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Candiese Lenferna
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While champions don't know what they cost, one thing is certain, excellence can come in a costly wrapping. History has shown that a big price in the sales ring for a yearling is no guarantee to high level success on the racetrack. In fact, many a seven-figure lot has failed to live up to its price tag or even reach a racetrack. There will always be exceptions - a fine example being the latest Triple Crown winner Malmoos, who fetched the second-highest price at the 2019 National Yearling Sale when Shadwell shelled out R4,4 million for the son of Captain Al. With this year's National Yearling Sale fast approaching, we take a moment to see which other seven-figure lots sold over the past five years have gone on to justify their lofty purchase prices. No less than 22 yearlings broke through the million Rand ceiling in 2016, amongst which the R1,1 million graduate Do It Again, whose racetrack excellence places him at the very pinnacle. His achievements have been well documented, suffice to say, the Horse of the Year and dual Vodacom Durban July winner boasts
current earnings of over R8,7 million. Fillies from the unstoppable Mystic Spring family have become priceless commodities and it took bloodstock agent John Freeman all of R2 million to secure the Captain Al filly out of her Gr3-winning daughter Spring Lilac. Snowdance, as she was named, proved a fine investment, for she became a dual Gr1 winner of the Cape Fillies Guineas and Majorca Stakes and is now a priceless broodmare. That price was matched by trainer Mike Azzie for Orpheus, a Western Winter colt out of Gr1 winner Stratos. Who will ever forget his demolition job in the 2019 Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Eight lengths clear at the top of the straight, he kept up his relentless gallop to score by the best part of seven lengths, while shaving almost a full second off the 1800m polytrack record! Another R2 million purchase, the Var colt Varallo ran second in the Gr1 Gold Medallion before his export to Hong Kong where he tasted further success under the name Supreme Patrol. As for the sales topper, that was the R2,5 million Trippi filly Sugar Girl, a grandaughter of Horse of the Year Ilha Da Vitoria. Twice a winner for
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Khaya Stables, she boosted her paddock value when third in the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes. The highest-priced colt at R2, 3 million, Silvano's son Pietro Mascagni, went on to score four times and also placed at Gr3 level. History will show that the 2017 renewal was an absolute vintage year for those collecting million Rand yearlings, Shadwell in particular, reaping huge rewards. It took a new sales record of R5 million to add the Var grandaughter of Varsfontein champion Promisefrommyheart to its fold. At the time, trainer Mike de Kock described her as "a filly worthy of Shadwell", and although she was never going to recoup the outlay, she did run second in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery and landed the Gr3 Fillies Mile at three. Shadwell's purchases also included a R2,6 million son of the then up-and-coming young sire Gimmethegreenlight from Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. Named Barahin, he defeated his champion stable companion Soqrat in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe before adding another Gr2 at three and placing in the Gr1 SA Classic. However, it was a R1 million 'cheapie' purchased from the
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same vendor who would end up as Shadwell's finest buy, a Silvano colt who went on to scale lofty heights under the name Hawwaam. Beaten just once in his first eight starts, the star colt proved nigh invincible at three and by the time he was exported to Britain, he left with a CV gilded by a championship, five Gr1 wins and earnings of over R6,7 million.
Paternal half-brother Silver Host, slightly cheaper at R2,6-million, has emerged as a fine stayer and to date has accounted for both the Gr3 Chairman's Cup and Gr3 Politician Stakes.
couped only a fraction of his R5,2 million purchase price with two victories to his name! Malmoos clearly towers over the 2019 million Rand graduates.
Captain Al filly Cousin Liz, the sale's most expensive female at R2,9 million, looked destined for the top after winning her first two starts, however she has failed to build on four subsequent starts since her impressive win in the Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery.
Ironically, he cost Shadwell less than half it paid for the Silvano full brother to Gr1 winner Nightingale, whose price tag of R9 million obliterated the sales record. Now named Al Zaraqaan, news from the De Kock stable is that the colt was injured in training and his chances of racing appear slim. Time will tell.
As for the overall sales topper, a son of Dynasty named Track Attack, he has re-
In contrast, The Gatekeeper, a R2,2 million own brother to Horse of the Year Legislate,
Candiese Lenferna
Needless to say, the class of 2018 had a hard act to follow. Now four-year-olds, the sole top level graduate amongst the 21 million Rand lots has been the R2.8 million Silvano colt Kilindini, who was lost to South African when exported
to Hong Kong straight after his Gr1 Cape Guineas win.
Malmoos – R4,4 million buy – now SA Triple Crown champion
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managed a third in the Gr1 Cape Derby third while Shah Akbar, a million Rand son of Querari, finished fourth behind Malmoos in Saturday's Gr1 SA Derby. Querari also features as the sire of Ficksburg, a R4,2 million purchase by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The second foal of champion and Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top, he is another who
has yet to make his racecourse debut. For graduates of the 2020 sale, it is early days yet. Like the sales topper, a R7 million own brother to Hawwaam, many of the million Rand babies have yet to start their careers. One who has though, is Pyromaniac, a R2,3 million purchase by Antony Beck and trained by Sean Tarry.
Despite his classic bloodlines, the son of Silvano colt and SA Oaks winner Pine Princess justified favouritism to score a debut victory over 1160m at Turffontein. While champions don't know what they cost, one thing is certain, excellence can come in a costly wrapping. Triple Crown winner Malmoos is proof of that.
ASCOT’S ROYAL DRAFT Ashley and Rose Parker's Ascot Stud have long ranked among the leading vendors at the National Yearling Sale, and the East Cape-based team will be bringing another outstanding draft to this year's National Sale. They will be offering yearlings sired by top stallions Gimmethegreenlight, and Silvano as well as by such exciting prospects as Rafeef and The United States, and have also consigned some outstanding prospects by their exciting resident sire Global View. The draft includes five yearlings to be offered on behalf of Riyo Stud, namely lots sired by Global View and Vercingetorix. Among the potential high-lights in Ascot's draft are: Soviet Girl (Lot 96) - a filly by five times champion South African sire Silvano, Soviet Girl is out of Gr1
Thekwini Stakes winner Lauderdale
venile Cup winner Foreign Source
Seattlegreenlight (Lot 234) - a colt by the increasingly successful, and popular, Gimmethegreenlight, Seattlegreenlight is out of a stakes winning own sister to Cape Guineas winner Elusive Gold
Girl's World (Lot 390) -this filly is a full-sister to G3 winner Silvan Star and three-parts sister to July winning champion Bold Silvano
Last Storm (Lot 270) -is a colt by promising young Galileo horse Global View and is a half-brother to four stakes winners including G3 winner Storm Destiny Aimee's Idol (Lot 342) -from an outstanding international family, Aimee's Idol is a Global View half-sister to Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Pacific Trader and 3 other winners United Express (Lot 370) -by the impressive young stallion The United States, United Express, from one of the best families in the stud book, is a 8 half-brother to Champion Ju-
Alto Alex (Lot 323) - is a Global View half-sister to Golden Loom Handicap winner Bold Ransom Cousin Casey (Lot 394) -is a Vercingetorix colt out of a full-sister to July winning champion Big City Life and to high-class racemare and producer Cash Register Previous stars to have emerged from Ascot's National string include the likes of July winning champion Bold Silvano and a host of other top horses, including this season's Eastern Cape star Global Drummer who was a R250 000 purchase from the 2019 National Sale.
Chase Liebenberg
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R200k buy Jet Dark has a Futura half-brother on Sale
NATIONAL YEARLING SALE
SHOP FOR A CHAMPION
South Africa's oldest premier sale, the BSA National Yearling Sale, will be held at the TBA complex in Germiston on 15 and 16 April.
National Sale graduates have been enjoying an excellent season so far with the likes of Captain's Ransom, Jet Dark, Malmoos and Rainbow Bridge all excellent advertisements for the quality of thoroughbred on offer at the National Yearling Sale.
The Varsfontein Stud bred Malmoos, the second top sold at the 2019 National Sale, made it seven wins, from just eight starts when he was crowned the new SA Triple Tiara Champion at Turffontein on Saturday.
Star filly Captain's Ransom was a R225 000 buy from the 2019 National Sale. She has gone on to win five of her first six starts, including both the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and Gr1 Majorca
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Stakes this season.
Dual Met winner Rainbow Bridge, who has earned more than R7,293 million in stakes, was a R300 000 purchase from the 2016 National Sale, while this season's Gr1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate winner Jet Dark was knocked down to Nick Jonsson for R200 000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sale. Excitingly, Jet Dark has a Futura half-brother (Lot 151)
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on offer at next week’s sale. This year's catalogue also hosts half-siblings to Horse Of The Year champions Do It Again and Legal Eagle - both previous National Sale graduates. The majority of South Africa's top stud farms will, once again, be strongly represented. Top stallions with progeny offered include all of Dynasty, Elusive Fort, Gimmethegreenlight, Ideal World, Master Of My Fate, Querari, Silvano, Trippi, Var, Vercingetorix, and What A Winter. Stallions with first yearlings include Canford Cliffs, Erupt, Gold Standard, Rabada, Royal Mo and Wings Of Desire.
Juddmonte Farms' champion sprinter Oasis Dream, the sire of more than 120 stakes winners including the aforementioned Querari, has a regally bred colt (Lot 34) on offer, while Varsfontein Stud will be offering a colt (Lot 419) by former Gr1 Prix Morny victor Myboycharlie, whose progeny include the Breeders' Cup winning champion Sistercharlie, at this year's National Sale. Notable Gr1 winning mares represented at this year's National Yearling Sale include All Afire (Silvano colt), All Is Secret (Gimmethegreenlight colt), Bilateral (Erupt colt), Consensual (William Longsword filly), Europa Point (Silvano colt), Flirtation (What A Winter filly), Gilded Minaret (The United States colt), Imperious Star (Visionaire filly), Juxtapose (Querari colt), Lauderdale (Silvano filly),
Shadow Dancing (Twice Over colt), Thunder Dance (Gimmethegreenlight filly), Val De Ra (Silvano colt), Zirconeum (Oratorio filly). The National Sale of 2021 will also include full or half-siblings to the Gr1 winners Anything Goes, Brave Mary, Do It Again, Edict Of Nantes, Forest Indigo, French Navy, Heavy Metal, Jet Dark, Just Sensual, Juxtapose, Kilindini, Legal Eagle, Master Plan, Missisippi Burning, Querari Falcon, Pacific Trader, Redberry Lane, Russet Air, Snowdance, Solo Traveller, Tempting Fate, and Thunder Dance. Read a lot-by-lot preview of the National Yearling Sale catalogue - click here for more
LIGHT & DARK
National Yearling Sale graduate Jet Dark is one of the key horses in the SA Champions Season as he is the highest rated three-year-old in the land.
Snaith said that Jet Dark is 50/50 for the WSB Guineas and he might run in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the Champions Cup.
The good news for the Vodacom Durban July hopefuls of his crop is that trainer Justin Snaith is not planning a full campaign for him until next season’s Cape Summer.
“But we will be going light with him and saving him for the Cape Summer Season.”
David Thiselton writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that
Jet Dark’s rating of 130, earned by beating some of the best older horses in the land in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, might have an impact on those three-year10
olds who run close to him. Therefore, it is good news for the three-year-old Vodacom July hopefuls that he won’t be running in the main springboard into the July, the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. His rating was earned over a mile so they will also be hoping he doesn’t make it for the WSB Guineas, which is often used as a pipe-opener for three-year-old Vodacom Durban July candidates.
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Only the ROYAL have CROWNED JEWELS. Don’t miss out on his 5 GEMS at the National Yearling Sale, 15-16 April!
@RoyalMoStallion @royal_mo_sire www.royalmo.co.za
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INDUSTRY LEADERS all agreed that these GEMS have... v
ARE HORSES GREAT TEMPERAMENTS
OF SUBSTANCE ~ DAVID HEPBURN-BROWN (HEMEL AND AARDE STUD) ~ PIET BOTHA (PIET BOTHA RACING STABLES) ~ MICHELLE RIX (CRAWFORD-RIX RACING) ~ LINDI GARLICKI (CONNEMARA STUD) ~ JOHN KOSTER (KLAWERVLEI STUD)
LOT 70 ROYAL MO X ISABELLE
LOT 171 ROYAL MO X PARTY PEG
LOT 174 ROYAL MO X PEACH DELIGHT
27 LOT 223 ROYAL MO X RUBICAT (USA)
LOT 358 ROYAL MO X ANTIGUA
Candiese Lenferna
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YOUR NATIONALS GUIDE The Raceform Buyers Guide is a detailed summary of the dam and siblings of the National Yearling Sale lots on offer on 15 and 16 April. The guide gives insight to
what to expect of the youngsters in terms of class, stamina, sale price. It’s essential reading for the prospective buyer.
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Uncover the hidden truths - please click here to read more
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42 Viking Moon seen winning the first leg of the all-weather challenge
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Pauline Herman
MOON SET TO SHINE v
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The second leg of the World Sports Betting East Cape Poly Challenge (Non-Black Type) will be run at Fairview on Friday, and all eyes will be on the Vercingetorix flyer, Viking Moon. Alan Greeff’s charge won the first leg over 1200m last month and is now being aimed at the R250 000 bonus for any runner who can win all three legs. Friday’s race is over 1400m with the third and final leg, over 1600m, to be run on Friday 7 May. There is also a consolation bonus of R50 000 to be paid in this challenge. However, horses must participate in all three legs and win at least one leg.
There is a question as to whether Viking Moon will see out the distances of Leg 2 and Leg 3 but as winner of the first leg, he is in line for the consolation as long as he takes his place in the next two.
challenge from stable companion Marmara Sea, who arrived in Port Elizabeth as a maiden and went on to notch up eight successive wins on the Polytrack, three of them over this distance.
Points allocation for the consolation bonus are: 1st 10, 2nd 6, 3rd 4, 4th 3, 5th 2 and 6th 1.
It is worth noting that first-choice jockey Greg Cheyne has opted to ride Viking Moon but Greeff has engaged Richard Fourie for Marmara Sea, who is quoted at 16-10.
A small but competitive field will contest Friday’s race. Although he carries 62kg, Viking Moon is the best weighted runner by at least 2kg and has been priced up as the 14-10 favourite. He has been unplaced in both of his starts over 1400m, but they were on the turf. His record on the Fairview Polytrack is eight runs for five wins and two places.
Another horse of interest is Earth Hour. The Juan Nel-trained runner finished unplaced in the 1200m race, but he will show his true ability in the next two legs and is on offer at 9-2.
However, he will face a strong
REMEMBERING HENNENMAN
At Turffontein on Saturday, the Listed Spook Express Handicap heads a nine race programme dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Hennenman tragedy. A plane crash on 12 April 1988 claimed the lives of
13 jockeys, one trainer, five officials, two owners and three crew members, on their return from a race-meeting in Bloemfontein. The passenger log included 13 of South Africa’s leading riding lights of the time – Keith Basel, Lawrence Riley,
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Johannes ‘Rooies’ Fourie, Warren Baillie, Bennie de Wet, Greg Holme, Douglas Roper, Danny Lombard, John McMurtry, Mark Nel, Michael Coetzee, Simon Rahilly and Gordon Sterley.
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46 19yo Luke Ferraris steers Malmoos to SA Triple Crown glory
Chase Liebenberg
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On a terrific historic day for South African racing, 19 year old former SA Champion apprentice Luke Ferraris added the SA Triple Crown trophy to his Cape Town Met silverware when Malmoos sauntered home to bank the R2 million bonus in the R750 000 World Sports Betting Gr1 SA Derby at Turffontein.
And in the end, they both stayed - even if the girls' 2450m was won in 1,23 secs faster! The Avontuur-sponsored Ferraris became the youngest
jockey to win the SA Triple Crown as he partnered multiple champion Mike de Kock in the master trainer's personal third strike overall – Igugu (2013 SA Triple Tiara) and Horse Chestnut (1999 SA Triple Crown) being his previous successes in both series. But the moment belonged to the Varsfontein-bred Malmoos, who made it 7 wins from 8
Chase Liebenberg
Chase Liebenberg
Malmoos put the cherry on top
of the smashing War Of Athena’s success earlier to write their names into the history books as the first of both sexes to win the series on the same afternoon.
Malmoos’ happy team lead the star in
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starts and joined the honour roll of Horse Chestnut, Louis The King (2014) and Abashiri (2016). Relaxed in midfield off a muddling gallop, Ferraris brought Malmoos around the stragglers as he steered him out wide at the 450m marker. With 250m to go, Malmoos (7-10) was on his way to stardom and he drew clear to beat the game Pamushana’s Pride (18-1) - bidding gallantly to emulate his Dad Louis The
MALMOOS has had his rating raised from 120 to 125 after he rounded off the Triple Crown with a very easy win. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 3rd finisher SECOND BASE made for the ideal line horse, given that he was placed behind MALMOOS in all three legs of the Triple Cown. SECOND BASE confirmed
King - by 5,25 lengths in a time of 157,61 secs. Second Base (7-2) was given every chance but just didn’t go on with it and was beaten a neck into third. Malmoos has won 7 of his 8 starts – his sole blank remains the puzzling Cape Guineas unplaced effort. He has now earned R1 487 100 – excluding the R2 million bonus. A full brother to the dual
The Merits
the form of the Gr1 SA Classic with the likes of SHAH AKBAR and BINGWA, making him the ideal candidate for line horse and leaving him unchanged on a mark of 116. Runner-up PAMUSHANA’S PRIDE was raised from 91 to 116, making him the equal of SECOND BASE, who finished a nose behind him in third. It was PAMUSHANA’S PRIDE’s first attempt at this sort of
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Group-winning stayer Captain Splendid, Malmoos by Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the Spook Express Handicap winner Justthewayyouare, a half-sister to Varsfontein’s boom sire Master Of My Fate. The second top lot at R4,4 million sold off the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, Malmoos races in the familiar silks of the recently deceased Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum.
distance and there can be no justification for rating him lower than the line horse. 4th placed SHAH AKBAR goes up from 102 to 108, although in fact running to a mark of 113, so that he is at least rated the equal of 5th placed BINGWA, who finished a short head further adrift and who remains unchanged on 108.
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‘REAL DEAL’ MAY SKIP JULY Mike de Kock has indicated that the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein could be the next mission for three-year-old Malmoos, who raced away to a riveting win in Saturday’s Gr1 SA Derby. Malmoos won by 5,25-lengths and fell short of the 9.50-length margin recorded by the illustrious Horse Chestnut, who won the inaugural Triple Crown for the stable in 1999. But there were reminiscent similarities in the thrilling way both quickened to sail away from their opposition. Post-race, jockey Luke Ferraris told about Malmoos’ acceleration, saying, “I had a lot of butterflies before the race but the butterflies disappeared once the gates opened. But once he started going through his gears the butterflies came back again. He gave me goosebumps.”
The 19-year-old son of former champion trainer Ferraris handled Malmoos like a veteran as he brought him from seventh place to hit the front 400m from home. “He’s changed my life, this horse,” said Ferraris. “It’s also a fitting win for Sheikh Hamdan. I’m very grateful for what he has done for me.” Owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum passed away 10 days ago. “But there’s not much more I can say. He’s shown everybody what he can do. “The way he put everyone away in the Classic, I was confident going into the race but in racing, anything can happen, so I didn’t want to shout about it. Retired veteran trainer Ormond Ferraris, who turned 89 last Wednesday, was on course to share in his grandson’s Triple Crown Triumph. Mike commented on his website, www.mikedekockracing.com
“It’s a huge day for the stable, for South Africa and obviously for Sheikh Hamdan. He has left a huge hole in the lives of people in Dubai, his family and certainly our stable over here. So this is a fitting tribute and even send off, if you want, that he gets a Triple Crown winner over here.” He added: “I’m not sure about taking Malmoos to Durban. We’re not hellbent on going to the Durban July. He’s had a hell of a season and we’ll see how he comes through it. Don’t forget we also took him to Cape Town. He’s been on the boil for a long time. “The horse will tell us. If he’s sound and happy, we will have a crack at it. But these days the July is tough on three-year-olds, the ratings are crazy. But we’ll see.” Mike concluded: “He’s the real deal. He has the looks, the pedigree and thankfully he will go to stud in South Africa.”
Shadwell Gr1 Double Shadwell continued to demonstrate its worldwide power with a Gr1 double over the weekend, with strikes from Malathaat and Malmoos in America and South Africa respectively providing further fine tributes to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, the founder and owner of the operation
who died at the age of 75 last month. After Malmoos’ Turffontein victory, Malathaat completed the top-level double when maintaining her unbeaten record in the Gr1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, starting off her seasonable reappearance after the traditional 51 10 days of mourning for Sheikh Hamdan
had ended the night before. Bloodhorse report that bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the daughter of Curlin and Gr1 Frizette Stakes heroine Dreaming of Julia was a $1.05 million purchase from Denali Stud when selling at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2019.
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Chase Liebenberg
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Paul Matchett and his loyal owners the Wentzels have enjoyed the season of a lifetime. And they joined the rarified ranks of Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara winners courtesy of Muzi Yeni and their Summerhill-bred superstar War Of Athena at Turffontein on Saturday. A daughter of Dynasty stallion Act Of War, War Of Athena started at prohibitive odds and earned a R1 million bonus as she joined the hallowed honour roll of past SA Triple Tiara princesses Igugu (2011), Cherry On The Top (2013) and Summer Pudding (2020), when she overcame a solid pace set by the opposition camp and put the naysayers to bed with an impressive victory in the R375 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks. Enjoying a great day after he had steered Got The Greenlight to victory in te Gr1
WAR OF ATHENA remains unchanged on a mark of 122 after she rounded off the Triple Tiara. It was 4th placed MAGICAL FLIGHT – who had earlier finished third behind WAR OF ATHENA in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic in March – who was used as the line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 98. In assess-
HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes a half hour earlier, Muzi Yeni had War Of Athena confidently relaxed 20 lengths off the Paul Peter pair of Lotus and Sacred Lotus for much of the trip. In the run for home, War Of Athena lengthened her stride and went past the opposition as if they were standing still. With only Sparkling Water (12-1) throwing out any sort of challenge, Yeni was looking left and right, but there was no trouble in sight. War Of Athena went on as the shortest price winner of the prestigious series to beat Sparkling Water by 2 lengths in a time of 156, 38 secs. Third placed Netta (12-1) was seven lengths adrift in third. A R30 000 buy from the 2019 Ready To Run Sale, War Of Athena has won 8 races (from 1200m to 2450m) with 5 places
The Merits
ing the Oaks this way, WAR OF ATHENA runs to 112, fully ten pounds below her rating, and hence the reason for her unchanged mark. Only one change of any kind was made to the rating of any runner in this event, 2nd placed SPARKLING WATER goes up from 98 to 109. With the unplaced horses beaten 17 lengths or more and having any stamina 56
from 14 starts for stakes of R1 401 300. Bred by Summerhill, she was a first Gr1 winner for her fast ascending Dynasty sire Act Of War when she won last time. She is out of a Requiem / Coastal mare Qaphela, who has produced 4 other winners, and is a half-sister to two South African stakes winners – from the same family as Gold Cup winner Desert Links and French Oaks heroine Dunette. War Of Athena’s former Zimbabwe owner Roy Wentzel and Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel have indicated that they have received many ‘wild offers’ for their star. But for R30 000, she is giving them the ride of a lifetime!
doubts exposed in a strongly-run race, it was decided to effectively ignore their performances here and none were given a ratings adjustment.
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58 Fort Wood : Sadler's Wells - Fall Aspen (Pretense), b 1990
FORT WOOD WEARS THE CROWN v
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The late Harry & Bridget Oppenheimer imported Fort Wood The influence of former South African champion sire and broodmare sire Fort Wood was well and truly felt at Turffontein on Saturday afternoon. Fort Wood’s grandson Act Of War produced Saturday’s Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks heroine, and this season’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara queen, War Of Athena, while his Spook Express Handicap winning daughter Justthewayyouare is the dam of Saturday’s impressive Gr1 World Sports Betting SA Derby winner, and Triple Crown hero, Malmoos (Captain Al). SA Derby third place-getter Second Base (whose sire
Gimmethegreenlight has enjoyed notable success with Fort Wood mares) is out of the Fort Wood daughter Passionate Kiss, adding further gloss to Fort Wood’s posthumous success on Saturday.
Jacaranda Handicap winner Cherry On The Cake (Strike Smartly) is the dam of last season’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara victress Summer Pudding (Silvano).
His outstanding son Horse Chestnut lifted the Triple Crown in 1999, while his Oaks winning daughter Carolina Cherry is the dam of fellow champion, and Triple Tiara heroine, Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge).
Fort Wood’s SA Derby winning son Elusive Fort, the sire of this season’s top-class three-year-olds Catch Twentytwo and Kommetdieding among others, went close to siring a Triple Tiara winner with his daughter Siren’s Call victorious in both the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Gr1 SA Fillies Classic of 2015, before going down narrowly in the Gr1 SA Oaks of that season.
In turn, Carolina Cherry’s Gr3
Yet another Triple Tiara
This is not the first time that Fort Wood has had a major impact on either the South African Triple Crown or Triple Tiara.
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victress Igugu, while not by Fort Wood, was sired by Galileo –who, like Fort Wood, was sired by Sadler’s Wells. Already champion broodmare sire in South Africa on four occasions, Fort Wood is currently second on this season’s Leading Broodmare Sires list. Fort Wood has had quite an impact on the Gauteng legs of the Triple Crown, with his sons capturing the now Gauteng Guineas on three occasions, the SA Classic three times and SA Derby times twice respectively.
The former champion sire has also enjoyed notable success with his three-year-old daughters capturing the Gauteng Fillies Guineas twice, SA Fillies Classic three times and SA Oaks three times respectively. In total, Fort Wood left behind nearly 140 black type horses, and his offspring banked over $24 000 000 in stakes. Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells) also ranks as the broodmare sire of Equus Champion Capetown Noir (Western Winter) – who recently enjoyed a feature race double
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courtesy of his son Jaeger Moon (Listed East Cape Guineas) and daughter Under Your Spell (Gr3 Protea Stakes) With his grandsons Act Of War, Futura, and Legislate all showing considerable promise at stud - his maternal grandson William Longsword came up with a smart looking first crop winner in the form of Safe Return - and son Elusive Fort enjoying one of his finest seasons at stud this season, Fort Wood’s legacy looks set to continue unabated for seasons to come.
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64 Got The Greenlight (Muzi Yeni) staves off the threat of Copper Mountain (Gavin Lerena)
Chase Liebenberg
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Trainer Joey Soma showed yet again that with the right horses he has few peers in the South African training ranks. His flagbearer Got The Greenlight registered his fourth Gr1 success as he stormed to victory in the R500 000 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday. Run out of it late by Paul Peter’s smart 3yo MK’S Pride in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes last month, Got The Greenlight threw the second-run-after-arest doubters syndrome out of the window when he turned it on from way out after lagging behind in his customary style early on. With Drum Star winner Savannah Storm leading the
charge for home, Muzi Yeni was not waiting around and he sent the Soma multiple Equus champion colt for glory at about the 350m marker.
only his second run this term, races in a partnership of Dayalan Chinsammy, Hassen Adams and Joey Soma.
It looked an early move with the in-form Van Vuuren stable’s Copper Mountain unleasing his effort down the wide outside.
He is by Varsfontein sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the one-time winner Command Chi (Commands).
But Muzi knows the Soma crackerjack well and the duo went on at 8-10 to score by a convincing half length in a time of 97,25 secs.
Got The Greenlight, a R110 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, has now won 7 of his 15 starts with 7 places and stakes of R 2 700 500.
The 3yo Copper Mountain looked well in the preliminaries and ran a good race in second ahead of Tarry’s enigmatic entire Tierra De Fuego (40-1) in third.
The 4yo colt is likely to be aimed at the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on 1 May, before heading for the coast and another crack at the Vodacom Durban July.
The winner, who was having
The Merits GOT THE GREENLIGHT remains unchanged on a rating of 124 following his win. It was GOT THE GREENLIGHT himself who was used as the line horse when assessing this race, albeit that he was used to the 122 he achieved when finishing second in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes on his seasonal debut four weeks earlier. The Handicappers opted to go the slightly more
lenient route when rating the race as, after moving through the field effortlessly to obtain the lead, GOT THE GREENLIGHT appeared to idle in front and needed encouragement to complete his task. It was felt that using the winner to his best would possibly inflate the placed runners as they may be flattered by their proximity to the winner. 2nd placed COPPER MOUNTAIN was
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raised from 113 to 121, while the only other increase was for 3rd finisher TIERRA DEL FUEGO, who is up from 110 to 116. Two horses were given a rating’s drop. IKIGAI is down from 118 to 115, while CHIJMES drops from 114 to 111.
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2021 VODACOM DURBAN JULY AN EPIC LOOMS
Every year the racing media, the host operator, and even the sponsor tout Africa’s Greatest as ‘the best July ever!’
year impetus, and with the 2021 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July first entries just a week away, the excitement is really and truly building.
This year they could have a point. The tsunami of equine talent that is heading towards a possible date with destiny at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 3 July gives that cliché some serious legitimacy.
If we dreamt of a perfect race with colts and fillies, the up-and-coming versus the tried and tested, speed talent versus stamina reserves, new champions taking on the defending champion - well, now we have it, with class, and then some!
Saturday’s Turffontein feature action added to the vintage
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The maximum field is limited to 18 runners. A look at the top 18 in the Hollywoodbets ante-post betting market reveals an extraordinary depth of talent on display from all categories. If cynicism is your bent, allay any doubts - compare the runners-up in the past four runs of the July building to this one: Al Sahem (2017), Made To Conquer (2018), Rainbow Bridge (2019) and
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OUR JULY TOP 18 TODAY Name
AGE
SEX
Min
Max
MR
Long
Cap
ODDS
GOT THE GREENLIGHT
4
53
60
124
55.0
55
5/1
MALMOOS
3
53
57
125
53.5
53.5
5/1
KOMMETDIEDING
3
53
57
117
49.5
53
7/1
BELGARION
5
53
60
130
58.0
58
8/1
CAPTAIN'S RANSOM
3
f
52
56
126
54.0
54
10/1
WAR OF ATHENA
3
f
52
56
122
52.0
52
10/1
THE GATEKEEPER
3
53
57
110
46.0
53
10/1
RAINBOW BRIDGE
6
53
60
134
60.0
60
25/2
SUMMER PUDDING
4
52
59
129
57.5
57.5
25/2
LINEBACKER
3
53
57
115
48.5
53
25/2
DO IT AGAIN
6
53
60
129
57.5
57.5
14/1
GOLDEN DUCAT
4
53
60
128
57.0
57
20/1
RASCALLION
3
53
57
111
46.5
53
20/1
COPPER MOUNTAIN
3
53
57
121
51.5
53
25/1
SECOND BASE
3
53
57
116
49.0
53
25/1
JET DARK
3
53
57
130
56.0
56
33/1
PRINCESS CALLA
3
52
56
118
50.0
52
33/1
RUSSIAN ROCK
3
53
57
114
48.0
53
33/1
f
f
Betting supplied by Hollywoodbets – subject to change Got The Greenlight last year. The progression is red handed. The old guard are the champs we know well. Like Do It Again, who in three Julys went 1-1-3… a modern fairytale! Rainbow Bridge ran 2nd and 6th, while winning
two Mets. Belgarion won on his first try. Got The Greenlight, the 3yo runner-up IN 2020 at level weights to the winning 4yo. Dual Gr 1 winner Golden Ducat finished 4th on his debut. Turning to the fairer sex, there’s ten-time multiple Gr1 winning Triple Crowned SA Horse Of
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The Year Summer Pudding, who may well pop down to set Hollywoodbets Greyville alight as she did the only time she set foot on the City course. None of these horses know how to give up, none of them know how to run badly, and even on an ‘off’ day all of
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them are formidable. And now the most insane part - these superheroes are available at an average of 12/1. One wonders how it’s possible. See the Hollywoodbets betting here It turns out the odds makers are indeed still on their game, because the new guard are the 3yo’s. They make up two thirds of the ante-post field. Four of the 12 already have July ‘Golden Tickets’: L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark rated 130 and 56kgs. SA Triple Crown winner Malmoos (125) at 53,5kgs. SA Triple Tiara winner War Of
Athena (122), perfectly balanced at the 52kgs. Cape Derby winner Linebacker (115) at 53kgs. And if the hyperbole is getting out of hand, we haven’t yet mentioned 3yo filly and dual Gr1 winner Captain’s Ransom rated 126, Cape boom horse Kommetdieding (117), or Princess Calla, the 3yo filly who split Do It Again and Golden Ducat in this year’s Met. And the supporting cast has a Guineas winner, an SA Classic runner up, the Horse Chestnut runner up. It goes on and on. The SA Champions Season is still but a spark about to ignite. So for once, the flashes, the accomplishments and the potential is not just hot air hype
bidding to get the party started. There’s a genuine proper depth of talent. Fillies and colts, 3yo’s and 4yo’s, and 5yo’s and 6yo’s. Speed and stamina. All there, and all for real! Why the 2021 embarassment of riches? Maybe exporting doesn’t appeal? Or are ratings too high since the +10 pill taking fest? Maybe there is there something in the water? Oh hell, let’s hope not. If you don’t feel the July electricity in the air, you are either too suburban – too grounded - or simply not paying attention.
JULY GOLDEN TICKETS
With the jostle for places in the 2021 renewal likely to be very tight this year, it is worth noting that the winners of the undermentioned Gr1 races in the current season will qualify automatically for a berth. But Gold Circle does reserve the right to request a public gallop to determine the well-being / fitness in the event that any of these winners have not raced within three months of the date of final declaration given the timing of these
races, this would practically speaking only apply to winners of events 1,2 & 3. 1. The L’Ormarins Queens Plate 2. Cape Town Met 3. Cape Derby 4. World Sports Betting SA Classic 5. Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic
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6. World Sports Betting SA Derby 7. Premier’s Champions Challenge 8. Daily News 2000 9. Woolavington 2000 10. Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge
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NATIONAL SHOCK Freewheelin Dylan, a 150-1 outsider, caused a major upset by winning the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. Ridden by Ricky Doyle, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained horse produced a stunning front-running performance to record the shock success. The 9yo was always travelling well and saw off all his challengers to win by a length and a quarter. Run Wild Fred (9-1) was second, with Enjoy D'Allen (40-1) third and 9-2 favourite Latest Exhibition fourth. A field of 28 lined up at the start of the three miles and five furlongs contest.
UNDER THE HAMMER Once a centre for horseracing in the Eastern Cape, the Arlington Race Course in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, will make history when the 62-hectare property becomes the country’s first horse racing track to go under the auctioneer’s hammer on 23 April. Read more here
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SATURDAY 4
Drakenstein Stud’s in-form resident sire What A Winter enjoyed a fantastic day on Saturday with the former champion sprinter producing four winners, headed by Gr3 Man O’ War Stakes winner Celestial Love – pictured here. Her four time Gr1 winning sire What A Winter also supplied an eye catching two-year-old winner on Saturday in the form of the flashy, white faced chestnut Winter With Jo. What A Winter also sired a pair of winners at Kenilworth on Saturday.
MARKET SOARS On a record individual day of trade on Tuesday for a Southern Hemisphere yearling sale, a tidy sum of A$64 470 000 was grossed on the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale catalogue at Riverside. The day’s top lot realised A$2.5m – one of two colts to surpass the A$2m barrier – with Hawkes Racing buying the Snitzel x Rising Romance colt from Arrowfield Stud. See the results – click here
CROWDED?
SA Rugby’s plans are already under way to gain approval for some form of crowd attendance at the 2021 Lions Tour matches. The itinerary includes three test matches. The tour is currently scheduled to launch with a match against the Stormers in Cape Town on 3 July – the same day that the Vodacom Durban July will be held behind closed doors 1700 km up the coast at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Maybe racing fans could get lucky yet!
SAD STORY Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Limited’s Annual Report for its 2020 financial year has been published. Click here to read the report 75
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CHAMP RETIRES Citing family commitments, jockey Richard Johnson dropped the curtain on a stunning 27-year career in the saddle this weekend. While Saturday's shock announcement caught the majority of onlookers completely off guard, four-time champion jockey Johnson revealed the decision had been in his mind for a while, and he may well have chosen last month's Cheltenham Festival had Native River landed a second Gold Cup. However, his career will forever be intrinsically linked with perennial champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and their fierce rivalry is something he is proud to be associated with. Ironically, Johnson won McCoy's last race before retirement at Sandown in 2015 on the same horse – Brother Tedd – who sent him into retirement on Saturday.
FRANKEL’S HEART The sensational Frankel sired his 13th individual Gr1 winner and his first of this year as Hungry Heart benefited from an immaculate Kerrin McEvoy ride to land the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. The Yulong Investments homebred went through the ring for A$300 000 (£165,000/€195,000) at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, when offered by Yulong and bought by the Belmont Bloodstock Agency, but races in the green Zhang colours of the ownership family. She is a first foal of the Pivotal mare Harlech, who was bought as a once-raced maiden for 60,000gns from Godolphin by Yulong and Sheamus Mills at the 2016 Tattersalls July Sale.
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79 In the hotseat - 4Racing Chairman Mxolisi Zwane
JC Photos
ZWANE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
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4Racing, the new South African horse racing operator, has been established with the purpose of stabilising, protecting, and radically transforming the horse racing industry at every level. 4Racing’s focus is on establishing a solid foundation from which the industry can once again thrive for the benefit of all stakeholders, starting with the workforce of racing, but importantly also partnering broadly to drive and deliver collaborative, inclusive, and disruptive growth in jobs and the economy of horse racing. Earlier last week the appointment of Mxolisi Zwane as Chairperson, effective from 1 April, was announced. Zwane, an attorney of the High Court of South Africa, is a prominent Human Rights activist and an experienced arbitrator with the Association of Arbitrators. He has held several esteemed positions and served as Director on many boards, including the Pan South African Language Board, National Heritage Council, National Lotteries Commission, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Black Business Council, Chamber of
Commerce & Industries (CHAMSA) and Premier Foods to name but a few. A Managing Partner at Zwane-Sambo Inc. – a law firm specialising in the field of gaming and sport law – Zwane has also held the position of Chairperson of the Gauteng Gambling Board and is therefore well acquainted with horse racing and the challenges the sport has experienced over the years. In addition to Zwane’s imminent arrival to oversee a new era, 4Racing has announced the news of the approval of the transaction from the Competition Commission. Focus will now be on attaining all the necessary licensing from the Gambling Boards. This will be a key milestone given the distress the industry has been under for some time. “There is still plenty of work to be done, but 4Racing is optimistic that the necessary pieces will start falling into place given the amount of work that’s already been done” says Zwane.
and those working on the farms. 4Racing will include a broad-based ownership scheme (Grooms Trust) with an Empowered Shareholder structure and employee share ownership programme to meet the requirements of Statement 100 of the Codes. The new structure will not only provide for shareholding for empowered shareholders but will also include a revenue share to fund new initiatives, such as a Pension Fund. “In addition, 4Racing will take over the employment of approximately 1,040 employees. We understand the importance of stakes to all participants in the industry and we are committed to a Seasonal Stakes Programme which will also be announced shortly states Director of 4Racing Charles Savage.
The initial priority for 4Racing, is to save jobs and pave the way for a sustainable industry, while looking after the interests of all parties.
“This programme will place additional emphasis (and with it, greater prize money) on in-season racing and the extension of a series of initiatives designed to encourage greater competition across racing jurisdictions, which will ensure that our champions compete against one another more regularly.”
Of particular importance are the most vulnerable – grooms employed by the racing stables
Digital transformation of the industry is of paramount importance as 4Racing seeks
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to elevate South African racing, and plans are being drawn up for large-scale investment into improving the product for the betterment of all stakeholders. Special attention is being paid to ensuring the products and services are easier for partners to carry and deliver to their customers, while 4Racing also aims to build on existing international partnerships to maximise revenue opportunities and improve the showcasing and broadcast of South Africa’s world-class racing product, both locally and abroad.
4Racing will engage extensively with Government to create a platform to build a better understanding of horse racing and to gain the state’s support as 4Racing seeks to rebuild the industry from the bottom up. This includes both the on- and off-course product where improvements with the TAB experience are required and where the promotion of the various tote offerings are essential for the funding and sustainability of the industry. “There is so much to be done, and we have a great responsibility to elevate this
wonderful sport to the position it so richly deserves” says Zwane. “We really can’t wait to start generating momentum and seeing the impact of the strategies that dedicated people have been working on so tirelessly. We look forward to collaborating, and partnering, with all industry stakeholders under a common purpose and goal – and to do it all 4Racing” he concludes. • Edited media release on 3 April 2021 issued obo 4Racing by RVM Communications
CHAMPIONS DAY CHALLENGE
Phumelela has announced that a Highveld Work Riders & Jockeys Challenge race has been added to the Champions Day racemeeting at Turffontein on Saturday 1 May.
The race will be a R150 000 Maiden Plate over 1160m and teams will comprise the top 8 riders on the respective Highveld logs for the current racing season as at 31 March 2021.
The day, which boasts 7 feature races, including the Gr1 Champions Challenge and the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, will now also play host to an exciting challenge between the top 8 Highveld work riders and the top 8 Highveld jockeys.
The work riders will receive a 3kg weight allowance from the professional jockeys. Captain of the Jockey Team, S’manga Khumalo is very excited to be taking part and said that it was an awesome concept.
"It was founded by Cape Racing and Khaya Stables, where it was a huge success in its inaugural running on Derby Day. The workriders work tirelessly alongside jockeys each morning at the track and we have the utmost respect for these unsung heroes. It’s going to be a great honour for them to ride competitively against their role-models in a race.” See the teams – visit www.sportingpost.co.za
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PACE!
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Candiese Lenferna
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KYLE A CHAMPION IN WAITING 83
Kyle Strydom – a young talent to watch
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Were you born between 2002-2005? Are you sporty, fit, brave, not scared of animals and love speed? Do you weigh no more than 47kg and are no taller than 166cm? If you are South African, then this is your chance! For most of us reading the intro, the specs listed are a hazy dream of a long-lost youth. But for anybody fitting the parameters, the SA Jockey Academy Recruitment team are on their way to Johannesburg and will be in the City of Gold in May, while also visiting Cape Town. Please email recruitment@ theacademy.co.za for dates and venues, and an application form or to make enquiries. A young man who says he would absolutely recommend a career in the riding ranks to anybody who asks, is 19 year old Kyle Strydom who rode the 40th winner of his short career at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 24 March.
guess that, as opposed to guys who have never sat on a horse and don’t even know where the racecourses are, that my introduction to the game has been eased by professional support, a feel for the sport and an understanding of the unique quirks of a great game,” says a modest Kyle as he chats to the Sporting Post. Nobody is arguing that Kyle doesn’t have regal international class racing blood coursing through his veins. But having a family tree that includes a Grandpa, Hekkie, and a Dad called Jacques training horses, as well as an Uncle Piere aka ‘Striker’, who is a multiple champion and one of the greatest jockeys we have had the joy of watching, must come with pressures? “There are perceptions and expectations when I meet people. But that’s to be expected. But it’s a really nice pressure to have and I’m very proud of the achievements of all my family in racing.”
After getting the best out of the mostly formless 20-1 shot Suntrax for veteran Gauteng trainer Tony Nassif, Kyle now claims a 1,5 kg discount until he has ridden his 60th winner.
With the reigning SA Champion Apprentice, high-riding Cape Town Met and SA Triple Crown winning rider Luke Ferraris now a qualified jockey, Kyle’s ambitions are set on lifting the national champion title in his first full season of riding this term.
“I come from a family steeped in horseracing. So I would
While his first amateur winner came at Fairview on 9 August
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2019 on Flame Up for his Dad, Kyle’s come a long way since his June 2020 professional debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, which was a highlight for the family - it was a dream start! “I was so excited and managed to win my second professional ride on Transonic for Mr Dennis Bosch. It was the most thrilling experience. I have just wanted to win more and I must say that 39 winners later, the enjoyment and excitement is growing.” A fall a few weeks after his sensational debut was to set Kyle back for the month of July 2020, but he has come out firing this season and he carries on a longstanding tradition of the seaport city of Port Elizabeth being nursery of SA champion jockeys over the years. Piere Strydom and Warren Kennedy are two of the most recent that spring to mind. Kyle’s maiden season gathered momentum when he rode the 50-1 last double – a career first - at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in September 2020. Lavu Lavu won for Louis Goosen, while Kyle’s ride on Juniper Spring for Kumaran Naidoo from the worst draw was vintage ‘Striker stuff’. It was a double celebration as Lavu Lavu races in the
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Candiese Lenferna
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Suzette Viljoen silks – and her son Izak’s business Ludeim is Kyle’s sponsor. Showing a maturity that belies his years, Kyle spoke about the vital aspect of support that a young jockey leans on. Chatting about key people who have made a difference in his career, he says that Dennis Bosch, who gave him his first winner, Louis Goosen, and Garth Puller, have all been mentors and supporters. He says that he also chats to Dad Jacques, Mom Dalene and elder sister Johane, most days. “From family to sponsors to owners and trainers – we are very reliant on support but need to nurture relationships and reciprocate too, I believe. Ludeim have been fantastic as a sponsor who show an interest in my progress. It’s a privilege to enjoy the association and it gives one a sense of confidence,” he adds.
few times but haven’t travelled that much in view of the Covid-19 restrictions. And then also the cost is a factor – one needs rides to pay for flights. With the SA Champions Season almost here, I am definitely going to try and travel more as the leading senior jocks are in town and rides in numbers are not easy to find.” Kyle says that he had requested a transfer to the Gauteng academy as he felt he would be able to ride more in that province. “There was no place available for me. I enjoy KZN though, and we have a great team at the SA Jockey Academy.” The Pearson High School graduate, who admits that he ‘preferred’ athletics and hockey to mathematics and history in his school days, arrived at the
While his predecessors Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris were travelling from early and enjoying support of powerful stables, Kyle does not have those luxuries - but is not far behind them at a similar stage of his career. “I work hard and do my utmost to maintain a professional attitude at all times. I have been home a
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Academy on 6 January 2020 as a post-matric student. Having come through the workrider ranks, he followed much the same route as subsequent SA Champion Lyle Hewitson. Kyle is tall for a jockey and his minimum riding weight is 53kgs. “Being tall, I have to adapt my riding style and have used Bernard Fayd’herbe and Donovan Dillon as yardsticks. As one does in golf, I want to use my height to optimise my ability to extract the best out of every horse,” he adds. A recent interference related suspension means that Kyle will be off from Tuesday 6 April for seven days. “I pleaded not guilty but was
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found guilty. But the suspension doesn’t kick in till the Inquiry Review Board looks at the finding. So I
decided to rather change my plea and signed an admission of guilt on Monday. That way I only miss one meeting, as
opposed to waiting for it to come up when I least expect it - and then maybe miss three racemeetings.”
The Future Is Bright! In March, the SA Jockey Academy staff and apprentices spent the day at the Hollywoodbets Team Support office in Umhlanga.
with full bursaries to invest in their racing future – as well as providing the much needed funds to replace the Academy tractor.
Through their 'My Community' initiative and their ‘Future is Bright’ project Hollywoodbets is supporting 16 apprentices
“As an Academy we are eternally grateful and touched by this incredible contribution. This is the second year our apprentices have received
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bursaries from Hollywoodbets and we are truly grateful for this special partnership. A very big thank you to the Hollywoodbets team for a wonderful day out for the Academy and for the continued support and contribution to the sport of horse racing,” said Principal Graham Bailey.
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Chase Liebenberg
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S’manga Khumalo salutes as African Adventure powers home
A FAVOURITE
FEATURE DAY! Veteran Turffontein trainer Joey Soma doesn’t enjoy the luxury of treadmills and swimming pools. But his runners win when they are good enough and he rounded off a great feature
double on SA Derby Day when the fancied African Adventure outstayed his rivals to win the R150 000 Gr3 WSB Best Odds First Caradoc Gold Cup.
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After Got The Greenlight’s terrific fourth Gr1 success in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes a few hours earlier, the consistent marathon man African Adventure (5-2) went past
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a slightly one-paced leader Atyaab in the final 250m of the 2850m event.
(7-2) was second, while 14-1 Captain Chorus was a further half length back in third.
Rounding off one of the most favourite dominated major days in recent memory, S’manga Khumalo put 7,75 lengths between his mount and the opposition to in a time of 182,63 secs.
Popular East Cape challenger Atyaab found the return trip up to altitude a bridge too far and faded out to 20 lengths off the winner.
The well supported Chitengo
AFRICAN ADVENTURE has had his rating raised from 103 to 112 following his very easy success. It was 3rd placed CAPTAIN CHORUS who was used as the line horse, leaving him unaltered on a mark of 90. The winner was the only horse to receive a
Bred by Mr & Mrs John Slade, African Adventure is by Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of
The Merits
rating’s increase out of this race, but there were drops for three horses, OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE is down from 102 to 99, IMPERIAL RUBY drops from 102 to 100, and FACTOR FIFTY was cut from 107 to 105.
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the Fort Wood mare, African Badger. A R40 000 National 2yo Sale buy, African Adventure has won 5 races with 8 places from 18 starts for stakes of R383 750. The Pick 6 paid R265-30.
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JC Photos
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Celestial Love streaks to victory under Chase Maujean
WERNARS & WILSON’S WINTER WINNER The fairer sex dominated the opening feature on SA Derby Day at Turffontein on Saturday as the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained What A Winter filly Celestial Love charged to an impressive victory in the R150 000 Gr3 Man O’War Sprint. With the unfortunate withdrawal earlier in the day of the topweight MK’S Pride, the 3yo speed feature lost some of its lustre with only six runners starting at the 1100m.
But the race delivered a promising lightly raced filly who capitalised on her galloping weight to register her first stakes success in a partnership of the Wernars family and Harry Wilson. After the speedy Valyrian King had come up for air at the 300m, Chase Maujean sent Celestial Love (15-10) to lead and she drew right away to beat Laetitia’s Angel (20-1) by 3,75 lengths in a time of 63,29 secs.
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Mike de Kock’s Al Sakeet (15-10) lost his twice unbeaten profile when plodding for a well beaten third, a further two lengths back. True To Life won a good race a half hour earlier in the Wernars' silks for Johan Janse van Vuuren. Celestial Love was bred by Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud and is by Equus Speed Champion What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the twice
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winning Lecture mare, Leylani.
Yearling Sale.
She was purchased by Vermaak Equine for R120 000 off the 2019 BSA KZN
Celestial Love has won 4 of her 7 starts with 3 places for stakes of R288 250.
CELESTIAL LOVE has had her rating increased from 96 to 105 after she ran out an easy winner of the Grade 3 Man O’ War Sprint for threeyear-olds. It was runner-up
The Merits
LAETITIA’S ANGEL who was deemed to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 93. The winner aside, there were no ratings increases for any
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The R1 million carryover ensured the Pick 6 just reached the projected target and went to R5 056 445.
other runner in this race, while the solitary drop was for SLALOM QUEEN, who is down from 98 to 95.
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Chase Liebenberg
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Seeking The Stars (Anton Marcus) returns from a 15 week break post the Cape Guineas to win well
STARS ON TRACK
Vaughan Marshall’s Seeking The Stars showed that he is no classical one-trick pony when he accelerated from just off the pace to win the R150 000 Gr3 Byerley Turk at Hollywoodbets Scottsvile on Sunday.
After failing to dominate the pace from the widest draw in a field of seven, Seeking The Stars was relaxed by Anton Marcus as Storm Chaser and My Bestie set the standard in the 1400m feature.
Halfway down the straight Seeking The Stars (11-10) moved forward as recent – and much fitter – Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes winner Vars Vicky (3-1) challenged. At the 250m marker there was still a chance that the 15 week break would count against Seeking The Stars, but the work had been done and Anton Marcus pushed the Vercingetorix colt out to an easy 2,50 length victory in a time of 84,38 secs.
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The Snaith’s Speed Machine (7-2) looked dangerous but failed to prove a threat and was 2,40 lengths further back in third. The winner, a second feature success on the afternoon for the Marshall team, races for owner Ricky Sewgoolam, who attended his first racemeeting in close on two years on Sunday. Seeking The Stars is a smashingly handsome Klawervlei Stud-bred son of
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Vercingetorix who cost R1 million on the 2019 Cape Yearling Sale, and went through the ring for R425 000 at the 2019 CTS Ready To Run Sale. Seeking The Stars is one of several top-notch three-yearolds representing Silvano’s fast ascending son this season. Others include Gr1 winner Vernichey, who was runner-up
SEEKING THE STARS remains unchanged on a rating of 117 after he captured the Gr3 Byerley Turk for three-year-olds over
to Mirage in the Listed Kwazulu Natal Stakes on the day, as well as the likes of Forever Mine, Nartjie and Rascallion, with the latter regarded as a likely Vodacom Durban July contender. Seeking The Stars is from the three-time winning Count Dubois mare Schism, who won up to 2200m. Anton Marcus conceded that he wasn’t quite sure what
The Merits
1400m at Scottsville on Sunday. SEEKING THE STARS was used as the line horse, hence his unaltered rating. Only one change was made
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Seeking The Stars’ optimal trip is. The one blot on the colt’s copybook was a 2,15 length sixth behind Russian Rock in the Cape Guineas, after making the pace – his only try at a mile. SA Triple Crown star Malmoos was 2,20 lengths behind him that day.
to the rating of any horse in this event, with 2nd placed VAR’S VICKY going up from 112 to 115.
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Chase Liebenberg
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Princess Calla cruises home under Anton Marcus
A CHAMPION REAPPEARANCE
The Cape raiders sent another warning of their silverware intentions in the forthcoming SA Champions Season when Adam Marcus’ top-class Princess Calla bounced back off a respectable fifth behind Rainbow Bridge in the Cape Town Met to win Sunday’s R150 000 Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
considered good enough to win – and so she did in professional workmanlike fashion.
Back after a nine week break, Princess Calla was said to be 75 to 80% right but
Keep The Lights on (9-1) came out of the pack to secure third, a short head away.
Stalking Gauteng visitor Spice Market all the way around, Anton Marcus set the odds-on Princess Calla alight at the 300m and the daughter of Flower Alley drew away to beat Caya Coco (5-1) by just over two lengths in a time of 84,31 secs.
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Trainer Adam Marcus paid compliments to assistant Lorrenzo Karriem and ‘Uncle Ant’ (Anton Marcus) who had done all the hard work as he had only arrived in the province five days earlier. Adam confirmed his charge is a filly with a lot of class. “She impressed with this effort. She quickened well and I’m glad this is out of the way and we can move forward.
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Her next stop is likely to be the KZN Fillies Guineas – but there are plenty of options in this season.” Uncle Anton Marcus confirmed that Princess Calla has enjoyed ‘a helluva lot of undivided attention’. “She got the job done. This was a good gallop and a
blowout,” added the former champion jockey. Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Princess Calla was purchased for R600 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale. She has won 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts for stakes of R422 500.
international stakes proven sire Flower Alley and is out of the four-time winning Captain Al mare Princess Royal. A son of Distorted Humor, Flower Alley has 12 lots on offer at the forthcoming 2021 BSA National Yearling Sale.
She is a daughter of
The Merits PRINCESS CALLA remains unchanged on a rating of 118 after she ran out a comfortable winner of the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes. It was 5th finisher VIHAAN’S PIE who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her
unchanged on a rating of 90. In assessing the race this way, PRINCESS CALLA only runs to a mark of 107, eleven pounds below her rating. 4th placed FREESTATE STAR goes up from 87 to 92, while the only other increase was for CHANTY LANE, who is
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up from 81 to 84. Two fillies were given a rating’s drop. TRICKSTER is down from 102 to 99, and PEANUT BUTTER drops from 80 to 78.
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Chase Liebenberg
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Richard Fourie gets Mirage up to beat Vernichey (Warren Kennedy) in a thriller
MARSHALL'S JET FLIES Milnerton trainer Vaughan Marshall opened his KZN season feature account on a high at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. The veteran saddled the first leg of a feature double and a Cape clean sweep treble when the grey Captain Al filly Mirage came in fresh off a ten week break to clinch
her first stakes success in the R100 000 Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes. After local star 3yo Vernichey had looked a winner at the 200m, the Cape flyer was stalking and unleashed late by Richard Fourie, Mirage (14-1) finished powerfully to nab the pacy year younger Vercingetorix filly Vernichey
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(9-2) by a neck in a time of 57,43 secs. Lezeanne Forbes’ consistent Crusade mare Linear ran a further 1,30 lengths back in third. The favourite Singforafa (14-10) took an awkward step out of the gate and finished out of the money, if only 2,25
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lengths behind. A R500 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Mirage was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is by late champion Captain Al (Al Muf-
ti) out of the US-bred Holy Bull mare, Sea Glitter. She has won 3 races with 5 places from 12 starts for stakes of R251 725.
The Merits MIRAGE has had her rating upped from 93 to 97 after she won the Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m at Scottsville on Sunday. It was ultra-consistent 3rd placed
LINEAR who was used as the line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 100. Three horses were given a drop. Runner-up VERNICHEY was trimmed from 114 to 113, SINGFORAFA is down slight-
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ly to 117 from 118, and CANDY GALORE also drops one pound from 96 to 95.
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updated 2021-04-06
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr P F Matche�
867 667 680 421 581
133 94 92 63 57
112 84 67 53 60
86 65 77 46 39
15.3 14.1 13.5 15.0 9.8
Other Places Place % 108 66 85 53 52
306 215 229 152 151
Win Stake (R)
35.3 32.2 33.7 36.1 26.0
Total Stakes (R)
6,576,575 10,026,250 4,905,700 7,645,675 4,402,550 7,142,825 4,246,100 5,937,800 3,261,388 5,041,363
JOCKEYS Name
Runs Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr L Hewitson Mr W B Kennedy Mr G M Cheyne Mr S Khumalo Mr A Marcus
1131 762 588 561 436
148 102 75 56 68
122 90 95 65 43
170 114 108 106 98
15.0 15.0 18.4 18.9 22.5
Other Places Place % 171 113 80 66 61
441 305 250 187 172
Win Stake (R)
39.0 40.0 42.5 33.3 39.4
Total Stakes (R)
7,281,475 11,103,225 6,335,475 9,376,875 3,261,600 5,119,900 4,960,500 7,123,113 4,764,225 6,553,950
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
391 264 206
1811 31,375 1227 46,448 986 37,453
125 115 63
166 164 105
32.0 43.6 30.6
616 409 257
9 8 6
10 12,267,563 11 12,262,188 12 7,715,263
141 115
637 51,603 548 52,548
68 44
112 67
48.2 38.3
233 190
7 5
7 11
7,276,075 6,043,075
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
8 5 3 6 14
7,389,850 6,575,150 6,399,625 6,210,100 5,812,200
SIRES Name Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Master Of My Fate What A Winter Silvano (GER) * Captain Al
Runrs Runs AEPR 173 171 153 145 100
809 902 764 707 474
42,716 38,451 41,828 42,828 58,122
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 75 70 65 64 42
108 95 98 89 65
43.4 40.9 42.5 44.1 42.0
262 333 264 203 167
See all the detailed standings - Click here 106
8 4 3 5 6
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BUMPER WEEKEND TO PUT THE BOOT IN! The League is back into full swing, another round beckons and with it all the excitement and intrigue pursuant to the Premier League. Ryan Liberty returns with his predictions and insight ahead of a bumper weekend!
Friday 9 April
of Wolves’ back three.
14/10 Fulham | Draw 2/1 | Wolves 43/20 (21:00)
Wolves have become more robust since reverting back to a defensive three, but I’m not too confident they have a killer instinct in front of goal. At 2/1, I am happy to call this one a draw.
This is a tough game to predict, all three outcomes can be justified and there is plenty of value on offer. Fulham are a dangerous side when on the front foot and will ask questions
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Saturday 10 April
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2/7 Manchester City | 48/10 | Leeds 17/2 (13:30) It’s that time of the season where I’m sure the league – for all intent and purpose – plays second fiddle to the Champions League if you are Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Of course, City is still on track to complete a historic quadruple, but Europe’s finest trophy is truly the Holy Grail for City; and I think their season will inevitably reflect how their European campaign plays out. Nevertheless, City have an exceptional squad and could play a weakened side against Leeds if need be and still come away with points. Leeds won’t be able to match City’s quality and while I wouldn’t be surprised to see the visitors get on the scoresheet – that defensive line is going to be continuously violated. Back City to Score in Both Halves at 15/20. 5/10 Liverpool | 36/10 | Aston Villa 48/10 (16:00) I can’t help but hear the famous song December 1963 (Oh, what a night) by The Four Seasons play in my head when I see this fixture – thinking back to their first game earlier this season!
But Aston Villa aren’t the same side we saw dismantle the Champions, the side some saw as a potential top four candidate. Liverpool seems to have turned a corner, gotten out of their slump or found some sort of form again (call it what you will). I think 5/10 is a gift from our local bookmaker and I would be all over that with Provident Fund confidence. 54/10 Crystal Palace | 3/1 | Chelsea 11/20 (18:30) I wouldn’t read too much into Chelsea’s defeat to West Brom, before that game Thomas Tuchel’s side played 687 minutes of football without conceding a goal, there can be no argument about their defensive stability and incredible approach to games under their new German manager. Palace got a good result against a rather lackluster Everton side but with all of the uncertainty around Palace staff and players’ contracts, the club could find itself in disarray if they do not get their house in order. At 11/20, I am happy to back Chelsea to return to winning ways, get on it and add to all multiples. Sunday 11 April 12/10 Burnley | 43/20 |
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Newcastle 5/2 (13:00) I must give credit where credit is due – and I suppose nibble on some deserved humble pie… Newcastle have continued to earn positive results and just refuse to give up and accept relegation. Steve Bruce’s side earned another positive result against Spurs and with the return of some key attacking players in Callum Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Almiron all fit, you get the feeling the Magpies could put in a fair few more strong performances. Back Newcastle on the Win/ Draw Double Chance at 6/10. 37/20 West Ham | 23/10 | Leicester 15/10 (15:05) This has all the makings of an absolute humdinger, both these sides will attack with grit, intent and with a strong tactical base. The interesting fact though is that neither really looks to dominate the ball in all areas of the pitch and yet both enjoy counter attacking football at pace. I wouldn’t want to split them, get on Both Teams to Score at 15/20 and then sit back and enjoy a spectacle. 19/10 Tottenham | 24/10 | Manchester United 14/10 (17:30)
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The reverse fixture will be remembered for the 6-1 scoreline and less likely the early red card which completely changed the compaction of the encounter. Irrespective, Tottenham have been pedestrian and simply lacking any quality in recent weeks. As much as I have a great respect for everything Jose Mourinho has achieved in Europe – his ideas seem to have no place in the modern game. Spurs seem far too happy to just sit deep and invite pressure, but they do not have the players to achieve anything playing in such a way. Surely United see this as an opportunity and capitalize accordingly. Punt the 14/10 all the way to the bank, and any extra money you might come into this week pile that into the 14/10 away win as well! 5/1 Sheffield United | 29/10 | Arsenal 11/20 (20:00) Arsenal shouldn’t fear anything here, Sheffield is shocking and since losing
Chris Wilder their season seems to be imploding. In our preview last week, I did tip Sheffield to end a run of eight games and get on the score card – which materialized nicely – but that was only because Leeds is a rather open side. This won’t be a pretty game but back Arsenal to Win to Nil at 14/10. Monday 12 April 49/20 West Brom | 22/10 | Southampton 12/10 (19:00) West Brom will come into the game brimming with confidence, but with that being said, so will Southampton. The Saints showed a lot of character to come back from being two goals down to win 3-2 and it’s that sort of relentless forward playing football that will earn Ralph Hasenhuttl’s precious points. This isn’t going to be a game everyone is clambering to watch after a long day at work on Monday – but it might just
offer some excitement as a welcomed night cap. Back the Saints to close out a victory at 12/10. 27/20 Brighton | 23/10 | Everton 2/1 (21:15) I know Everton haven’t been great recently, but the betting markets have got it wrong in my opinion. Brighton will be a stern test, but the quality Everton have cannot be ignored for much longer. Their attacking threats are largely underrated, in Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are two classy strikers and once that Toffee side starts to gel, they will turn over teams in this league. I’m not sure if I have missed something but as much as 11/20 on offer for Everton on the Win/Draw Double Chance is criminal – get on. TREBLE @ 5/1 Liverpool Win 5/10 Chelsea Win 11/20 Man United Win 14/10
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