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Cape Guineas
POMODORO POWER! v
Cover Image: Cape Guineas winning jockey Grant Behr – courtesy of Chase Liebenberg
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Chase Liebenberg
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Pomodoro son Russian Rock flies up late under Grant Behr to snare Linebacker on the post Nothing boosts a stallion’s career like a Gr1 winner. That fortune befell champion Pomodoro when sophomore son Russian Rock defied his 100-1 odds to upstage his more fancied rivals in last weekend’s Cape Guineas. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained grey joined Pomodoro’s first-crop daughter Return Flight as his sire’s second top level winner. Voted the champion juvenile filly of 2017-18 after closing out her juvenile campaign with victory in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes, she went on to become her young sire’s first classic winner by completing the SA Fillies Classic/SA Oaks double. When Pomodoro retired to Klawervlei Stud, he ticked all the boxes. He was, after all, a champion son of the great Jet Master and Golden Apple, a stakes winning daughter of ten times leading broodmare sire Northern Guest. In addition, he had shown the mark of a true champion, the ability to both sprint and stay.
Trained throughout his career by Sean Tarry, the bay won from a sprinting 1160m to the classic Derby distance of 2450m. Lest we forget, his sire displayed the same versatility during a glittering career, which saw him capture three of the country’s premier sprints (including a double in Scottsville’s Golden Spur), the Cape Argus Guineas, two renewals of the Queen’s Plate and the Nissan Challenge, all over a mile. Unraced at two, Pomodoro capped an excellent sophomore season when he overcame the extreme outside draw to claim the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, having previously shared the spoils in the Gr1 SA Derby. Four months after his July triumph, Chris van Niekerk’s homebred put up a performance that matched his July success when he set the Turffontein track alight in an 1160m dash. Outpaced early on, he unleashed an amazing turn of foot to defeat a bunch of pure sprinters at their own game. Retired to Klawervlei Stud in 2014, Pomodoro hit the ground running in his
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second career and topped the leading freshman sires list at the expense of paternal half-brother Master Of My Fate. Headed by champion Return Flight, that initial crop also included the stakes-placed juveniles Royal Italian and Cirillo. The former showed his precocity by running third in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes before finishing second in the Storm Bird Stakes. Cirillo gave notice of a bright future when defeated a bob of the head in both the Gr2 SA Nursery and Gr3 Protea Stakes. Having chased home Soqrat in the Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut at three, he came into his own at four with an emphatic victory in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes. This season at five, he finished third in a three-way finish to the Gr1 Champions Cup and most recently gave both Belgarion and Rainbow Bridge plenty of cheek when a close-up third in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes. Pomodoro built on his fine start with his second crop. Fleet-footed filly Golden Belle was a runaway
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Pomodoro beats Smanjemanje in a thrilling finish to win the July winner of the Gr2 Camellia Stakes and Leopold proved his superiority in the Listed Secretariat Stakes. Putontheredlight failed by a neck in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe, Cornish Pomodoro and Westlife both placed at Gr3 level, while Bound By Duty picked up black type in Listed stakes company. Russian Rock hails from Pomodoro’s third crop, as does the talented filly Caralluma. An impressive four-length debut winner, she next won the Listed Devon Air Stakes by a simi-
lar margin before finishing a close-up second in the Gr2 Golden Slipper. On Saturday, Indlamu set the tone for his paternal half-brother’s classic success when beaten under a length for third in the Listed Secretariat Stakes at Turffontein.
stranger to spending big at the sales, it took just R20 000 to acquire Return Flight as a yearling, a snip considering she earned almost R2.3-million on the track. Cirillo, who currently boasts a bankroll of more than R5,3-million, cost him a trifle more at R60 000.
Remarkably, the majority of Pomodoro’s stakes performers have been campaigned by his former owner Chris van Niekerk, who has placed enormous faith in his champion both as a breeder and a buyer and initially raced the majority of the horse’s offspring. No
Ironically, one that did get away was Saturday’s Cape Guineas winner, who was snapped up by Kannemeyer on the insistence of part-owner Marsh Shirtliff!
HOLIDAY WEEKEND FEATURES
Sat 26th Hollywoodbets Greyville Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes Sat 26th Hollywoodbets Greyville Listed Christmas Handicap Sat 26th Kenilworth Listed Southeaster Sprint
Sat 26th Kenilworth NBT Need For Speed Sprint Sunday 27th Turffontein Gr3 Lebelo Sprint More information – www.sportingpost.co.za
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A Gr1 Icebreaker For Mr Modesty v
Chase Liebenberg
‘I’M NO CHRISTMAS JOCKEY!’
‘Riding instructions for Russian Rock were simple – you know he is well, he will be running at them late – just don’t panic’ 8
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Gr1 Cape Guineas winning jockey Grant Behr is a quiet, modest, almost introverted gentleman, who has probably never promoted his skills in the saddle the way he should have. A long-time supporter, Dean Kannemeyer threw him a potential lifechanger when Russian Rock soared down the outside to win the prestigious Cape classic at a sunny KenIlworth on Saturday.
“I won the Gr2 Selangor Cup in 2004 on Mercury Chief, when we beat more fancied stablemate Rabiya. Also in 2004 I won the Gr3 Peninsula
Marsh Shirtliff and Mark Van Deventer lead the winner in Handicap on Roman Charger for Mr Kannemeyer. In 2015 I won the Listed Southeaster Sprint on Captain Alfredo for the same yard. So he has been good to me. And I like his no-nonsense style. Like his Dad, he is a man who never blames the easiest target – the jockey. There is never any ‘fiffing or
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faffing’ afterwards. It’s a case of tomorrow is another day. It gives one confidence.” Grant says that the pre-race instructions for Russian Rock were also simple – ‘you know he is well, he will be running at them late – just
Chase Liebenberg
While he has played second fiddle to big name jockeys for longer than he cares to remember, Grant recalled that most of his feature winners have been for the Kannemeyer team.
Chase Liebenberg
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‘Mr Kannemeyer is like his late Dad – they never blame jockeys. That’s why I love riding for him’
don’t panic’. Grant rode Russian Rock in work and said he told the boss he would just about win his next race.
six year old daughter Cassidy were sitting there. They looked a bit puzzled as they hadn’t watched the Guineas. I had said I was riding at 16h00 – but the race was at 16h45.
The 42 year old returned to his Pniel home and his family on Saturday evening after having achieved the biggest win of his career.
But they had received a whole bunch of whatsapps and were sort of waiting to see if it was real!” laughs Grant. “It was an emotional moment for us as the reality dawned. My Dad Basil was my biggest fan. He passed away three years ago. He would have been so proud. We had a sip of bubbly that just happened to be in the fridge. I went outside to water my garden and we had a normal family dinner,” he says modestly.
“My Mom Lorraine, wife Lanese and
But surely Gr1 winning jockeys go
“I didn’t know it was the Guineas though! I saw the Cape Guineas runners list on the web and Russian Rock had no jockey for some time. I thought – should I ring Mr Kannemeyer? A half hour later he phoned me and told me I had the ride!”
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upstairs to the suites after races to be feted and hosted by the winning connections? “That’s never been my way of doing things. Maybe that’s one of the areas I have been lacking! I choose to rather go home to my family – at the end of every raceday – Gr1 winner or maiden last place – they are my biggest supporters. And it’s been a hard and tough year for all of us. I couldn’t have hoped in my wildest dreams for 2020 to end in a better way. I have kept my faith and belief,” he smiles. After encountering traffic issues 250m from home, Grant had to gather Russian Rock up and sent him to catch Linebacker, who looked the
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Hanekom, Genevieve Michel and the late Bennie Norton. “I enjoyed my academy years. It was tough but the camaraderie was warm and many friendships were forged,” he adds. Grant was apprenticed to trainer Steve Benton and rode his first winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 2 September 1995 on the Our Casey’s Boy filly Perky Prefect, who started at 12-1. He was transferred back to his hometown, and after the local Academy closed, he stayed with Garth Puller and the late Trudi Houreau.
likely winner inside the distance. It was a supremely confident and polished ride.
and two sister family headed by Dad Basil and Mom Lorraine, Grant grew up near Kuils River in the Cape.
“I managed to get him to settle and he was always going well. If he was a bigger horse he may not have recovered from that incident at the 250m and have been able to gather his stride as he did so smartly. I have no doubt we would have won going away by a wider margin had we not run into any obstacles!”
His late Dad had seen his own dreams of being a jockey shattered by the apartheid restrictions of the time and he was determined that his athletically lean son Grant would carry the Behr flag at the SA Jockey Academy.
The second youngest in a two brother
The wide-eyed Capetonian walked through the SAJA gates in 1993 to commence his career adventure and joined Kelvin Jupp, Julian Gadsby, Nicky
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I learnt a lot from Garth. A real horseman and a gentleman who could write the definitive textbook on race-riding,” adds Grant. Grant rode his first Cape winner on the Glen Puller-trained Galba mare Flashy Star, who scored on her debut in a Mixed Maiden at Milnerton on 24 May 1997. Interestingly in third place that day was subsequent Diadem Stakes winning speedster Okukama, ridden by Garth Puller. The Jallad gelding would eventually coincidentally also
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Grant got opportunities in the 2002 and 2006 seasons with the Gujadhur family to ride in Mauritius. While he only rode a handful of winners on the island, he says the experience on the tight Champ de Mars circuit was well received.
Grant can ride at 54kgs and he is in peak fitness. He says he is going to put his shoulder to the wheel and turn Saturday’s success into better things.
opportunities, stay away from negativity and work harder. Decent rides make decent jockeys. Winners create the momentum for more winners.
“I know I rode my first Gr1 winner in Christmas week, but I’m definitely not a Christmas jockey! I am a capable and balanced rider. I need to create more
And I’m doing it for my family – one cannot find greater motivation than that!”
Chase Liebenberg
provide Grant’s first year SAJA classmate Genevieve Michel with one of her peak career triumphs when winning the Gr2 Diadem Stakes on 5 December 1998.
More recently, he also rode the first of two winners on exported rising star Katak. “A magnificent horse and I know I did nothing wrong. But that happens. It’s human nature I suppose that when a horse becomes a big horse, trainers look to tighten up and find the big race jockeys. But reaction through sulking and surly behaviour won’t improve the situation. It’s hard work in the mornings and then hopefully also being given a few more chances. I am so pleased that I won the Guineas for Messrs Shirtliff, Ressell and Longmore. They are major owners and I am really chuffed!”
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Chase Liebenberg
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Grant Behr smells blood as he makes his move on Linebacker
THAT OL’
MARSH MAGIC IS BACK!
Dean Kannemeyer assumed the mantle of the Cape Guineas ‘King’ when he saddled his sixth winner of the prestigious Cape classic this century – and his longest priced victor to date – as the flashy grey Russian Rock overcame the odds, and an awkward take-back close to home, under journeyman Grant Behr, to cause an upset in a race loaded with some big new generation stars.
Mike de Kock’s unbeaten Gauteng star Malmoos and Vaughan Marshall’s local hometown hero Seeking The Stars hogged the R750 000 Cape Racing Gr1 Cape Guineas betting boards in the build-up and the early stages of the 1600m classic. But both were sent home empty-handed as Kannemeyer delivered a classic Christmas package for a top owner partnership of Ian Longmore, Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell. Between De Kock, Marshall and Kannemeyer they have won 11 of the
20 Guineas run this century and the last mentioned was clearly pleased to have edged ahead of his colleagues, after a few years where Gr1 winners have not been easy game. “Vaughan (Marshall) I still hold the record for you,”he chirped after a sensational victory that knocked most Pick 6 players out of the park. Kannemeyer, who took over the powerful family operation from his late Dad PK some twenty years ago saddled his first Cape Guineas winner in 2005 with Rabiya – he followed up in 2006 (Express Way), in 2008 with Le Drakkar, 2009 (Noordhoek Flyer) and his last prior to Saturday was in 2012 with present day sire, Capetown Noir. So it’s been a while between drinks for the horseman, who now also operates a successful satellite base at Summerveld in KZN. “This was our test for Russian Rock to tell us where he fitted in the 3yo scheme of things. He has been brought
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along quietly since his winning winter debut at Durbanville. He didn’t share the profile of the more fancied runners. But his work has been good and I’m thrilled he delivered for three of the most loyal owners in the game. And to Klawervlei and John Koster – they bred a lovely horse,” he added. The R200 000 National Yearling Sale purchase was selected by Marsh Shirtliff on conformation, colour and pedigree. A man who owned his last Cape Guineas winner when the brilliant big earning Jay Peg won in 2007, Shirtliff was a major force in the first decade of this century, but has not enjoyed quite the same good fortune of the Pocket Power and Jay Peg salad days, in the past few years. “I thought I’d lost the ‘Marsh Magic’. But it’s great to be winning a Gr1 again. I hope this horse can take us places and, while I watched him the whole way, I thought he’d be a better
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Chase Liebenberg
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Marsh Shirtliff and Mark van Deventer hoist the coveted trophy Derby horse. So this is very nice,� he added. A breathless Grant Behr showed ice-
cool confidence after having to take his mount back at about the 250m marker as he found nowhere to go between two Marshall runners,
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including the super game runner-up, Linebacker. In a stamped to the wire, Behr got
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Russian Rock (100-1) to lift again and the son of Pomodoro stormed up the outside to catch Vaughan Marshall’s Linebacker (20-1) at the line and register a dramatic neck victory in a time of 100,07 secs. “I knew I would have to relax him. He is quite a strong horse and he was on that bit – but we were in a good position. If it wasn’t for that incident he should have won easier. He had so much running when he got done. A big thanks to Mr Kannemeyer – he has always had some hope for me,” said the man who has had a tough few years, with rides being hard to come by. Another of the Marshall quintet, Rascallion (33-10) stayed on well for third, with Jet Dark (33-1) flashing late and the first Snaith horse home in fourth.
The fancied runners failed. Seeking The Stars may have found the mile a bridge too far – he finished a 2,15 length sixth, while the favourite Malmoos appeared to have every chance and ran ninth – under five lengths adrift. The Klawervlei bred winner is a son of Jet Master stallion Pomodoro, out of the UK-bred Proclamation mare, Elisium. The Stipes reported: TEMPTING FATE (S Veale) and HOEDSPRUIT (P Strydom) pulled hard in the early and middle stages. At the 250m RASCALLION (A Domeyer) was forced to check and made contact with the hindquarters of CONTACT ZONE (S Mbhele) when cramped for galloping room on the outside of MALMOOS (*L Ferraris) which shifted
out. An Inquiry will be held into this incident. Thereafter MALMOOS (*L Ferraris) had to steady when close to the heels of SEEKING THE STARS (L Mxothwa), which was hanging out and shifted out. RUSSIAN ROCK (G Behr) had to be shifted to the outside of LINEBACKER (D Dillon) leaving the 250m to continue its run. Jockey P Strydom, the rider of HOEDSPRUIT, reported this gelding made an abnormal respiratory noise in the running. The veterinary surgeon was requested to examine. The Vet reported that no abnormal respiratory noise was detected.
The Merits
Russian Rock has had his merit rating upped from 95 to 114 following his success in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. The handicappers felt that the ultra-consistent runner-up Linebacker made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 112.
Third placed Rascallion goes up slightly from 109 to 110, while 4th finisher Jet Dark is up from 100 to 109, keeping him one pound below Rascallion.There were also increases for The Gateleeper, who is up from 104 to 109, and for Invincabelle, who was raised from 99 to 106.
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Two horses were given a ratings drop – Look For Hounds was trimmed from 96 to 95, while Willow Express is down from 104 to 102.
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Piere Strydom produces Nexus with a sustained late run
Striker – Pure Class! Still on honeymoon after recently tying the knot again, multiple SA champion jockey Piere Strydom gave his younger colleagues a lesson in judgement, confidence and poetic balance with an impeccably judged ride to get Snaith Cape Met hope Nexus up in the dying strides to win the R200 000 Gr2 Cape Racing Peninsula Handicap at a sundrenched Kenilworth on Saturday.
The second Met entry home was Kannemeyer’s Seventh Gear (25-1), who ranged up dangerously in the centre around 350m out, but failed to kick on
and hung on grimly for a 1,70 length fourth. It’s clear that the 1800m plus Ke-
Chase Liebenberg
The son of Dynasty shortened from 50’s to 20 to 1 with Hollywoodbets for the Cape Met next month, after Strydom produced him with a dazzling turn of foot from a hopeless position to get up and win going away from Brett Crawford longshot Super Silvano (44-1) by a half length in a time of 110,71 secs. Riding the crest of a summer wave, the Snaith team made it four straight winners, and also saddled 25 to 1 Love Happens, who ran a cracking third.
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nilworth summer course is one of the fairest in the country and a glance at the stats shows that over the past two years, 14 is the winningmost gate (at 50%) for the 1800m.
they were sneaking through on my inside all the time,” chirped the man who can’t be blamed for thinking he may have earned a Cape Met ride in the process.
But that doesn’t detract in the least from the vintage Striker performance on the gelding carrying second topweight and jumping at 16 of 16.
Nexus is a full-brother to former Dennis Drier champion Lady In Black.
“I kept trying to drop him in a bit but
Dame. A R1,7 million buy from the 2017 National Yearling Sale, he has now won 7 races with 7 places from 18 starts for stakes of R651 400.
He was bred by Rathmor and is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the fivetime winning Jet Master mare, Mystery
The Merits Nexus has had his rating increased from 113 to 117 after he captured the Gr2 Cape Racing Peninsula Handicap. It was 4th placed Seventh Gear who was considered to make for the best line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 103.
from 102 to 104, while 3rd placed Love Happens goes up from 100 to 102. The only other increase was on Captain Flinders, who was 8 pounds or 4 kgs under sufferance at the weights, and who goes from 92 to 96.
Runner-up Super Silvano was raised
Several horses were given a ratings drop. Sachdev goes from 108 to 107,
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Silver Host was cut from 102 to 101, Herodotus is down from 101 to 100, Cat Daddy also drops from 101 to 100, and lastly, King Of Gems was dropped from 109 to 107.
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FARM SALE CONCEPT SET FOR GROWTH Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) will be expanding on the 2021 renewal of the ever-growing and popular Farm Sale concept, for which entries are due shortly.
breeding industry, we felt it pertinent to open up the sale to all breeders. This was very well met, and many of our colleagues have requested participation again in 2021.
In conjunction with Gavelhouse, the Klawervlei Farm Sale yielded a remarkable R8,4-million in turnover in just a few hours of internet bidding, when conducted online for the first time in June 2020.
With Klawervlei’s lesser numbers and our much smaller management team, the sale necessitates the marketing and sales expertise that vendors require to sell their yearlings successfully. To this end, it made sense to partner with CTS and use their innovative style to grow the sale in the Cape in June.”
Klawervlei’s John Koster said: “After discussing the devastating effect of lockdown due to Covid 19 on our
Grant Knowles, Bloodstock and
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Marketing Director of CTS, commented: “We look forward to partnering with Klawervlei, along with their fellow breeders for the 2021 Farm Sale. We will look to maintain the unique Farm Sale experience, while delivering new and exciting initiatives to the event, ensuring further growth and success.”
Visit the CTS website for more
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Chase Liebenberg
Silvano’s Pride goes all the way under Richard Fourie to beat Heart Stwings (Luke Ferraris)
PRIDE IS THE VICTRESS
Relishing the Kenilworth track conditions, and enjoying a preferred loose-reined ride from Richard Fourie, the Gr1 winning Silvano mare Silvano’s Pride went from gun to tape to win the R125 000 Cape Racing Gr3 Victress Stakes in swashbuckling style on Saturday. Having her second outing since an
unsuccessful bid on the Vodacom Durban July, the Justin Snaith-trained 5yo chestnut had tightened up visibly from her prep sprint a month ago and kept rolling at 18 to 10 to beat the year younger Joburg visitor Heart Stwings (12 to 1) by a half length in a time of 110,74 secs. The fancied topweight Missisippi Burning ran a rare disappointing race,
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over 15 lengths off the winner. Owned and bred by Anthony Peter, the Varsfontein team received the accolades – “Carl de Vos and Susan Kalmanson deserve the credit. They know where to send the mare. They know what they are doing,” declared the elated owner-breeder.
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Richard Fourie knows the smart mare well. “One can’t restrain her. That’s her style, She has the Silvano class and courage which gets her home,” said Fourie, who came under fire from Luke Ferraris on the visitor inside the 200m.
Jono Snaith saddled in the absence of his boss-brother Justin and declared the Paddock Stakes next on the agenda. Silvano’s Pride is bred on the same cross as exported champion Hawwaam – being a daughter of champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Mary’s Pride.
She went through the ring at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in 2017 but was wisely bought back for R100 000 by her breeder. She has won 6 races with 7 places from 18 starts for stakes of R1 324 875.
The Merits Silvano’s Pride remains unaltered on a rating of 118 after her pillar-to-post success in the Gr3 Victress Stakes. The handicappers felt that 4th placed Rattle Mouse made
for the most suitable line horse, which leaves her unchanged on 95, and in fact by rating the race in this way, Silvano’s Pride only runs to a mark of 112, six pounds below her rating.
Only one change was made to the rating of any horse in this event, with runner-up Heart Stwings being increased from 93 to 106.
Chase Liebenberg
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The Majestic Oratorio – in fine form
SATURDAY FOUR
TIMER FOR ORATORIO
Avontuur’s triple Gr1 winning sire Oratorio had a day to remember on Saturday, when the son of Danehill was responsible for four South African winners. Oratorio’s quartet of winners on Saturday was headed by the very exciting filly Bequest, who made it three wins from as many starts when she won the ninth and final race at Turffontein. Trained by Alec Laird, the Avontuur bred Bequest romped home to score comfortably by a length and a half over 1160m.
An impressive winner of her first two starts, Bequest is a full-sister to Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes runner up Ancestry. The filly, who has an Erupt half-sister on offer at the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, holds an entry for the Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes in January. Bequest was one of two winners at Turffontein for Oratorio, with the latter’s three-year-old daughter Snow Symphony making a winning debut when landing the first race at Turffontein.
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A dual champion sire in Italy, Oratorio also had a double at Kenilworth on Saturday with sons Rostropovich and Northern Song winning races two and respectively. Sire of more than 100 stakes horses, Oratorio has two lots on offer at the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
Chasing 5500!
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Piere Strydom is now targe�ng yet another milestone in his illustrious career, in what is expected to be his final season in the saddle. He said on Saturday a�er pilo�ng Nexus to a thrilling win in the Peninsula Handicap, that he was just 26 winners short of his 5500 milestone. He rode his 5000th career winner on Joey Ramsden’s Act Of War at Kenilworth in the Selangor Cup on 22 November 2014 and immediately set out to reach the 5000 winner mark on SA soil – as 72 of his career total had been achieved off-shore. He reached that further goal on the Lucky Houdalakis trained Allegorical at the Vaal on Thursday 14 May 2015.
WAIT FOR THE DERBY Former Champion jockey Garth Puller told the Spor�ng Post that Saturday’s Cape Guineas was a race that could produce three different results if run three �mes. “Good luck to Dean. He took his chances and it paid off. But I think the Derby could sort out the men from the boys. A few horses on Saturday had excuses – including the winner to be fair, who should have won easier. And the Gauteng horses have now shown that they have the poten�al to run a flat race at their second start in the Cape.” We asked the legend for a comment on the �me debate – where the fairer sex equivalent was run 1,23 secs faster. Captain’s Ransom won the Cape Fillies Guineas a week earlier running into a 10-24km / hour headwind and with a 3m spur at the 600m marker. She clocked 98,44 secs. Russian Rock won the colts’ equivalent running into a 30-34km / hour headwind and with a 5m spur at the 600m marker. He clocked 100,07 secs. “The males are stronger and, while the wind was clearly stronger on Saturday, I’m not sure that a 2m longer spur would have contributed to the slower �me.The Derby is going to be interes�ng!” 34
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Candiese Lenferna
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Kuda rider Lyle Hewitson is lead in on another winner
KUDA AND LYLE
ARE PARTNERS Leading South African rider Lyle Hewitson will boot home the winners for the rest of the season with Kuda Bloodstock as his primary sponsor. The 23-year-old jockey, winner of the National Championship in 2018/2019, currently leads this season’s log with 95 wins recorded so far this season. He rode a winning treble at Turffontein on Saturday 19 December for Sean Tarry Racing- including the Listed Secretariat Stakes on board Paisley Park. The talented rider expressed his delight at joining up with Kuda, calling it a ‘partnership, not a sponsorship’. He has also signalled his intention to regain his South African Champion jockey title and currently leads the way over Greg Cheyne in that race. With the backing of the Kuda Bloodstock insurance heavyweights, Lyle will benefit from the assistance provided by a company whose reach
extends far wider than just the race tracks. Lyle is the second jockey to receive a sponsorship from Kuda, the other being Sandile Mbhele, who is on 13 winners for the 2020/21 season and is closing on a career landmark of 100 winners. “I’m really excited and privileged to partner up with Kuda” Lyle enthused. “I say partner, not sponsor, because it’s a relationship between myself and Kuda as a company, and myself as an individual. We’re promoting each other and growing our images together.”
best in my field. By us working together, I really believe that we can both achieve our goals. It’s a huge thrill for me and I’m very grateful for this opportunity to represent such a great brand. “Long may it last and I know that it will be a successful partnership together. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to get it started.” He has already had multiple wins in the few days since he has been under the Kuda Bloodstock bannerincluding a treble at Turffontein over the weekend, cementing his belief that their partnership will bring about great things!
Lyle has had a meteoric rise to success and earlier in the year spent time in Hong Kong and Japan, where he quickly became something of a favourite. He was popular This is the fourth in our current with the media and the racing fraternity series on jockey sponsors. If you itself as he endeared himself to the locals. would like to tell us about your brand, or are in a position to offer “It is a privilege for me to represent a a sponsorship, please drop us a line specialised insurer such as Kuda, who are at editor@sportingpost.co.za a niche brand in their industry,” he said. “I’m also ambitious and want to be the
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Pauline Herman
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Lyle Hewitson steers Capernaum to victory
100 UP FOR HEWITSON
Kuda rider Lyle Hewitson became the first jockey to hit a century of winners this season when he steered Capernaum to victory for trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen in the second at Fairview on Monday.
Falling Rain filly outran Leader Of The Pack by a length.
One race later he clocked up another winner when Dancing Girl franked a good third-place debut at the beginning of December with a victory to give the Oosthuisen/Hewitson combination a quick double.
He added that he believes there’s still a lot to come from this filly, so it could pay to keep a close eye on her career.
According to Oosthuizen, he very much left the tactics in the running of Race 3 to Hewitson, after they had decided that if there wasn’t much pace in the race, the jockey would make his own. This strategy paid off as this Soft
“She’s a big filly,” said Oosthuizen after the race. “She’s as long as a train. Well done Lyle and thanks for the double.”
“She’s still very immature, but I think we are going to have a lot of fun with her,” said Oosthuizen. Capernaum, a three-year-old Querari gelding, shed his maiden tag yesterday on his fourth outing on the Polytrack in PE. Capernaum has not set a foot wrong since moving to PE from the Highveld.
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Despite battling to find his feet first-time out on the poly, he managed a third place, beaten all of six lengths by Moon Game. His next two outings saw him beaten by less than a length on both occasions before yesterday’s convincing 3.50-length victory. “Very blessed to be in this position and for getting all the support,” said Hewitson after the race, the first jockey to hit 100 winners this season. The somewhat unlikely pairing of Oosthuizen and Hewitson is working like a charm this season. Their record now shows five wins and seven places from 18 runs, resulting in a 67% win-place success rate.
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specialists. The key design and development requirements include getting people closer to the horses, to synthesize the drama of the Sport of Horseracing with the suburbanite’s desire for outdoor living and to leave a light footprint. The design calls for the use of containerised and prefab solutions integrated into a landscaped and pedestrianised multifunctional precinct. A state-of-the-art digital product is to be integrated into the design and the aim is to be carbon neutral.
RANDJESFONTEIN REDEVELOPMENT The Racing Association has a particular vision and that is to change, restructure and reinvent within the Racing Industry.
Randjesfontein Training Centre is strategically located in the heart of Gauteng and opens up the populated northern area of the region.
The establishment of a new Operator in the Gauteng region raises an opportunity for a fresh start and to develop the sport of Racing further through more exposure to a larger, more diverse audience and through increased entertainment value.
The property is close to a major motorway and to Gautrain access.
This renewed interest in the sport will grow the number of participants and ultimately the return back into Racing. The RA Board has invested in a preliminary design and budget assessment for the redevelopment of Randjesfontein into a fully functional racecourse.
The zoning allows for full racecourse development and the multipurpose usage of related assets on the property. It is secure and embedded within the Randjesfontein Estate. The development proposal has been prepared by a selected professional consultant team headed up by our project development manager, Ms Judith Smith. The team includes an architect, quantity surveyor, civil and structural engineers, electrical experts, track design experts and digital product
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The provisional racecourse budget including the building costs, track upgrades, development costs and professional fees amount to approximately R 87 Million. The timelines, on the assumption that the existing design team continue to work on the project, is approximately 9 months and this includes the track widening and grass establishment, the importation and installation of the running rails and starting stalls, general construction, fitout and commissioning. The RA does not consider itself to be in the business of property ownership or development and we have produced this preliminary design concept and budget with the intention of finding an investor in order to bring the vision to life or to buy the property as a whole. The sale of the property will be conditional and must be in line with the long-term objective and protection of horseracing.
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EXCEL THE BEN 44
From left to right- Owner of Summerhill Equestrian Henning Pretorius, Aldene Barnard, Tamaryn Shaw, Megan Grobler, Dylan Korff & Training Director Kelly Pretorius. v
LENCE CHMARK! 45
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The School Of Equine Management Excellence recently celebrated the graduation of four students Aldene Barnard, Dylan Korff, Megan Grobler and Tamaryn Shaw- all of whom will now go out into the world and continue to flourish.
transfers.
competing warmblood stallions.
“They have the best of both the thoroughbreds and the warmbloods,” boasts Chantelle McCabe, stud manager at Summerhill Equestrian, who has worked very closely with all the students.
They also learn backing of the young stock, i.e. sport horses and thoroughbreds for racing. The hardworking students learn all about treatments, both major and small, as well as the general stud farm work to maintain a smooth-running facility.
Based in the heart of KZN horse country, the school is situated at Summerhill Equestrian Estate in the midlands, and is home to many top horses, including top stallion Act Of War.
“They undergo quite a few assessments both theoretical and practical, which deems them competent. At the end of this, they have to do a final presentation on topics relevant to the industry and the course, i.e. genetics, multiple pregnancies etc. Which allows for examiners to acknowledge their understanding of their studies”
The students spent the last term learning mainly Equine Reproductions and Stud Work. They learn about foaling’s, coverings, assist in scanning procedures and flushing mares. Recently introduced to artificial insemination, as well as embryo
The students partake in long but rewarding days which includes foal duty, foal and mare care, stallion handing for both stallions at stud and the
Image Caption
Students having some fun in between the hard work
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Each student that graduated this year has something exciting lined up in the new year. Aldene Barnard will be furthering her studies as she has applied for a physiotherapy course in the UK. Dylan Korff will be staying on at Summerhill as an intern. Megan Grobler will be joining a yard in JHB to help with training horses and Tamaryn Shaw will be taking over the running of her family yard in Skeerpoort.
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“It really is an experience of a lifetime. Hard work for sure, but so rewarding. It definitely gives you a taste of the real world and once you’ve completed the course you are ready to take it on!” enthused graduate Megan Grobler. It is a journey of a lifetime and the students of Summerhill continue to fly the flag high, even many years later.
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updated 2020-12-22
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr P F Matche�
526 396 324 230 373
Wins Win% 80 54 38 40 34
15.2 13.6 11.7 17.4 9.1
2nd
3rd
66 42 33 34 39
57 36 39 21 28
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
34.4 31.3 32.7 37.0 26.8
3,074,375 2,884,200 1,795,550 1,893,600 1,551,450
4,529,875 4,119,800 3,112,950 2,828,300 2,769,925
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
4,024,650 2,124,600 3,483,100 2,620,650 2,101,175
6,316,450 2,943,600 5,038,875 4,361,825 2,892,925
58 46 34 30 33
181 124 106 85 100
JOCKEYS Name
Runs Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr L Hewitson Mr G M Cheyne Mr W B Kennedy Mr M A Yeni Mr A Marcus
679 360 447 530 262
95 38 53 59 43
76 51 53 54 21
101 78 58 58 58
14.9 21.7 13.0 10.9 22.1
99 41 76 67 37
270 130 182 180 101
39.8 36.1 40.7 34.0 38.5
BREEDERS Name
B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %
Klawervlei Stud Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Varsfontein Stud
322 220 181 114
1059 691 587 392
19,707 27,537 20,100 30,934
79 65 48 47
94 90 59 69
24.5 29.5 26.5 41.2
336 232 135 154
4 4 3 1
4 4 3 1
6,345,700 6,058,175 3,638,163 3,526,525
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301 30,171
29
37
31.5
97
5
8
2,775,700
SIRES Name Master Of My Fate Silvano (GER) Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Querari (GER) What A Winter
Runrs Runs AEPR 142 127 141 152 131
524 420 472 533 423
25,952 27,170 24,100 19,212 21,860
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 47 39 47 43 40
57 51 61 53 51
33.1 30.7 33.3 28.3 30.5
193 122 145 177 137
See all the detailed standings - Click here 50
2 4 3 0 2
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
2 4 3 0 2
3,685,250 3,450,575 3,398,100 2,920,275 2,863,600
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CHELSEA & ARSENAL
BOXING DAY CLASH
There are a few heavyweight bouts on the cards in this round of exciting Premier League football. On Saturday evening Arsenal will be in the red corner and Chelsea will come out swinging from the blue corner in this Boxing Day clash that headlines the weekend. Leicester City and Manchester United will lock horns in Saturday’s early kick-off, while Wolves and Tottenham close out the round in what’s expected to be a tactical battle between two fellow Portuguese managers.
English Premier League: Gameweek 15 Preview Saturday 26 December 39/20 Leicester City | Draw 51/20 | Manchester United 27/20 (14h30) Bryan Naicker writes that Leicester City’s final game at the King Power Stadium for 2020 sees the Foxes host Manchester United. Brendan Rodgers’ side are in the chasing pack of teams, hot on the heels of champions Liverpool. However, their record on home soil doesn’t bode well for their chances in this tie, losing four times from seven games against the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton. Manchester United have suffered the same struggles as Leicester at Old Trafford, but have
been perfect on their travels, claiming six wins on the bounce. The famous 5-3 clash when Leicester returned to the topflight instantly comes to mind when you mention these two teams. United have gone unbeaten in the following 12 meetings with eight wins and four draws. The early kick-off could prove tricky but I’ll be backing United to claim their seventh straight victory on the road.
Fulham’s improving performances have been gaining points in recent games, most notably from the hard-fought 1-1 draw during Liverpool’s visit to Craven Cottage, as Scott Parker’s team continue to their season-long battle against relegation. The Cottagers’ most worrying sign is that they’ve only managed to beat fellow new boys West Brom on their own patch. Southampton are the in-form team in the league that have taken everyone by surprise under the tutelage of Ralph Hasenhuttl, whose stamped his blueprint onto his group of players. The Saints are unbeaten in six games on their travels with three draws (Chelsea, Wolves & Arsenal) and three victories. I can’t see Southampton losing this encounter. Back the away win. 28/10 Arsenal | 26/10 | Chelsea 19/20 (19h30)
Aston Villa will be aiming to get back on track this Saturday and will be boosted with the returns of Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz after the pair missed out against Burnley and West Brom through suspension. Since thrashing champions Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park, Dean Smith’s troops have subsequently suffered defeats at home to Leeds, Southampton and Brighton. Midfielder Trezeguet was the difference maker during Crystal Palace’s last visit as the Egyptian’s double claimed the spoils in a 2-0 victory. Christian Benteke was sent off in that particular match and could potentially return to face the Villans after being showing a red card at West Ham a few weeks ago. Both Teams to Score (Yes) seems the best way to go in this matchup.
Arsenal play host to Chelsea with manager Mikel Arteta under severe pressure. The Gunners have lost four and drew once from their last five league matches at the Emirates and desperately need to turn things around. Gabriel Magalhaes will return from suspension to bolster Arteta’s defence against the likes of old boy Olivier Giroud. The French striker has faced Arsenal twice in the Blue of Chelsea, bagging a goal and two assists in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final. Frank Lampard’s charges are looking to get themselves into top gear during the second half of the season. The Blues are expected to play their best football now that their new signings have acclimatized to west London. Four months ago, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in red-hot form and proved instrumental in Arsenal’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory when these rivals last met at Wembley. A lot is expected of the club captain to change their fortunes, and reviving his troops with a Man-of-the-Match performance could be catalyst needed to get his confidence back. Lampard has too much quality in the ranks and will likely bring on three world class players off the bench to see off the game. Chelsea will claim maximum points and add to Arsenal’s woes.
43/20 Fulham | 23/10 | Southampton 27/20 (17h00)
1/8 Manchester City | 8/1 | Newcastle United 18/1 (22h00)
9/10 Aston Villa | 26/10 | Crystal Palace 28/10 (17:00)
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Manchester City have failed to hit the heights of previous seasons where the Citizens regularly scored five goals each weekend. There’s been a lack of creativity in midfield with Pep Guardiola opting for two deep-lying midfielders in recent matches. The absence of Sergio Aguero, who’s expected to return to the fray after recovering from a hamstring injury, has been a huge loss with Gabriel Jesus struggling to find his shooting boots. City will target a 10-match winning streak to put themselves in the thick of the title race. Newcastle suffered a 5-0 defeat in their last trip to the Etihad Stadium. I suggest taking Home Win to Nil (Yes) at 15/20. 34/10 Sheffield United | 28/10 | Everton 8/10 (22h00) Sheffield United look certain for the drop back into the Championship after the worst start in history. To make matters worse, Blades’ boss Chris Wilder will be sweating on the fitness of Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge who limped off with a hamstring injury in the 3-2 defeat to Man United, just nine days ago. Everton had struggled to compete without their star names who are slowly making their returns and adding quality back into this resurgent Toffees outfit. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are tipped confidently. Sunday 27 December 13/20 Leeds United | 31/10 | Burnley 15/4 (14h00) Leeds United return home to Elland Road to lock horns with Burnley.
Marcelo’s Bielsa’s men have taken a lot of plaudits for their grab the bulls by the horn approach of winning the ball as quick as possible and attacking the spaces ahead with blistering speed, spearheaded by Patrick Bamford. However, the results have been less impressive. As fans we’re entertained but the Peacocks have won just once in five home games. Burnley have begun to hit their stride. It may not show on the log standings, but Sean Dyche’s men seem to be back to their dogged and cagey performances that make it near impossible to score against. I fancy the Clarets on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/10. 13/10 West Ham United | 47/20 | Brighton 43/20 (16h15) West Ham United clashing with Brighon has been a delight for the neutrals in recent meetings with 12 goals scored from the last three clashes. From their last six home games, the Hammers have lost just once to Man United. David Moyes’ team will be outsiders for UEFA Europa League qualification if they can be consistent against the opponents of similar quality like Brighton to make progress on the log standings. Brighton were winless in four games prior to hosting bottom side Sheffield United. Avoid picking a winner and take Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 7/10 to come home flying for the fourth consecutive meeting between these clubs. 1/7 Liverpool | 15/2 | West Brom 17/1 (18h30)
Anfield in the penultimate match of the weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have a perfect record on their hallowed ground of seven straight wins on the bounce. “Big Sam” Allardyce will have his work cut out against a manager who’s won FIFA Best Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons and with Thiago Alcantara returning soon. Take Liverpool on the (-1) Handicap at 7/20. 24/10 Wolves | 22/10 | Tottenham 5/4 (21h15) Wolves are without influential spearhead Raul Jimenez for this cracking encounter against Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux Stadium. Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto stepped up for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in their last game on home soil, cruelly edging Chelsea 2-1 with the last attack of the match. Jose Mourinho’s Lilywhites suffered their first defeat on their travels when they travelled to Anfield and will be looking to get back to winning ways. The four meetings between these sides have been entertaining goal-filled humdingers since Wolves re-joined the topflight, however, I see this tie playing out differently. Both sides are very similar in their approach and will be cautious to not giving anything away in the first half. Back the draw in the Half-Time market at even money. TREBLE @ 13/2 Southampton Win 27/20 Man City Home Win to Nil 15/20 Everton Win 8/10
Reigning champions Liverpool host newly-promoted West Brom to fortress
CAN YOU HELP? CARING FOR EQUINES COSTS PLENTY! Please visit us at www.coastalhorsecareunit.org.za
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