RACE 5: ALLAN ROBERTSON CHAMPIONSHIP (Grade 1) - SHAAMA to continue improving in a competitive field

This race, the first of four Spring features on the card for today,  could develop into a race between the two Mike De Kock runners, SHAAMA and ENTISAAR. SHAAMA raced in the SA Nursery a month ago and finished just behind the useful ARABIAN BEAT. whereas ENTISAAR raced in the Fillies Nursery and finished two and a half lengths ahead of FROSTED HONEY. Both runners have looked to be two year old fillies with bright futures and there could be very little to choose between them. One may have to look at the jockeys aboard. Anthony Delpech has ridden both fillies in each of their runs thus far whereas Johnny Geroudis aboard ENTISAAR rides her for the first time. One would assume that Anthony Delpech was give the choice of rides and that may be the defining factor. One thing should be certain and that is that both will be well tuned  for the race.

MADAME DU BOIS made a winning debut at the Vaal last time. That was an impressive win and Piere Strydom has the ride for the first time. Must have a shout despite this huge climb in class and if she can repeat that impressive run.

ROYAL PLEASURE is unbeaten after three starts, all wins have been at this track and has been smartly prepped for this. Her sire VISIONAIRE has been making a name for himself in this country. Anton Marcus, who rode her to victory last time, rides her again this afternoon.

Stable companion, PRINCESS ROYAL, is inclined to be unruly at the start and as a result loses ground at the start. Can run into the money if settling down before and at the start


1st - SHAAMA (13); 2nd - ENTISAAR (2); 3rd - MADAME DU BOIS (5); 4th - ROYAL PLEASURE (12); 5th - PRINCESS ROYAL (10)

RACE 6: TSOGO SUN GOLD MEDALLION (Grade 1) - SEVENTH PLAIN set to run a big race

SEVENTH PLAIN travels this far for the first time but he does have good form with two wins from three starts. He won here last time when making his debut at the track. On debut he beat the highly rated BUCKINGHAMPSHIRE at Kenilworth. The next time they met the tables were turned but he looks above average and he will have the services of Anton Marcus. He should be the one to beat. Both of his wins have been impressive and he does look like the one to beat.

An interesting runner is the Gauteng raider, PROSPECT STRIKE, who certainly impressed on debut over the distance at the Vaal last time when he won by almost thirteen lengths. Mediocre horses don't win like that on debut and if he does not need to confirm that run should be a huge runner.

BEAT THE RETREAT finished 1,5 lengths behind SEVENTH PLAIN last time in his post maiden.  While he may not be able to overturn the result one should look to improvement form this son of ARGONAUT.

REDCARPET STYLE had his excuses in the Nursery last time. Won his two starts before that. He could be the one to show most improvement last time.

JET AIR won his maiden well on his second visit to the track last time. While he may need to confirm, he must still be considered for the places. Mike Bass is no stranger to the winner's box during the KZN Winter Season.

1st - SEVENTH PLAIN (10); 2nd - PROSPECT STRIKE (8); 3rd - BEAT THE RETREAT (1); 4th - REDCARPET STYLE (9); 5th - JET AIRE (4)

RACE 7: CITY OF PIETERMARITZBURG FILLIES SPRINT (Grade 1) - ALBORAN SEA set to continue on her winning ways

The Mike De Kock trained ALBORAN SEA has been campaigning in Gauteng and the Western Cape with great success. She is no stranger to Pietermaritzburg where she has already won over this course and distance. In all she has won five from her nine starts with only one unplaced run and that is in last year's Grade 1Thekwini Stakes at Greyville. In her last two runs she finished strongly to win the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship and the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint. She looks set to add the Grade 1 Fillies Spring this afternoon. Regular pilot, Anthony Delpech has the ride. He rode her to victory last time but not the win before. For her five wins and many places she has earned just under R2 million. CARRY ON ALICE meets her at level weights this afternoon for a 0.70 length beating last time. Trainer Sean Tarry inmate will be pushing Mike De Kock charge all the way and these two look set to fight it out again. S'Manga Khumalo, chasing the jockey's title rides her for the twelfth time from fourteen starts.

JET BELLE has raced against some of the best horses around and did make her KZN debut against weaker last time where she won by four lengths this C & D in easy fashion, despite losing ground at the start which has been rather a frequent occurrence.

TZIGANE will need to repeat her penultimate run but does have Piere Strydom in the irons. She is ideally distance suited and runs very well for Piere Strydom. She has been out of the top three only once in nine races with him aboard with three wins in and amongst that.

SARVE did show some improvement last time. She won a few months back over shorter when racing here for the first time in a small feature. May have more to find but could place.

1st - ALBORAN SEA (9); 2nd - CARRY ON ALICE (10); 3rd - JET BELLE (2); 4th - TZIGANE (5); 5th - SARVE (11)

RACE 8: TSOGO SUN SPRINT (Grade 1) - Could end feature race day on a high with MOOFEED

This should be a very good sprint race and there are some classy individuals that will be racing for R1 000 000.

Another Mike De Kock runner with a feature racing winning chance on the race card is MOOFEED. He has been racing against some fairly strong fields. In thirteen starts he has finished first and second on five occasions each. Last time he was slow away but did move up smartly late. If he can produce that good finish again, then he could finish better than his last four seconds. He is not likely to have his own way but rates a fair chance. He is not a confident choice.

BARBOSA won comfortably on his comeback run last time. A win after a nine month break by over two lengths is very good and he has to warrant the utmost respect. He could be an even fitter proposition this afternoon and is one to take seriously.

ASHTON PARK hasn't won for a long time but may be better suited to further. He has been losing ground at the start and that could be fatal in a sprint. This will be his first appearance at the track but one has to respect the yard and jockey.

GULF STORM has won his last two, both with well timed late runs. If he can reproduce those two runs then he could be in the shake up. His record over this distance shows six wins from ten starts. Must not be ignored in any type of bet.

A feature race day would be out of character were trainer Sean Tarry not to win at least one of them! His best chance could come in the form of BICHETTE who pulverized a field that contained PEJ, who won the other day at Greyville by as many as seven lengths. She is an improving filly and is not to be taken lightly. She has won over distances either side of today's distance.

Another one not to be ignored is CAPTAIN OF ALL. He is totally inconsistent but on his day has the class to win. He is unbeaten over the distance (4 from 4).

1st - MOOFEED (9); 2nd - BARBOSA (8); 3rd - ASHTON PARK (3); 4th - GULF STORM (2); 5th - BICHETTE (5)

RACE 9:

MILITARY LEADER has some decent post maiden form and will be finding something extra late on. BERMUDA did improve last time and must be respected for that improvement. ULTIMATE TIGER is a Gauteng raider. Can make the frame if finding a finish. BALTIC AMBER won his maiden at the third attempt and then followed that up with another good win in his post maiden. The way in which he won his last two suggests that he should get the extra 150m. SURFING BELLE  enjoyed the extra last time. Has a money chance this afternoon.

1st - MILITARY LEADER (6); 2nd - BERMUDA (7); 3rd - ULTIMATE TIGER (10); 4th - BALTIC AMBER (1); 5th - SURFING BELLE (2)