The first two races are difficult with many first timers in the line-ups and the betting should be your best guide. The first stable comments are mostly non-comital but that said, Mark Dixon gave a positive comment on Master Du Rouvray who could prove best of the debutantes. Those that have raced, Commanding comes off some smart feature race form in Cape Town including a close-up fourth to Little Ballerina. That form has been exceptional. Barring a springer, he looks the ‘right’ one for Glen Kotzen. My Boy Lollipop disappointed when an odds-on favourite on the poly at his second outing. He made a smart debut over course and distance and experience could count for Frank Robinson’s gelding. Paul Lafferty’s runner Dapper has put in two smart efforts over course and distance and must have a decent chance.

Kotzen looks primed for a lucrative afternoon as he has given positive comments about Laugh Till You Cry in the second. ‘Smart filly, will be in the shake-up,’ was his comment. Of those that have run, Hurricane Cat found some market support on debut and although well back, that was in the soft. Cape Capri disappointed in the soft after a promising debut and can do much better this time around.

Kotzen could possibly be in line for a treble as he sends out debutante Facile from a plum draw in the third. The comment, ‘nice filly, if not too green will be in the money’. But she faces a stiff test with Care Forgot running two close-up seconds since returning from a break after her debut and Tipperary who makes her way down from the Highveld for Paul Matchett.

The fourth is a trick handicap where Tony Rivalland’s charge Strathclyd makes most appeal. He was in need of the run behind stable companion King Of The Gauls when back on home soil after showing promise before making a trip to the Cape. With a run under his girth and an extra two furlongs to travel he can make the required improvement. El Rey Viene has been knocking at the door for some time now but Duncan Howells has dropped his charge down another furlong which could see him home. Licence To Thrill has been close-up at his last three. He should have strengthened up since he last tackled this trip and should be a big runner. Phutulicious has won twice over course and distance and is still improving so is a must inclusion in all exotic bets

The fifth is a difficult handicap. Shipholia appears to be something of a poly specialist, her last three wins coming on the synthetic surface. However, Gareth van Zyl has booked Richard Fourie for the ride and she should be a lively contender. Stormy Choice has had three starts for Tienie Prinsloo and is way better than her last tun over a mile. Back to a sprint with blinkers can see her surprise. Shanta’s Pride has her third run after a break. She is never far back and with a light weight Peter Muscutt’s charge should be in the firing line. Reefway got absolutely hammered in the ratings after her distant third in the Poinsettia Stakes, going up 14 points. Kom Naidoo has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies but that may not be enough to see her home.

Dean Kannemeyer sends out the progressive Teflon Man in the sixth. He started a warm favourite in a Pinnacle Stakes over course and distance last time out but takes on lessor company here and the colt may just have needed the outing. Donquerari stormed home last outing for Louis Goosen and is never far off them. 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies keeps the ride and a repeat showing could have the same result. Beechamwood Boy has been racing in the soft at his last three. This is his best course and distance and given firmer ground he could notch his eighth win.

In the last, Trustova goes this trip for the first time and was a close-up second to the useful Wiccan Warrior last run in a stronger field. If he stays the trip he should be right there. Pongola has been consistent over shorter and did well from a wide draw last time out. This extended trip may now be what he is looking for. Querari’s Dream is lightly raced and showed up well first run out of the maidens when going this trip for the first time and is a big runner.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystic Dan, pictured winning a Gr 3 at Oaklawn, will line up in the Preakness (Photo by Coady Photography)

The Preakness, the 2nd leg of the US Triple Crown, will be run on Saturday at Pimlico.

The Derby winner is back, along with two Derby also-rans, but who will wear the blanket of black-eyed Susans on Saturday night?

CLICK HERE TO READ PEN PICTURES FOR THE PREAKNESS 

Charles Ndlovu brings home Canford Cliffs two-year-old filly in the last to score a double for himself and a treble for Alan Greeff (Pauline Herman Photography)

Alan Greeff had a treble on the Fairview poly today, two of them ridden by Richard Fourie.

S’Manga Khumalo rode a double for Kelly Mitchley and Charles Ndlovu also rode a double.

Fourie is now on 297 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 22.76%.

Khumalo is on 110 wins at 15.60%.

Ndlovu has had 8 wins for the season.

Greeff is now on 113 wins for the season at 16.17% and he has pulled six wins clear of arch rival Gavin Smith in the East Cape championship.

Mitchley is on 61 wins at 10.30%.

Traditionally, just after the horses for the Preakness were called to the post, the audience was invited to sing the third verse of “Maryland, My Maryland”, the official state song of Maryland. For many years, the Baltimore Colts‘ Marching Band would lead the song from the infield; in later years, it was sung by the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. Use of the song was discontinued as of the 2020 edition of the race—the song “which celebrates the Confederacy, is considered by some to be racist.”

As soon as the Preakness winner has been declared official, a painter climbs a ladder to the top of a replica of the Old Clubhouse cupola. The colors of the victorious owner’s silks are applied on the jockey and horse that are part of the weather vane atop the infield structure. The practice began in 1909 when a horse and rider weather vane sat atop the old Members’ Clubhouse, which was constructed when Pimlico opened in 1870. The Victorian building was destroyed by fire in June 1966. A replica of the old building’s cupola was built to stand in the Preakness winner’s circle in the infield.

A blanket of yellow flowers daubed with black lacquer to recreate the appearance of a black-eyed Susan is placed around the winning horse’s neck at this time, and a replica of the Woodlawn Vase is given to the winning horse’s owner. Should that horse have also won the Kentucky Derby, speculation and excitement immediately begin to mount as to whether that horse will go on to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing at the Belmont Stakes in June.