SP Sprint 8 June 2022 by Sporting Post

Candiese Lenferna

Rainbow Bridge makes it a glorious Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge double under Luke Ferraris in 2021

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Twelve of South Africa’s top gallopers will clash in the 51st running of the R1,25 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

strategic importance in the buildup, as it is the final ‘golden ticket’ event for the big race on 2 July. There are six Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants carded to line up in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday.

A milestone on the South African horseracing and social calendar, Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is just three weeks away. The Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge takes on a vital

Past Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge champions to go on and win the Durban July include Justin Snaith’s trio Do It Again, Legislate and Dancer’s Daughter, as well as champion Pocket Power and the much-loved Paarl-based star, Big City Life.

The six Durbgan July contenders is headed by SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith’s dual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark, who will be partnered again by Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo, who became the first jockey of colour to win the Durban July Handicap when Heavy Metal won the great race in 2013. Right at the top of the charts of Saturday’s renewal are dual Grade 1 winner and 2021 Durban July

runner-up Linebacker, and the handsome grey Cape Guineas winner, Russian Rock. Jockey Muzi Yeni, who has won a Grade 1 race on each of the past two weekends, goes for a unique hattrick on Saturday when he rides MK’s Pride for Johannesburg trainer Paul Peter and owner MK ‘Koos’ Nkale. MK’s Pride runs in the famous black and gold strip of champions Kaizer Chiefs, and a victory for the 4yo colt will have his proud owner and the multitude of fans of the AmaKhosi countrywide celebrating until late on Saturday evening.

Major race sponsors Hollywoodbets will have Grade 1 winners Chimichuri Run and Eden Roc proudly carrying their yellow and purple silks, while leading South African lady jockey Rachel Venniker will have her supporters as she has her first ride in the big race when she partners the Australian-bred Crown Towers, a second Hollywoodbets Durban July entry for Justin Snaith in Saturday’s line-up. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Gr2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Mile winner Bingwa will be ridden by talented Soweto-born rider Kabelo Matsunyane, who attended the British Racing School at Newmarket in 2018, and also represented South Africa at the

Prix Longines Future Racing Stars in Paris in 2019. Multiple international champion conditioner Mike de Kock’s is South Africa’s most accomplished 21st century Gr1 winning trainer. The man from Randjesfontein saddles Al Muthana, the second of the Australian-bred thoroughbreds in the illustrious class of 2022. • TAB betting has already opened on the event.

Candiese Lenferna

Rainbow Bridge makes it a glorious Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge double under Luke Ferraris in 2021 5 Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer seen at the big race in 2021

Candiese Lenferna

L'Ormarins Queen's Plate hero Jet Dark - runs in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday

TIME IS ENEMY FOR JULY BORDERLINERS

With the sands of time virtually having ebbed away to establish a big race claim, seventeen Hollywoodbets Durban July entries will step out on Saturday and Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and Turffontein, respectively. With two reserves in the final field, a maximum of eighteen runners will line up at the 2200m marker for the 126th renewal of Africa’s richest graded stakes race, sponsored for

the first time by South Africa’s international sportsbook operator, Hollywoodbets. The R1,25 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, a golden ticket passport to the big race on 2 July, includes six July entries, comprising the Snaith duo of Jet Dark and Crown Towers, Vaughan Marshall’s dual Gr1 star Linebacker (9th on latest log), Dean Kannemeyer’s Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock (an eyecatching second in the recent IOS Drill Hall Stakes), and the

Gauteng duo of Al Muthana and Bingwa. The R180 000 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial (Hollywoodbets Greyville, Saturday) is a ‘preferential consideration’ race for inclusion in the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 2 July. Six of the seventeen Hollywoodbets Durban July entries running this

weekend will line up in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial on Saturday, including Snaith duo Warrior and Native Tongue, the Glen Kotzen trio of Crimson King, Never Ending Rain and Chollima, and Candice Bass-Robinson’s Firealley. Jonathan Snaith told the Sporting Post that their 2021 WSB Gr3 Variety Club Mile winner Warrior was ‘flying at home’ and would ‘take some beating’ from the pole position draw. He is currently at 3-1 with Hollywoodbets. “He would need to win this to justify running in the Hollywoodbets Durban

July,” added the Assistant trainer. Candice Bass-Robinson’s Marina will contest the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes, also run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Paul Peter’s exciting Naval Guard will contest the WSB Gr3 Jubilee Stakes, a race that historically was on the preferential July inclusion list in past years. The 1800m contest is run on the Turffontein standside track on Sunday, and includes Sean Tarry’s former Summer Cup star Zillzaal (20 on latest log) and the Johan Janse van Vuuren duo of Puerto Manzano (12 on latest log) and Second Base (17 on latest log.)

Hollywoodbets Durban July final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 June. The big race weights will be published on the same day. Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 20 June. The announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will take place on Tuesday, 21 June. All runners are required to participate in public gallops scheduled for Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday, 23 June.

VERCINGETORIX COLT - THE NEW GOLDEN HORSE! 10

Candiese Lenferna Emmie La Grange 11 and the Lensley Team congratulate Muzi Yeni as Alesian Chief returns after his Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint victory

Just two years after the closure of Flamingo Park nearly shattered his world, former multiple Northern Cape Champion trainer Corrie Lensley bounced back from the kick in the professional teeth to saddle his maiden Gr1 winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Ironically, as Alesian Chief led most of the way and stormed home to win the R750 000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint on the biggest day of his trainer’s racing career, Corrie Lensley was absent and in attendance at his son Lean’s wedding. But longstanding partner Emmie La Grange was on hand together with the smart colt’s owners, and delivered an emotional speech in what was one of the real people happiest racing moments of the year. “It was a double win for Corrie today – his son Lean is marrying the best wife in the world and Alesian Chief won the Gr1,” added an emotional Emmie, as she pointed out sadly that there are still Grooms unemployed in the Northern Cape after the Flamingo Park debacle. Muzi Yeni, who won the Listed Golden Loom Handicap at Turffontein in October last year on Alesian

Chief, rode a cucumber cool race on the 2021 Gr3 Joburg Merchants champion. Yeni was recording his second Gr1 strike in seven days after current Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Safe Passage had won the Daily News 2000. Owner Peet Boonzaaier was clearly over the moon, and it’s worth noting that he forecast the Gr1 success seven months ago when he labelled Alesian Chief ‘the best sprinter in South Africa’ after his Gr3 victory. Alesian Chief (8-1) galloped powerfully all the way to the line, and despite a gutsy late challenge from fellow Gauteng raider Bartholdi (12-1) down the inside rail, he stayed on well to win by just over a half length in 67,84 secs – the quickest 1200m time of the afternoon. Paul Peter’s consistent Smorgasbord (8-1) held form after his Drill Hall Stakes place credit with a good run in third. Sean Tarry’s 2019 Golden Horse Sprint winner Chimichuri Run (33-1) is going strong at 6 and clinched fourth place ahead of fellow Gr1 winning stablemate Eden Roc. The fancied Cosmic Highway appeared to be travelling well but came under pressure late to run out of the money. Bred by Ambiance Stud, Alesian Chief has now won 5 races with

4 places from 12 starts for stakes of R875 000. He is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the fivetime winning VAR mare, All In The Mind. The win made it a Gr1 double on the afternoon for VAR, the broodmare sire, after Thunderstruck’s success in the Gold Medallion. While his private purchase price is not recorded, Emmie La Grange thanked Cape breeder Spencer Cook for facilitating the purchase of Alesian Chief, for what she described as ‘a good price’.

Chase Liebenberg

MERCURY SPRINT NEXT FOR LENSLEY CHIEF 14

Cover Image Courtesy Candiese Lenferna

15 Muzi Yeni salutes the Hollywoodbets Scottsville stands as Alesian Chief enjoys a victory canter

South Africa’s newest Gr1 trainer was in the middle of his son’s wedding reception somewhere between Makopane and Pholokwane, when his progressive 3yo Alesian Chief stormed to victory in last Saturday’s R750 000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint for a defining moment in a career dating back thirty years. While the 58 year old Corrie Lensley had enjoyed a sneak peek as he watched his once raced maiden Now I Got You chase Sean Tarry’s flying Thunderstruck home in the Gr1 Gold Medallion a couple of hours earlier, it would not have been good manners to have reached for his mobile and tuned

into the GallopTV live stream, while his son Lean was tying the knot with the lovely Catherine. “It’s ironic that my first Gr1 winner came in the very midst of the emotional moments of my son’s wedding. But I don’t think it would have been the proper thing to have suspended the ceremony to listen to the Hollywoodbets Scottsville commentary!,” laughed Corrie, who admits that family and horses are two of the most important aspects of his life. The wedding plans had been made a year ago – and Corrie says at that stage nobody imagined he would have a Gr1 runner – and a Gr1 winner, on 4 June 2022! He says that his phoned beeped during the beautiful ceremony – it was a whatsapp from Cliffie Miller.

“He said ‘you did it’! So it was dizzying day – and probably the quietest notice I could have had that I had just had a Gr1 winner!” Corrie’s plan fell perfectly into place when his only two runners on the big day left the Vaal early on Thursday morning with Choice Carriers. His partner Emmie La Grange arrived in Pietermaritzburg advance of the float and the horses were housed in the visitors boxes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. “I must thank Gold Circle for the manner in which we were treated – the hospitality and preparation

16 Corrie Lensley’s partner Emmie La Grange and team in the winner’s enclosure

of the boxes was first class. A special word to Charles Bawden, who was so kind and helpful. I sent four Grooms down as I find that horses can get excited after travelling. Strange surroundings get them going. But Jankie, Freddie, Johannes and Hoi Hoi are four solid and dependable team players and between them, Emmie, and of course Muzi (Yeni), the dream came came together!” He quickly points out that a man who deserves a major mention is Cape breeder, Spencer Cook. “Spencer found the Ambiance Stud-bred Alesian Chief. We got him for a good price. Spencer would make a brilliant bloodstock consultant. He probably doesn’t market himself aggressively!” Corrie says that Alesian Chief is likely to be aimed at the R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint at the end of the season. Then he is off ‘for a lekker break’, he adds. Now I Got You ran a cracker in the Gr1 Gold Medallion – he is likely to run on Hollywoodbets Durban July day in either of the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe or the BSA Sales race. “He should have finished a lot closer to Thunderstruck

Catherine and Lean Lensley tie the knot than he did. He was bumped 400m out and was baulked for a run and had to switch at the 150m. Looking ahead, it’s difficult for an inexperienced young horse around the turn at a strange track. Let’s see how we draw, and I will discuss that with the owners.” Although emotionally touched on by his partner Emmie La Grange in the post-race interview on Saturday, Corrie is loathe to dwell on the injustices and merits of the decision to close Flamingo Park. “We know the devastation that Flamingo Park’s closure caused. Lives and a community – it’s too terrible. But the great pity for South African horseracing is that we have a hole in our ecosystem without a sand track – whether it’s in the Cape or Turffontein, or wherever. Some horses only perform on sand – I’m thinking of

a stallion like Philanthropist, as an example. Kimberley was a vital cog in the supply and demand chain. Those horses today have shorter shelf lives – it’s impacted on the overall health of the industry right across the spectrum, in my opinion.” Corrie was born in Ellisras (now Lapalala), in the Northern Province near Botswana, on 23 February 1964. His father, a farmer and game hunter, and a ‘very good dad’’, died when he was 12 and his mother moved to Rustenburg. The youngest of five by seven years, his older siblings had already left home.

Corrie’s involvement in horses started a few years before, though. His uncle Boet Horn was a farrier and from age nine, he’d travel with him to visit Bernie Shaw (Singaporebased trainer Patrick’s father) every weekend and school holiday. He trained for Frik Kroon and had 70 or 80 horses. In 1993 he started out as a stable employee to trainer Bill Human, who was based on a farm outside Coligny. After just over two years Corrie left Oom Bill to join his brother in a start-up

construction company- but the call of the horses was too strong and he returned to the fold in 2001. He took out his trainer’s license in 2003. He started out with a small string of horses, all owned by Hans Burger and soon moved to a private establishment at Potgietersrus which had 40 stables. “I put a lot of miles on the clock in those days, carting horses up and down to Bloemfontein and Kimberley, three times a month.’’ A horse called Striparity was his first runner and first winner. A humble man, Corrie says that when he trained King’s Temptress

to win the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery a decade ago, it was a ‘fluke’. “I know how to get Alesian Chief fit – but with top horses and big race travelling and Gr1 preps – I’m learning every day. This entire experience is a learning curve. For some trainers it’s a regular thing. For us, not so. But we are loving it. We are blessed to have a great team and top notch owners. We really are. I love salt of the earth racing people. Thank you to everybody who sent us wishes. There are many good people around!”

Candiese Lenferna

HIP, HIP, HABIB! CALVIN’S GR1 DOUBLE JOY! 20

21 Calvin Habib steers Sweet Pepper ahead of Muzi Yeni and Glittering Girl

After a Gr1 double on Daily News day a week earlier, the Drakenstein Stud team maintained their momentum in grand style when Calvin Habib and Sean Tarry combined for a memorable double in the R500 000 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, delivering Trippi’s undefeated Sweet Pepper for a top-class victory. After Under Your Spell’s win in the same race in 2021 marked Calvin Habib’s maiden Gr1 success, Sean Tarry saddled his 14th Gr1 winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as the progressive filly came from

some way off the dazzling speed set by local hope Sabatini to record her third career victory. Closer to last early on, Habib rode a confident race as he built up down the centre of the track. At the 250m Sweet Pepper (7-1) found her best stride and grabbed the recent debut winner Glittering Girl (10-1) in the final 50m to win by a long head in a time of 69,01 secs.

Bred and raced by Drakenstein, Sweet Pepper is by South Africa’s Champion Sire of 20152016, Trippi (End Sweep) out of the multiple stakes winner Green Pepper (Gimmethegreenlight).

River Queraress (10-1) made it a Paul Peter 2-3, with PE challenger Ekoria (7-1) running a cracker to get fourth.

On a tough day for exotic players, the carryover of R500 000 into the first Jackpot produced a healthy pool of R3 059 539.

The favourite Miss Cool battled to find any fluency and was never a threat.

She has won three from three, with stakes banked of R418 750.

Candiese Lenferna

23 Gr1 double for Calvin Habib!

Candiese Lenferna

26 High-riding Calvin Habib steers Thunderstruck to victory in the Gr1 Gold Medallion

RUMBLE IN THE SPEED JUNGLE! 27

Calvin Habib and Sean Tarry made it a glorious Gr1 double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday when Rafeef’s upwardly mobile son Thunderstruck stormed to a facile victory in the R500 000 Gr1 Gold Medallion. Just over a half hour after Sweet Pepper had bounded home in the Allan Robertson Championship, the Tarry-Habib combination produced the fireworks

again as Thunderstruck (4-1) turned on the jets to beat Corrie Lensley maiden Now I Got You (25-1) by 2,90 lengths in a time 68,87 secs. Time Thief’s son Ocean Time (50-1) added telephone numbers to the trifecta in third, with his stablemate Captain Bombshell (33-1) rounding off a handsome quartet. The fancied Prophet (2-1) appeared to find it tight on the running rail as the leaders drifted in and was never going like a winner.

A recent BSA May Online Auction recordbreaker at R1 241 000 as part of the Javett Dispersal, the Avontuur-bred Thunderstruck was originally acquired for R1 million BSA National Yearling Sale in 2021 by Form Bloodstock. Thunderstruck has now 2 races with a place from his 3 starts. His stakes bank is R367 250. And what a season it is turning out to for

Ridgemont Highlands’ Redoutes Choice stallion Rafeef! In May he sired Aragosta to win the WSB Gr1 SA Derby over 2450m and then just weeks later Master Archie stormed to victory in South Africa’s fastest Grade 1, the R1 million Computaform Sprint. Now his 2yo son Thunderstruck comes out to carry the flame further.

Avontuur’s late super sire VAR (Forest Wildcat) again reinforced his Broodmare Sire claims as the winner’s five-time winning dam Varikate, with a career peak success in the Gr2 Post Merchants, showed what she is capable of. The Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed has certainly been a happy hunting ground for Avontuur in the 21st century. Thunderstruck looks very smart and this won’t be the last we have heard from him.

Rafeef has a single lot on the CTS Farm Yearling Sale (19 June) and five lots on the KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast on 30 June.

Chase Liebenberg

‘Many breeders with VAR mares could be clamouring to replicate what is fast turning out to be a cross which should provide them with a rich seam to mine!’

Avontuur-bred Thunderstruck wins the Gr1 Gold Medallion

VAR’S GLORIOUS GR1 DOUBLE It was always a given that champion sprinter VAR’s credentials as a conduit of speed would enable him to make his mark as a damsire and he is now delivering on that promise. The late Avontuur stalwart boosted his reputation in that sphere with an impressive 'wow' double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville's big sprint meeting on Saturday with the juvenile Thunderstruck winning the Gr1 Gold Medallion and Alesian Chief claiming the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint.

Mind you, VAR already boasted a fine record at this prestigious meeting as a sire, one which stretches back to 2009 when firstcrop son Villandry became his very first Gr1 winner with victory in the Gold Medallion. And whilst the Allan Robertson Championship has inexplicably eluded him, VAR has sired multiple winners of the remaining features, the most notable of which successive doubles in the Golden Horse/SA Fillies Sprint. Contador and Via Africa did the honours in 2013, while twelve months later, Duncan Howells's champion repeated in the SA Fillies Sprint and Normanz gave

Charles Laird a back-to-back double in the Golden Horse Sprint. Remarkably, VAR’s first Gr1 success as a broodmare sire also came at this very same meeting in 2020, when he sired the first two home in the Gold Medallion, victory going to subsequent Champion Juvenile Tempting Fate, who led home paternal half-brother Pray For Rain. This season, VAR mares have already accounted for a quartet of Gr1 winners if one includes Via Africa's

Australian-based son In The Congo, who has established himself as one of that country's leading sprinters. Locally, Master Archie won the Computaform Sprint and is out of VAR’s daughter La Volta, who, like her sire, was a sprinter of note and scored a signature win in the Listed Bauhinia Handicap over the minimum trip. Gold Medallion winner Thunderstruck's dam Varikate also took after her sire and made all to beat the boys in the Gr2 Post Merchants. In contrast, Alesian Chief's dam All In The Mind won up to a mile and hails from a female line where most of the standout members

excelled over ground, notably the Gr1 Gold Cup hero Milleverof. Significantly, both Master Archie and Thunderstruck are by sensational Ridgemont Highlands stallion Rafeef, a son of Australian standout stallion Redoute's Choice, as is Snitzel, the sire of In The Congo. I have a feeling that many breeders with VAR mares will clamour to replicate what is fast turning out to be a cross which should provide them with a rich seam to mine. Now an established top ten broodmare sire, this past weekend's Gr1 double has put him in sixth place on the list with a tally of half a dozen individual stakes winners, only one less than that of the mighty Jet Master.

stakes winners on his team in Paul Peters' admirable Smorgasbord and the juvenile Karangetang. By Twice Over out of VAR's daughter Variety, Smorgasbord has clearly inherited his damsire's turn of foot. Conqueror of 2020 Golden Horse Sprint winner Warrior's Rest in the Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes, he added to Saturday's major occasion when he ran on for third behind Alesian Chief. Karangetang, from the first crop of Erupt, took the racing world by storm by landing the Gr3 Protea Stakes and Listed Storm Bird Stakes in his first two starts, a feat which saw him named the Highveld's Champion 2YO colt/gelding.

In addition to his Gr1 winning trio, VAR has two other Graded

Chase Liebenberg

Ambiance-bred Alesian Chief storms home to win the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint

EUROPE’S PREMIER MIDSUMMER SALE

BUMBASINA dam of AMELIA’S JEWEL winner of Karrakatta Plate , Gr. 2, Gimcrack Stakes, Gr. 3, etc. purchased at Tattersalls July Sale by Astute Bloodstock for 75,000 gns

KNIGHTS ORDER winner of Sydney Cup, Gr. 1, Brisbane Cup, Gr. 2, etc. purchased as a Tattersalls horse in training by McKeever Bloodstock/Gai Waterhouse Racing for 250,000 gns

HARLECH dam of HUNGRY HEART winner of Australian Oaks, Gr. 1, Vinery Stud Stakes, Gr. 1, etc. purchased at Tattersalls July Sale by Sheamus Mills BS / Yulong Investments for 60,000 gns

TATTERSALLS JULY SALE Horses/Fillies in Training, Broodmares etc.

July 6 - 8

South African Representative: 33 Jeremy Nelson T: +2783 2617953 www.tattersalls.com

FOR SHE’S A JOLLY GOOD FILLY! 34

Candiese Lenferna 35 Owner Suzette Viljoen shows her elation as Richard Fourie and Captain's Ransom return

Another Saturday, another Gr1 winner for the Snaith Racing Team! Justin Snaith produced his star 4yo Captain’s Ransom – a filly he labels ‘an absolute freak’ – in fighting fettle to grab a terrific victory in the R750 000 Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, brought to you by The Witness, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Coming off an eighteen week break after a January Gr1 double over a mile plus, Snaith gave his champion speed work and after impressing Richard Fourie with her speed, the trainer made a brave decision to take his chances in a 1200m Grade 1 event.

sense to take our chances,” the reigning SA Champion trainer laconically mused afterwards. Regular pilot Richard Fourie knows the daughter of Captain Al like the back of his hand, and clearly thought he had the race under control some way out. Such was the ease of her victory that the top jockey had time to greet thrilled owners Suzette and Basie Viljoen on the well-filled grandstand. Making it all look so easy, Captain’s Ransom (28-10) surged forward down the centre to put 1,10 lengths between herself and the hardknocking True To Life (12-1) in a time of 68,31 secs.

It was Snaith’s second SA Fillies Sprint victory – Ebony Flyer was his first in 2012.

Sean Tarry’s Sound Of Warning (12-1) looked dangerous down the inside rail but had to be content with third, a further head back.

“There aren’t that many Gr1 races around, so it made

The tote favourite Big Burn (31) also flattered briefly but was

beaten 1,60 lengths into fourth. It is difficult to believe that in nay market, the Moutonshoek-bred Captain’s Ransom cost R225 000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sale. A daughter of deceased champion sire Captain Al (Al Mufti), she is out of the unraced Red Ransom mare Cinna’s Ransom. The latter, dam of multiple winners in Britain, is a half-sister to Gr3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner Black Rock Desert and multiple Japanese stakes winner Toyo Seattle. Cinna’s Ransom’s own dam, the Plankton Stakes winner, City Dance is a full-sister to multiple Gr1 winner, and successful sire, Slew City Slew.

ROYAL ASCOT STARTS ON TUESDAY Royal Ascot is preparing to return to full capacity for the first time since the pandemic. The horse racing event of the summer promises to bring extra shine as the Queen marks 70 years on the throne. The five-day event runs from June 14-18 and features the Prince of Wales' Stakes,

Gold Cup and £1 million Platinum Jubilee Stakes. The fashion highlight of the week – known as Ladies Day – falls on Thursday. Superstar miler Baaeed has shortened at the head of the betting for the opening race of the royal meeting after Master Of The Seas, one of his main market rivals, was among the five horses taken out of the Queen Anne Stakes at Wednesday's five-day

confirmation stage. His trainer Charlie Appleby issued a statement that the four-year-old gelding, last seen running out a comfortable winner of the Gr3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket's Craven meeting, had disappointed in his work and would not be running on Tuesday.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

SNAITH STAR LEADS EQUUS RANKINGS 38

Candiese Lenferna

MJ puts another subject on the spot! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Richard Fourie 39 and Captain's Ransom - too good for them and now heads SA Horse Of The Year log

Captain’s Ransom displaced Rain in Holland at the top of the Horse of the Year Table after completing her fifth consecutive win of the season when victorious in the Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. She remains unbeaten so far this season. Her exceptional versatility is evidenced by her position in the various category tables. Apart from topping the Horse of The Year Table, she also tops the Champion Older Female category, is fifth in the Champion Sprinter category, fourth in the Champion Miler category, and fifth in the Champion Middle Distance category. Rain in Holland, whose season has ended prematurely, remains in second position, while Safe Passage climbs to fifth position after his victory in the Daily News 2000 (Grade 1). Kommetdieding and Pomp and Power remain in contention in joint third position, while MK’s Pride and Jet Dark make up the table in sixth and seventh position. Much change can be expected over the final two months of the season with

several super Grade 1’s set to take place. The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and the Champions Cup are likely to decide who tops the table at season end. Captain’s Ransom heads the table on 104 points, followed by Rain in Holland (86), Kommetdieding and Pomp and Power (both 84), Safe Passage (80), MK’s Pride (77) and Jet Dark (72). Champion Three-Year-Old Colt The premier Three-Year-Old race of the season, The Daily News 2000, saw Safe Passage win impressively after an extended break. Pomp and Power though, second in the race, still holds a slender lead in the category, while Aragosta, third in the race, makes up ground from fifth to third position. Master Archie, not seen during the month, moves to fourth position while Double Superlative, whose season is now over following an injury, slips to fifth position. Pomp and Power tops the table with 84 points, followed by Safe Passage (80), Aragosta (52), Master Archie (48), and Double Superlative (46). Champion Three-Year-Old Filly The Three-Year-Old filly category remains firmly in control of two fillies who have ended their seasons. Rain in Holland (86 points) remains on top followed by Chansonette (72). Big Burn (54) improved on the table after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint, while Under Your Spell (45) enters the

log after her win in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting KZN Fillies Guineas. Consistent Sprinkles (42) completed her fifth points score when finishing third in the Woolavington 2000 and is in fifth position. Champion Older Male and Female There was no change to the Champion Older Male category with Kommetdieding still on top with 84 points, followed by MK’s Pride (77), Jet Dark (72), Astrix (68) and Bohica (40). Captain’s Ransom took a firm grip of the Champion Older Female category after her win in the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint. She leads on 104 points. True To Life (26 points) enters the log for the first time in fourth position after her second to Captain’s Ransom in the same race. Sparkling Water (67), Princess Calla (52) and Bold Fortune (24) make up the table. Distance Categories Alesian Chief (45 points) vaulted to the top of the Champion Sprinter category after an easy win in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint. He displaces Master Archie and Bohica (both on 40 points) at the top of the table. Big Burn (36) and Captain’s Ransom (32) make up the table in fourth and

fifth positions, respectively. There was no change to the Champion Miler category. MK’s Pride remains in the lead on 77 points followed by Jet Dark (48), Princess Calla (48), Captain’s Ransom (40) and Seeking the Stars (40). Likewise, there was no change to the Champion Middle Distance table, with Astrix leading on 54 points followed by Kommetdieding (48), Sparkling Water (39), Flying Carpet (38) and Captain’s Ransom (32). While Shango won the opening stayers race of the

KZN winter season this was not enough to enter the Champion Stayers table. This remains unchanged from last month with Sparkling Water and Nebraas (both 20 points) on top, followed by Black Thorn (11), Doublemint (10) and the now-exported Holy Warrior (10).

category on 32 points after her narrow win in the Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. Glittering Girl, Maharanee and Miss Cool (all on 16 points) are joint second, followed by River Queraress on 12 points.

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and Filly With the first Grade 1 of the juvenile season Thunderstruck leads the colt’s category on 32 points after his comfortable win in the Gold Medallion. Now I Got You, Karangetang and Ocean Time (all on 16 points) are joint second, followed by Prophet on 12 points.

Note: Points log will determine one-third of the final award in each category, with an expert panel and a public vote each accounting for another third of the final vote. Only horses included in the final points log will be voted on by the expert panel and public.

Sweet Pepper leads the filly’s

Please read more here

MJ puts another subject on the spot! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

‘GOOSEBUMPS’ THROWS THE BOOK AT THEM 44

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

45 Aldo Domeyer beckons to the opposition as Charles Dickens proves too strong on the day

Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer celebrated a top-class feature double at Kenilworth on Sunday, with two unbeaten 2yo’s showing terrific early promise. Such was Domeyer’s joy at winning the colt’s feature, he probably cost himself a portion of his match fee with some late-in-the-race showmanship. After Who Do You Love had won the Perfect Promise Sprint, recent debut winner Charles Dickens – apparently named ‘Goosebumps’ at his Milnerton home base – showed plenty of speed to outrun his opposition in the R175 000 TAB Listed Somerset 1200m. The son of Trippi showed

terrific speed with his big speed and blood suggesting he could be effective at a mile, and he swept past the pacesetter Alpine Challenge at the 250m and powered away with the 15-10 favourite Hithemhardsunshine in hot pursuit. At the 40m marker Domeyer had so much horse under him, he turned round in the saddle and gesticulated to Richard Fourie on the favourite Hithemhardsunshine in ‘catch me if you can’ style. At the line, Charles Dickens (1810), in receipt of 2kgs, conclusively beat Hithemhardsunshine by 1,50 lengths in a time of 72,63 secs. The runner-up had apparently coughed at the pull-up and a future clash between the two could provide some needle.

Lord William (12-1) was a further 1,25 lengths back in third. Charles Dickens maintained the purple patch of Drakenstein Stud, who are winning in all corners of the country. A son of past SA Champion sire Trippi (End Sweep), Charles Dickens is out of the five-times stakes winner Demanding Lady (Dynasty), who scored up to 2200m. With a perfect two from two, Charles Dickens took his stakes to R153 125. He looks one for the notebook!

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Aldo Domeyer sends Who Do You Love for home48 as Distinction (Craig Zackey) and Bonika (Greg Cheyne) try hard

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

GOTTA LOVE RAFEEF! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Just twenty four hours after siring his third Gr1 winner in the space of a month, Ridgemont Highlands stallion Rafeef was in the stakes record books again as his daughter Who Do You Love maintained her unbeaten record at her third start with an emphatic victory in the R150 000 TAB Listed Perfect Promise Sprint at a sun-drenched Kenilworth on Sunday. A son of multiple Aussie champion Redoute’s Choice, Rafeef has stamped himself as the most exciting new generation sire and he gets them firing in all shapes and sizes over anything from 1000m to 2450m. On Sunday his daughter

Who Do You Love registered her first black-type credit with a professional victory. Easy to back at 4-1 in the face of the confidence in the Snaith’s beautifully-bred debut winner Ciao Bella, Who Do You Love was produced late in the race by Aldo Domeyer and stayed on best to beat Distinction (33-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 73,17 secs.

prospect in the Listed Irridescence Stakes over 1500m on 25 June.

The Woodhill Racing charge Bonika (20-1) looked an awkward ride in the closing stages, but held on for third ahead of Miss Marguerite (7-2). A race review was called but no further action followed.

Bred by John Everett’s Narrow Creek Stud, she is a daughter, as already stated, of Ridgemont Highlands stallion Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) and is out of the once-winning Model Man mare, Fair Enough.

The beautiful grey Ciao Bella was outpaced and made some ground late. But she could only manage fifth and a well beaten 3,20 lengths behind. She could be a different

A R200 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Who Do You Love races for the ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr Arun Chadha) and has won 3 from 3 for stakes of R206 250.

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson welcomes Charles Dickens and Aldo Domeyer into the unsaddling enclosure after he won the Listed Somerset 1200 on Sunday

87 UP FOR TRIPPI Drakenstein Stud’s long established resident Trippi claimed his second Listed Somerset 1200 win in two years when his classy son Charles Dickens ran out an impressive winner of the TAB sponsored Kenilworth feature on Sunday.

Fortune had captured the Listed Somerset 1200 in 2021.

powering away to score by a length and a half.

Bred and owned by Drakenstein Stud, Charles Dickens provided trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and jockey Aldo Domeyer with a second Listed win on Sunday when he ran out a facile winner.

Now unbeaten in two starts (the Trippi colt had won over 1000m on debut), Charles Dickens is out of the Dynasty mare Demanding Lady.

Trippi’s top-class son, and subsequent Gr3 Cape Classic winner, Trip Of

Always up with the pace, the handsome chestnut hit the front some way from home before

Bred on the same Trippi/ Dynasty cross as graded stakes winning siblings

Amanzimtoti and Wild Coast, Charles Dickens is a full-brother to Gr1 Gbets Cape Derby runnerup Charles and 2021 Gr3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes third placegetter Somerset Maugham. The 87th stakes winner

for his outstanding sire, Charles Dickens was the second stakes winning two-year-old for Trippi over the past weekend – the other being Saturday’s impressive Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Sweet Pepper. South Africa’s Champion Sire in 2015-2016, Trippi has had an

outstanding season in 2021-2022 with his other flagbearers including repeat Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark – a big runner in Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.

FIRST WINNER FOR ROYAL MO

Klawervlei Stud’s well performed young sire Royal Mo came up with his first winner when his promising two-year-old son Royal Aussie broke his maiden impressively at Kenilworth on Wednesday afternoon.

Runner up on each of his two previous starts, the Justin Snaith trained colt caught the eye when making much of the running to score by two and a quarter lengths over 1400m.

his generation, Royal Mo captured the Gr3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes before finishing a good third in the Gr1 Santa Anita Derby. He shares his sire Uncle Mo with a host of top-class horses including Kentucky Derby winning champion, and successful sire Nyquist and this season’s top-class US three-year-olds Mo Donegal and Adare Manor.

when third on debut, has seven lots on the upcoming CTS Farm Yearling Sale, including a colt (Lot 22) whose dam is a half-sister to two German classic winners, and a filly (Lot 85) from the immediate family of Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, and champion sire, Last Tycoon as well as classic winning filly Valentine Waltz.

Royal Mo, whose son Mo Jive was beaten less than a length Chase Liebenberg

Royal Aussie clearly relished the step up in trip, and he looks sure to progress from this smart victory. The Klawervlei Stud bred colt was a R300 000 buy from the 2021 CTS Ready To Run Sale. Royal Aussie hails from the first crop of his talented sire Royal Mo, the only son of outstanding sire Uncle Mo at stud in South Africa. One of the best horses of

Grant van Niekerk keeps Royal Aussie at his task

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

RINGO STARS FOR DARE-2-DREAM TEAM 56

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Rockin’ Ringo puts his head down under Louis Mxothwa as Grant57 van Niekerk chases on Belgarion down the inside

Despite being rocked by Piet Botha’s 6yo ‘Ringo’ at Kenilworth on Sunday, Justin Snaith’s class act Belgarion is very much on track for the Hollywoodbets Durban July after finding a late finish to be beaten a short head in a 1500m Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth. In a race that saw a good

few Pick 6 tickets in the bin, the Piet Botha -trained Rockin’ Ringo, affectionately known as ‘Skollie’ to those closest to him, registered the tenth win of his career, when digging deep after looking like a deer in the headlights at the 250m marker, to record a sensational victory over the Snaith’s 2020 Durban July winner. Ringo, rated a 99 prior to his win, beat the 130 rated son of

Dynasty in a thriller. Part owner Ron Caris was on track with Nicole and Piet Botha to lead the Rock Of Rochelle gelding in, and the joy of the Dare 2 Dream team was tangible. An emotional Piet Botha told the Sporting Post that Sunday’s Pinnacle Stakes success for the

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 58 Nicole and Piet Botha lead Rockin’ Ringo in with co-owner Ron Caris

stable favourite was a new highlight in his training career. “The pride and sense of achievement of bringing an unfashionably-bred, dare I say ‘chuckout’, to the point where he has won 10 races and is clearly still loving his racing, gives us all a reason to get up early in the morning. The fact that he dug so deep and found more to beat a horse of Belgarion’s class, just makes the victory so much more special. Sure, I realise that 1500m is on the short side for Justin Snaith’s horse. But we will take the win! I am indebted to owners like Ron Caris and Barry Nel for the support. This is really very special and we are so proud of him,” Piet told the Sporting Post. When asked if he hadn’t felt weak at the knees when Rockin’ Ringo, flanked by the classy Belgarion, hit the front after Captain Of Stealth struck a brickwall, Piet said that Keanan Steyn had done all the work, but that Luyolo Mxothwa had won six races on the gelding, and somehow brought the best out in his star. “Him and Louis get on so well. And he knows just how to bring the best out of Ringo. Hitting the front early brings out the fighter in him. Did you see how

he drops down so low – he hates getting beaten! Wow. I will savour this moment for a long time,” added the former jockey, who has moved base a couple of hundred metres from the Milnerton barns , to a revamped work-in-progress at the yard former occupied by Cape Champion, Joey Ramsden. Piet and his team have introduced a novel flag initiative, that proudly flutters in the breeze with their latest winning owners silks shown off to the world, passing by on the busy Koeberg Road. Rockin’ Ringo has a special place in the hearts of his owners and the Botha family. He was the very first of a humble starting string of nine horses. Today the Botha string has grown dramatically, but Piet has never forgotten the day the Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred youngster stepped off the float. “I thought, oh my goodness, no, what an unimposing little guy,” he told us recently. The youngster wasn’t anything to look at, and while he was out of a winning Jet Master mare, he wasn’t exactly commercially bred to hit six figure telephone numbers on the sales boards either. Barry Nel sent him into training and suggested Piet see how he goes – and even maybe find him a nice home with a little girl at a local pony club, who might love and enjoy him. Ten wins and a thousand thrills later, he has proved to be a 59

helluva racehorse. He owes nobody anything and Piet and the owners will play it race by race. “He has pulled up so well and is full of the joys of spring today (Monday). There is a 1200m race on 25 June. That’s not ideal, but we are not under pressure,” laughs Piet. Jono Snaith told the Sporting Post that Belgarion, who was dropped to a 128 after the run, was ‘most certainly’ on track to step out at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the big one on 2 July.

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

NOT A BID – BUT SHE CAN RUN! 62– Hekkie Strydom is far left The Chere For Me connections enjoy the moment

Pauline Herman

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

It was a winning weekend for ordinary passionate racing folk and it started at Fairview on Friday when a little filly who never raised a bid at the 2021 Mistico Cape Yearling Sale stormed to her second stakes success, in the process laying claim to an East Cape Championship title. We use the ‘ordinary’ label with every respect. There is a world of difference going to the sales with a blank cheque book and a brief to bid on the best pages, as opposed to a 1970’s style budget and then having to

dig for the diamonds in the rough.

their place.

While we admire the big-hitting champions, it’s the occasional success of the everyday breadand-butter folk that truly ignite the imagination of the betting public.

The petite filly’s name is Chere For Me is based with Jacques Strydom. She followed up her Listed East Cape Nursery victory in March, with a superb showing to win the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes at her first try beyond 1400m on Friday.

Vaal trainer Corrie Lensley and his team raised the bar by smashing the big guns out of the park at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday when bargain buy Alesian Chief stormed to victory in the R750 000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint. But 24 hours earlier another working man’s yard took on the local and visiting big hitters at Fairview, and put them firmly in

While 2yo form is often less stable than our loadshedding schedules, it’s interesting to note that Chere For Me actually beat Ekoria in the Nursery. On Saturday, after a long rode trip from Gqeberha,

Gavin Smith’s Ekoria finished a respectable 2,60 length fourth behind unbeaten Sean Tarry’s Gauteng visitor Sweet Pepper in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. So the form looks okay! On Friday she put her below-par last start Dahlia Plate effort well behind her. Moving up smoothly under the Ludeim-sponsored Kyle Strydom’s hands, Chere For Me (6-1) accelerated smartly and went clear to beat No Greater Love (14-1) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 86,66 secs. Clearly growing in confidence, Kyle turned to his family and connections and blew a kiss as he hit the line – a nice touch! Holly’s View (6-1) stayed on for a third, a further 1,25 lengths back. After the magnificent Robertson farm’s recent Gr1 success with Astrix, Riverton’s Duncan Barry was thrilled for the connections. “She’s quite a small filly and is by Coup de Grace, who everyone had written off as a stallion by the time we offered her at Mistico last year. There was not a bid in the ring. I was on my way to book her on a float to take her home

when Michael Sham suggested I phone Jacques Strydom who was looking for horses at the time. So this big-hearted petite filly went to the Eastern Cape. And the rest is history,” added the happy veteran breeder. The winner is by Coup De Grace, who was the first son of Tapit to stand in South Africa. One of the fastest of his generation, the multiple graded stakes winner didn’t prove a commercial success and has been retired. Chere For Me is out of the Riverton stalwart Red Eminence (Grey Eminence), who has a beautiful Captain Of All colt on offer at the BSA August 2yo Sale, and a Pomodoro colt foal at foot. She is currently not in foal. Racing for a partnership of Messrs Vishal Mungroo, Nad Moodley, Trishen Moodley, Kevin Naidoo & Shephard Shumba, Messrs J V A Strydom, K P Shooter, Mrs M O Strydom & the Money Talks Syndicate, Chere For Me has now won 3 races with 2 places from 6 starts for stakes of R258 010. An emotional trainer Jacques Strydom, whose Dad Hekkie was on course as part of the large leadin, thanked his owners and made the point that his jockey son Kyle deserves more support. “The lightie is so balanced and rides so well. It’s pressure going out there and booting these feature winners home. It looks easy- it’s not. He told me he couldn’t wait any longer and had to send her when he did. He rode a top race. I am so proud,” added 65

multiple SA Champion Piere Strydom’s younger brother.

Candiese Lenferna

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Muzi Yeni is all smiles as Alesian Chief performs his victory canter-past

EASY AS 123 FOR LENSLEY CHIEF The National Horseracing Authority handicappers have published their merit rating adjustments after Saturday’s feature racing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 4 June. The Handicappers were of the unanimous opinion that 3rd finisher SMORGASBORD made for the ideal line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 118.

Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint

The winner aside, the only other ratings increase was for runner-up BARTHOLDI, who goes up from 112 to 115.

ALESIAN CHIEF has had his merit rating raised from 119 to 123 following his success in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint (Handicap)

There were however ratings drops for no fewer than eight horses. 67

REAL GONE KID is down slightly from 112 to 111, ULTRA MAGNUS drops to 112 from 114, BATTLE FORCE is down from 120 to 118, HELLO WINTER HELLO was trimmed from 113 to 112, PEARL OF ASIA drops from 117 to 115, WARRIOR’S REST is down to 107 from 111, CARTEL CAPTAIN drops from 117 to 115, and lastly AL SAKEET was dropped from 116 to 114.

Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (weighted to win) remains unchanged on a rating of 126 following her triumph on WFA terms in the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Here it was 5th placed GALLIC PRINCESS who was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 115. In assessing the race

this way, CAPTAIN’S RANSOM only runs to a mark of 119, hence her unaltered rating. There were increases also for runner-up TRUE TO LIFE and 3rd placed SOUND OF WARNING, who both go up to 116 from 114 and 111, respectively. There were ratings increases also for FULL VELOCITY, who is up from 108 to 113, for CAPITANA, who goes from 106 to 109, and for MERCURY RISING, who was raised from 97 to her previous career best mark of 105. MERCURY RISING in fact achieved a rating of 109, but the Handicappers were unwilling

to take this literally given her overall career record. The only ratings drop was for FAVORITA, who is down from 104 to 102. • Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 7 June 2022

NEW ONLINE HOME FOR TAB BETTING

Local horseracing and soccer punters will soon have a streamlined one stop digital shop, www.tab4racing.com, to easily place their bets and where they can get all their betting news, tips and racing info. The www.tabonline.co.za, www.news.tabonline.co.za and www.tabnews.co.za - which has been punters’ online home for many years - will be decommissioned and move to www.tab4racing.com, which will become TAB South Africa’s only official betting site. This is in line with 4Racing’s strategy to have a single combined betting platform and an improved digital platform and user experience for South Africa’s punters. TAB assures customers, however, that they will still be able to place their bets on TAB’s main current betting portal play. tabonline.co.za

The change will be gradual for punters, who will move from the current www. tabonline.co.za and www.news.tabonline.co.za sites

to the new www.tab4racing.com site, as the migration process is completed. All punters and horseracing stakeholders will be kept informed of the changes to the digital betting environment on TAB, 4Racing and racing industry platforms.

All TAB content vital to punters when placing their bets, including all the industry news, fields, ComputaForm downloads, race cards, tips and pools and carryover information, will going forward be housed on www.tab4racing.com Soccer lovers will not be left out on the new www.tab4racing.com platform, where they will be able to access team performance information and the head to head results that will help them place their Soccer6 and Soccer10 bets. “TAB is a critical driver of South Africa’s horseracing industry and pays out some R70 million in winning bets weekly. It is therefore critical that we continue to invest in ensuring a slicker, more convenient betting experience for punters. Ensuring we have one single uniform betting platform on www.tab4racing.com will improve the experience for punters and we will ensure we make the migration from www.tabonline.co.za

a seamless and easy one and keep all industry stakeholders informed of this important change,” says 4Racing CEO, Fundi Sithebe. The new www.tab4racing. com website and app was launched at the end of April to coincide with Champions Day, and has been well-received by punters as a vastly improved service from that offered by www.tabonline.co.za. The new 4Racing and TAB betting website provides a new, simple, fun and easy way for punters to browse, engage with and bet on horseracing. Nifty features of the new app and website includes top tipsters and experts’ race day picks, the ability to share your bet selections with your friends, improved bet placement and race and venue navigation, simplified ComputaForm information, and all the horseracing news, silks, jockey and trainer information at the tip of your fingers.

Ballydoyle

Tuesday (Ryan Moore) gets the better of the luckless Emily Upjohn under Frankie Dettori

CAPE BREEDER CELEBRATES Boland Stud’s Eugene Freeman was all smiles after last Tuesday’s thrilling victory in the Gr1 Epsom Oaks at Epsom on Friday – and for good reason. Currently roaming the Ceres stud’s paddocks is Englishbred mare Elisium. The daughter of Proclamation never raced, but is a halfsister to Hoity Toity, who features as the grandam of the latest Oaks winner, Tuesday. She won the Epsom Classic on what was her birthday, having been

foaled on 3 June 2019! Trained by Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien, Tuesday is the third Classic winner produced by Hoity Toity’s outstanding daughter Lillie Langtry, a dual Gr1 winner also trained at Ballydoyle. Sired by Coolmore’s late supremo Galileo, Tuesday emulated own sister Minding, who won the Oaks and Irish 1000 Guineas in 2016, while her year-older sister Empress Josephine captured last year’s Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas. Completing the stakes quartet is full sister and Gr3 winner Kissed By Angels.

But back to Elisium. Eugene recalls her purchase at the 2018 Cape Mare and Weanling from the draft of Klawervlei Stud. “Farrier John Gatt put me onto the mare after he pointed out her smashing Pomodoro weanling at the time. On the strength of that, I purchased her and now own her in partnership with Lee Scribante.” Gatt duly purchased the Pomodoro colt,

subsequently named Russian Rock. He would step into the history books as yet another Classic winner for this fine family with his victory in the 2020 Gr1 Cape Guineas. A runner in this coming Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, and a Hollywoodbets Durban July prospect, Russian Rock is a grey, like his dam. “She’s just below average size but beautifully-balanced with a great temperament and throws good-looking foals.” Elisium was in foal to Red Ray at the time of purchase and the resultant foal, the Scribante-raced filly Seconda Error, won her maiden at the end of April.

Eugene adds: “Greg Bortz owns her juvenile filly Daisy Duke, who is by Galileo’s son The United States, so is bred on similar lines as Tuesday. Her next foal, a beautiful colt by Lancaster Bomber was foaled late and will go to the November 2YO Sale. She has a cracking colt at foot by One World and is currently in foal to Vercingetorix.” Tuesday’s victory provided Aidan O’Brien with a record-breaking 41st British Classic success when she prevailed in a thrilling finish under Ryan Moore, Tuesday has achieved remarkable progression already this year, following just one start as a twoyear-old, when she was narrowly beaten. She went one better on her three-year-old return, before finishing third in the Gr1 1,000

Guineas and claimed runners-up honours in the Irish equivalent. The Coolmore homebred becomes the third Classic heroine produced by Lillie Langtry, each of them by the great Galileo, which makes their two-year-old full-sister Delightful (Galileo) all the more exciting. History will show that the acquisition of Elisium proved to be an inspired one and something every breeder can only dream about!

Epsom Downs Racecourse

Desert Crown cruises in

SIR MICHAEL WEARS THE DESERT CROWN Richard Kingscote, Cazoo Derby winning jockey! A memory the jockey will not be forgetting for a long time. With just one previous Derby ride that didn't go all too well, Saturday saw different fortunes. His mount, Desert Crown,

had been backed into favouritism since his convincing three-and-aquarter length victory in the Dante Stakes at York just four weeks previous. Desert Crown broke well and sat in sixth/seventh going into Tattenham Corner. The pair soon went upside the leaders and hit the front two furlongs out as they put the race to bed in a matter of

strides. Desert Crown finished twoand-a-half lengths clear of his nearest rival, Hoo Ya Mal, who ran a blinder at huge odds of 150/1 for trainer Andrew Balding. The trainer was also represented in fourth place, with Masekela (66/1) running on

strongly. The top four was made up by Westover who looked unlucky in running, finishing third for Rob Hornby and Ralph Beckett.

of class and he gave me a lot of confidence. It's all about him and Sir Michael. He’s a lovely horse and it's a lovely gentleman who trains him. It’s a good day."

On an emotional day for Kingscote, he paid tribute to Desert Crown by saying "He's obviously got a lot of class, he’s jumped great, got in a pitch," said Kingscote. "[He] travelled great and turned in going well. It was all lovely. "He's got a lot

Richard Kingscote and Sir Michael Stoute hold up the trophy after Desert Crown wins The Cazoo Derby (In Memory Of Lester Piggott)

Stoute had only saddled three runners, with the Queen's Carlton House a narrowly-beaten third in 2011, and none in the last five runnings of the race.

The victory marks a sixth Cazoo Derby for trainer Sir Michael Stoute. In the intervening 12 years, Epsom Downs Racecourse

All the Queen's jockeys!

Belmont Stakes

Rich Strike works on Tuesday morning

CAN HE STRIKE AGAIN? Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike might not be an 80-1 long shot in the 2022 Belmont Stakes like he was at Churchill Downs, but he is still not favoured to win Saturday's race in the final leg of the US Triple Crown. Rich Strike is listed at 7-2 in the latest 2022 Belmont Stakes odds following Tuesday's post draw.

We The People will be breaking from the rail and has been listed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. He enters this race with three wins in four career starts, including a victory at the Peter Pan Stakes on May 14 at Belmont Park. Mo Donegal, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby is at 5-2. Creative Minister (6-1) and Nest (8-1) are two of the other 2022

Belmont Stakes contenders. Read more closer to the weekend on www.sportingpost.co.za

82 View from above – the Cazoo Oaks thriller goes all the way to the wire!

Epsom Downs Racecourse

THAT WAS OH SO CLOSE! 83

Much has been written about Sir Michael Stoute winning his 6th Derby at Epsom with his unbeaten colt Desert Crown. The Nathaniel colt was a commanding winner of the race named in honour of the legendary Lester Piggott. On Friday, the Cazoo Oaks was an altogether different spectacle with two of the leading protagonists, Tuesday and Emily Upjohn fighting out a protracted and pulsating finish. The judge needed several minutes to determine that the Aidan O’Brien trained Tuesday had prevailed by a whisker. Emily Upjohn, the 6/4 favourite, must be considered very unlucky

in failing to land the Oaks crown. The daughter of Sea The Stars stumbled badly on leaving the stalls, nearly dislodging her rider and losing many lengths. Thereafter she was always in rear, and all plans were dashed. Frankie Dettori managed to get her balanced and settled in rear on turning into the straight with Tuesday on her inside. Dettori came widest of all on Emily Upjohn, having to pass tiring horses, all the while Ryan Moore on Tuesday went in for a run. Dettori could be seen cruising up to the leaders closest to the stand rail while Ryan Moore, perhaps hidden from Dettori’s view on the inside, made his move. Tuesday, just turning three, showed an electric turn of foot to pass the field and burst a couple of lengths clear around the two pole.

Emily Upjohn was in full cry on the stand-side rail and as Tuesday drifted right to join her in the finish it looked as if the favourite would overhaul the leader. The Galileo filly was all out under the Moore drive and just prevailed. On the face of it, there’s little between them but the way Emily Upjohn finished over the final furlong suggests she should have won by a length or more. A stride before the line Emily Upjohn was definitely in front and she was back in front a stride after it too but, where it mattered, she wasn't. "She's got a lot of ability to come from last and to get there, I must say. It Epsom Downs Racecourse

84 Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien – familiar pose!

was a hell of a run," said trainer John Gosden in the immediate aftermath. "It was just bad luck, you know. You can't spot a field that amount of ground and then have to circle the whole field. That's not her style of racing, the plan was to sit third or fourth. That was the plan, but the plan went out of the window at the start. I think if she'd got a clean break and not slipped and lost her legs, there might have been a different result, but that's horseracing." That should not take

anything from the winner of the race, though. Tuesday only turned three on race day, and she also came from a long way back. Furthermore, she was out on her own up the middle of the track for much of the home straight. She is a star, as Aidan O'Brien has stated since the season began. The rematch will be a must watch and could transpire perhaps at the Curragh in the Irish Oaks in midJuly. Third home, three and a quarter lengths behind, was the Gosden stablemate Nashwa who is set for a drop-in trip, possibly the Gr1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on the 19th June.

Her jockey Hollie Doyle said: “Nashwa had a nice run around Epsom. She travelled into it really nicely and I was trying to get her as far as I could with a bit of reserve in the tank knowing it would be her maximum trip.” Joint-trainer John Gosden added: “Nashwa is fine after her excellent third in the Oaks when she didn’t appear to be going anywhere in the last 50 yards, so it could well be that we drop her back to a mile and a quarter.”

results up to: 2022-06-08

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith

1010 1075 754 440 1059

189 138 96 78 114

135 131 75 63 113

112 138 78 48 105

18.7. 12.8 12.7 17.7 10.8

Other Places Place % 207 228 156 85 179

454 497 309 196 397

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

45.0 14,080,188 19,934,938 46.2 10,840,275 16,383,150 41.0 9,266,625 13,342,313 44.5 7,283,688 10,659,000 37.5 5,101,250 8,076,913

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr W B Kennedy Mr R D Fourie Mr K de Melo Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni

1424 886 964 972 1194

216 144 143 116 149

190 119 109 110 134

234 160 154 150 135

16.4 18.1 16.0 15.4 11.3

Other Places Place % 267 188 215 192 246

673 451 467 418 529

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

47.3 13,445,375 20,890,438 50.9 13,419,050 18,246,038 48.4 9,635,825 15,264,900 43.0 10,369,388 15,693,650 44.3 9,076,188 14,464,813

BREEDERS Name

B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %

Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

291 1547 344 1904

70,007 139 207 52,613 138 186

47.8 40.1

618 738

14 7

19 10

20,372,138 18,098,850

163 151 144

96,805 75,335 59,949

46.0 43.7 34.7

367 334 309

16 7 4

21 9 5

15,779,225 11,375,575 8,632,663

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs %

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

17 13 6 4 10

13,825,463 12,067,388 11,696,750 11,564,025 11,350,638

855 806 904

75 124 66 108 50 76

SIRES Name Vercingetorix * Silvano (GER) What A Winter Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

Runrs Runs AEPR 148 837 93,415 147 777 82,091 183 1010 63,917 190 1104 60,863 184 977 61,688

82 67 85 90 83

120 109 138 137 113

55.4 45.6 46.4 47.4 45.1

362 334 435 489 407

See all the detailed standings - Click here 87

12 9 6 2 9

HEART RATES ARE UP!

All four groups are featured in the latest round of UEFA Nations League action – so here’s to an absolute cracking round of football.

with confidence and continue to play like a side brimming with confidence. This is the first team Croatia will play of any real substance…and I can’t see how they hurt their hosts here.

In honesty, the Nations League hasn’t exactly provided too many opportunities for excitement, but this round of fixtures surely gets the heart rate elevated…palette salivated, and interest peaked!

I’m all over this 11/10 price – thank me later.

Friday 10 June 7/2 Austria | Draw 2/1 | France 8/10 (20:45) Ryan Liberty writes that France suffered a shock(ish) defeat to Denmark last time out, I only add the ‘ish’ because I don’t think the Danes are a walkover sort of side. France didn’t exactly field a weakened team, so don’t put a line through that result too quickly. Austria will be a good fight at home on Friday evening, but surely France looks for a response here. At 19/20, I would back both teams scoring though. 11/10 Denmark | Draw 19/10 | Croatia 47/20 (20:45) There is a lot to like about this Danish side. They seem to have absolutely no issue

Saturday 11 June 2/9 Ukraine | Draw 42/10 | Armenia 11/1 (15:00) You’ve got to feel for the Ukraine a little bit, they were arguably unlucky in their fixture with Wales – a result which removes their participation in the World Cup later this year. The narrative around their qualification journey became something of a ‘it means more’ principle – which you can’t help but empathize with. They are however miles ahead of Armenia and I suspect them to look at putting a smile back on their faces. Back Ukraine to win both halves at 15/10. 5/4 Ireland | Draw 7/4 | Scotland 9/4 (18:00) Tricky game this, not much to separate these two sides and, other than an inherent rivalry, you can’t really read too much more into this. Scotland have been incredibly placid and almost uninspired in the performances they have registered up until this point. Ireland, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold. I don’t think

we need to look for things which aren’t there, for betting purposes I think a draw makes the most appeal. TBA England | Draw TBA | Italy TBA (20:45) I’m not sure what to make of this England side to be honest. I appreciate that it is a relatively young group of players, and this period might be used more as an indicator to the World Cup later this year, but (at the risk of jumping on the proverbial bandwagon) you should never be able to question a professional team’s hunger! Italy have sort of flirted with the, all famous, ‘building phase’ scenario and, whilst I suspect it might be inherently linked to their questionable run of form, it might not be as preposterous as I am suggesting. Italy on the Win/Draw Double Chance and both teams scoring is my pick. 13/20 Netherlands | Draw 47/20 | Poland 38/10 (20:45) The hosts are a side enjoying an excellent run of form now. The football being played almost seamlessly, compliments the mood, and feel around that Dutch camp. Players seem

to be enjoying themselves and when put together – you understand why we see what we are seeing every time they play. I don’t think Poland have been consistent enough to pose any real threat to the ‘Orange Army’ here and so I’m all in on the hosts at a decent price of 13/20. 7/2 Wales | Draw 23/10 | Belgium 7/10 (20:45)

my pick – get on at 9/10. I’m looking forward to this football match, I suspect it might be a banana-skin fixture, but an incredible opportunity to make some money. Playing in Wales is never an easy task and if Belgium aren’t at their best, I think Wales could get a result. Holland absolutely tore Belgium’s defensive stability to shreds and may have highlighted their insecurities. The Win/Draw Double Chance on the hosts is

TREBLE @ 9/1 Austria vs France BTTS 19/20 Denmark Win 11/10 Ukraine To Win Both Halves 15/10