“Spot on,” was Yogas Govender’s comment on the preparation of Arianos Shadow earlier this week and his assessment was ‘spot on’.

Given her rating, 5kg superior to the balance of the opposition in the KZN Fillies Guineas Trial at Greyville yesterday, 5-1 seemed rather generous odds in the ante-post market. Many took advantage and they too were ‘spot on’.

Miss Calypso set a searching pace but Muzi Yeni always had the race under control as he shadowed Generous Lady who ended up second best as Arianos Shadow collard her and raced past.

Sweet Mary Lou, soon on her way south for the Western Cape season, warmed up well enough as did stable companion Second Request.

Frank Robinson was never shy to take on the big guns with Roy’s Riviera during Champions Season but although only making the frame only once in her last five outings, she was never far off the cream of the crop. She is an entry for the G-Bets Summer Cup and she may still find a place in the sun given yesterday’s showing.

Roy’s Riviera looked a cut above her rivals in the Durban View Restaurant Pinnacle Stakes and confirmed her class. A short break, top weight and a tardy start were not enough to blunt her chances as in-form apprentice Serino Moodley rode a confident race.

Moodley missed a gap at the top of the straight but committed up the inside of Tammany Hall and drove smoothly for the wire. Tammy Hall loomed dangerous for a few strides but was running on empty as Argenteus cut across her bows in pursuit of Roy’s Riviera, the chase in vain.

High Altar found the step up in class a bridge too far but was staying on well for third.

Judged on the avalanche of money for Uncle Charlie in the Greyville opener, the race looked all over bar the shouting but those that plunged knew their fate a furlong out.

Given Gareth van Zyl’s comments post-race, Marchetto is a name for the note book as he collared Uncle Charlie before going on to win comfortably.

“He’s a little bit on the small side, but he’s a lion this horse,” said Van Zyl, heaping praise on his charge. ‘I’m excited.”

“We don’t know where his bottom is,” concurred Warren Kennedy. “He’s a fighter.”

“When he goes a trip, we will see the best of him,” concluded Van Zyl.

Similarly, there is not much of Peacock Alley but he was overdue a win in the Greyville Convention Centre Maiden and he did it in style.

Close-up in all three of his recent starts, Keagan de Melo had little hesitation taking the gelding to the front and Mark Dixon’s runner was never challenged.

De Melo banged home a quick double as a bold forward move on the home turn saw Josephine Baker steal a march in the All To Come Maiden Plate. Once clear, Josephine Baker was never in danger with Whatabeauty making a mockery of her form to take second. Favourite Asiana was slow to begin and made up lengths on the straight, but not enough ground to trouble the winner.

Lickerio turned the fifth upside down as he bolted clear from the jump leaving Muzi Yeni hunting for position on favourite Thanksgiving – that position turning out to be last.

Lickerio’s petrol gauge flickered red early in the straight leaving The Bayou and Amore Ardiente to do battle. It was anyone’s race over the final 50m but Craig Zackey got Paul Lafferty’s gelding home in a desperate finish. Yeni and Thanksgiving were forced to negotiate roadblocks all the way up the straight and did well to finish third. Not one to write off.

Gold Circle