SP - Sprint 05 October 2022 (1) by Sporting Post

ALL SET FOR SUMMER!

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Cover Image

Maine Chance supremo Dr Andreas Jacobs and his wife Nathalie were at ParisLongchamp this weekend enjoying the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. And what a privilege it was to have a homebred runner in the Kingman filly Habana who ran in the Gr1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. Trained by Andreas Wohler, Gestüt Fährhof's homebred two-year-old became her sire's 50th stakes winner and 30th Group winner with victory in the Gr3 ZukunftsRennen at Baden-Baden at the end of August. Habana is the second foal out of Gr3 Premio Primi Passi heroine, Hargeisa. Read more about the Arc on page 80

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Sparkling Water – could come straight off a break into the Cup

Candiese Lenferna

The first official racing operator’s log for the 2022 R2 million Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November was published earlier today.

Mike de Kock has the top two on the Hollywoodbets antepost betting boards in Safe Passage (5-2) and Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Sparkling Water (7-2), amongst his powerful sextet.

Also among the De Kock

entries is SA Derby winner Aragosta, as well as MK’s Pride, who has recently moved to that yard from the disbanded Paul Peter operation.

Sean Tarry has the most entries with 14, among them Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara champion Rain In Holland.

Justin Snaith’s impressive Hoedspruit is among the entries, although his first prep last Saturday in the Topbet Mike O’Connor Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge was not highly inspiring.

Joey Soma’s 2022 World Sports Betting SA Classic champion, Red Saxon, is also among the entries.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 1 November and final entries at 9am on Friday 18 November after which the weights will be announced.

Declarations must be in by 11am on Monday 21 November.

Soma’s Red Saxon – more expected this term

Joey

Candiese Lenferna

Manzano

Base

the first

SUMMER CUP

Mike de Kock

de Kock

Sean Tarry

de Kock

Mike de Kock

Soma

Janse

Sean Tarry

Janse van

Janse

Habib

Sean Tarry

Snaith

7 1 Sparkling Water (5M) 122 A

2 Safe Passage (4G) 122 A Mike

3 Rain

Holland (4F) 118 BA

4 MK’s Pride (5H) 122 A Mike

5 Aragosta (4G) 118 A

6 William Robertson (4G) 125 A Corne Spies 7 Light Of The Moon (4F) 110 AT B Botes / Y Vosloo 8 Red Saxon (4G) 116 A Joe

9 Puerto

(ARG) (5G) 120 BA J A

van Vuuren 10 Nebraas (6G) 118 BA

11 Bingwa (5G) 118 BA J A

Vuuren 12 Shangani (5G) 117 A J A

Vuuren 13 Second

(5G) 117 BAM J A

van Vuuren 14 Pink Tourmaline (5M) 108 A Brett Crawford 15 Sprinkles (4F) 110 A J A Janse van Vuuren 16 Zeus (4C) 108 A Fabian

17 Perfect Witness (4F) 109 BA Candice Dawson 18 Zillzaal (7G) 116 AT

19 Hoedspruit (5G) 114 A Justin

20 Sovereign Spirit (7G) 113 BA Ashley Fortune Here is

log: FIRST

LOG:

WELL DONE, MUZI!

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JC Photos

Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie

A wonderful win for Muzi Yeni and William Robertson

There was high drama at the start of the R400 000 Gr2 Topbet Mike O’Connor Joburg Spring Challenge when top jockey Smanga Khumalo had a change of heart about riding the favourite William Robertson. In a bizarre, albeit procedurally legitimate, course of events that saw Khumalo get off at the start, despite the Vet clearing William Robertson to run, the tough as teak Muzi Yeni grabbed the opportunity to earn a nice commission and another Gr2 credit.

And Muzi brought home

the bacon, riding a confident race on the 5-4 favourite to get William Robertson to stay on well ahead of the flashy almost white entire After The Rain (5-1) who rallied late.

In the end, a quarter length separated the top two with a time of 88,40 secs recorded for the 1450m.

Trainer Corne Spies spoke to the Sporting Post prior to the race and said he was happy with his charge’s wellbeing but had aged ten years in a matter of minutes.

The Ridgemont Highlands-bred William Robertson (a second feature winner for the Kieswetter family operation on the day) is by the champion farm’s top-class sire

Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts and cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale.

A winner of 6 of his 18 starts with 8 places, he has earned R1 171 625.

Spring has sprung and 4Racing’s Topbet Spring Challenge Family Fun Day on Saturday also proved a winner with a nice crowd turning out for a four-feature programme characterised by competitive racing.

JC Photos

Rafeef - fitting successor to erstwhile Highlands-based champion National Assembly A BIG WEEKEND FOR POWER PLAYERS

‘Drakenstein's purple patch with its homebreds continues unabated, the Gr3 double following barely a week after Somerset Maugham claimed the Listed Settler's Trophy. Adding to the farm's redletter day, aforementioned Humdinger was one of three winners on the day for resident stallion What A Winter, whose cracking start to the new racing season has propelled him to the top of the General Sires List’

The word 'bizarre' probably best describes the delay to the start of Turffontein's Gr2 Topbet Mike O'Connor Joburg Spring Challenge, where jockey S'mango Khumalo bailed from favourite William Robertson just minutes before the off, after the four-year-old had gone to post rather scratchily.

However, the vet passed the horse fit to race and a scramble for a replacement rider resulted in Muzi Yeni jumping aboard the Corne Spies runner, who duly obliged to take the honours.

His success not only completed a fine double for breeders Ridgemont Highlands - it followed

on that of Humdinger's all-theway victory in the preceding Gr2 Topbet Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge – and it once again threw the spotlight on his young sire Rafeef.

Arguably the new flagship stallion of the famed Robertson nursery, the Gr1 winning sprinter was the country's leading Freshman sire of 2021 and from that first crop have emerged the Gr1 winners Aragosta (SA Derby) and Master Archie (Computaform Sprint). Adding to that fine start, second crop son Thunderstruck became his sire's third Gr1 winner with success in last season's Gold Medallion.

A great-grandson of Danzig, Rafeef is fast emerging as a fitting successor to erstwhile Highlandsbased champion National Assembly, who proved himself the best son of Danzig

to stand in this country.

In contrast, another Danzig son, the accomplished Danehill, failed to make the same impact in South Africa.

Except for Duke Of Marmalade and Oratorio, both of which were already proven by the time they arrived in South Africa, a good number of his sons commenced their stud careers in this country, and for the most part, the collateral results were largely disappointing. Only Toreador and Overlord have succeeded at Gr1 level, and one can argue that the latter’s sole stakes winner, the champion sprinter Talktothestars, single-handedly saved his

What A Winter – rockets to top of general sire’s list

sire from obscurity.

Fortunately, we are now witnessing the resurgence of Danehill through Rafeef, who is by his champion Australian son Redoute's Choice.

As for William Robertson, his first Gr1 success can surely not be far off. Third in the Gr1 Premier's Challenge as a juvenile, he was unlucky to run into a rampant Captain's Ransom in last season's Gr1 Mercury Sprint, going down by a half-length.

By the way, his dam Massachusetts is a daughter of Trippi, whose influence once again resonated across South African

racing this past weekend.

The Drakenstein linchpin dominated the Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting where he not only sired four winners, but his progeny also captured both Graded stakes in the light blue silks. Candice Bass-Robinsontrained Santa Maria followed in the footsteps of Hammie's Hooker, Inara, and Love To Boogie as her sire's fourth winner of the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes, whilst stable companion Trip To Fortune completed the double in a grandstand finish to the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes.

Drakenstein's purple patch with its homebreds continues unabated, the Gr3 double following barely a week after Somerset Maugham claimed the Listed Settler's Trophy. Adding to the farm's red-letter day,

aforementioned Humdinger was one of three winners on the day for resident stallion What A Winter, whose cracking start to the new racing season has propelled him to the top of the General Sires List.

On an international note, the late Drakenstein-based Duke Of Marmalade featured as the broodmare sire of three-year-old Place Du Carrousel, an upset winner of the Gr1 Prix de l'Opera on the Arc undercard at Longchamp. Trained by Andre Fabre, she is the first foal of Duke Of Marmalade's Gr2 winning daughter Traffic Jam.

Drakenstein Stud

CORNE’S ROBERTSON ROLLERCOASTER!

JC Photos Corne Spies is all smiles on the podium alongside Nelly and Mzi Nkabinde of Topbet

‘Racing can be a rollercoaster of a game that takes us to cloud nine and dumps us in the mud. When Smanga got off William Robertson, I think I probably aged ten years…!’ – Corne Spies

Saturday’s gutsy Gr2 Topbet Mike O’Connor Joburg Spring Challenge winner William Robertson is one of the soundest horses in the Corne Spies yard.

Despite top jockey Smanga Khumalo dramatically getting off at the start of the Turffontein feature, the veteran trainer says that there are no hard feelings and all roads now point to the Gauteng Summer Cup.

“Racing can be a rollercoaster of a game that takes us to cloud nine and dumps us in the bloody mud. When Smanga got

off William Robertson, I think I probably aged ten years. It’s tough enough winning Grade 2 races on any given day, without having a jockey change his mind at the start! But we respect that it’s Smanga’s life and limb and his prerogative, no matter how unpopular it may be, to make the call. But thankfully Dr Bawden the Vet had the courage of his professional conviction to make a decision in a pressure situation. And Muzi Yeni, what a soldier! He never blinked or hesitated,” recounted Corne Spies in a chat with the Sporting Post on Monday.

As to understanding Smanga Khumalo’s concerns, Corne says that he had not spoken to the former champion jockey but

that his agent Monty Mariemuthoo had been in touch.

“William Robertson is genuinely the toughest and soundest horse in my yard. I can only think that he stood in a hole or maybe stepped awkwardly en route to the start. He certainly came back fine and I had a long hard look on Sunday. I couldn’t find anything. This morning Dr Melandie Taljaardt gave him an intensive examination and he is sound as a bell. But they are flesh and blood and not machines – so there are no green or red lights to guide us either,” laughed a

relieved Corne.

William Robertson started favourite and won the feature by xxx lengths. We asked Corne whether his charge was stopping as the flashy grey After The Rain looked dangerous late.

“That’s an interesting question. If one watches William Robertson in the closing stages in relation to the third and fourth horses, then he is clearly not stopping. So that means

After The Rain put up a really courageous showing to come back so strongly. And, while I initially thought William would go away late in the race, it is also a reality that Muzi went quite early on him into the home straight. It’s very difficult for any horse to maintain that anaerobic momentum for 600m. So looking at things in perspective, I’m very pleased with the outcome – to put it mildly!”

So where to now for the Ridgemont Highlands bred son of the exciting Rafeef?

“I’m thinking about the Summer Cup. He has won from 1100m to 1400m and is possessed of smart speed. But I believe that given the right kind of ride, he could get the 2000m. His sire is outstanding – having produced Gr1 winners from 1000m to 2400m. So who knows? I’d certainly like to give him a chance to prove me wrong!”

On the prospects of a tilt at the Cape riches, Corne concedes that the

JC Photos

L’Ormarins King’s Plate could be the right race.

“I don’t have the depth in my string right now to locate to the Cape for any extended period of time. If we do go, we will raid. But for now, it seems predictably obvious to go the Charity Mile route into the Summer Cup – and then weigh up our options thereafter.”

Corne has a good team, including his legendary Dad Tobie, former jockey Fransie Naude and Charlene Tucker. “My team, including my Grooms, are top notch. I’m very fortunate.”

He has three barns at

Randjesfontein and says that he has a substantially smaller operation that the pre covid years. He has gone from a peak of 160 to 60 horses.

“But so have many guys scaled down. I would have waited years to get three barns at Randjes in years gone by. Look at the Vaal – it’s probably at 50% or less capacity. So it shows that we have all felt the effects of the recent past.”

A thinking man, Corne says he is worried about the racing economy and it all hinges on stakes.

“Better stakes mean more people are prepared to spend more cash on acquiring horses, which influences breeders to breed more horses, which has the effect of raising the equine population. This

means better fields and improved turnovers, and thus more fiscal octane into the racing engine. At this juncture, I must take my hat off to the Cape guys. They have started by improving stakes and incentives. So the ball is rolling and there is some good momentum down there. Look at the improved attendances and turnovers – that doesn’t happen unless they are doing something right. I hope our administrators up here can do something soon.”

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JP RIDES A HUMDINGER FOR THE IRC

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Humdinger (JP van der Merwe in white cap) keeps at it to beat Desert Miracle (S'Manga Khumalo) in a gripping race on Saturday

JC Photos

A bit of a rags to riches tale! That’s the story of Saturday’s R300 000 TopBet Gr2 Joburg Spring (F&M) Challenge winner Humdinger, who reeled off three on the trot in an unlikely end-to-end victory when beating her much vaunted stablemate Desert Miracle in a thriller.

Riding with plenty of confidence, JP van der Merwe took the fight to the opposition, and while Smanga Khumalo was ghosting through from some way off on the slightly ringrusty Desert Miracle as the contest advanced, there was

a stark realisation in the final 100m that the pacesetter wasn’t stopping.

In an exciting all De Kock exacta, Van der Merwe kept a cool head and drove Humdinger (25-1) to a career peak success, scoring by a neck in a time of 89.28 seconds and won by 0.2 lengths.

Desert Miracle (9-4) had been rested for seven months and wasn’t disgraced in going down to the International Racing Club’s lionhearted galloper.

The defending champion Big Burn showed pace but faded away to run out of the money. A R180 000 2020 National 2yo Sale purchase,

the versatile Humdinger, a full-sister to the speedy East Cape-based stakes winner and 2021/22 season award-winner Glacier Gold, has now won 5 races with 6 places from 13 starts for stakes of R546 250.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands from the Equus speed champion What A Winter (Western Winter), Humdinger is out of the five time – winning Fort Wood mare, Himalayan Hill.

FEATHER BOA’S IN FASHION!

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Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie A proud moment after a glorious win by Feather Boa

JC Photos

Exotic punters got off to a flying start to the R5,8 million Turffontein Pick 6 on Saturday when Randall Simons rode a cracker to get the fancied Flower Alley filly Feather Boa up late to win the R400 000 Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (Fillies).

The 1450m contest was restricted to eligible graduates of the 2021 BSA August 2YO and November 2YO Sales and produced

a favourable result with Feather Boa (5-4) producing a sustained run down the inside to catch Miss Daisy (28-10) to win going away by 1,50 lengths in a time of 89.78 seconds.

A R200 000 sale graduate, Feather Boa races out of the Stuart Pettigrew yard and her proud partnership of Wayne Jackson, Mark Campbell, Anton Marx and Clint Valjallo were on course to lead the promising 3yo in.

A daughter of Flower Alley

(Distorted Humor), the smart winner was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein out of the Silvano mare, Osprey.

Feather Boa has won 3 races with 2 places from 6 starts for stakes of R450 000.

UNZEN ERUPTION!

JC Photos A phenomenal performance by the powerful Unzen

Apprentice Kaidan Brewer and trainer Robbie Sage teamed up with the Erupt colt Unzen to cause a surprise when the Tawny Syndicate product stormed to victory in the R400 000 Bloodstock South Africa Sales Cup (C&G) at Turffontein on Saturday.

With just one run under the belt, Unzen was easy to back at 14-1 and came from off the pace with a sustained run to hold off the eyecatching Mike de Kock / Hollywood Syndicate firsttimer Tyrconnell, who rattled

late from some way off the gallop.

Backed on his Turffontein 1000m debut on 22 September, Unzen clearly relished the step up in ground and ran on powerfully to beat the 33-1 Tyrconnell by 0,5 lengths in a time of 88.95 seconds in a Bipot knockout.

It was a sentimental victory for the veteran conditioner as he trained the winner’s dam.

Bred by the Tawny Syndicate, Unzen is a son of Maine Chance stallion Erupt (Dubawi ) out of the one-time winning Toreador mare Adella.

A winner of 1 race with a place from his 2 starts, Unzen took his stakes bank to R194 000.

The 1450m contest was restricted to eligible graduates of the 2021 BSA August 2YO and November 2YO Sales, with the winner’s price tag R230 000.

Trip Of Fortune (Domeyer) and Silver Operator (Van Niekerk) go head-to-head in a thriller

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD

For the second consecutive weekend, a Hollywoodbets Durbanville feature was decided in the boardroom. That’s not by choice and it’s racing for you.

As the sun sets on the country course, the Candice Bass-Robinson team and Drakenstein will be pleased with a terrific Gr3 feature double, on a glorious

winning afternoon.

The R250 000 Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes attracted drama early with talented Snaith wild child Pomp And Power delaying the start and eventually being waved away, with a lost bridle further protracting matters.

Only two runners escaped the long wait in the stalls, and it was this duo, Silver Operator and Trip Of

Fortune, who had the crowd on their feet with a rousing duel over the final 100m.

At his first meeting of the season after an injury enforced break, Grant van Niekerk was always going to be heard but the talented Drakenstein-sponsored jockey had to endure four frustrating runnerup finishes, including the

Chase Liebenberg

Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes where he got Silver Operator up in a cliffhanger to beat Aldo Domeyer Trip Of Fortune.

A boardroom call always looked likely as the two slugged it out and the Vaughan Marshall team were left to lament what would have been their third Matchem in four years – One World (2019) and Seeking The Stars (2021) their most recent triumphs.

Instead, it was Candice BassRobinson who was celebrating after she had opened her Matchem account in 2017 with the Aussie-bred Our Mate Art.

Trip Of Fortune is out of the versatile ten-time winning Doowaley mare, Louvre. He is bred and owned by Drakenstein and is listed as a R750 000 National Yearling Sale graduate.

Already a dual stakes winner, Trip Of Fortune has now won 6 races with 2 places from 11 starts

for stakes of R557 075.

And Grant van Niekerk deservedly broke his duck in the final race of the day when Beerenberg, a new acquisition and now in the Lucinda Woodruff yard, bounded home to win a good race.

STIPES GOT

MATCHEM RIGHT

The Stipes made the correct call in the objection in Saturday’s Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. That’s the opinion of an expert. And it’s pure coincidence that it was the second consecutive feature

objection in seven days at the country course!

After the Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy objection on Heritage Day, where a lack of communication was probably more of an issue than the outcome of the reversal of Somerset Maugham over Han Solo, Saturday’s objection outcome

was more logical.

After Silver Operator (Grant van Niekerk) had interfered with and unbalanced Trip Of Fortune (Aldo Domeyer) in the tightest of finishes, the Marshall galloper got the verdict by a nostril – but not unexpectedly a Stipe called

Winning rider Aldo Domeyer is all smiles as Anthony Delpech and a Hollywoodbets hostess looks on Chase

Liebenberg

for a race review and duly objected.

The official report states that at the 200m SILVER OPERATOR (G van Niekerk) shifted out, carried TRIP OF FORTUNE (A Domeyer) outwards and made contact with TRIP OF FORTUNE (A Domeyer) at the 100m. As a result TRIP OF FORTUNE (A Domeyer) became momentarily unbalanced, shifted in and brushed SILVER OPERATOR (G van Niekerk) shortly before the finish.

Watch the replay here

A member of the Stipendiary Board called a race review regarding this incident, which was followed by an Objection being lodged by him on behalf of the 2nd placed horse TRIP OF FORTUNE (A Domeyer) against the winner SILVER OPERATOR (G van Niekerk) on the grounds of interference in the latter stages.

The Objection Board, after giving due regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and giving consideration to the margin of 0,05 of a length between the two horses concerned, was of the opinion that but for the interference TRIP OF FORTUNE would have finished ahead of SILVER OPERATOR had

this incident not occurred and therefore upheld the objection.

Racing expert Robert Bloomberg explained that, in his opinion the first incident was the telling one as at the 200m Silver Operator carried Trip Of Fortune outwards, and crucially made contact with him, which as a result unbalanced the Bass-Robinson runner, who then shifted in as a result of becoming unbalanced through that contact.

“Trip Of Fortune then brushed Silver Operator very close to the finish. It is very important to note that the second incident would not have happened if it were not for the first contact, which was of a far greater magnitude. The winning margin was a whisker, so it was undoubtedly the right call to uphold the objection in my opinion,” concluded Bloomberg.

Cape Racing reported that Trip of Fortune (Trippi) had run some outstanding races when pitched at a high level earlier in his career.

He now seems to be mentally stronger and genuinely keen to compete as a determined racehorse since a rest and gelding. Trainer Candice Bass Robinson deserves credit for her judicious handling of the Drakenstein Stud bred four-year-old – now a victor in six of 11 starts.

Both horses bought top quality 1400m form into the race. Sixyear-old Silver Operator won the historic Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville during the KZN Winter season, whilst

Trip of Fortune clinched the Cape Classic at three.

33/1 outsider, Looking for Hounds ran way above market expectations to secure the trifecta slot with pace setting grey, Russian Rock trying hard all the way to the line back in fourth.

All’s well that ends well. Well done Candice BassRobinson and her team on the four winners and a feature double on a great afternoon.

There should be plenty more duels between two of the Cape’s favourite sons, Aldo Domeyer and Grant van Niekerk, too – so plenty to look forward to!

Kevin Sommerville and Candice Bass-Robinson lead in Santa Maria after a brilliant ride by Corne Orffer!

Chase

Liebenberg

Candice Bass-Robinson celebrated a super start to the Cape summer at a bustling and vibrant Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday with her maiden victory in the traditional season opener, the R200 000 Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes, a race won by her legendary Dad Mike back in 2015 with Inara.

One of a trio of fairer sex gallopers for the Milnerton family team in the 1400m contest, Santa Maria wasn’t everyone's idea of a popular winner, but produced the fireworks to win going away under Corne Orffer.

A Fairview stakes winner

earlier this year, the lightly campaigned Santa Maria was easy to back at 14-1 and cruised past the heavily fancied Chansonette (14-10) to win by half a length in a time of 85,45 secs.

The winner’s stablemate Going Up (8-1) loomed up dangerously, but was just in need of it and ended up a gutsy third, a further 0,40 lengths adrift.

The lightly weighted 3yo Tipsy Tarragon failed to emulate the feat of her stablemate Captain’s Ransom of two renewals back and faded out of contention after being prominent.

Yet another Drakenstein homebred feature winner – the season has just started – Santa Maria is a 4yo daughter of the top farm’s

champion Trippi (End Sweep) out of the once winning Fort Wood mare, Cutty Sark.

Santa Maria has won 5 races with 5 places from 13 starts for stakes of R402 150. She is likely to be confined to the summer season sprints. The Cape Racing and Hollywoodbets marketing efforts are clearly working, and the efforts are reflected in the life and spirit on course. What a pleasure!

FORT WOOD DAUGHTERS RULE

Broodmare daughters of the late, champion South African sire Fort Wood made their mark on Saturday.

Not only is Fort Wood broodmare sire of Saturday's G2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge winner Humdinger (What A Winter), another daughter, Cutty Sark, is the dam of Saturday's GR3

Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes queen Santa Maria (Trippi).

Humdinger's dam Himalayan Hill has proved a high-class mare, both on the track and at stud, with Himalayan Hill (winner of five races including the Listed Off To Stud Handicap) also dam of last season's Listed Milkwood Stakes winner Glacier Gold (What A Winter).

Cutty Sark has also proved a

success in the breeding shed -not only is she dam of Santa Maria (also victorious in the Listed Lady's Pendant), she is also responsible for Listed Breeders Guineas winner Sailing Ship (Duke Of Marmalade) and the smart Sail (Philanthropist). While the latter never won a black type race, she did finish second or third in six graded races.

Fort Wood (Sadler's Wells - Fall Aspen)

Trippi and What A Winter, sire of Santa Maria and Humdinger respectively, have previously enjoyed success with Fort Wood mares, with Trippi producing Gr1 winner Real Princess out of the Fort Wood mare Pagan Princess, and What A Winter also responsible for the likes of Fort Winter and Glacier Gold when sent daughters of Fort Wood. (Fort Wood is also broodmare sire of Green Pepper, the dam of Trippi's Gr1 winning daughter Sweet Pepper).

Fort Wood mares have also left behind a number of sire sons, including the likes of Pluck and William

Longsword. Former Breeders' Cup winner Pluck (who is out of Fort Wood's Gr1 placed daughter Secret Heart) is the sire of group winners Aspect, Life On The Wire, and Mongolian Wolf, while Real Princess' Gr1 Cape Guineas winning half-brother William Longsword made a smart start with his first crop headed by the stakes winners Dyce, Bon Vivant and Hasta Manana.

Latest celebrity out of a Fort Wood mare to retire to stud is Ridgemont Highlands' well performed stallion Malmoos.

Malmoos, whose close relative Gimme's Lassie (herself out of the Fort Wood mare Scandola) won at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, certainly appears to have

a lot going for him as a stallion prospect.

Out of a stakes winning half-sister to successful sire Master Of My Fate, Malmoos won five graded races during a career crowned by his triumph in the South African Triple Crown of 2021.

Fort Wood is also sire of Gay Fortuna -South Africa's reigning Broodmare Of The Year and dam of three stakes winners notably Equus Champion and Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco.

POLY CHALLENGE THRILLER

Pauline Herman

From left to right: Justine Lockett, Mncekekeli Mavuka, Richard Fourie on Celtillus. Alan Greeff, AB Mashlangu, Thembalethu Melanie

In a dramatic finish to the R175 000 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1400 at Fairview on Friday, Richard Fourie timed things to perfection to get Celtillus up on the line to nab the luckless perennial bridesmaid Greenlighttoheaven on the line.

While Greenlighttoheaven was banking his fifth second cheque in his last eight starts, the Cliffie Miller charge surged ahead in the R50 000 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge consolation bonus chase after his second behind stablemate Naval Secret in the opening leg – but will have to win the final leg run over a mile on Friday 21 October if he is to secure the bonus.

After winning the first leg with Naval Secret, Friday’s show was something of a frustration for trainer Cliffie Miller who had the talented

Greenlighttoheaven (2-1) in peak trim.

The Riyo Stud 5yo gelding was given a near perfect ride by Wayne Agrella, but Richard Fourie had other ideas and grabbed a brief bit of sunshine for the Alan Greeff yard on a tough day at the office when he got Celtillus’ (5-1) head down on the bob to grab the verdict in a time of 82,33 secs.

The pacy Life On Mars (10-1) stayed on dourly for third, ahead of Naval Secret (15-4) who was a further 1,35 lengths back. The Boland Stud-bred winner, a R2 million National Yearling Sale buy, is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the unraced Al Mufti mare, Five Star Girl.

A winner of 6 races with 9 places from 21 starts, Celtillus, who races for Edmund Siu, took his earnings to R329 958 – some way off his pricy ticket!

The spoils were well spread on the day – Ryan Munger rode 3 winners, while Muzi Yeni grabbed a double for Ziets Oosthuizen.

Jacques Strydom shared the training honours with two nice winners.

The Hollywood Syndicate overcame a disappointment in the opener to register a double on the day.

The KZN Champion owners celebrated their 350th winner when Craig Bantam steered the Gavin Smith trained Vegas Gold to win the sixth.

Soweto Rose made it winner 351 for the Hollywood Syndicate when winning the last for trainer Juan Nel and jockey Chase Maujean. This makes September 2022 a record month for the team with 17 winners for the month, a very healthy 26 for the season so far.

The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 7 October.

WILLIAM UNCHANGED ON A 125

The National Horseracing Authority handicappers have published their assessments of the merit rating adjustments for this past weekend’s features.

Gr2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Joburg Spring Challenge

WILLIAM ROBERTSON remains unchanged on a rating of 125 following his success in the Grade 2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 1 October. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3rd finisher BINGWA made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 118. In assessing the race this way WILLIAM ROBERTSON only runs to a mark of 124, hence his unaltered rating.

The specific conditions of the race do not permit any increase to the rating

of any horse other than the winner. Accordingly, runner-up AFTER THE RAIN remains on 104 despite running to a mark of 123, and 4th placed MERCANTOUR is unchanged on 105 although achieving a rating of 114.

The only drop was for PRINCE OF FIRE, who is down slightly from 114 to 113.

Gr2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge

HUMDINGER has had her rating raised from 95 to 103 after winning the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge over 1450m. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4th finisher MERCURY RISING made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 106.

In assessing the race this way HUMDINGER actually runs to a mark of 111, but the specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than eight pounds for the winner. Accordingly, the Handicappers were forced to cap the winner on a mark of 103.

The race conditions also do not allow for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner therefore 3rd placed GIMME A SHOT remains on 102 despite actually running to a mark of 108.

Two horses were given a rating’s drop. BIG BURN is down from 122 to 120, while SUPREME QUEST drops from 108 to 106.

Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes

TRIP OF FORTUNE has had his rating lifted from 112 to 119 following his success in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. TRIP OF FORTUNE in fact crossed the line in 2nd place, a short head behind SILVER OPERATOR, but the placings were reversed following a successful objection.

Notwithstanding this, the

Handicappers remained of the view that SILVER OPERATOR made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race. He remains unchanged on 119, which makes him equal to TRIP TO FORTUNE, who carried half-a-kilo less than SILVER OPERATOR.

The specific race conditions do not allow for an increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner and accordingly 3rd finisher LOOK FOR HOUNDS remains unchanged on 104 despite actually achieving a mark of 112.

Three horses were given a rating’s drop. SPEED

MACHINE is down from 113 to 111, RUSSIAN ROCK goes from 118 to 116, while CAPTAIN OF STEALTH drops to 106 from 107.

Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes

SANTA MARIA remains unchanged on a rating of 106 following her win in the Grade 2 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m. It was in fact SANTA MARIA herself who was considered to make for the best line horse, hence her unchanged rating. In assessing the race this way, 4th placed KWINTA’S LIGHT runs to her mark of 102, effectively making her a line horse as well.

Here too, the specific conditions of the race do not permit for any increase in the rating of any

horse beyond the winner. Therefore, 3rd finisher GOING UP remains on a rating of 98 even though she actually achieved a mark of 104.

No horse was given a rating’s drop, which means that no change was made to the rating of any of the seven horses who contested this event.

• Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 4 October 2022

Classy Maharanee – under new ownership and could be headed South

FLOWER ALLEY STAR TOPS SALE

Friday’s BSA Turffontein September Sale R1 million topseller Maharanee will race in the familiar white, black and red flag of leading owner Laurence Wernars and has the R1 million Gr1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 3 December as her potential short-term target.

An outstanding winner of

the 2022 4Racing Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery, Maharanee, who formerly raced out of the Paul Peter yard in a partnership of M K ‘Koos’ Nkale and the Hyperpaint Syndicate, was unbeaten in her first four starts up to 1400m.

She was then despatched to KZN and ran out of the money in the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Golden Explorer on Hollywoodbets Durban July day after over-racing in the early and middle stages, and proving difficult for SA Champion

jockey Warren Kennedy to assist. That clearly was not her run and she has not seen action since.

Maharanee topped Friday’s sale in a basket of 4 lots for Laurence Wernars’ Triple 8 Clothing, who was the top buyer at an aggregate spend of R1 790 000, averaging R447 500.

Originally an R80 000 BSA National 2yo Sale graduate,

JC Photos

Maharanee is another fine product of Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and a daughter of their top-class Gr1 winning sire Flower Alley (Distorted Humor).

Maharanee is out of the four-time winning Tiger Ridge mare, Indira, who only won to 1200m. There must be a question with her dazzling natural speed whether she will be as lethal at a mile, but her full sister Lotus won up to 1700m and her well-performed Querari half sister Marigold Hotel has won at 1600m.

“We are considering a tilt at the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in December and will give her an outing up here in Gauteng prior to making a final decision,” Maharanee’s new trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren told the Sporting Post.

Van Vuuren’s powerful string has also been bolstered with new Wernars’ flagbearers in Gr1 winner Astrix (purchased for R260k) and Listed Swallow Stakes winner and graded performer, Freed From Desire (a R350k buy).

The sale followed the dispersal of the Paul Peter racing yard

after a shock withdrawal from racing of the recently crowned SA champion.

A total of 54 of the 65 catalogued lots were sold, with 6 withdrawn. An aggregate of R7 831 000 was achieved at an average of R145 019, and median of R82 500.

See the full price list – please click here.

THE LATEST READY TO RUN LOG

The R600 000 Cape Racing Ready To Run Stakes will be contested over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday, 30 October.

The race is restricted to eligible graduates of the 2021 CTS Ready To Run Sale.

Entries open on 17 October –declarations

are due by 11h00 on 24 October.

Franz Lehar

ranks at 6 on the latest log

Candiese Lenferna

The latest log is shown below:

Gr1 winner Bambina Stripes and her One World filly

AVONTUUR’S

FUTURE STARS

Jade MacDonald

There are few more scenic breeding establishments in the country than the magnificent Avontuur Estate and this week’s trifecta of future stars hails from the Somerset West farm, a veritable nursery of champions.

While the big news has been the arrival of champion VAR’s only son at stud, Talk Of The Town, Pippa Mickleburgh and her team have been hard at work ‘playing Mum’ as the new generation arrivals have touched down.

First up is Met winner

One World’s daughter out of Gr1 winner Bambina Stripes – born on 6 September. She is the half sister to Legitimate.

Next up is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Tempting Fate by Vercingetorix. The son of the topclass Miss October colt was born on 4 September.

A full-brother to Sean Tarry’s Gr1 winner Thunderstruck, the handsome lad born on 26 August is by exciting Redoute’s Choice sire Rafeef out of VAR daughter, Varikate.

The lightly raced Talk Of The Town made just five career starts, but he won his last three in a row, with

the colt having finished third on debut before running multiple graded stakes winner, and millionaire, Doublemint, to a head over 1200 metres.

After breaking his maiden by nearly three lengths over 1400 metres, Talk Of The Town went on to score at Kenilworth over 1400m. The chestnut really caught the eye, however, when he romped home to a two and a quarter length win on Sceptre Stakes day in 2018. Jockey Anton Marcus compared Talk Of The Town favourably with Var’s champion son Variety Club,

Gr1

winner Tempting

Fate’s half-brother by Vercingetorix Jade MacDonald

while connections had high hopes for their colt before a series of injuries ended his career.

Talk Of The Town is out of the blue blooded mare Street Wise - a daughter of Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner and outstanding sire/broodmare sire Street Cry. Sire of such champions as Winx, Zenyatta, Street

Sense and South African Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna, Street Cry is also broodmare sire of more than 100 stakes winners including US champion, and G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Vino Rosso.

Street Wise is a granddaughter of outstanding broodmare Dancing Show (by Nijinsky II), ancestress of numerous top-class horses and granddam of outstanding sire, sire of sires, and broodmare sire

Redoute’s Choice.

This is also the family of influential stallions El Gran Senor and Try My Best as well as former South African champion sire Northern Guest.

The very fertile Talk Of The Town stands for a fee of R12 000 in 2022.

A full brother to last season’s 2yo Gr1 winner Thunderstruck with Mom, Varikate

KELSEY’S WINNING DEBUT JOY!

JC Photos

the Fortune Racing tradition, supporter and owner Katelyn

Whittington

lifted the winning rider for the photographer

While loadshedding and track conditions precipitated something of an uncertain start to Tuesday’s Vaal racemeeting, there was no stopping 22 year old Kelsey Munger who made a winning debut as an amateur jockey when storming home like a seasoned pro in the opening Workriders Maiden Plate.

In something of a sentimental partnership –both her workrider brother Trent and her professional jockey husband Ryan have ridden the filly in races –Fortune Racing assistant trainer and workrider Kelsey Munger rode a confident and well balanced race, claiming her 1,5kgs sex allowance to get Miss Soho home in a tight finish.

Talking to the Sporting

Post afterwards, the lifetime horsewoman and daughter of proud former trainer Craig Mayhew, said it was all over before she knew what was happening.

“My husband and my brother warned me – hang on tight as it would be over in a flash. And, oh boy, it sure was!” laughed a delighted Kelsey, who modestly added that she was fortunate to be drawn 1 and thus only had horses to her left.

“Miss Soho is a lovely filly. We were out of the gates in a flash and next minute I turned to Tshepiso at the pull-up and asked him who won it! He didn’t know – I didn’t either, but as we returned to the winner’s enclosure, I realised it was good when they told me to ‘raise your hand it’s your first winner!’ Wow, what a moment. I’m so happy and thankful to Ashley Fortune and her team and so pleased for Adam and Shannon Rosenthal as this was their first winner as owners, too!”

The daughter of Master

Of My Fate, who has been a model of consistency, started at 3-1 and is owned in partnership by the Rosenthals, former champion jockey Andrew Fortune and the happy winning rider!

Kelsey also thanked her husband Ryan, who has had her working on the equicizer ‘every day for two months!’

“I need to have ten qualifying rides down the straight so I will probably only have my next ride if I get one in November. I can’t wait!”

Trainer Ashley Fortune said that she was thrilled to have given the hardworking Kelsey her first winner.

“She rides well and loves the horses. This is so well deserved,” added Ashley.

STILL TWISTING!

With the retirement of the great stayer Stradivarius last month, Gold Cup winner Kyprios announced himself as the next star of the staying ranks when annihilating 11 rivals in the Gr1 Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp over the weekend.

Despite hanging across the track to the stands rail over the final furlong, the wellbacked 4/7 favourite came home lonely by a staggering 20 lengths in Saturday’s feature.

Aidan O'Brien's four-yearold son of Galileo confirmed his lofty status adding the coveted French staying

prize to his Ascot success and the Irish St Leger. A clear favourite after winning each of his five runs this campaign, the chestnut ran in mid-division under Ryan Moore until the home straight, when he quickened into a significant lead. Though there was not a horse close enough to challenge for victory, the colt did create a little drama in the final furlong as he veered dramatically left before the line.

With the stand rails to help, Moore managed to straighten the Moyglare owned colt close to the line and he romped home well clear of outsider Almacado Gree back in second. English raider Quickthorn finished a long way back in sixth, as two failed to finish the two-and-a-half-mile marathon

in the gruelling soft ground. Aidan O'Brien noted post-race: “He's an incredible horse and has an unbelievable capacity. He's always in second gear.”

“Halfway up the straight he thought: 'My race is done, and this is where I came out!' He gets so lazy and relaxed, and I think he decided he was coming home.”

Asked if Kyprios would run again this year, O'Brien said: “I'm not sure where he'd go if we were to. There's the mile-and-a-half in America and Hong Kong but he's done plenty, so we'll take

Twist Of Fate

Candiese Lenferna

him home and see. He won't rush back.”

On Sunday, English raider The Platinum Queen (7/5F) made history as the first two-year-filly in 44 years to

win the Gr1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines over the straight 5-furlongs. Raced on very soft ground, the Richard Fahey trained daughter of Cotai Glory was very quick throughout the race leading on the far-rail

under Hollie Doyle.

She found plenty in the finish under a hard ride to prevail by a neck from fellow UK raider White Lavender.

DE GOUVEIA GETS 14 DAYS

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held at its offices in Johannesburg on Friday, 30 September 2022, Jockey D De Gouveia was charged with a contravention of Rule 77.1.1. read with 77.2.8.

The particulars being that a urine sample taken from him at Turffontein Racecourse on 28 July 2022, disclosed upon analysis the presence of Morphine (an Opiate) which is a prohibited substance in terms of the Rules.

Jockey De Gouveia pleaded guilty

to and was found guilty of the charge.

In determining a suitable penalty, the Inquiry Board took into consideration that this was Jockey De Gouveia’s first offence with regards to this rule as well as other factors put forward

Diego De Gouveia Candiese Lenferna

in mitigation. Jockey de Gouveia was suspended from riding in races for a

period of fourteen days.

Jockey De Gouveia has the Right

of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

RICHARDS COMMENCES HONG KONG CAREER

A new chapter in the history books of Hong Kong racing will commence being written today at Happy Valley when Jamie Richards saddles the first of his three runners engaged at the midweek fixture, reports racingnews.hkjc.com. The winner of over 50 Gr1’s, Richards is aware of the

challenges he faces in an entirely new environment that is renowned for its unforgiving nature. Flying On The Turf (Reward For EffortTio Rossa, by Testa Rossa) will be Richards’ first runner in Hong Kong when he contests the second section of the Listed Island Handicap (1200m). “It’s been plenty of different lunches and dinners with all of the owners and

working that side of things out but I’m really pleased with the support that the owners have given us and now it’s time to do the job for them,” he said. The stable has 51 horses on its books to start off with.

Jamie Richards

HKJC

Tel: +4 4 16 3 8 6 65931 sales@tat tersalls .com ww w.tat tersalls .com M AG ICAL L AG OO N I R IS H OA KS , G r p u rc ha s e d a t fo r 305 ,00 0 gns DE S E R T CR OWN T H E D E R BY, G r p u rc ha s e d a t fo r 28 0,00 0 gns NATI V E TR AIL G r p u rc ha s e d a t fo r 67,00 0 gns T A TTERS A LL S OCTOBER YEARLING S A L E Book 1 Oct 4 – 6, Book 2 Oct 10 – 12 , Book 3 Oct 13 – 14, Book 4 Oct 15 E UR O PE ’ S P REMIE R S OURCE O F C LA S S IC W I N NER S C ATA L O G U E S ON LI N E

Keratile Katjedi – a super Sunday!

A FAB FOUR -TIMER

On the eve of writing his final matriculation exam, 18 year old Winning Formsponsored Apprentice Keratile Katjedi joined the sparsely populated ranks of 4kg-claimers to ride a four-timer at a racemeeting when he stole the show at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

2 October 2022 will go down as a singularly

memorable and emotional day for the young man from Naboomspruit, who honoured the memory of a talented jockey Dad he hardly knew, when the stars aligned and a plan came together in just over four magical hours on a special Sunday.

A quartet of well-taken winners in Cape Princess (Pat Lunn), Wave Warrior and Valiente (Peter Muscutt), and rounded off by Casa Rosada (Garth Puller), went by like the proverbial flash.

“Mr Puller has helped me since my first day and he is a true inspiration. I have also enjoyed loyal support from Mr Peter Muscutt, Mr Darryl Moore, Mr Gary Rich, Mr Kum Naidoo, Mr Yadev Singh and of course, Mr Niewenhuizen, who gave me my first winner,” he adds politely.

That first winner, Golden Tune, arrived at the Vaal on 13 January this year.

Candiese

Lenferna

“I went into December of 2021, my second year, without a winner, and feeling quite down. But that all changed in January, and look at what happened today – it feels surreal,” he says humbly.

We asked Keratile if he woke up to a cloudy Durban on Sunday morning believing that he could rewrite the record books.

“No! I really thought I’d go very close on Valiente – the rest were a bonus, which I will gratefully grab with both hands. Funny enough, my family forecast that I would ride three winners. That’s not bad for

a horseracing prediction from my little hometown,” he laughed.

Keratile was just 18 months old in 2006 when his popular Dad ‘LJ’ Katjedi tragically died in a car accident in at the age of 26, having qualified as a jockey only eight days earlier.

‘LJ’ was a groom at Gary Alexander's Turffontein training stables and did a work riders' training course at Eikenhofbased James Maree's Racing and Equestrian Centre, before, with the backing of the Racing Trust, he became a special apprentice and was awarded a scholarship to the South African Racing and Equestrian Academy at Summerveld.

A record-breaking talent, LJ rode

his 50th winner in December 2004. The promising start to his career attracted the attention of Philip Georgas of Sun International, who offered the young man a sponsorship and he became one of the first apprentices here to carry corporate branding.

Today a proud Keratile shows off his Winning Form kit, and is determined to follow in his Dad’s giant bootprints.

“It was a very emotional afternoon all round. After I won on Casa Rosada, I felt a bit overwhelmed and a tear coming to my eye – but I stifled it and just bit my lip

and felt proud. I have been so fortunate – I have a large wonderful family that have been behind me every step of the way, and so many trainers and educators who have helped me along,” Keratile told the Sporting Post as he was about to board a flight from King Shaka to Johannesburg and a week’s break with his family in Naboomspruit.

Describing himself as an average student with a preference for mathematics as his best subject, Keratile weighs just 44,5kgs and is keen to bulk up. It was his late Grandfather – the late LJ’s Dad- who was determined to get him on

the path to a career as a jockey.

“I think he took me to see Mr Robert Moore at the Gauteng Academy when I was only 10! That clearly was a bit early. I’m so glad he inspired me. Today my Granddad has passed on but my Grandmother and my family are waiting to enjoy this week and I hope to see my Mom Nora Selemela,” he added.

Asked if Naboomspruit would be rocking and partying, Keratile says that socialising isn’t really his scene.

“Other than my Academy brothers, I have no family in KZN. So I am really looking forward to getting home to spend some time with everybody.”

On Friday he hopes to fly into Gqeberha to ride for the Gavin Smith yard at Fairview.

“I have ridden a winner for Mr Smith and he asked if I’d like to come down again. So that’s exciting. I’m also really keen to complete my matric and get my riding career going. I have no excuses but to do well. I just want to thank everybody - from my sponsors Winning Form, to all the trainers, and the SA Jockey Academy staff. I am truly blessed.”

Big four in the bag! Keratile steers Casa Rosada to victory

Candiese Lenferna

Luke Morris gets Alpinista to keep at her task Racing TV

FRANKEL’S

FIERY ARC FLYER

Sir Mark Prescott has spent more than half a century honing a reputation for keeping a little bit up his sleeve and the 101st Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe may prove his piece de resistance as Alpinista sluiced through the sodden Longchamp turf to record an emphatic victory under Luke Morris.

The Racing Post reports that it remains to be seen if this fabulous mare's decisive half-length triumph in European Flat racing's €5 million Holy Grail amounts to the best being saved for last as there are major international targets still to consider.

Nonetheless, in defying gruelling conditions with scarcely credible ease as her illustrious rivals floundered, the classy grey posted a signature performance to justify sustained market support that saw her return a strong 7-2 market leader.

Having run up a sequence of five Group 1s thanks to some choice race-planning by Prescott, the fear was that Kirsten Rausing's homebred might have already reached the ceiling of her ability. Not a bit of it.

Under a measured steer by Morris, who found a berth on the rail behind the leaders before letting his

mount slide into the lead between the fading Titleholder and Broome two furlongs out, Alpinista showed herself to be serenely superior. She put the race to bed in a matter of strides with an irresistible surge and, while Vadeni and last year's hero Torquator Tasso kept going gallantly to be second and third, they could not lay a glove on the winner.

Prescott has a well-documented penchant for executing long-range plots, but even the Heath House maestro outdid himself here. This career-defining moment was a lifetime in the making and you suspect his only regret might be not being able to put one over on the handicapper in the process.

"I've trained for Ms Rausing for 35 years and I trained Alpinista's grandmother and the mother, and Luke has been with me 11 years," mused racing's most revered storyteller. "It is hard to imagine a better day training."

Alpinista came to France having added the Grand Prix de SaintCloud and Yorkshire Oaks to last year's German Group 1 hat-trick.

As to the concern of whether she had improved again to crown the campaign, Prescott added: "There was no reason to think she hadn't, but human nature being what it is, I wondered whether she would. I think she has improved every single run in the last two years, and she has had to improve each time.

"It has been just a marvellous journey – I'm lucky to get a good one at this stage of my career."

Given Prescott's status as racing's archetypal raconteur, this was a victory that was warmly received at Longchamp. The travelling hordes from Britain and Ireland expressed a loud and sustained approval of the verdict when Alpinista returned to the winner's enclosure under Morris.

It constituted a first Britishtrained Arc winner since Enable in 2018, and was just the second for a five-yearold mare following that of Corrida in 1937.

However, Alpinista was the sixth mare to win the Arc since 2010, with multiple triumphs for Treve and Enable meaning they have now secured eight of the last 12 runnings.

The success also prompted the 74-year-old trainer to suggest it might extend his illustrious tenure a while longer. Charmingly, his first thought on that matter was for his long-standing assistant trainer William Butler.

"Poor William, he will greet this win with mixed emotions I think because it will probably keep me tottering on a bit longer," he joked.

Rausing suggested the Breeders' Cup and Japan Cup would be considered for one last hurrah before

Alpinista retires to the breeding shed. Prescott might have had to be persuaded by her to travel to Longchamp for a first time in 21 years, but that could be flipped around if a Japanese foray is to happen.

"I'm sure Ms Rausing's eagle eye will have observed that she gets a $3 million bonus if she is lucky enough to win the Japan Cup, on top of the prizemoney," he noted, quipping that the prospect of such a windfall made his heart flutter.

"I think that the last time we tried with Alborada, I always say that Ms Rausing's hat and coat were on the bed beside her when we rang her to say Alborada had gone lame. That was greeted with the immortal phrase, 'This is suboptimal news!' – which it was –and she didn't come. Perhaps, like me, she could be persuaded on this occasion. I don't know. It's not for me to say."

That is for another day. Rather than concern herself with the future, Rausing was keen to savour the glorious fruition of nearly 40 years of labours at her Lanwades Stud enterprise after Alpinista extended her winning sequence to eight.

"She is my sixth generation homebred and this wouldn't have been possible but for my marvellous home team at Lanwades and St Simon and Staffordstown Studs," she said.

"I am obviously delighted, thrilled and extremely grateful to Sir Mark for producing this marvellous mare, and to Luke Morris, who has ridden her to all of her Group wins. He produced a fantastic riding performance today." Morris is a deeply unassuming individual whose breakthrough

Proud Alpinista!

Racing

Group 1 came in the Prix de l'Abbaye aboard Gilt Edge Girl in 2010. He has had some good days in the interim, but is hardly one of Flat racing's marquee riders, and this epic win was just his ninth at the highest level.

"It is very much the pinnacle of my career and I can't emphasise enough how grateful I am for Ms Rausing and Sir Mark for giving me this opportunity," he said afterwards. "It is just extra special to deliver it on the day. There are not many

times I get teary-eyed but I had to hold them back today."

True to form, heavy rain dumped on Longchamp for ten minutes before the off. It made for a quintessential Arc slog, and the likes of Luxembourg, Westover and Mishriff were among many who failed to raise any sort of a challenge. Despite the dark autumn gloom, Morris could be seen poised and still aboard Alpinista as they swung into the unending straight.

"She has towed me into the race and I was able to sit on her until

nearly the furlong pole," he said. "The last week or so I must have watched 25 Arcs and I've not seen one sit to the furlong pole, so she is extremely special. Every time I ride her she surprises me. Every run she has had she has been better each time."

The case for that theory was spectacularly proved here. Job done – in some style.

www.racingpost.com

HAZELWOOD BLOODSTOCK’S DUBAWI COLT TOPS THE CHARTS

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale got off to a strong start at Park Paddocks in Newmarket with a trio of yearlings by DUBAWI selling for a million guineas or more and increases in turnover, average and median.

Leading the way on the opening day of Europe’s premier yearling sale was the DUBAWI half-brother to the Listed-placed VOICE OF ANGELS who was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 1,500,000 guineas. Buying on behalf

of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, Stroud secured the colt after he saw off the efforts of leading Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida.

Consigned by Adrian and Philippa O’Brien’s Hazelwood Bloodstock, the regally bred colt is out of the GALILEO mare RING THE BELL, a sister to dual Group 1 winner HYDRANGEA, the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner HERMOSA and Group 1 winner THE UNITED STATES. He was bred by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds.

“He’s by Dubawi and comes from an excellent farm,” said Anthony

Stroud. “It’s a cross that works and it’s a wonderful family. The boss is here and he’s choosing these horses. He’s just a wonderful specimen of a thoroughbred really.”

DUBAWI, who has had a remarkable 39 individual Group/Listed winner this year to date, was the leading sire on the opening day of the October Book 1 Sale, with his seven yearlings realising a total of 5,400,000 guineas.

Tattersalls

Lot 3 - Dubawi (IRE) / Jazzi Top (GB)

KYPRIOS AND THE PLATINUM QUEEN MAKE HISTORY

Despite hanging across the track to the stands rail over the final furlong, the wellbacked 4/7 favourite came

home lonely by a staggering 20 lengths in Saturday’s feature.

Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old son of Galileo confirmed his lofty status adding the coveted French staying prize to his Ascot success and the Irish St Leger. A clear favourite after winning each of his five runs this campaign, the chestnut ran in mid-division under Ryan Moore until the home straight, when he quickened into a significant lead.

Though there was not a horse close enough to challenge for

victory, the colt did create a little drama in the final furlong as he veered dramatically left before the line.

With the stand rails to help, Moore managed to straighten the Moyglare owned colt close to the line and he romped home well clear of outsider Almacado Gree back in second.

English raider Quickthorn finished a long way back in

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Gr1 Prix du Cadran winner Kyprios - the new star of the staying ranks?

sixth, as two failed to finish the two-and-a-half-mile marathon in the gruelling soft ground.

Aidan O'Brien noted post-race: “He's an incredible horse and has an unbelievable capacity. He's always in second gear.”

“Halfway up the straight he thought: 'My race is done, and this is where I came out!' He gets so lazy and

relaxed, and I think he decided he was coming home.”

Asked if Kyprios would run again this year, O'Brien said: “I'm not sure where he'd go if we were to. There's the mile-and-a-half in America and Hong Kong but he's done plenty, so we'll take him home and see. He won't rush back.”

On Sunday, English raider The Platinum Queen (7/5F) made history as the first two-year-filly in

44 years to win the Gr1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines over the straight 5-furlongs. Raced on very soft ground, the Richard Fahey trained daughter of Cotai Glory was very quick throughout the race leading on the far-rail under Hollie Doyle.

She found plenty in the finish under a hard ride to prevail by a neck from fellow UK raider White Lavender.

Name Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Rnrs % Places B.T. Winrs B.T. Wins Total Stakes (R) What A Winter Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Vercingetorix Master Of My Fate Querari (GER) 114 109 92 125 116 205 195 151 225 206 23,787 21,206 23,580 16,509 15,255 28 23 23 22 19 35 24 25 23 22 24.6 21.1 25.0 17.6 16.4 88 107 74 107 76 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2,711,738 2,311,450 2,169,363 2,063,613 1,769,563 S I RE S T R A I NER S Name Runs Wins Win% 2nd 3rd Other Places Place % Win Stake (R) Total Stakes (R) Mr S J Snaith Mr A C Greeﬀ Mr P A Peter Mr G D Smith Mr K G Naidoo 198 156 122 225 143 23 21 20 15 15 11.6 13.5 16.4 6.70 10.5 26 16 18 26 16 30 15 16 22 14 52 35 25 39 25 108 66 59 87 55 54.5 42.3 48.4 38.7 38.5 1,187,600 1,069,063 925 715,625 819,375 2,070,625 1,550,463 1,390,000 1,349,075 1,277,619 Name Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Rnrs % Places B.T. Winrs B.T. Wins Total Stakes (R) Klawervlei Stud Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Ridgemont Highlands Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 169 164 80 86 82 332 286 166 140 148 18,305 17,356 27,483 24,145 20,700 34 31 21 19 16 41 35 24 21 18 20.1 18.9 26.3 22.1 19.5 149 130 86 72 70 0 1 3 4 1 0 1 4 4 1 3,093,613 2,846,325 2,198,613 2,076,475 1,697,425 BREEDERS Name Rides Wins Win% 2nd 3rd Other Places Place % Win Stake (R) Total Stakes (R) Mr K de Melo Mr M A Yeni Mr S Khumalo Mr K Matsunyane Mr C J Habib 233 246 220 212 311 55 43 38 30 29 23.6 17.5 17.3 14.2 9.30 29 35 36 19 36 32 28 28 30 34 48 58 37 48 73 109 121 101 97 143 46.8 49.2 45.9 45.8 46.0 2,974,350 2,416,863 1,801,975 1,663,425 1,540,625 3,921,275 3,448,156 2,757,200 2,458,550 2,709,663 J O CK E YS results up to: 2022-10-05 See all the detailed standings - Click here

Arsenal vs Liverpool | Sunday 9 October | Emirates Stadium | 17:30

This is usually a brilliant football match, for the most part dominated by Liverpool, but I think the more recent editions might serve up a far tastier affair, writes Ryan Liberty.

You have one side in absolute football ecstasy and dizzy about their start to the season, whilst the other is trying hard to fight off the reality of their lackluster and somewhat limp opening scene to this year’s league season.

To Win (90 mins)

Arsenal 31/20

Draw 26/10

Liverpool 33/20

Arsenal

Arsenal is still ‘top of the pops’ as they say. A little more than a third into the season now and they are still at the summit, setting the pace for the rest of the league. Their victory against Spurs was emphatic and intentional, with a clear statement being made. They are happy to be a team who take you out to the deep-end and entertain a game of football where you just cannot afford to make a mistake.

To be completely honest, I

was quite surprised to see Gabriel Jesus left out of the Brazil squad – and so seeing how he would then perform against Spurs and in Europe was always going to be interesting…but he’s been his brilliant self hasn’t he?

Arsenal have been outstanding at home in recent fixtures, over a period of 22 league fixtures they have managed a 2.30 xGF and just 0.99 xGA per game at home! Yes, I am trying my hand at the analytical and somewhat scientific approach at interpreting these games –but I’m also justifying my treble prediction in the SBN Premier League preview…

These sorts of statistics go hand in hand with Arsenal’s overall improvement this season. They have shown a desire to win every time they play, the patience shown in the manager and his support in the boardroom is paying dividends (yes, I’ll say it again and again) and the very apparent mood around the team should not be misconstrued by any means. This is a quality football team, with a quality mentality, playing quality football.

However, in Liverpool you find an opposition who certainly have the firepower to make life incredibly uncomfortable.

Liverpool

It’s no secret that Liverpool has made an extremely flat and nervy start to the season. They haven’t always played to a level we have come to expect from the Reds, but more concerning would surely be

the way in which they have failed to register results.

Of course, the media picks up on various storylines and ideas and looks to suggest correlation to some fantastical reasoning (think about the superstitious suggestions around Jurgen Klopp’s seventh year in charge, or the occasional mention of Sadio Mane’s departure).

There was a suggestion that the inadvertent break caused by the passing of the Queen Elizabeth would have benefited the men from Merseyside, but after their draw with Brighton those whispers seemed to dry up.

October is a difficult month though; Liverpool has games every other day and they don’t get any easier. Failing to get going soon might have lasting repercussions.

The reality, however, is that Liverpool have won just two Premier League games so far this season and are now required to travel to the Emirates to face an Arsenal side full of vigour. It’s certainly not going to be an easy fixture, but we must acknowledge the opportunity…

Should Liverpool come away with a win, I would argue their season already

possibly looks a little different. The media will lap it up of course because it suits their narrative and so the perception of Liverpool immediately changes…

Predicted Line-ups:

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Magalhaes, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Carvalho.

Prediction: Arsenal (31/20)

I would love to have enjoyed this and really written it with a smile on my face, but I don’t want any part of it to be undone or taken lightly. Arsenal at 31/20 is an absolute

treat of an opportunity. One that doesn’t come around every day.

For me, Arsenal win this. Get on, spend your money and add it to everything… ok I smiled.