SP Sprint - 27 July 2022 by Sporting Post

R12 MILLION PICK 6 - CURB PETROL PRICE BLUES! 4

Candiese Lenferna

5 The stampede in the early stages of the 2021 MWOS Gold Cup

This weekend’s Marshalls World Of Sport Gold Cup meeting will be the last opportunity this season for punters to bet into a massive Pick 6 pool and many will already be doing their homework. A big win will come in handy as inflation runs rampant and many of us are back on our feet again – thanks to the price of petrol. The Pick 6 (R2 million carryover) commences in the fourth race at 14h15 and is expected to reach R12 million. There is a quartet carryover of R500 000 on race 6, the Mercury Sprint, and the pool looks set to get to R3 million.

In this meeting the Pick 6 often looks to be attainable on a small budget, but last year it paid R493,849 on the grounds of just one upset, 40/1 shot Pearl Of Asia winning the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint, and the previous year it paid over R3 million also on the grounds of just one double figure odds horse, Paths Of Victory, who won the Gold Cup at 40/1. David Thiselton writes on www. goldcircle.co.za that part of the skill of the Pick 6 is thus to know how wide to go in each race. The first leg is the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m and the Sean Tarry-trained Time Fo Orchids should be involved in the finish. She was dropped out from a wide draw last time out in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer

Golden Slipper and ran on strongly for a one length third. She now has a reversal on draw fortunes with the pair who beat her, the Glen Kotzen-trained Ameena and the Mike Miller-trained Woodland Retreat. She is by Time Thief, who was a Grade 1 runner up twice over six furlong and once over a mile, although he has tended to be a speed influence at stud. However, Time Fo Orchids’ dam Amber Orchid won the Grade 3 Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m, so she must have a chance of seeing out the trip from a plum draw of three. Canadian Summer must have a shout having beaten Woodland Retreat in the

JC Photos

River Queraress takes on the boys – is bred for the mile Listed Devon Air Stakes and then finishing a fine second in the BSA Sales Cup for fillies, despite being caught wide. She should appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree and is drawn in pole. Ameena displayed a fine turn of foot in the Golden Slipper, so should make a bold bid after being dropped out and on pedigree she should relish the step up in trip. Woodland Retreat also showed an excellent turn of foot and being by Pomodoro out of a Silvano mare should stay the trip, although she was a bit keen early in the Golden Slipper so will need to settle early from a wide draw. Rock

The Fox and Bless The Stars both won their maidens convincingly. Miss Cool must have a shout on formlines and might get the trip being by What A Winter out of a Miesque’s Approval half-sister to Futura. The second leg is the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes and here Laguna Verde makes appeal having been dropped out in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe and running on well late for a close fourth. He now has a plum draw of five. Quantum Theory beat Laguna Verde over 1400m at Turffontein narrowly and although receiving 2kg then he is on the up. The Golden Horseshoe winner Cousin Casey showed an exceptional turn of foot and after being dropped out from a wide 7

draw should run on again. River Queraress takes on the boys and after fine form over sprints now goes over a trip she is bred for. Now I Got You was caught wide when second in the BSA Sales Cup and he stays on so should be looking for this trip. Mover And Shaker won well there and has to be respected. The next leg is the Mercury Sprint which is wide open. Captain’s Ransom is the favourite and is drawn well. She showed enough speed when winning the SA Fillies Sprint to be able to hold her position here, although one possible concern is her tendency to get going late in her races and she might not be able

to afford that here. Big Burn, Smorgasbord, Alesian Chief, Good Traveller, Master Archie and William Robertson make most appeal of the others.

SA Derby. For wider Shangani has struck as a classy stayer, Decorated won well, despite not having much cover, in the Track And Ball Derby, and Crimson King has some good staying form in Cape Town.

In the Gold Cup defending champion Nebraas will be hard to beat, because despite carrying topweight the weights are compressed and bottom weight has been raised to 54kg too. He has a good draw and stays all day. Aragosta could possibly be included too. He was a bit unlucky in the Hollywoodbets Durban July but was doing some good late work and stayed on well when winning the Grade 1

In the fifth leg, the Grade 1 Hong Kong World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m, defending champion Jet Dark is ultra classy and will be hard to beat. Russian Rock comes in fresh and will be a threat if it pans out well for him from pole position. Astrix is a courageous sort who is ultra tough. He should gallop all the way to the line as usual and having a good draw makes this handy to front-running sort interesting.

Marina will be hard to beat in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m on her Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes form over 1800m, but a wide draw makes it tough. Pink Tourmaline looks capable of picking up the pieces. She finished just 1,30 lengths behind Rain In Holland over this trip on only 2kg better terms than weight for age,. but does have a 1,5kg Grade 2 penalty to carry here. Sprinkles is small and courageous and also has a shout, although a wide draw makes it tough.

WE COULD STAY ALL DAY! 12

“You have to be a good judge of pace. Going past the Drill Hall, someone would inevitably get a rush of blood to the head and take off. You have to ride your horse conservatively. The late Fred Rickaby used to say, 'Read a book for the first half of the race and 13 wake up for the second half'!’ – Michael Roberts

"The Gold Cup is a funny old race, but it's a race I love watching and so do many others." Thus speaks legendary former champion jockey Michael Roberts of South Africa's premier staying event, which will be run over 3200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Michael, who rode two Gold Cup winners in his time, adds: "Together with the Hollywoodbets Durban July, it's been one of the

country's prestigious races. The Gold Cup was an important race in my time, Joburg had the Gold Bowl, we had the Gold Cup." One thing is for sure, the Gr3 marathon may have lost its Gr1 status in 2016, yet, as a visual spectacle, it remains a firm crowd favourite and is contested on what is still fondly referred to as "Gold Cup" day, notwithstanding the fact that it has to vie with four Gr1 races on the programme! Current ante-post favourite for the two-mile slog is defending

champion Nebraas, who will attempt to become the first dual winner since Highland Night completed the double in 2003. The son of Vercingetorix is in the form of his life and mounts his defence off a smart hattrick of wins, amongst which the Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup and Gold Bowl. He is one of the formidable trio of stayers Sean Tarry will saddle on Saturday, the other two strings to his bow being the progressive Gr3 Gold Vase winner Black Thorn, while Shango captured the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup and warmed up for the Gold Cup with a fine third in the Consolation July. This year's line-up features just one member of the fairer sex in the Silvano mare Smoking Hot. By the sire of previous Gold Cup winners Aslan and Wavin' Flag, this proven stayer has placed in both the Gr3 Gold Bowl and Java Stakes. In addition, her trainer Candice Dawson will be aiming to become the first woman to train a Gold Cup winner since the late Anne Upton saddled Furious to victory all the way back in 1980.

2014 Gold Cup heroes Glen Hatt and Wavin’ Flag

Such was the esteem of the Gold Cup that it was not uncommon for July contenders to have a crack at the marathon distance. Those who pulled off the

Milleverof wins the 1995 Gold Cup double in modern times include the Terrance Millardtrained trio of Devon Air, Occult and Illustrator, while Space Walk, a July winner by default, also went on to claim the Gold Cup.

line-up. Fabian Habib will saddle 2020 winner Out Of Your League in a bid to build on his third in last year's Gold Cup. Remarkably, his half-brother Paybackthemoney chased Paths Of Victory home in

the 2020 Gold Cup. Another interesting morsel of information, the widest winning margin in recent times was recorded by Rack

SA Derby hero Aragosta will be on a retrieval mission following his ninth place in this year's Hollywoodbets Durban July. He certainly has history against him, considering that since 1977, only a trio of sophomores have managed to lift the golden trophy, the most recent of which was 2010 winner Ancestral Fore, who, like Aragosta, was trained by De Kock. Aragosta is one of two SA Derby winners in Saturday's

1989 Gold Cup win for Tropicante

Legend Muis Roberts won two Gold Cups And Ruin, who bolted up by 7.50 lengths in 1970. His victory was a coup for bookmakers, as he started at 25-1 and led home two 40-1 longshots. Remarkably, only once has there been a deadheat in the history of the race, that when Pacer and Don The

Stripe shared the honours in 1977. The latter was the second Gold Cup winner for Michael Roberts and came six years after he had steered Rainstorm to victory for Herman Brown. Reminiscing about those days, Michael continues: "When you jumped from the top of the straight, it was unbelievable. From the start, you had to get into a

good position, if you were drawn badly, you could get too far out of your ground..." A renowned master of pace, he adds: "You have to be a good judge of pace. Going past the Drill Hall, someone would inevitably get a rush of blood to the head and

take off. You have to ride your horse conservatively. The late Fred Rickaby used to say, 'Read a book for the first half of the race and wake up for the second half'!" Roberts laments the dearth of staying races on offer: "Unfortunately, they don't make provision for regular staying contests over 2500m, 2800m, races to build up towards the Gold Cup. There are only limited opportunities for a good stayer." During his training career, Michael has had only one Gold Cup contender, The Decagon, who ran unplaced in the 2007 renewal

at age eight. "Of course I would love to train a Gold Cup winner," he admits. "I currently have a promising stayer

Illustrador wins the magic marathon in 1990

in Hey Bill, who recently won for the fourth time, over 2400m. If his merit rating had been higher, yes, I would have taken the risk." Next year, perhaps?

PETER FAMILY’S CHAMPION VALUES

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Cover Image Talk Of The Town (VAR Street Sense) will be taking up office at Avontuur from 1 August 2022. Image is kind courtesy of Liesl King.

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‘Hey, let’s never forget – this game is a big wheel and we all get our turn at some point’ – Paul Peter

Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life. That’s the Paul Peter philosophy on life and his chosen profession. The quietly spoken 50 year old from Turffontein will don the SA Champion Trainer crown for the first time in a career spanning some 14 years, as the sun sinks below the horizon on Sunday evening. For all his success in one of the toughest jobs on earth, Paul Peter is the antithesis of a showman or loudmouthed braggard. More than once in the past few months, as his duel with incumbent Justin Snaith unfolded, and his fans had their friendly digs at the Cape champion on the Sporting Post comments

platform, Paul called our offices to reaffirm that there was no quiet hate, sharp needle or flagwaving ‘wela kapela’ going on in the background.

Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Paul Peter expresses great satisfaction reflecting on a season where the stars aligned.

“I appreciate what the guys are saying and they are clearly passionate about their racing. But Justin (Snaith) and I are selfrespecting colleagues. There is a tough winner-takes-it all competitiveness, which makes racing the great game that it is, even on a blue Monday backwater meeting. But none of the schoolboy aggro, believe me. Hey, let’s never forget – this game is a big wheel and we all get our turn at some point, ” he laughed modestly, as he expressed his discomfort at the partisan keyboard stone throwing that may have suggested he is a Michael Jordan type prima-donna. Talking exclusively to the Sporting Post on the eve of Champions

He currently has 202 horses, including yearlings in training, and behind the Snaith machine is the biggest stable in the country. “Pardon me if I use cliches – you must have heard them all, but they are all true. It’s been a long road of hard work, a great team effort from our staff and Warren Kennedy, and unbelievable loyalty from so many owners. You need plenty of luck too – but you sort of make your own luck in this game,” he adds. While Paul has often spoken JC Photos

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of veteran Ormond Ferraris as a mentor and inspiration, the legendary trainer is no longer based at Turffontein, having moved with his son David and family to their new home in Plettenberg Bay. “We miss having Mr Ferraris’ ear, but I don’t think that anybody would argue that he hasn’t earned a rest!” Paul’s son Tony has been a key player in the stable’s success, and strong management is key for a yard with a Gauteng HO and a satellite base at Summerveld. His son Josh is also his assistant, while Marc is his nephew and is another assistant. A real deal family business! “Tony is the ‘floating banker’ in our stable. He plays all positions, and I really could not have done this without him. And like me, he doesn’t enjoy the limelight. He is just happy to be working amongst these wonderful animals.” While the stats are still in the melting pot with a few days to run of the current term, Paul’s new SA record of 216 winners was a milestone in itself. And he tells us that it was a primary goal – even beyond that of lifting the championship title. He surpassed the previous

record of 215 set by Sean Tarry in the 2016/2017 season a fortnight ago. The record deal sealer was Vanderbilt, owned by reigning champion owner Suzette Viljoen. It was also fitting that he broke the record with a Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred halfbrother to Summer Pudding, who was the horse who put him on the map. Summer Pudding, bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and raced by Mauritzfontein Stud, gave him his first ever Gr1 win in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, before going on to land the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara as well as the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and the Gr1 WSB Summer Cup. Paul says he is looking forward to the season climax at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. “The show on Hollywoodbets Durban July day was different class. The vibe has been fantastic. It’s a great arena to race in. I must thank Gold Circle at the same time for the hospitality and warm welcome to KZN. With what’s happening in Joburg and Cape Town, I think South African racing has reached a crossroads and we are moving in the right direction. We are in good hands!” he says enthusiastically. Paul has some nice runners on Saturday. He suggests that Shangani, who runs in the Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup, is his standout. “He stays all day and is an easy 21

horse to work with. He is very fit and has the vital asset of stamina coupled with a turn of foot. We took him down to Hollywoodbets Greyville for the Lonsdale to show him the lie of the land. Warren says he enjoyed the track. I’m always nervous to say I am confident – but I am!” he laughs. Paul provided us with some notes on his other runners on the day. Reunion runs in the Listed Darley Arabian: Doing very well and he improved last run with the pacifiers. He is a very observant horse and the equipment will calm him down – the pacifiers slow down the vision. Saturday should be quieter than July day in terms of crowds, and if he takes to the polytrack, he must be a runner. Ode To The Ocean runs in the Prosport International Gr2 Debutante: We hold her in high regard. She was bumped last time and pulled a hind muscle. It’s been a long road to recovery but she is fit, well and sound. Must have a place prospect.

Candiese Lenferna Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis Paul a laugh Gold Circle’s Warren theiriure Hollywoodbets Durban July drawvelit esse molestie nisl uthas aliquip ex eawith commodo consequat. Duis Lenferna autem vel at eum dolor in hendrerit in vulputate Swing Upon A Star runs in the Epol Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes: Was very disappointing at his last start. He is a halfbrother to Flying Bull and we really thought he would get a mile. I suggest one puts a line through his last start. Must be a candidate for trifectas and quartets. Bless My Stars runs in the

Miss Cool runs in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes:

of her racing style, she is crying out for the mile.

Her last two runs have been disappointing, but we are now stepping her up in trip. We’d always thought she would be looking for a mile. We are hoping for an improved run and have put Rachel Venniker up for some girl power and soft hands!

Big Burn runs in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint:

River Queraress runs in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes:

Gr1 Thekwini Stakes: This is a very impressive filly. We are throwing her in deep end from a decent draw. She has shown enough and deserves her place here. She will continue to improve – she is one for the notebook.

She takes on the colts as she drew better here. This has been her mission for the last 6 months. She ran third in that Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr1 over a trip far short of her best. She is good value – don’t leave her out. She is bred to stay – her dam is related to SA Derby winner Irish Flame. As a physical specimen, and in terms 22

She is well drawn for a change and is course suited. She has not been overraced and is doing well. Master Archie runs in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint: Would have preferred a slightly better draw for him, but in terms of wellbeing he is spot on. He produced some nice work on Tuesday. And what better man than Gavin Lerena to have aboard from that draw!

Smorgasbord runs in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint: He was very disappointing last time after a decent effort in the Drill Hall - but had excuses. When he was switched he dropped the bit and lost his momentum. Has a place chance. Val D'orcia runs in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint: Won a good race in the Post Merchants. He enjoys this track and trip. Runs from the best draw and has an each way shout. Astrix runs in the HKJC World Pools Gr1 Champions Cup: Ran a good race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. I really do feel that he could

have got second behind Sparkling Water, but they cut throats out front. He ran from a wide draw and was pushed wide. If he reproduces that effort he should be in the top 4! Mk's Pride runs in the HKJC World Pools Gr1 Champions Cup: This is a small but competitive field of Gr1 hardknockers. He hasn’t won in Durban yet – but has run some good places. This 1800m will suit him down to the ground. Muzi knows him well. Has a place chance and anything better would be bonus. Sprinkles runs in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet: She had a slight break after the Woolavington. She will be spot on. She must have a chance

Casa Inverno runs in the Listed Umngeni Handicap: It is her first time on the poly. She is in a good space at the moment. She is drawn wide but there is speed in the race. Each way chance.

Chase Liebenberg

MERCURY RISING FOR SNAITH CHAMP? Justin Snaith cautioned punters on Sunday that his champion filly Captain’s Ransom needs to show him that she is ‘100% right’ if she is to line up in Saturday’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Speaking after his Legislate gelding Runaway Song won the sixth race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville for longstanding owner Fred Crabbia, Snaith said that the daughter of Captain Al, currently a narrow log-leader for SA

Horse Of The Year honours, had endured a traumatic experience on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. Captain’s Ransom was one of a number of horses apparently upset by on-course fireworks and she failed to reproduce her customary turn of foot after running wide into the home straight off a slow pace. The SA champion yard had originally indicated that Captain’s Ransom would be rested after her Brentford FC Gr1 Garden Province Stakes fourth and would return in the Cape summer.

After travel restrictions to the Cape put a slant on the plans, the 4yo was something of a surprise entry for the Gr1 Mercury Sprint – and after receiving a decent barrier draw, she accepted. Captain’s Ransom is carded to jump from draw 3 on Saturday under regular pilot Richard Fourie. She is currently 2-1 favourite with Hollywoodbets.

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THE GOLDEN CAT ON THE CUP

Saturday heralds the tenth anniversary of Felix ‘The Cat’ Coetzee’s recordbreaking eighth Gold Cup win. The master jockey revealed to Turf Talk the secret to his success in the country’s premier staying race, which these days is sponsored by Marshalls World Of Sport. He said, “I knew the track well and I got to know it better through running it to keep my weight down.

Also when Mr Millard used to have a Gold Cup horse we used to go to Greyville for a gallop about ten days to two weeks before the race and we would gallop for the full Gold Cup distance. So I would take the horse to the exact starting position and then do pace work for the whole two mile distance. This gave me a good feel of the horse (and the course) because I would pick up the pace the whole way and finish well. It gave me a good idea of what I wanted to feel from the horse on race day. So I can recall on a few occasions being

very much in touch with the way the horse was travelling beneath me during the race.” There are two climbs at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the back straight and the climb from about the 1000m mark to the top of the straight. Felix regards the second climb as the tougher of the two as it is steeper and the horses have travelled further

by that stage.

pacemaker Chaplin.

Millard used that hill to his advantage.

He said, “Bernard and I had a very good understanding of what was required. His task was to ride at a certain pace until the top of the straight and he did it to an absolute tee. He needed to have done so too because I only just got up! (by a quarter of a length).”

Felix said, “We usually needed the race to be a test of stamina, so we used to increase the pace coming up that hill. The horses behind us would have to increase their pace as well and that is what would beat those who were suspect in stamina.” The yard often used pacemakers too. Felix recalls when winning it on Bella Bianca, trained by Tony Millard, that Bernard Fayd’Herbe had ridden the

Felix regards the stout Terrance Millard-trained British-bred mare Devon Air as the best Gold Cup horse he ever rode. He said, “She was a dour stayer, but she was such a strong frontrunner that after the Drill Hall you could just start increasing the pace. This made it impossible for anything to get to her. Any horse who tried to chase her would die

and those who didn’t would never get to me anyway. There were some guys who did sit and wait that year. She won easily (by 4,5 lengths from Hawkins).” He also mentioned the amazing Terrance Millardtrained three-year-old Argentinian-bred gelding Illustrador, whose still celebrated winter season campaign in Durban kicked off with a win in the Grade 3 Rupert Ellis Brown Memorial Plate over 1200m at Clairwood. He then won the Grade 1 SA Guineas and two weeks before the July he won the Natal Derby over 2400m. He won the July by a comfortable

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam volutpat. wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis Gold Cup recorderat holder FelixUtCoetzee

1,30 lengths and then a week before the Gold Cup finished third in the Grade 1 Mainstay International over 1800 at Clairwood from draw 16 of 16. Illustrador won the Gold Cup by half-a-length carrying 55.5kg. Felix recalled, “He was an absolute freak, but the key to him was he relaxed so well. You just had to put your hands down and he would relax. You saved energy doing that. Staying the distance was no issue because he was bred for it. But he could win over 1200m, so he obviously did have acceleration too.” Felix would not have believed he would one day be the Gold Cup’s leading

rider in history when sitting on the sidelines in 1983. An ear infection meant he had to be stood down for the ride on the Millardtrained Hawkins, who duly won under Millard’s super sub Mark Sutherland. Hawkins had finished second the previous year and finished second to Devon Air the following year. Felix’s eight Gold Cup wins beat the seven of Charlie Barends. Felix’s eight: 2012 – In Writing (Arg) (Editor’s Note) trained by Dean Kannemeyer. 1998 – Bella Bianca (Arg) (Ahmad) trained by Tony Millard. 1996 – Festive Forever (Foveros) trained by Tony Millard. 1990 – Illustrador (Arg) (Cipayo)

trained by Terrance Millard. 1988 – Castle Walk (Dancing Champ) trained by Terrance Millard. 1986 – Occult (Kama) trained by Terrance Millard. 1985 – Voodoo Charm (Del Sarto) trained by Terrance Millard. 1984 – Devon Air (GB) (Sparkler) trained by Terrance Millard. • Turf Talk

Chase Liebenberg

So Flawless (Corne Orffer) charges to victory for her second consecutive stakes success

FLAWLESS!

The Andre-Nel/Sabine Plattner Racing Team put another cherry on top of one of their very best home seasons in recent memory when stablemates So Flawless and the year younger Young Love filled the exacta in the R200 000 Econorisk Gr3 Final Fling Stakes at a nippy Kenilworth on Saturday. With an infectious buzz on course and Mother Nature playing ball by keeping

the rain away, there was plenty of competitive racing – although the recent WSB Sign Up Now Listed Ladies Mile winner So Flawless (5-1) showed them a clean pair of heels when darting clear down the inside running rail under Corne Orffer to register an eyecatching victory by 3,50 lengths in a time of 116,17 secs. The tote favourite and only 3yo in the field, Young Love (5-2) was not disgraced as she got the better of an extended duel with the hardknocking Snaith 4yo Rain In

Newmarket (4-1) for second. The latter appeared to have been given a more forward ride than usual, and ran another honest race. With only Chewbaca carrying the Nel-Plattner flag in the Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup on Champions Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 30 July, the So Flawless victory will be celebrated as a cracking end to the term.

Leased from breeder James Armitage, who will be thrilled that the chestnut has registered a second stakes victory so soon after her first, So Flawless is a daughter of former SA Horse Of The Year and

Durban July winner Legislate (Dynasty) out of the Judpot mare Natural Beauty.

So Flawless has won 5 races with 9 places from 18 starts for stakes of R407 725.

Legislate was singled out earlier this week as one of the underrated sires, deserving of a break.

Chase Liebenberg

Trainer Andre Nel has enjoyed a top season

Wayne Marks

Sandown Stud’s Joy and James Armitage – big decisions!

HOME JAMES – OR RACE ON? While the Gr3 Econorisk Final Fling Stakes will live up to its name for some of the field that contested the 1800m event at Kenilworth on Saturday and are now off to stud, experienced breeder James Armitage is in two minds about the impressive winner So Flawless. James leases the 4yo chestnut daughter of

A winner of the WSB Sign Up Now Listed Ladies Mile at her previous start, the Sandown Stud-bred So Flawless became Legislate’s fourth graded stakes winner from his small first crop, when scooting home by over three lengths under Corne Orffer on Saturday.

fantastic job with her. He found an issue and she is now running to her true ability and has won her last two feature starts in terrific fashion. I was thrilled to get a Listed win under the belt, but now she is a Gr3 winner – so what does one do?” mused James Armitage as he said he is leaning towards bringing So Flawless back home.

“Trainer Andre Nel has done a

“She is very close to my

Cheveley Stud’s homebred sire, and former Horse Of The Year, Legislate, to leading owner Sabine Plattner.

heart. Her Mom Natural Beauty, a daughter of Judpot and half sister to our top-class mare So Royal (Kahir Almaydan), who has produced four stakes winners, including Gr3 winners Priceless Jewel and Royal Badge, and Gr1 filly Royal Extravagance, was on her way to Kimberley to race there. I decided to get her to Sandown so took a chance and phoned owner Paul Barrett. We agreed on a deal and the float was redirected our way. We sent her to Legislate. That mating produced So Flawless!” Now James sits with a poser facing many breeders – to

stud or stay racing? “She has never raced better and who knows what she could achieve as a fit and relatively lightly raced 5yo next term? But even if we try and she wins a Gr1 next season, will that risk really offset the equation and make the gamechanging difference? I met somebody recently who opined that a Gr1 winner at 5 didn’t carry the same weight. But I will chat to Andre Nel and Mrs Plattner and make a decision. It’s a nicer ‘predicament’ to be in than where we were prior to her Ladies Mile win,” he added. Now a five time winner, the very talented So Flawless took her earnings to over R400 000 with her Final Fling Stakes win.

South Africa’s Horse Of The Year in 2013-2014, four time Gr1 winner Legislate has had another top season in 2021/22. The champion’s flagbearers this season include graded stakes winners Airways Law, Hoedspruit and obviously So Flawless, as well as Ladies Mile runner-up Veronica Mars. From the same female line as this season’s graded stakes winners Decorated and Silver Operator, Legislate currently sports a higher AEPR than such notable stallions as Trippi, Captain Al and Rafeef.

Greg Cheyne gets Walk Of Fame home after a titanic tussle with Richard Fourie and Major Attraction

GREG’S FAMOUS FAREWELL

UK-bound Greg Cheyne produced a beautifully balanced ride in his final Kenilworth racemeeting on Saturday, when he got the Dynasty filly Walk Of Fame home in the R200 000 Western Province Nomads Gr3 Champagne Stakes for his longstanding sponsors and supporters

Ridgemont Highlands. Champagne was the operative word for the 46 year old Greg Cheyne and owners Ridgemont, after Walk Of Fame found her best form to register her maiden stakes success in good style. The 4yo daughter of the iconic Dynasty (Fort Wood) was given a

patient ride early on before being brought into the fray with 350m to go. As the determined Richard Fourie unleashed the favourite Major Attraction (9-4) down the inside rail it looked like a fairytale farewell for Cheyne was consigned to history.

But Walk Of Fame (6-1) was part of the happy story and she dug deep to keep going in fighting style and head Major Attraction in a heads-up heads-down affair. Walk Of Fame got the verdict in a time of 76 secs. Third placed Sonic Burst (16-1) was 4,25 lengths back, with East Cape raider Fly My Flag (10-1) in fourth. Trainer Brett Crawford

paid a farewell tribute to Cheyne, describing him as the “most thorough professional.” In turn, Cheyne credited Crawford for his horsemanship skills over the years, exemplified yet again with this strapping but difficult filly who required plenty of attention before landing this bloodstock-boosting, Grade 3. Bred by Klawervlei, the winner cost R1 million at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and is out of the five -time winning Street Cry mare

Hollywoodboulevard. She has won 4 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R306 725. The race brought the curtain down on the Cape feature programme for 2021/22.

Greg and Claire Cheyne – making the big move

TOP CAPE JOCK LEAVES SA

The South African jockey ranks is set to lose one of its most experienced riders when Gr1 winning multiple regional champion Greg Cheyne and his wife Claire emigrate to the UK in the next few weeks. Cheyne capped an emotional farewell at his home track Kenilworth on Saturday by producing a superb ride to get Walk

Of Fame home for his sponsors Ridgemont Highlands in the Western Province Nomads Gr3 Champagne Stakes, the final Cape feature of the current season – and his penultimate hometown ride.

home province, is set to wrap up his tenth East Cape Champion title when making his swansong appearance at Fairview on Friday 29 July.

A multiple Gr1 winning jockey who includes his 2009 Durban July success on the ill-fated Big City Life and the 2017 Sun Met on Whisky Baron as highlights on his impressive cv, Cheyne, a twice champion jockey in his

Gqeberha has become a second home for the Ridgemont Highlandssponsored rider who forged one of the most successful 21st century jockey-trainer associations with local

champion Alan Greeff over a decade. Cheyne will be looking to further his career in the UK along with his wife Claire. Both have accepted positions at William Haggas’s Somerville Lodge Stables in the heart of Newmarket. “We both feel that the time is right for us to further our careers as well as build on our futures. It won’t be my first visit to Newmarket as I have had the opportunity to work with the Kieswetter family’s Met winner, Whisky Baron, while being prepped for the Gr2 Joel Stakes in 2017, as well as riding out for some top local trainers,” Cheyne told the Sporting Post on Saturday.

His accomplished equestrian wife Claire has several courses under her belt, including a Diploma in Equine Physiotherapy and most recently The Diploma in Stud Practice & Management at The National Stud in Newmarket, UK. “Prior to her return to South Africa, she spent a couple of weeks working for leading trainer William Haggas and we are both excited about the prospects in this second phase of our individual careers,” he added. The Pretoria-born 46 year old, who has ridden over 2300 winners, joined the world renowned SA Jockey Academy in 1991 alongside the now late Alec Forbes, Marcus Samuel and Paul Devlin. Outside of South Africa, he has ridden in Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Germany, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau,

winning the Gr1 Malaysia Sprint and the Malaysian International Jockeys Challenge. He looks set to finish in 7th position on the national log this term with his 111 winners coming at a 15% strike-rate. “We leave South Africa with mixed emotions, but with a great sense of excitement about the future. We have so many great memories – and a multitude of people to thank. Horseracing is about surrounding oneself with good horses and great people, and in my career I have enjoyed many of both. When it comes to loyalty and hard work, I have tried hard to always give as good as I got, and more. I have so many trainers and owners, Chase Liebenberg

45 Happy farewell! Brett Crawford, Gwen McGregor, Greg Cheyne, Wayne Kieswetter, Craig Kieswetter and Mlandeli Phaca enjoy the podium

as well as various industry professionals to thank. I’d rather not list them all for purposes of this interview. In saying that, I am going to sorely miss working alongside Alan and Glenifer Greeff and their entire team in Port Elizabeth.” Beyond Saturday’s dream curtain closer, Cheyne has ridden many winners under

the Ridgemont Highlands banner over the past 7 years. “I would like to thank Wayne, Belinda, Craig and Ross Kieswetter, along with Craig Carey of Ridgemont Highlands for their support over seven good years. The prestigious Ridgemont Highlands brand is a major player on the South African horseracing and breeding landscape and I wish them further success

in the years ahead.” He closed by wishing his supporters and fans well and thanked them for their passionate involvement in the sport of kings. The Sporting Post wishes the Cheynes good fortune and much happiness in their new life abroad.

Chase Liebenberg

Greg Cheyne waves to the crowd in an emotional moment

Chase Liebenberg

Craig and Wayne Kieswetter enjoy the lead in as Greg Cheyne pulls off a dream ending to his local career

A FAIRYTALE FAREWELL FOR RIDGEMONT & CHEYNE The seven year association between Cape breeders Ridgemont Highlands and their multiple regional champion jockey Greg Cheyne reached a fairytale pinnacle at Kenilworth on Saturday when the 46 year old rider piloted Walk Of Fame, in the Ridgemont silks, to a thrilling victory in the Western Province Nomads Grade 3 Champagne Stakes.

In a sequel that really could not have been scripted better, the UK-bound Cheyne was victorious on his very last ride for his longstanding sponsors in what was also the final feature race of the 2021/22 Cape season. Cheyne, along with his wife Claire, are destined to further his career in the UK - and both have accepted positions at William Haggas’ Somerville Lodge Stables in the heart of Newmarket.

A thrilled Wayne Kieswetter, who was on course to lead Walk Of Fame in after her scintillating victory, said that Greg Cheyne’s professionalism and work ethic embodies all the values espoused by Ridgemont, and that his role as a member of the top team had been a strategic one of immense value. “Greg Cheyne is a top

notch horseman and his track record of twelve career Grade 1 winners speaks for itself. While he was not in the saddle when Front And Centre won the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, or Run Fox Run won the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship, he played a key part in these two top rank fillies’ respective big race buildups and careers. In fact Greg was unbeaten on the outstanding Run Fox Run! His feedback and input, both from the training tracks and racecourse, was always invaluable and insightful and of great assistance to the trainer and ourselves. We shall miss his professionalism and courteous demeanour, and we wish him and Claire the very best of good fortune.”

Cheyne was aboard when the Kieswetter family celebrated a memorable Sun Met victory with Whisky Baron in 2017. The top jockey actually singled Whisky Baron’s momentous victory out as one of the outstanding highlights of his Ridgemont association. “What a wonderful horse and that sunny Saturday at Kenilworth – I will never forget 28 January 2017 – when he beat champion Legal Eagle to win the Sun Met will go down as a career highpoint for me. That came after the son of Manhattan Rain won 5 in a row! And then the experience of travelling and prepping him in Newmarket was a great learning curve for me. And it’s probably a very big part of why I made the decision that I did to learn and experience more

of racing in the UK!” Cheyne, who holds the record for most winners in a season in the Eastern Cape, endorsed Wayne Kieswetter’s thoughts about Front And Centre and Run Fox Run. “They were two of many Ridgemont stars that I had the pleasure of working and winning on before they achieved their bold blacktype and Grade 1 goals. It gave me great pleasure and pride to be a part of the Ridgemont team, and I will follow their successes and growth closely in the years ahead,” added Cheyne.

CANFORD CLIFFS EQUALS VAR BENCHMARK After equalling the first crop feats of SA champion stallions Western Winter, Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight, and his powerhouse barnmate Rafeef a week earlier, Ridgemont Highlands’

boom sire Canford Cliffs raised the bar further at Kenilworth on Saturday when registering his 15th individual winner this term, thus matching a record set by the late superstar, Var. The five-time Group 1 winner,

already an established international stakes winner producing sire, has set the South African Freshman Sire race alight this season and hit the record mark when the Ridgemont Highlandsbred Canford Lights relished

the step up to the 1500m at Kenilworth on Saturday to beat the highly regarded Future Turn with an eye catching turn of foot. Trained by Candice BassRobinson for the Future Racing Syndicate, Canford Lights is out of the National

Emblem mare, Diamond Emblem, and in the process of winning the handsome colt became a notable addition to Canford Cliffs’ remarkable first crop winning run this season.

showing form across the country, big things are expected of the Royal Ascot group winner and his exciting progeny.

With just a week left of the 2021/22 South African racing season, and with his runners

Chase Liebenberg

Canford Lights forges clear under Aldo Domeyer down the inside rail

(AUS) SNITZEL

–

THE

FAST

LANE

b y

JET

MASTER

A CHAMPION PEDIGREE

Out of the Champion 3YO Filly In The Fast Lane, herself a daughter of Champion Sire & Broodmare Sire JET MASTER By four-time Australian Champion Sire, and now exciting sire of sires SNITZEL From the Redoute's Choice sireline out of a fast Gr1-winning South African Champion mare, just like RAFEEF First season at stud in 2022

CRAIG CAREY M: +27 (0) 82 654 5169 E: craig@ridgemont.co.za

RIDGEMONT

HIGHLANDS 52

SHAYLENE VAN ZYL M: +27 (0) 72 603 1094 E: shaylene@ridgemont.co.za

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BREEDERS Ridgemont Highlands is excited to announce that the blue-blooded speed machine Real Gone Kid will stand at Stud for the 2022 breeding season. The handsome chestnut bears striking similarities to Ridgemont Highlands' outstanding young sire Rafeef, with both Rafeef and Real Gone Kid being lightning-fast performers from the Redoute's Choice male line. A son of Redoute's Choice's greatest sire son, thus far, Snitzel – himself a four-time, consecutive Champion Sire in Australia and Leading Sire of 2YOs in Australia on three occasions, has sired more than 120 world-wide stakes winners. Hailing from a wonderful female line, Real Gone Kid is a son of Equus Champion, and G1 Cape Fillies Guineas and G1 Woolavington 2000 heroine, In The Fast Lane - a daughter of seven times South African champion sire Jet Master. In what is seen as a very exciting opportunity, any breeder who sends a mare will incur no covering cost. If a breeder commits to sending a mare every year for four years they will receive a share of the horse which will entitle them to a further free service every year, plus any dividends that the stallion may earn thereafter. An understandably delighted Craig Carey is quoted, “Without a doubt Real Gone Kid has an international standard pedigree that wouldn’t be out of place in any stallion barn around the world. Access to a bloodline of this strength and quality is very exciting – Ridgemont Highlands are committing to send Real Gone Kid a minimum of twenty mares every year, for four years.” 53

Liesl King

Talk Of The Town (VAR – Street Wise)

THIS WEEK’S SPRINT COVER STAR! With his third season at stud looming, Talk Of The Town, the first son of the late champion sire VAR (USA) to stand as a stallion at stud, will be returning to home soil on 1 August to continue his duties ensuring the legend of VAR gets to live on in familiar surroundings. Out of Street Wise (by

Street Cry (IRE)), Talk Of The Town was bred in 2014 by Backworth Stud and later bought for R3 million at the Cape Thoroughbred Sales Emperor’s Palace Select Yearling Sale in 2017. Although a very promising racing career was afoot for the young son of VAR, the Taberer family of Avontuur Estate and partners Ken and Jane Truter decided to retire him to stud due to health reasons,

and in turn to afford him the opportunity to fill the big shoes of his late sire. He initially settled in at Winterbach Stud in 2020 where his first season at stud got off to a scintillating start, and where all involved have done a tremendous job at allowing the young stallion to let down and settle into his new duties

with ease over the last two years. The decision to move Talk Of The Town to stand at Avontuur Estate for the 2022 season has been supported by all shareholders and partners involved, as it seemed the logical choice since VAR passed on earlier this year. As a very good looking individual, and as we wait out another season before we get to see his yearlings at auction, having this exciting young stallion

available to our South African breeders has meant we can offer not only great sire lines to continue to flourish, but broodmare sire lines too.

progeny earning more than R150million. VAR is certainly an exciting broodmare sire for the future of racing in South Africa.

VAR was Leading Sire of 2YO’s in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and Champion Sire of Winners in 201819. Var himself is the sire of 10 Grade 1 winners, including 2012 Equus Horse of the Year Variety Club and Champion Sprinters Val de Ra and Via Afrika amongst many other well-known names in South African racing.

To enquire about Talk Of The Town’s fee for the upcoming 2022 season, and to book a mare to this young sire, please email Pippa: stud@avontuurestate. co.za

To date VAR is the sire of over 100 black type horses with his

Avontuur Estate will be hosting a Stallion Day on 18 August.

CTS PREMIER SCOOP!

Tattersalls (founded 1766), Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers, is to join forces with Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) in a joint venture focussed primarily on the 2023 CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

Sale will also be conducted under this exciting partnership banner. Tattersalls, who sell approximately 10,000 horses per year, are the leading bloodstock auctioneers in Europe, and admired the world over.

Tattersalls will be affording their famous brand and renowned expertise to the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale, set for a return to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in January 2023.

Synonymous with thoroughbreds of the best quality, high-profile sales, and unrivalled service, their partnership with CTS, who at its inception in 2011 took South African bloodstock auctions to new levels of innovation and client service, is a dream match for bloodstock investors.

The 2023 renewal will be branded the ‘Cape Premier Yearling Sale powered by Tattersalls’, and the 2023 CTS Farm Yearling Sale and the 2023 CTS Ready To Run

Grant Knowles, MD of CTS, expressed his delight with this announcement, and commented: “The new association with Tattersalls is a marvellous endorsement of the Cape Premier

Yearling Sale. The original concept of an inner-city racehorse sale in one of the world’s most beautiful locations was hugely popular with buyers from around the globe, and the Tattersalls support is a great addition to the fixture. A boutique Select Sale will be held with approximately 150 yearlings, which would be stabled in the convention centre.” He added: “The sale will follow on from Gaynor Rupert’s L’Ormarins Queens Plate Day at Kenilworth, which offers an unrivalled race day experience and hospitality. Sales have been under pressure during the strenuous and difficult Covid period, and

with international travel prohibited during that time, 2023 appears to be an ideal opportunity to re-introduce the quality of our bloodstock, and the magic of our Mother City to buyers”. The Tattersalls Group entered the South African horseracing market several years ago, sponsoring a popular Juvenile Race series, which culminated with a sponsored Listed contest on Sun Met Day at Kenilworth, and two Two-Year-Old Races during the prestigious L’Ormarins Queens Plate Racing Festival.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented: “Tattersalls has enjoyed a long and valued relationship with Cape Thoroughbred Sales and South African racing and breeding, and our new association with CTS, and particularly their world-renowned Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January, reinforces the Tattersalls commitment to the South African thoroughbred industry. The Cape Premier Yearling Sale quickly established itself as a unique and prestigious fixture in the global sales calendar, and Tattersalls is proud to be assisting with the 2023 renewal which promises to showcase many of the best yearlings to be found in South Africa to a global audience.”

CTS has achieved truly remarkable results in only 11 years of trading, with no fewer than 48 individual Group 1 winners having been sold at various CTS auctions, the equivalent of almost 4 per year. CTS graduates have won 54 Group 1 races between them to date. The sale is set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday 12th January 2023. • Media release by Cape Thoroughbred Sales on 25 July 2022

Focusonracing

Pyledriver leaves his rivals toiling in the King George at Ascot

PYLEDRIVER’S ROYAL SURPRISE Pyledriver ran out a surprise winner of the Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. A small but select field of six assembled for the midsummer showpiece, with much of the pre-race attention focussing on runaway Irish Derby winner Westover and John and Thady Gosden’s pair of globetrotting star Mishriff and Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn. It is a measure of the strength of the field that William Muir and Chris

Grassick’s stable star Pyledriver was a widely unconsidered 18-1 shot, despite having won at Group One level in last year’s Coronation Cup and finished second when defending his Epsom crown last month. There was drama from the off, with last year’s runner-up Mishriff standing still when the stalls opened and losing several lengths as a result, while Westover and Broome took each other on in front. With that pair seemingly softening each other up, Pyledriver – ridden by former jump jockey PJ McDonald – got a lovely tow into the race and moved to the lead in the home straight.

German raider Torquator Tasso, a shock winner of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, came from out of the pack to try to challenge, but Pyledriver never really looked in any danger of being reeled in and passed the post with two and threequarter lengths in hand. Torquator Tasso was a clear second, with Mishriff some eight lengths further behind in third. “I honestly believed I’d win from two weeks ago,” said Muir. “I’d seen him do a piece of work – like last year when

he worked with Pogo. Everyone will say ‘what a great training performance from Willie Muir and Chris Grassick,’ but let’s not take too much away – Jeta (Ram, work rider) does most of it. He rides him and every single morning I ask him, ‘what shall we do today, Jeta?’ “I thought we’d do a good, strong piece of work and he said ‘I thought I’d give him a little bit stronger’ – giving him seven furlongs and give him seven lengths to make up and he caught him. The seven-furlong horse is very good. “I’m driving the box back – I don’t get away with anything! I’ve said I never

wanted to cry, but I want to cry today.

good horse and I’ve never lost faith in him.

“I thought for the last two weeks we’d win it. I didn’t care what was in it. I know they say Westover was fantastic in the Irish Derby. I know they say Emily Upjohn was terrific, but we know this horse is a very, very good horse.

“In our second or third year, we had a horse who came here and won a five-furlong race and we were partying in the car park for ages. When Pyledriver won the King Edward VII a couple of years ago, we would still be in the car park today if we’d been able to, but we couldn’t because of Covid.

“He was just showing everything at home – all the signs.” Muir added: “Today, we smashed them to pieces. I actually wrote the papers for you boys tomorrow. I said ‘If Pyledriver wins, the line is a poor bunch of three-year-olds again. If the three-year-olds win, a great crop’. “They are a great crop, the threeyear-olds. He is just a very, very talented horse. He is just a very

“We haven’t had a party yet, but I can tell you now – I don’t drink and I’m not going to start to drink – but everybody else will have a party. This is a big, big moment. It means the world to me!”

Ascot Racecourse

Pyledriver charges home on Saturday

KING GEORGE WINNER’S SA CONNECTION Pyledriver, who ran out such a convincing winner of Saturday’s Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, has ties to South African-based horses. His late, unbeaten sire Harbour Watch (Acclamation) is a halfbrother to dual South African Gr1 winner Europa Point (Rock Of Gibraltar), while Pyledriver’s dam La Pyle is out of a half-sister to

KZN sire Linngari. The deceased Harbour Watch, unbeaten in three starts and winner of the 2011 Gr2 Richmond Stakes, was produced by the well bred Woodman mare Gorband, who is closely related to the Woodman sired US champion, and Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Timber Country. Gorband, one of a number of top-class broodmares sired by Woodman, also ranks as the dam

of the Wilgerbosdriftbased mare Europa Point. The latter was a top-class performer on the track, winning nine of just 13 starts, including both the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes and Gr1 Champions Challenge -both in 2012. Europa Point, who earned over R2.2 million in stakes and won her final six starts in a row, has subsequently produced three winners,

including the four time winner Victoria Tower (Dynasty). Harbour Watch’s third dam was none other than legendary broodmare Fall Aspen – the dam of four Gr1 winners including former South African champion sire Fort Wood. The latter really made his presence felt at Kenilworth on Saturday, with Fort Wood’s star son Dynasty sire of the Gr3 Western Province Nomads Champagne Stakes winner Walk Of Fame. The Dynasty sired champion Legislate was responsible for Saturday’s Gr3 Econorisk Final Fling Stakes winner, So Flawless. This is also the female line of South African sire, and Gr1 Secretariat Stakes

winner Admiral Kitten -the sire of recent Gr1 Gold Medallion runner up Now I Got You, as well as champion US sire Cozzene, who is broodmare sire of outstanding sire Pivotal, as well as triple South African Gr1 winner Jackson, to name but two. Pyledriver, whose twice winning dam La Pyle was sired by French Derby and late top sire Le Havre, is directly descended in female line from the remarkable mare Licata. The latter, seventh dam of Pyledriver, produced Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Acamas (Mill Reef) and also Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner, and successful sire, Akarad (Labus), and Arc heroine Akiyda (Labus). Licata also features as the fifth dam of the versatile globetrotter Linngari (Indian Ridge).

as well as La Pyle’s Gr3 Park Express Stakes winning own sister Normandel, won 11 of 29 starts, with Linngari winning at the top level in both Italy and Germany. The chestnut also finished runner up in the Gr1 Prix de La Foret and third in the Gr1 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes and Gr1 Cathay Hong Kong Cup. Pyledriver is a direct descendant of the hugely influential mare Frizette, whose numerous outstanding descendants include Mr Prospector, Seattle Slew and Tourbillon, as well as in more recent times star sires Elusive Quality and Quality Road.

The latter, whose half-sister Lidana (King’s Best) produced Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Mont Ormel, JC Photos

68 Europa Point (Anthony Delpech) is full of running to win the 2012 Gr1 President’s Champions Challenge

www.focusonracing.com

Kyprios beats Stradivarius in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes

CUP WILL LINGER IN OUR MEMORY Kyprios mastered Stradivarius and Trueshan in a Gr1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup that will long live in the memory at Goodwood on Tuesday.

given the geen light to run by Alan King after the second race on the card, played his part, too, in finishing a close third.

The three top stayers contrived to produce a pulsating finish, with Gold Cup winner Kyprios, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, digging deep to deny Stradivarius a fifth win in the Group One showpiece.

Stradivarius again found a little trouble in running, this time under Andrea Atzeni as Frankie Dettori watched on from the sidelines. Though the eight-year-old got to the front inside the final furlong of a two-mile contest he has made his own, Kyprios kept finding more and got his head back in front in the last 200 yards to hold on for a neck victory.

Defending champ Trueshan,

Trueshan ran a gallant race in

bidding to win back-to-back renewals, finishing a length and a quarter back in third.

Stradivarius, running at Goodwood for a final time, and was given a lap of honour afterwards. However, it seems likely his incredible story has more chapters in it with his ownerbreeder Bjorn Nielsen saying he will race on. The Lonsdale Cup at York next month will possibly be next on his agenda and he would not have Kyprios

to worry about there, with O’Brien indicating the Irish St Leger is on his agenda. O’Brien said: “Kyprios is a great horse. Ryan gave him a beautiful ride and he is only ever in the gear that you want him. He is always keeping plenty and is a horse that loves a battle. “He is lazy and if you want him to stay in first gear, he will stay in first gear and not go into second gear unless you want him. That is the way he is and the way he has always been. He saves everything and is very professional. I’d say there’s a lot more to come. He loves racing, is easy on himself and the plan from here is to go to the Irish St Leger. “He has a lot of class, a lot of quality. He has run over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot and two miles today, but we would have had no problem starting him over a mile and a quarter at the start of the year, as he has that real pace. However, you don’t see it as he doesn’t show it unless you really want it. It’s great to have him. Those type of horses are very special – when you have a horse who stays like that and has that class.” Moore said: “Kyprios has done nothing wrong this year. Today was only his eighth race and he is only doing what he has to do. It

was a steadily-run race and he was in front a long way out. He was just waiting. I always feel that I’m not going to the bottom of him. “He is a proper Group One horse and Aidan has always had a lot of belief in the horse. At the start of the year, he was saying what he thought he could do, so all credit to him and the team at home for getting him back.Kyprios was always held in high regard. He is a full-brother to Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song, who is a lovely filly. He won his first start at three and then got beat in the Derby Trial. We were disappointed but it turned out to be a good Derby Trial. I was not on him in the Queen’s Vase [when he went under the stalls], but he was well fancied that day. It was just one of those things. He has a great attitude and is not a horse with any badness in him. “Yeats was a machine. This horse won a Gold Cup at four and I think there’s more to come. We don’t know where we’ll end up yet. You know how good Trueshan is and Stradivarius has been, and the fourth horse Coltrane is improving. I think as far as Goodwood Cups go, it was a very strong race.” Stradivarius’ owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: “I was happy with the way Stradivarius ran. I thought half a furlong out he was potentially in front, although it was hard to tell from the angle. Stradivarius and Kyprios were a fair way apart on the racecourse and I don’t know if it was competitive enough for him. If he had been upsides, it might have been a different story. 71

“Andrea [Atzeni] said he was following Kyprios through and he felt like he was going to do him for toe and then he got the bump from Trueshan, which forced him inside. He was in a pocket, but they had the cutaway today so he could go up the inside. When he made his run, I wasn’t sure if he would get up. “We are not going to say goodbye, not when he is at the top of his game and ran like that today. He has still run in the last year or two like he has his enthusiasm. There is no point stopping him in the middle of the season. “This is the best Goodwood Cup – it was lined up to be a tremendous race and going into this race today I thought he could win or finish third or fourth. He has run within a head of the Gold Cup winner. I think it was a great performance. We will go on for at least one more.” www.racingtv.com

BRITISH RACING – RESTRUCTURE ON CARDS A group of ‘industry heavyweights’ headed by Peter Savill, former chairman of the then British Horseracing Board, have put together a proposal for the restructuring of British racing which has been submitted to the British Horseracing Authority. Savill, along with representatives from

racecourses, leading trainers, horsemen and bookmakers have held meetings aiming to solve the financial problems faced by racing. Savill was chairman of the BHB, a precursor to the BHA, for six years from 1998-2004. Those involved in the meetings are concerned at the persistent transfer of equine talent heading overseas, specifically to Australia, America and Hong Kong, where

prize-money dwarfs that on offer in the UK and Ireland. A report in The Times suggested the plan is to set a minimum level of prize-money before a racecourse can stage a meeting. However, there would then be a risk of smaller racecourses being cast adrift, unable to raise the funds – specifically the independent tracks.

Goodwood Racecourse

Thursday, Day 3 of the festival, sees the Prix de Diane Hermes heroine, Nashwa attempt to add further Group 1 glory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at 16h35.

the track at Epsom in the Oaks, that was still early in her career and she handled it, although it wasn't ideal. She was beaten more by the trip than the track, and Goodwood shouldn't be a problem.”

The going for the opening day of Glorious Goodwood was good, good to firm in places and this should remain in place for the balance of the festival with only scattered showers predicted on Wednesday morning.

She receives 9lbs from her elders, and on official ratings she is well in here.

Hollie Doyle reunites with the Gosden trained filly and is very happy with the filly’s progress since her return from France last month. She stated: “Nashwa is just unreal and she’s getting better and better. Every time I sit on her between races she’s improved again. I rode a piece of work on her last week which was very similar to the work we did before France and she’s bigger and stronger once again, and better than ever.” “There’s no reason she shouldn’t handle Goodwood. Although I did feel she was a bit weak on

Her biggest danger looks to be the Ed Walker trained Dreamloper. The Group 1 winning five-year-old finished sixth last time out at the Curragh, but her trainer believes that run should be ignored due to the heavy underfoot conditions. He stated: “The ground was the problem at the Curragh last time, and also she got a bit crowded, which made her a bit keen. Keenness has always been a bit of a thing for her, but she’s been quite good this year. On that ground though Kieran Shoemark said she was wheel spinning. We can put a line through that. When we met Lilac Road in the Dahlia, we beat her, and we’ve won a Group 1 since then.” “The win in the Prix d’Ispahan was great. It was really quick ground there - I walked the track and there’s no way it was the good to soft that they were calling it. - but she settled great that day. When she settles, she has a deadly turn

of foot, and the faster the ground the better.” Earlier on the day at 15h25, Royal Scotsman will be out to redeem himself after his third placing at Royal Ascot in the Coventry. The Gleneagles colt was a facile five-length winner over course and distance on his penultimate start in May. The Andrew Balding trained Chateau, an impressive winner at Newbury should follow him home. The feature on Friday is the Gr2 Qatar King George Stakes (16h35) over the straight five furlongs. The flying Battaash won the race on four occasions from 2017 to 2020, and his trainer, Charlie Hills has declared both Equilateral and Khaadem this time. Both should be in the mix, but in an open race perhaps the course and distance winner Raasel could be the one to side with. James Doyle’s mount only had to be pushed out to edge the improving three-yearold Mitbaahy last month at Sandown and his course experience is a positive.

Kyprios beats Stradivarius in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes

ANDREWS BAGS DREAM QUARTET Cape jockey Anthony Andrews enjoyed a redletter day at the Champ de Mars on Saturday when he booted home four winners for the Patrick Merven stable on the local programme. Topping the Mauritius jockey log with Brazillian Jose De Souza on 8 winners

apiece, Andrews is enjoying a 30% win strike-rate at the moment. The SA Jockey Academy graduate enjoyed the pinnacle day of his career in the presence of his parents and well-known Cape Breeders, Terry and Annabel Andrews, who are holidaying on the Indian Ocean island.

Andrews booted home Betathantherest in the second race, Imperial Rage won the third, Secret Circle won the fourth for a genuine hat-trick, before Trip To The Sky won the Deanan Royal Cup, the seventh race on the card.

SOME FAMILIAR FACES!

Former leading owner Hedley McGrath is looking very relaxed these days since taking a backseat from this wonderful game!

Hedley was spotted in Mauritius on Sunday with Anthony Andrews’ Dad Terry and with Hong Kong star jockey, Karis Teetan.

Hedley sends his regards to all.

results up to: 2022-07-27

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

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

1207 1240 497 855 1215

219 160 87 105 133

164 155 65 86 123

131 160 55 90 117

18.1 12.9 17.5 12.3 10.9

Other Places Place % 247 259 102 173 207

542 574 222 349 447

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

44.9 15,680,188 22,443,563 46.3 12,034,025 19,843,900 44.7 11,404,938 15,511,375 40.8 9,738,500 14,226,938 36.8 5,936,250 9,250,675

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

1599 1085 1165 1150 1397

241 171 170 139 180

211 150 136 128 165

261 195 191 170 159

16.3 18.0 16.4 14.8 11.4

Other Places Place % 300 227 259 241 289

752 548 565 508 634

47.0 50.5 48.5 44.2 45.4

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

15,605,063 16,356,863 12,126,450 14,458,138 10,385,563

23,926,575 22,272,075 18,929,275 20,661,900 17,443,463

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 Ridgemont Highlands

312 1811 360 2194

82,553 158 240 56,976 148 208

50.6 41.1

725 856

14 9

20 12

25,756,613 20,511,200

50.0 45.4 51.0

440 384 398

17 8 8

23 10 10

19,518,038 12,576,013 10,155,863

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

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

14 20 13 5 6

17,147,513 15,719,775 14,073,913 13,283,800 12,971,600

176 1016 110,898 163 937 77,153 143 861 71,020

88 149 74 123 73 117

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

Runrs Runs

163 901 105,199 77 155 965 101,418 86 207 1163 67,990 94 208 1302 63,864 102 194 1170 66,864 89

128 136 139 158 150

47.2 55.5 45.4 49.0 45.9

388 419 487 570 505

See all the detailed standings - Click here 81

9 14 11 3 6

COMMUNITY IS ALL THAT COUNTS!

Its here! Its here! It is finally here! It is of course the 2022 edition of the FA Community shield and that means just one thing! The Premier League is around the corner, and I absolutely cannot wait.

It’s completely absurd! Out of this world. This is a serious football side packed with quality and all the potential in the world. Yes, they have lost one of their best players in their history – Sadio Mane – but they have also brought in quality and trimmed the fat elsewhere.

Ryan Liberty writes that It certainly doesn’t get much bigger than Liverpool playing City at the home of last year’s winners (The King Power) and with this being the closest thing to the real thing – let’s get right into this one!

This is a side with attacking options such as Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. The latter has joined Anfield from Benfica and although he started slowly against United – as much I certainly enjoyed it, it wasn’t a true reflection obviously.

Liverpool vs Manchester City | Saturday 30 July | King Power Stadium | 18h00 To Win (90 mins) Liverpool 37/20 Draw 24/10 Manchester City 29/20 Liverpool I must be honest and say that I have been surprised to see – or rather hear – the relevant undercurrents around Liverpool going into this season. I’m not entirely sure where it started, but there seems to be this ‘underdog’ tag which is seemingly attacked to Jurgen Klopp’s chargers these past few weeks… and it is the most ludicrous thing I have engaged with in ages!

Liverpool seems to have stuck closely to their tried and tested script. They look to prioritize a quick and powerful attacking approach, hungry to win the ball as high on the pitch as possible and go forward with a real sense of quality and intent. Defensively they aren’t exactly shuddering either, it would be a little remiss of me to unpack it here and assume you aren’t already well versed on what to expect from the likes of Virgil van Dijk… If this is the sort of side who are to be underestimated this season, I feel for who they come up against. Manchester City Another season and Manchester City are still lauded as one of (if not the) best football team in all of Europe – and so possibly the world…I would think so given they are also a football side who have the combined value of a 84

little over a billion quid! The Sky Blues are indeed the reigning champions of England’s Premier League and given they have won the competition four times in the last five years, only a fool would question their domestic dominance. It seems plausible then to gauge from Pep Guardiola’s public comments that his side will look to continue their quest for maximum silverware. Of course, their Holy Grail remains the Champions League – but that is an article for another day. They can only win what is in front of them and right now that is the FA Community shield – and in so doing they can send a serious message to their closest rivals. If we needed any further indication that City were to hold onto their magnificent and almost otherworldly ambitions, surely the securing of Erling Haaland’s services is the greatest of these? He is a serious player and personally I cannot wait to see how he takes to the Premier League. They’ve also secured Kalvin Phillips from Leeds. It’s in the midfielder who I think they are to find their most surprises to be honest. I think he’s a fantastic player, incredibly hard worker and who I wouldn’t be surprised

to see play a massive role for England later this year!

Prediction: 1st Half BTTS - Yes (31/10)

This game is obviously the traditional yardstick for the two ‘better’ teams from 2022, but with just five days from this fixture to the start of the season – there is no room to wiggle is there? This is it, it’s the closest expression and example of what the world can expect from these two clubs.

I’m excited about this game obviously – but even more so because I think we can make some serious money early on with this sort of price available around the idea of both teams scoring early on. I really think we are in for a spectacle of goals in this one and goals at both ends are as about as

guaranteed as me having a go at Liverpool at some point this season… At 31/10 get on, have a serious punt, and then enjoy the season begin to unfold!