SP Sprint - Wednesday 9 November 2022

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Flightline storms home to a sensational victory

Breeders’ Cup Championships Media

Flightline, who capped a brilliant unbeaten career with an 8 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, has been retired to Lane’s End Farm. He will stand as the property of a syndicate with a stud fee still to be announced.

By Tapit from a prolific Phipps family, Flightline was bred by Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Farm and raced by Summer Wind in partnership with Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing. A $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase from the Lane’s End consignment, Flightline was trained by John Sadler and was ridden in all six of his starts by Flavien Prat.

Flightline’s victory in the $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland was the culmination of an historic career in which he won all six starts—including four Grade 1s—and earned $4,514,800. Flightline is the world’s highest-rated racehorse in 2022, having been assigned a mark of 139 following his 19 1/4-length victory in the Gr 1 Pacific Classic on 3 September.

His rating is the secondhighest ever assigned by the World’s Best Racehorse rankings, behind only

the great Frankel, and he is the highest-rated dirt horse in history. Facing the strongest field he had ever met in the Classic, Flightline stalked four-time Grade 1 winner Life Is Good through hot fractions before collaring that rival at the quarter pole and drawing clear under a hand ride. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 121.

“We would like to thank trainer John Sadler and his team for the incredible work they did with Flightline,” said Lane’s End’s Bill Farish. “His historic performances are a credit to their expertise and unwavering efforts to bring out the very best in the horse.”

Flightline displayed star power right from the beginning, winning on debut in April of 2021 at Santa Anita Park. His 13 1/4-length victory earned him ‘TDN Rising Star’ status and a Beyer Speed Figure of 105. He was scintillating in a first-level allowance at Del Mar at second asking, winning by 12 3/4 lengths and earning a 114 Beyer.

Making his stakes debut in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes in December of 2021, Flightline continued to assert his dominance, winning by 11 1/2 lengths for a 118 Beyer. Next seen in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 11, Flightline overcame a troubled trip to score by six lengths, earning a 112 Beyer.

Trying two turns for the first time in the Pacific Classic, Flightline pulled clear effortlessly from Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer to

earn a 126 Beyer–the joint second-highest Beyer since Daily Racing Form began publishing Beyer Speed Figures 30 years ago. ThoroGraph assigned Flightline a – 8 1/2, the fastest number it has ever given out.

Flightline’s Pacific Classic performance resonated overseas, too: Timeform assigned him a rating of 143, the highest number ever given to an Americantrained horse.

Flightline is out of Jane Lyon’s Feathered, a daughter of Indian Charlie who won the G3 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs and finished second in both the Gr1 American Oaks and Gr1 Starlet Stakes and third in the G1 Frizette Stakes. It is an excellent Phipps family, the third dam being the Gr1 Matron Stakes and Gr1 Acorn Stakes winner Finder’s Fee, and the fourth dam the Grade 1-winning and multiple Grade 1-placed Fantastic Find.

TAPIT’S BRIGHTEST STAR

When the brilliant, unbeaten Flightline romped to an eight and a quarter length win in Saturday's Gr1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic he added further gloss to his outstanding sire Tapit's superb record at the Breeders' Cup.

The now retired Flightline, who appears a certainty to be named North America's

Horse Of The Year for 2022, is his sire's seventh Breeders' Cup winner (and first Classic winner), with Tapit's previous Breeders' Cup winners coming in the form of Essential Quality (Juvenile), Hansen (Juvenile), Stardom Bound (Juvenile Fillies), Tapizar (Dirt Mile), Untapable (Distaff) and Tapitsfly (Juvenile Fillies Turf).

Tapizar went on to make his mark on the Breeders' Cup with his champion daughter Monomoy

Girl victorious in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff in both 2018 and 2020, while another son of Tapit, Flashback, sired 2019 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner British Idiom.

Tapit is also broodmare sire of Saturday's Gr1 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) as well as Wicked Halo, who ran third in Saturday's Gr1

Tapit (Pulpit - Tap Your Heels)

Cover Image

Breeders’ Cup Classic joy – photo courtesy of Breeders’ Cup World Championship

Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint.

Tapit is now the joint leading sire of Breeders' Cup winners in total, along with More Than Ready.

However, Tapit's prominence at stud rests not solely on his success in the Breeders' Cup. His 150 plus stakes winners include a plethora of highclass performers notably the Belmont Stakes winners Creator, Tapwrit, Essential Quality and Tonalist. The latter made his presence felt this year when his son Country Grammer winning the Gr1 Dubai World Cup

with Country Grammer to date having earned in excess of $11 000 000 in prize money.

Three times champion sire in North America, Tapit has had a good year once again in 2022, with Flightline one of nine stakes winners for the son of Pulpit so far.

Interestingly enough, Tapit's Gr1 Breeders' Cup Classic winning grandsire A.P. Indy also made a big impression at this year's Breeders' Cup meeting. A.P. Indy son Congrats is broodmare sire of Saturday's surprise Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel (Mizzen Mast), while A.P. Indy is himself damsire of 2022 Gr1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff

queen Malathaat

Tapit's Gr2 Amsterdam Stakes/Gr3 Bay Shore Stakes winning son Coup De Grace hit the headlines recently in South Africa when his son Anfields Rocket captured the Gr3 Allied Steelrode Graham Beck Stakes.

Tapit also left his mark in South Africa through his speedy son Rodney, winner of the 2017 Listed Umngeni Handicap

Fred Seitz – mum’s the word for now on the buyer

The reaction of leading South African bloodstock veteran John Freeman on the news that a 2,5% share in the world’s best horse Flightline was hammered down for an incredible $4,6 million at Keeneland on Monday.

The successful bidder was Fred Seitz of Brookdale Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, who said he was acting on behalf of an undisclosed buyer.

The fractional interest, offered by West Point Thoroughbreds, sold during a special auction prior to the start of the premier Book 1 session of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale.

“(The buyer) just called and said, ‘I really want to make a big splash and get involved a little more in the business,’ ” said Seitz, who was on the phone with the buyer during the bidding.

“I did not expect (the price) to go that high. It was pretty exciting. When you’re dealing with top quality, you’ve got to pay. (The buyer) did not give me that kind of figure going in. I could tell once (the bidding) started maybe we were

going to keep going. I was a little more nervous than he was. He and his family were watching. I think they were having a really good time.

“With a special horse like (Flightline) all you can do is get involved and then just hope for the best,” Seitz added. “There has never been a horse that has done what he has done for however many years, back to Secretariat. You just have to pay up and get involved, and this is kind of what he’s thinking. He has a broodmare band and I think he is going to have a nicer broodmare band now. He does have some nice mares –six or eight mares at any time. He will probably be shopping now from what I understood.”

The Racing Post reports that speaking on the eve of the sale, Bill Farish of Lane’s End Farm, to where the unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Classic winner has retired to stud, issued a cautionary note in taking the stake offered at Keeneland at face value.

“We’ll find out what one share is worth, but I don’t think it would be fair to say it would be worth 40 times that because of the scarcity value of just one share being available,” he said.

The $4,6m share puts Flightline’s worth at $184m. But while that may be inflated, there is no doubt he is one of the most valuable horses in the world.

His introductory stud fee will be announced shortly.

Flightline retired the winner of six races, capped by an eight-and-a-quarter-length romp in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, and had an official rating of 139 – 1lb behind Frankel and 2lb shy of Dancing Brave – going into the race.

Bidding, which started at $500,000 on Monday and went up in increments of $100,000, took place onsite, by phone, online and, in a first-of-its-kind, a metaverse experience, which gave viewers an up-close look at the auction from a virtual sales ring modelled on Keeneland’s setting.

www.racingpost.com / additional reporting by SP editorial staff.

The SPRINT is interactive – click here to watch the Flightline share sale

“He’s the most valuable stallion in history! This is such good news for the industry and encouraging for all of our breeders!”

The magic number is in the frame!

Cody Dorman with the winner’s garland

CODY'S STORY OVERSHADOWS FLIGHTLINE HYPE

The best story to come out of the weekend’s Keeneland action was Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish reducing racing fans to tears for his incredible bond with a teenager battling a rare genetic disorder.

The Dirt Mile hero was named after 16-year-old Cody Dorman when the pair met on a special farm tour. As a young foal, Cody's Wish walked up and placed his head on the young boy's lap.

Cody, at Keeneland with family where the namesake horse won just over £385,000, suffers from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. Days before the race, the thoroughbred lowered his head gently towards the teenager, sitting in his wheelchair.

Racing supporters were touched by their endearing partnership, as Cody's Wish (43-20f) secured a big victory with a narrow verdict over Cyberknife.

Godolphin’s homebred Cody’s Wish turned back Cyberknife by a head after a stretch-long duel to win the 16th running of the $1

million Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Cody’s Wish completed the mile on a fast track in 1:35.33. It is the 11th Breeders’ Cup victory for Mott and first in the Dirt Mile and Alvarado’s first World Championships victory.Pipeline led the field of nine through early fractions of :22.28 and :45.71 with Gunite in closest pursuit and Cyberknife just off the leaders while racing on the outside.

Cody’s Wish is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin out of the Tapit mare Dance Card. The victory was worth $520,000 and increased his earnings to 1,332,130 with a record of 11-7-1-3.

Winning Trainer Bill Mott (Cody’s Wish): “That was very special. There’s a big story behind it. Goes to show that the Make A Wish Foundation can make it very special for someone. The performance was awesome. He made a huge run turning for home.”

Winning Jockey Junior Alvarado (Cody’s Wish): “I probably didn’t have the trip that I was planning. He didn’t break great, so I just took my time with him. I didn’t want to rush him. He’s a horse that can get a little rank. I took it little

by little. By the 3/8th pole

I was getting excited, but I knew there was a lot of race left to run. He finished up really well for me. When we turned for home, I knew I had the horse. I’ve been hearing the stories about (Cody). First time I got to meet him was at Churchill when I won with him, and I remember going into the Winner’s Circle and all he wanted to do was walk forward to where Cody was. We tried to get the winner’s circle photo and he was getting upset until Cody got into the photo. They have an unbelievable bond.”

RIDGEMONT HIGHLANDS SPONSOR GUINEAS DAY FEATURE

The return of the prestigious Ridgemont Highlands brand to big race sponsorship is further good news in the countdown to the stakesboosted Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 17 December.

South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator, Hollywoodbets, and local racing operator, Cape Racing, recently announced that our greatest sireproducing contest, and the country’s leading classic

race, will enjoy a stakes increase from R750 000 to R2 million for the 2022 renewal, with the popular purple brand adding their trademark energy and sparkle for the first time this year.

Coupled with the massive boost in prize money, a vintage 3yo crop, headed by the likes of the unbeaten Charles Dickens, Gr1 winner Cousin Casey, and Gauteng fairytale flyer Anfields Rocket, amongst others, are set to make the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas a clash of the sophomore titans.

An important support feature on

the big day’s undercard is the R400 000 Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap, an historically strategic stepping stone into the major features in January.

“We are very excited to be a part of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Guineas spectacular and are delighted to be partnering Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing on such a traditional day in the Cape Season. Throughout the years Ridgemont Highlands has always enjoyed

The Ridgemont Highlands team

Chase Liebenberg

being affiliated with the thoroughbred industry in the Cape - and after a short absence we feel now is the perfect opportunity, with the exciting new leadership and direction at Cape Racing, to bring our brand back,” said Ridgemont Highlands’ Craig Kieswetter.

The internationally acknowledged breeder added that with all the innovative initiatives being introduced into the Cape Racing calendar it is inevitable that racing and breeding can only go from strength to strength in the Western Cape.

“For us, that journey is very

much something we are looking forward to being a part of,” he concluded.

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer endorsed Craig Kieswetter’s comments and welcomed the Ridgemont Highlands team as a partner on the major raceday.

“There is an existing partnership where the Hollywood Syndicate race many well-bred Ridgemont Highlands horses, and joining forces on such an important day on the South African horseracing calendar is a natural evolution of the association that exists between like-minded entities that have the very best interests of the sport at heart. The various marketing teams are hard at work

in our collective goal of making it a memorable day in a watershed year for all stakeholders,” added Devin Heffer.

• Entries for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day features close at 11h00 on Monday, 5 December, on which date the weights will be published.

• Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Friday, 9 December.

• Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday, 12 December.

THE SNAITH JET IS CRUISING

Chase Liebenberg

Jet Dark and Richard Fourie fire up to storm clear as Grant van Niekerk gives Silver Operator his all

South Africa’s highestrated galloper and a four-time Gr1 winner and dual Equus champion, Justin Snaith’s 5yo entire Jet Dark stamped his class with a smooth victory in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on his season debut.

A winner of the Gr1 HKJC World Pools Champions Cup at his last start on 30 July, Jet Dark (8-10) always looked the right horse and he duly produced a polished performance, unleashing a powerful finish from midfield to collar the far fitter Silver Operator (9-4) late in the race to win going away by 1,75 lengths in a time of 96,81 secs.

A boardroom runner-up in the Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes at his

last start, Silver Operator looked dangerous down the inside rail, but hung in late and had no answers to the big gun.

Returning from a break of 78 weeks, Golden Ducat (25-1) stayed on nicely a further length back, with the very accomplished Rascallion (17-2) a further 0,20 lengths back in fourth. The Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie crowned a great day with his fourth winner and was his typically cool self.

“He’s only at 80% fitness. Just wait until we get to the Kenilworth summer course long straight. Then I can let him unwind! He has been doing so well and when he gets really difficult at home, we know he is well,” he added.

Trainer Justin Snaith will be well pleased with a great day at the office.

“I am getting more and more

nervous as his career progresses – he was the unlucky horse of last season. He is turning into an impressive individual as you can see. I could have won every race on the card today – but this was the one that counted,” he laughed.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, the Justin Snaith trained Jet Dark has now won eight of 17 starts with 6 places for earnings of R4 320 350.

A Drakenstein-bred son of End Sweep champion Trippi, Jet Dark, who is out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare Night Jet, was a R200 000 buy from the 2019 National Yearling Sale. He looks well set for a serious treble bid for the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 7 January.

Richard Fourie and Jet Dark are poetry in motion

‘How the late Mike Rattray and Henry Devine would have relished this past weekend's racing action!’

Chase Liebenberg

How the late Mike Rattray and Henry Devine would have relished this past weekend's racing action! How so? Well, there's the small matter of the Rattray-owned Golden Ducat's jaw-dropping return to action in the Gr3 Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth after an injury-enforced absence of eighteen months.

Now six, the dual Gr1 winner looked a picture and ran out of his skin to finish third. Let's hope he pulled up sound and that he will

grace us with his presence during the Cape summer season.

Victory went to champion Jet Dark, who showed in his seasonal debut that there is no substitute for class with a bold effort, one which will no doubt have sent a shiver down the spines of those looking to re-oppose him in the L'Ormarins King's Plate and the Met. Physically, the son of Trippi has matured into a grand specimen who fills the eye, with much of his broodmare sire Jet Master about him.

Golden Ducat likewise, is out of a mare by Jet Master, a horse the late Henry and wife Pat owned

and campaigned with great success on the track. A giant in size, character and ability, the champion subsequently became the most successful South African-bred stallion of the modern era.

By the way, he stamped his authority on the mile race in no uncertain terms as the broodmare sire of fourthplaced Rascallion as well, and it was only runner-up Silver Operator who denied him a clean sweep.

If that was not enough, the Cape Mile was just part of a banner weekend for the late

Jabu Jacobs and Baratheon led them a merry dance on Saturday

Chase Liebenberg

BOLAND CHAMPAGNE AT BC

Boland Stud received a superb update for their November Two Year Old Sale draft following the running of this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup meeting.

Classy three-year-old Tuesday, a brave winner of the G1 Cazoo Oaks earlier this year, showed her class when demolishing a topclass field to win Saturday’s

great champion, which saw him rack up a fine treble as a broodmare sire.

In the preceding Listed Woolavington Stakes, Baratheon streaked clear of his rivals to give trainer Piet Botha a first stakes success. The son of Jackson has as his dam Jet Master's daughter Pure Class, a stakes-placed own sister to Gr1 winner Little Miss Magic.

Jet Master's stakes treble was rounded out twentyfour hours later when Litigation swept to victory in the Gr3 Victory Moon at Turffontein, in the process bursting the bubble of Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water, who was sent off the favourite to repeat her success of twelve months ago. Alas, she could only manage third, as she was collared late by stable

G1 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland.

Tuesday was full of running as she hit the wire, with In Italian picking up the silver medal, while John and Thady Gosden’s pre-race favourite Nashwa had to settle for a fast-finishing fourth under Hollie Doyle having been slowly away and boxed in further back than ideal on the rail for the majority of the contest.

companion East Coast, who is on a sharp upward trajectory and looks a sure-fire future stakes winner for his young sire The United States.

As for Litigation, the Sean Tarrytrained four-year-old first came to prominence with a facile victory in last season's Listed Derby Trial at the Johannesburg track and is out of the Jet Master mare Jeter, an own sister to Gr3 winner Off The Mark and Gr1 Gold Medallion runner-up Sports Coach.

What odds he will return in three weeks time for the rich Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, a race the Tarry stable has won on five previous occasions, most recently with Flying Carpet twelve months ago. Mind you, the honour roll for Turffontein's showpiece race already shows two previous winners sired by Jet Master, so first success as a broodmare sire would not be out of place.

The 2013 running saw champion Yorker defeat Master Sabina in a

“I thought her trip was a mile and a quarter but she has won over a mile and a half and she got this trip (an extended nine furlongs) well enough,” said O’Brien.

thrilling Jet Master onetwo finish, while the latter subsequently scored backto-back victories in 2015 and 2016. Incidentally, like their sire, both were trained by Geoff Woodruff.

Few superlatives remain to describe the mighty stallion, whose influence as a broodmare sire shows no signs of slowing.

Suffice to say, he also featured as the damsire of three more winners over the weekend. Almas Tower scored at Fairview, while Shanta's Pride and Passage Of Power captured the first two races at Hollywoodbets Greyville. As an interesting aside, both Almas Tower and Shanta's Pride were sired by William Longsword.

Chase Liebenberg

Jabu Jacobs and Baratheon made it a start to finish affair

Milnerton trainer Piet Botha enjoyed a deserved feature race success at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the well backed paperweighted Jackson 4yo Baratheon went gun-totape under Jabu Jacobs to win the R150 000 Listed Woolavington Stakes.

All the interest in the 2400m feature was in the seasonal debut of Justin Snaith’s 2020 Durban July winner Belgarion. But the 7yo showed little interest in proceedings and failed to kick on, running last of seven.

On the flipside, Winning Form-sponsored Jabu

Jacobs rode a cavalier race on the Dare To Dream Racing Team's Baratheon (3-1), who was never headed under his 50kgs and kicked again halfway up the home run when challenged by Salvator Mundi (4-1), to score by 1,75 lengths in a time of 149,5 secs.

Dean Kannemeyer’s Rex Union (12-1) ran on steadly, a further 1,75 lengths behind, for third. Baratheon is a horse who Piet Botha had earmarked for the SA Champions Season. Recently it was announced that the old Cape Winter Series was being opened up to all ages, so locals may enjoy seeing this tough galloper in the colder months of 2023.

Raced by Mrs N Botha, Messrs R C M Caris, J E Lebouc, R C Marais, B R Nel & A Snyders & Lipari Racing

CC (Nom: Mr M Le Roux), Baratheon has now won 2 races with 7 places from his 13 starts for stakes of R204 375.

Bred by Millstream Farm, Baratheon is a son of Jackson (Dynasty) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Pure Class and was purchased for R60 000 by Piet Botha at the 2020 Mystico Yearling Sale.

SA PARTNERSHIP’S AUSTRALIAN WINNER

Thaler (GB), a four-year-old by Dubawi, won on his third attempt for Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock at Pakenham Racecourse in Victoria, Australia, on Friday. He raced in Mary Slack’s silks and was unextended under jockey Lachlan King, authoritative in his 1,8-length success over 1400m.

King was suitably impressed and commented after the race: “I was a passenger today. He gave me a beautiful ride in transit, we utilised his gait, it was

a plan well executed.”

Thaler is owned by a partnership of South African owners: Mike de Kock, Basie & Suzette Viljoen, Dr John McVeigh, Mary Slack, Larry Nestadt, Mike, Matthew and Marcus Sham, Jehan Malherbe and Murray Makepeace

Mike commented: “Dr McVeigh bought Thaler at a Horses-InTraining Sale in the UK and we put the partnership together. Thaler went to Dubai and was ready to run, but I had to scratch him when he drew badly. He was then shipped to Australia and Mat and Robbie have done a helluva

job with him. He’s had his niggles, but he won smartly today and looks like he is destined for better. The owners have been patient, thanks to them and well done.”

Thaler cruises home under Lachlan King

SNAITH SUMMER TIDE TURNS

The tide had to turn! Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith found an early season top gear at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and grabbed the first of the afternoon’s treble feature billing when Kwinta’s Light produced a sustained run to win the R150 000 Listed Laisserfaire Stakes.

In the Rockpool third race post-race interview after their narrow first winner of the afternoon, Justin observed: “When this happens it’s a sign that things are turning.”

Rockpool had come from miles off from a 16 draw to snare the freestriding Selukwe on the line.

And how right he was to be!

In the very next race the diminutive Pacific Green launched a storming late run to win the Pick 6 opener, before Fourie again grabbed the limelight as Kwinta’s Light cut her opposition down with a sustained run down the centre to grab her maiden stakes win in a time of 65,14 secs.

Starting at 7-1, Kwinta’s Light beat the consistent favourite Stiptelik (4-1) by three quarters of a length, with Diana winner Santa Maria (5-1)

running another game race in third.

A R550 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, the winner is raced by Pamela Isdell and George Ragunan, and is a winner of 3 races with 9 places from 15 starts for stakes of R338 650.

Bred by Syrilla Stud, who are offering two well-bred lots at the forthcoming BSA November 2yo Sale, Kwinta is by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Kahal five-time winner Kwinta.

Kwinta's Light (Richard Fourie) storms home to record her first stakes success

Chase Liebenberg

Thandi Mgudlwa drives Quandary home

VAN ZYL OPENS CAPE RAIDERS ACCOUNT

Summerveld trainer Gavin van Zyl became the first visitor in Cape Racing’s renaissance summer of 2022 to find the winner’s box when the Maine Chance bred Quandary shed his maiden certificate under Sporting Postsponsored Athandiwe Mgudlwa in the second at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

While it was a watershed moment for the unique RaceCape initiative that has led to a boom in the

interprovincial horse transport industry and an influx of visitors not seen for many years during the Cape Summer, Quandary’s victory also marked a proud moment for the Sporting Post, with Athandiwe Mgudlwa become the first SPsponsored jockey to win in the Cape.

A Maine Chance bred son of Vercingetorix (Silvano), Quandary has now raced in three provinces and has earned at all four of his starts. He played himself into Gold Rush contention, winning with authority by 2,75 lengths in a time of 72,53 secs.

Piet Botha’s 50-1 outsider Montien stayed on for second on an eyecatching debut.

The innovative R7,5 million Gold Rush will be run over 1600m on Cape Met day, 28 January 2023, and is based on the same principle as The Everest in Australia.

Chase Liebenberg

The 16 Prospectors for the Gold Rush 1 are: • David Abery • Central Route Trading • Chris van Niekerk and Bernard Kantor • Suzette and Basie Viljoen

Ridgemont Highlands Stud

Hollywood Bets

Pieter Graaff and Ken Truter

Maine Chance Farms

Bass Racing and Ian Longmore

Rikesh Sewgoolam

Drakenstein Stud

Laurence Wernars

Crawford Racing

Klawervlei Stud

Sandy Arundel

Playgate SA

EXTRA MEETING!

4Racing has announced that an extra race meeting will be added to the schedule.

The meeting will take place at the Vaal on the Classic Track on Tuesday 15 November 2022 in order to replace the abandoned meeting scheduled for Tuesday 8 November, which was part of the Work Riders’ series.

The meeting details are as follows:

Event 1: Maiden Plate over 1000m

Event 2: Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m

Event 3: Maiden Plate over 1200m

Event 4: Maiden Plate over 1450m

Event 5: Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m

Event 6: Maiden Plate over 1700m

Event 7: Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1700m

Event 8: Maiden Plate over 2400m

Philasande Mxoli rides a cracker to get the longshot Litigation home

TARRY'S LITIGATION OWNS THE MOON

While he had his trainer choking on his cappuccino during the week, and has been languishing amongst the rest of the low-key entries on the outer rungs of the 2022 Betway Summer Cup log for some time, the Sean Tarry-trained Litigation put his hand up for Highveld flagship honours in style with a big victory in the R250 000 Tab4racing Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes at

Turffontein on Sunday.

Former multiple national champion trainer Sean Tarry, celebrating his first Victory Moon Stakes success since 2013 when Raymond Danielson booted Tiger’s Retreat home, had five runners in the race and had a quiet side swipe at the latest Betway Summer Cup log issued last week.

But the man from Randjesfontein will be thoroughly pleased with the improved performance of the

2022 Listed Derby Trial winner Litigation, who gave former Eastern Cape rural racing amateur, apprentice Philasande Mxoli his first graded stakes success when staying on doggedly at 20-1 to beat Mike de Kock’s The United States 3yo East Coast (14-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 111,75 secs.

Defending champion Sparkling Water (28-10) hit the front early and was

clearly in need of it as she went up and down late to be beaten with honours, a further quarter length into third.

Corne Spies will have been pleased with the showing of William Robertson (101) who stayed on well for fourth.

Sean Tarry said that he was happy with Litigation’s cracking 1200m seasonal debut over 1200m, even though he had not shown much behind Bingwa

in the Charity Mile.

Litigation runs in the same Wernars silks as the fifth race winner Moonshiningthrough.

“If you can’t beat them, join them,” he laughed after leading in the surprise winner. A thrilled Philasande Mxoli said he had found ‘a lekker spot’ when nobody was committing, and the young man rode a cool race on the handily weighted 4yo.

Bred by Avontuur, Litigation is a son of Durban July winner Greys Inn (Zabeel) out of the thrice

winning Jet Master mare, Jeter.

Raced by Laurence and Jaryd Wernars, Harry Wilson and Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh, Litigation was sold privately during the covid-19 reshuffle of the 2020 National Yearling Sale in a transaction brokered by Justin Vermaak.

Litigation has now won 5 races with 5 places from 15 starts and stakes R601 250.

Owner Laurence Wernars and Sibongiseni Jack, who looks after Litigation

JC JC Photos

Jockey Ryan Munger and Vaal trainer Ashley Fortune crashed the party for Big Burn fans at the delayed Turffontein race meeting on Sunday when the Rafeef filly Bella Chica found a late turn of electrifying foot in the final strides to win the R150 000 Listed Gardenia Stakes.

Scoring her first victory in 413 days and her maiden stakes strike, Bella Chica

finished powerfully under Ryan Munger at any price to beat the accomplished topweight Big Burn (4-1) by 0,15 lengths in a time for the 1000m of 57,51 secs.

Corne Spies’ Flowerbomb (9-2) moved up dangerously but had to be content with third.

The favourite Iphika showed good toe down the outside, but did not go on with her effort to finish on the fringes of the money. Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Bella Chica is raced by Gerald Frank

and Hayley Palmer and was bred by Klawervlei Stud. A daughter of Ridgemont Highlands kingpin Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) she is out of the three-time winning Captain Al mare, War Path

She has now won 6 races with 6 places from 18 starts for stakes of R405 125.

WHY THE OFFICIAL RATINGS ARE SMOKE & MIRRORS

The NHA Handicapping Panel is cautioning all stakeholders, especially the Betting Public, to be extremely careful when using the Carded Merit Ratings in their assessments.

Due to the vast number of ‘conditions’ type races, together with a host of conditions attached to the Graded races (mainly on the Highveld), many of the ratings that are published do not reflect the Handicapper’s final assessment of those horses affected by

these conditions.

This issue is especially affecting the current 3yo crop as they are unexposed and open to improvement.

As per the previous press release, the best weighted column on form guides may not always be an accurate guide and extreme caution must be exercised. On that basis, the Handicappers shall not be responsible or participate in the selecting of final fields and eliminations in oversubscribed Pattern (Graded and Listed) races on the Highveld.

To rate a race, a line or key

horse/s are identified by the Handicappers. Every runner in a race produces a performance figure or RMR (Race Merit Rating) relative to the line horse that is selected.

The weights carried, WFA scale, margins between the runners and to the line horse are used to calculate the RMR number which the Handicappers use as a tool in making assessments.

Factors such as the horse’s overall profile, pace, weather and underfoot conditions as well as

Joe Public warned to not be fooled by the numbers

interference in running etc., are considered before a final rating by the Panel is applied and becomes official. In conditions races, where runners cannot be adjusted upwards, the latter exercise is consequently not done.

Accordingly, the Handicappers reserve the right in using a line horse’s previous RMR or performance figure and not always the Carded Merit Rating as a guide to rate a race as in many cases, as explained above, the Carded Merit Rating may be constrained by the arbitrary ratings restriction mentioned above.

The NHA receive numerous calls from astute

stakeholders as to what rating the team would apply if there were no restrictions. This practice could be deemed to be “insider trading” and the Handicappers will cease to divulge any information pertaining to requests of this nature and similar.

Note: The Tab4Racing Victory Moon Stakes (Grade 3) and Gardenia Stakes (Listed) are subject to the abovementioned ratings restrictions.

Handicapping Ratings Update

Tab4Racing Victory Moon Stakes (Grade 3)

LITIGATION has had his merit rating raised from 101 to 107 following his success in the Grade 3 Tab4Racing Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein standside course on

Sunday 6 November. The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed SPARKLING WATER made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 122. PLATINUM SKY also runs to his rating of 98, effectively making him a line horse as well.

In assessing the race this way, LITIGATION actually achieves a mark of 108, but the specific race conditions do not permit an increase of more than six pounds for the winner, which means that LITIGATION had to be capped at 107. The race conditions also do not permit any increase in the rating of a horse other than the winner and so runner-up EAST COAST remains on a

mark of 106, although in fact running to a considerably higher mark, this completely under-values what is clearly a very progressive and useful three-year-old and his current Carded Rating of 106 is not truly representative of his actual ability.

There were ratings drops for no fewer than eight horses. DIVINE ODYSSEY is down from 113 to 111, SECOND BASE drops from 117 to 115, MAJESTIC MOZART is down to 112 from 115, ARAGOSTA is down from 118 to 116, PERFECT WITNESS goes from 109 to 106 and PAMUSHANA’S PRIDE was cut from 113 to 103 after failing to confirm his 2021 Derby performance in his subsequent five runs. ZILLZAAL is down to 114 from 116, and lastly, ZEUS was dropped from 108 to 105.

· Gardenia Stakes (Listed)

BELLA CHICA has had her rating raised from 100 to 105 following her win in the Listed Gardenia Stakes for fillies and mares over the straight 1000m at Turffontein on Sunday. Here it was 4th placed ALULA’S STAR who was used as the line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 97.

Here again the specific race conditions do not permit any ratings increase for

any horse beyond the winner, and so 3rd placed FLOWERBOMB remains on 93 despite actually running to a mark of 102.

Six horses did, however, receive a rating’s drop. BIG BURN was cut from 120 to 118, KISSING POINT is down from 109 to 105, MAY QUEEN drops to 89 from 91, REMEMBER WHEN drops from 98 to 93, ROZARA drops from 87 to 86, and lastly SHOW TIME drops from 89 to 86.

· Cape Mile (Grade 3)

JET DARK remains unchanged on a mark of 130 after he made a winning seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Cape Mile over 1600m on the winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 5 November. It was the ultra-consistent 2nd placed SILVER OPERATOR who was considered to make for the best line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 119. In assessing the race this way, JET DARK only runs to a mark of 125, hence his unchanged rating.

Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for 5th placed SILVANO’S TIMER, who despite running to a performance figure or RMR of 114, only goes up from 104 to 109 to at least make him the equal of the 109 rated ROCKIN’ RINGO who he beat here at level weights.

The only ratings drop was for SENSO UNICO, who is down from 110 to 108.

· Laisserfaire Stakes (Handicap) (Listed)

KWINTA’S LIGHT has been raised from 102 to 105 after winning the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes (handicap) for fillies and mares over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. It was 3rd finisher SANTA MARIA who was considered to make for the best line horse here, which leaves her unaltered on a mark of 106.

Aside from the winner, the only other ratings increase was for 2nd placed STIPTELIK, who carried one pound or half-a-kilo overweight and beat the line horse by 0.5 lengths goes up from 90 to 92.

The solitary drop was for DANCETILDAYLIGHT, who is down from 100 to 98.

· Woolavington Stakes (Listed)

BARATHEON has seen his merit rating rise from 90 to 96 after he captured the Listed Woolavington Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up SALVATOR MUNDI made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 99. In assessing the race

this way, 3rd placed REX UNION also runs to his mark of 105, effectively making him a line horse as well.

Two horses were given a rating’s drop. BELGARION is down from 124 to 121, while CHEWBACA drops from 100 to 95.

· Model Man Mile (Listed)

SEE IT AGAIN has had his rating raised from 88 to 104 following his emphatic win in the Listed Model Man Mile for three-year-

olds over 1600m on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Here it was 2nd placed CANADIAN SUMMER who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 104 – bearing in mind that she carried 1,5 kgs more than the winner.

The winner aside, the only other rating’s increase was for 4th placed BOUNDLESS BASH, who is up from 91 to 94. This gelding actually ran to a mark of 96, but the Handicappers were reluctant to take this literally as he was the last of the main group of horses

to finish and in turn the remaining three contestants finished many lengths behind him. This type of situation can flatter a horse, so some caution was considered to be in order.

The only decrease was for FUTURE OF ENERGY, who drops from 80 to 77.

• Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 8 November 2022

BORTZ SET FOR GOLD CIRCLE BOARD

In what will be welcome news of potential steps towards further progress and unity in South African horseracing, dynamic Kenilworth Racing Chairman Greg Bortz is one of four nominees announced as candidates for two seats as a Director on the Gold Circle Racing Club board, ahead of their

Annual General Meeting on 6 December.

Bortz, along with forensic specialist Donovan Pillay, well-known Chartered Accountant and equine administrator Gary Grant, and financial services industry CEO Keegan Thambiran, are the quartet up for election via an independent electronic system which opened on Friday 4 November and closes

on Thursday 1 December at 12h00.

While all four nominees appear to be in a position to add value, it is the Durban-born Bortz, surely a front-runner for all the right reasons as SA horseracing’s newsmaker of the year, whose nomination catches the eye.

Greg Bortz - will be an asset on the Gold Circle board

A former investment banker turned entrepreneur, the charismatic Chartered Accountant has been hailed as something of a renaissance man, and has breathed new energy and life into Cape horseracing since the announcement in early July that his private equity company GMB Investments, and leading SA sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, had joined

forces in a R330 million rand deal which effectively saved Kenilworth Racing from financial collapse.

In a matter of months, a wave of positivity has engulfed the region, with new initiatives introduced for all stakeholders.

In October Bortz was appointed Chairman of Kenilworth Racing and just last week his GMB Liquidity Corporation made the front page of leading publication

Business Day when it was announced that they had acquired a 27, 8% stake in the empowerment investment counter, Grand Parade Investments, which holds mainly gaming assets.

RACHEL AND MUIS SEE IT AGAIN

Rachel Venniker and Michael Roberts - a top-class combination!

Candiese Lenferna

A three-parts brother to dual Durban July winner

Do It Again, See It Again followed up his maiden victory at the same venue a fortnight earlier when he pulverised the opposition to win the R100 000 Listed Model Man Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Described in glowing terms as a ‘special horse’ and ‘my favourite’ by the high-riding combination of Summerveld trainer Michael Roberts and SA Champion apprentice

Rachel Venniker, See It Again (4-1) came from last under a patient ride to beat fairer sex Gr1 winner Canadian Summer (5-2) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 95,91 secs.

A further half-length back in third was last season’s Epolo Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes fourth-placer Cousin Casey (3-1).

The Jonsson Workwear-sponsored Rachel Venniker told the Sporting Post that See It Again is really one of the smartest horses she has had the pleasure of riding.

A handsome chestnut who has

been brought along slowly and clearly has plenty of scope, the Drakenstein Stud-bred See It Again is a R120 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale and has now won 2 of his 4 starts with 2 places for stakes of R137 500. He is a son of Twice Over (Observatory) out of the twice winning Visionaire mare, Supreme Vision.

He is another impressive 3yo to have put his hand up this weekend for the R7,5 million Cape Racing Gold Rush on WSB Cape Met day.

LUNGA IS LICENCED

It has been a long journey but Lunga Gila has finally received the green light to commence his training career.

“I have my licence and will start with 25 horses based at Randjesfontein. The tracks and the stables are very nice here,” an excited Gila, eager to get on with the job, told Henk Steenkamp.

The 39-year-old from Transkei has been working with racehorses since his teenage days. It was always

a dream of his to become a trainer and today he is a respected horseman with a wealth of knowledge.

Gila had a long stint as the right hand man of former trainer Mitch Wiese (now an Australian resident) at the Fairview stables. He then worked for the Glen Kotzen-stable, running the satellite yard in Gqeberha. When Kotzen closed the yard in 2015, Gila joined him in Cape Town and later ran the Kotzen satellite yard in Durban.

Since last year he was in charge

of the satellite yard of KwaZulu-Natal trainer Kom Naidoo at Fairview. It wasn’t easy for Lunga to leave his beloved Eastern Cape and make the move to Gauteng. And he is not worried about adjusting to Gauteng life because it is all about the horses and his job for him.

“It was an opportunity I had to grab with both hands. I am just concentrating on my work now.

“All I want to know is the

Lunga Gila - newest trainer in SA ranks

way from my house to work and to the races. I am not here for anything else.I like to put my head down and do the work. I am a hard worker.

“Those trainers, Glen Kotzen and Mitch Wiese, believe I will succeed because they trust me, they know me.Naidoo was very happy with me. They believe in me and I will not let them down.”

Wiese, speaking from Brisbane, was delighted to hear that Gila got his licence.

“I am so proud of him. He deserves every accolade he gets and deserves to be a trainer. I thought it would have happened years ago. “I know he will succeed and hope he gets the support he needs.He is a true horseman and has the personality to communicate with clients, that’s the balance.

Wiese recalled that Lunga grew up in his stable. He was a young kid when he walked in, starting as a groom.

“He showed potential to be my assistant-trainer and I promoted him. He picked up everything, absorbed everything and was never late for work.Lunga showed signs of a real horseman but also showed he was a good communicator when it came to people. Everybody enjoyed his personality which made me realize this is the material to be a good racehorse trainer.You need to train but you also need to mix with clients,” Wiese explained.

Over the years Gila built up a good reputation with horses in his care, always looking the part and running competitive races.

Known in the industry as a hard worker, Gila will expect the same from anyone working with him.

He also works closely with the jockeys who are involved with his horses.

“I Like it when a jockey does what I tell him to do.

It also helps a lot when a jockey gives you feedback after a race. Then you know which things you have to work on to get the best out of the horse. Jockeys make mistakes sometimes, but when they take responsibility for that everyone can work as a team to get things right the next time the horse runs,” Gila explained.

And he is not afraid to get on a horse himself when he feels it is necessary.

For anything thinking of getting involved with Gila’s stable the message is clearyou will be getting a run for your money and this man won’t let you down.

TRISTAN SETS SIGHTS ON BIGGER THINGS

Tristan Godden rode a double on Sunday for his thrilled ‘favourite’ owner, Laura De Haast

Candiese Lenferna

While the life of a professional jockey has its pros and cons, Sporting Post’s newest flagbearer, and one of KZN’s most in-form jockeys, Tristan Godden says he wouldn’t change his career for anything.

The son of the Zululand harbour town of Richards Bay has been in a rich vein of form since donning the Sporting Post flag alongside Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Calvin Ngcobo, just a matter of weeks ago.

His current win strike-rate of 15% is a sign of things to come and his terrific

Hollywoodbets Greyville Sunday double for his ‘favourite’ owner Laura De Haast, and trainers Peter Muscutt and Carl Hewitson, kept the momentum going.

“I suppose it’s dangerous to label favourite owners as I have been blessed with so much support from such a wide diversity of racing people,” laughs Tristan as he tells us of his target of a minimum of 50 winners this term.

He is very excited about his second position behind Keagan de Melo on the jockeys log for the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge 2022. The Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge sees a total of R1 million on offer to owners, jockeys,

trainers and apprentices, with the competition coming to a close on 30 December.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and all the jockeys are watching the boards. It creates some interesting competition and fun for ribbing each other. I’m chasing Keagan (de Melo), who is riding so well.”

“I was out for 3 months with a fractured clavicle sustained at Summerveld in February when a horse I was working sadly suffered a heart attack. That really set me back but I am feeling great and am getting some

solid support, particularly from the likes of top trainers like Peter Muscutt, this season. I am enjoying life and that’s important to be in a positive frame of mind to ride winners,” adds the avid fisherman, who lives on his own in Hillcrest.

The thought of an office job doesn’t appeal to the 26 year old, who has certainly made giant strides and matured into a rider of great strength since his first ride on the Yogas Govendertrained Moon Frost for Plattner Racing at Clairwood Park on 15 September 2013.

He recalls that Mathew

“The race itself is a blur – it all went so fast – I just remember coming up for oxygen in the last 400m. I couldn’t breathe. It was a very different experience.”

He also remembers his emotionally charged first win at Clairwood on 11 May 2014. It was on a horse called Secret Traveller for Kumaran Naidoo. Tristan tells how he was almost in tears in the post-race interview and it’s a moment that he will never forget.

Tristan explains that eight years on, his professional life allows him to stay fit and enjoy some of his hobbies.

“Don’t be fooled. It’s hard work and it’s dangerous work. We are up and about when most folk are still sleeping. And that ambulance is always on our tails. But the rewards are terrific for those that put in the hard yards, and I still get time to go and drop a line in the water or play a video game to relax. I’m fortunate that my weight is consistent at around 54 kgs. So I can also enjoy the experience of visiting and enjoying restaurants!”he laughs.

Tristan lives on his own and has no plans for marriage or kids yet. Establishing his career is his main focus.

Thackeray and Shadlee Fortune also had their first rides that day.

Tristan salutes as Raspberry Beret charges to victory

Candiese Lenferna

“Racing has treated me well and now I am backed by the Sporting Post – so that’s exciting. But I have items on my professional bucketlist. For example, I am determined to ride my first stakes winner this season.”

We asked him if staying loyal to KZN racing is not limiting him? In the offseason it’s pretty quiet and during the SA Champions Season all the hotshots and big-hitters are in town.

“This is my hometown, but I would love to travel if the opportunity arose. I have never ridden in the Western or Eastern Cape, and those are two more bucket-list items!”

So Peter Muscutt’s raid on the Cape summer season could yet create a great chance for Tristan to break the ice in the Mother City?

“We haven’t discussed anything yet. But I would be on the first plane if I get the call-up!” says Tristan enthusiastically.

Beyond chasing as many winners as he can before the clocks turn on 1 January 2023, Tristan says he won’t be taking any breaks, beyond driving the two hours up the North Coast to his family in Richards Bay for Christmas. His Mom is a schoolteacher and Dad owns an engineering business.

“It’s always great having the family around the table for Christmas. As difficult as it is with Mom’s cooking, I won’t be overindulging

and will drive back early the next morning for the Boxing Day racemeeting.”

In closing, Tristan asked that we mention his ‘Durban parents’, Summerveld owner-breeders, Marius and Gill Mostert.

“There are so many wonderful people in racing, but I have to mention Marius and Gill. They are so kind and hospitable to me. It’s my home-fromhome and I enjoy popping in at their place. Absolutely wonderful people!”

ASCOT QUALITY AT NOVEMBER SALE

Ascot Stud is synonymous with breeding top-class racehorses, with the farm having consistently produced high-class thoroughbreds over the past few decades. The team will be bringing a top-class draft to the 2022 November Two Year Old Sale.

Ascot has also had

tremendous success in breeding top-class two-year-olds, with champions Arabian Lass, Rock Opera and Warning Zone just a few of the East Cape outfit’s numerous juvenile success stories.

Other notable two-year-olds bred and raised by Ascot include former SA Nursery winners Arabian Beat and Hit Song, high-class stakes winners Foreign Source and Global Drummer, and also offered Equus

Ascot Stud will be offering buyers the chance to acquire their own Arabian Lass or Hit Song

Year Old Sale.

Champion 2YO Cousin Casey, on behalf of Riyo Stud, for sale at the 2021 National Yearling Sale.

when they bring a top-class draft to the 2022 November Two

Look out for Heavenly Blue’s (Snitzel ex Simply Carina) lot 183

The farm will be bringing two-year-olds by resident stallions Global View and Heavenly Blue, as well as a smashing filly from the first crop of Fire Away, to the upcoming November Two Year Old Sale.

Highlights in this five strong draft include Im A Blondie (Lot 152), a Fire Away filly out of Brazilian G3 winner

Energia Elegante, Olive View (Lot 166), a Global View filly whose dam is a full-sister to the dam of former Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding, and Dark Silver (Lot 183).

The latter, a colt from the first crop of Ascot’s Gr1 winning stallion Heavenly Blue, is out of a stakes placed mare from the same family as champions Dog Wood and Enchanted Garden to

name but two.

Ascot’s string for this year’s November Sale can be viewed in Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston. The sale starts at 11h00 on Sunday 27 November.

VICTORIA ROAD IS FLYING THE FLAG

Last weekend's Gr1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf victory by Victoria Road underlined yet again the mushrooming legacy of his excellent grandam, the King's Stand Stakes victress Cassandra Go.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Coolmore's Saxon Warrior is the second Gr1 winner in quick succession descended from this blue hen, his victory following hot on the heels of stable companion Auguste Rodin, who recently closed out a

scintillating juvenile season with a facile victory in the Gr.1 Futurity at Doncaster.

The first Gr1 winner for his young sire, Victoria Road is out of Cassandra Go's daughter Tickled Pink, a dual Gr3 winner of the Abernant Stakes and Coral Charge Sprint.

Auguste Rodin is the first foal of the Galileo mare Rhododendron, a triple Gr1 winner out of Cassandra Go's remarkable daughter Halfway To Heaven, and a full sister to the seven-time Gr1 winner Magical and the former Bush Hill stallion

Flying The Flag.

The recent spate of success enjoyed by this female line must be music to the ears of Riethuiskraal owner Advocate Altus Joubert, for he now stands Flying The Flag.

We caught up with Altus, who remarked: "Flying The Flag arrived at Riethuiskraal about a month ago and has settled in well."

To be honest, Flying The Flag has not exactly set

the world on fire while standing in KZN, hence Altus elaborated on how he ended up taking the stallion: "His female line has been spectacular and it was Paul Peter who suggested I stand the horse, as he had a couple of promising youngsters. I have used him, but only sparingly."

Interesting to note that Riethuiskraal was also

home to the well-performed Gr2 winner Imperial Stride, the sire of champion sprinter Will Pays. From a pedigree perspective, Flying The Flag should nick well with daughters of Imperial Stride, who was by Indian Ridge, as is Cassandra Go.

In addition, Imperial Stride's dam Place de l'Opera, is by Sadler's Wells, the sire of Galileo, who just happens to be the broodmare sire of Saxon Warrior. Potent stuff.

Who knows, a change of scenery and access to a different type of mare may just swing the pendulum in the favour of this eyecatching chestnut.

WELCOME BACK TO CHELTENHAM

The National Hunt season is now in full swing with the three-day November Meeting at the home of jump racing, Cheltenham this weekend. This is the first of three race meetings held at Prestbury Park over the winter. Owners and trainers will prepare their charges over this unique racecourse with the Festival in mid-March very much the target.

Racing action starts on Friday and the day’s feature is the Gr2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. There are 11 declarations and the Paul Nicholls trained Hermes Allen looks the best of the

English runners. A winner of his last two of three starts, this Sir Alex Ferguson part owned juvenile now tackles raiders from Ireland in the form of the Willie Mullins trained Hubrisko and Music Drive a fellow five-year-old from the Gordon Elliott yard. The three mentioned look the main protagonists with Weveallbeencaught from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable, unbeaten in two starts, an interesting recruit over hurdles.

Irish raider French Dynamite heads the market for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase. This contest has the largest purse at the Meeting with winning connections in line to collect £90,032. Trainer Mouse Morris’s seven-year-old has a realistic

chance of success being a Grade 3 winner last season during his novice chase campaign. He returned with a three-length win over hurdles at Thurles last month and looks to have been targeted for this race.

An open contest, with Midnight River for Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls’s Il Ridoto and the evergreen 11-year-old Coole Cody, all very much in the mix.

Two Grade 2 events are also run on Saturday, a juvenile contest and the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase over 2 miles.

Jumps action over 3 days from Friday

In the latter, champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddles the progressive 5-yearold Monmiral. Recently part-purchased by Sir Alex Ferguson, he finished runner-up to champion mare Epatante in the Gr1 Betway Aintree Hurdle on his last start in April. He takes Tommy’s Oscar, the highest rated horse in the field, Pentland Hills from the in-form Nicky Henderson stables and Banbridge who raids from

Ireland for Joseph O’Brien.

Sunday’s highlight is the Grade 2 Shloer Chase run over 2 miles. Seven high class chasers have been declared, but all eyes will be on the return of Alan King’s smart Arkle winner Edwardstone. This course and distance winner won two Grade 1’s and a couple of Grade 2’s last season before an over the top 2nd in the Gr1 Aintree Chase in April.

His main rival looks to be defending champ Nube Negra,

trained by Dan Skelton. He was last seen finishing third behind Greaneteen in the Gr1 bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown last April and is known to go well fresh.

We are deeply saddened to have heard of the passing of Anne Nicholas of Hallmark Stud.

Anne had been a colour holder for more than 40

years and her passion for breeding thoroughbreds and her knowledge in the field knew no bounds.

A Memorial service for Anne Nicholas was held this morning at 10h00 at the Christ Church

VALE ANNE NICHOLAS ASCOT VET PASSES AWAY

Svend Kold, who retired in June after more than 30 years as part of the veterinary team at Ascot, has died at home at the age of 69.

Kold arrived in Newmarket shortly after qualifying in Denmark and spent several years at the Animal Health

Trust before moving to an equine practice in the Cotswolds. He spent 35 years at Ascot, 30 of them as senior veterinary surgeon, and also worked at other tracks.

He was forced to retire from general practice in June for medical reasons but continued with the legal consultancy side of his business.

Umhlanga, 57 Hambridge Drive, Somerset Park

His funeral takes place at 14h00 on November 22 at the Holy Trinity Church in Long Newnton, Gloucestershire, followed by a gathering at the Beaufort Polo Club.

It is the sort of game which might go under the radar when you consult the fixtures but given the history of these clubs and couple it with their (possibly juxtaposed) recent performances and league position – well we might have a serious game on our hands.

Newcastle vs Chelsea | Saturday 12 November | St. James’ Park | 19h30

Ryan Liberty writes that Newcastle has every right to feel confident and out for blood. Chelsea might need to work hard to convince us to take them seriously, but either way I think we have a game which for various reasons will indicate a fair bit about how this season might play out.

• To Win (90 mins)

• Newcastle 13/10

• Draw 24/10

• Chelsea 21/10 Newcastle

How could anyone possibly hate Newcastle United at the moment? I mean yes, their fans are a bit of a handful at times – but from an international perspective, their story is intriguing.

Eddie Howe has come in and almost immediately instilled a sense of belief, a style of play, an improvement of players

ability and a complete buy-in from both the club and its fan base. Personally, I love a team who can defend like their lives depend on it and then subsequently go forward with devastating ability, poise, and creativity. This is quite literally what Newcastle have managed to do in the last few games.

A lot has been made about the players Howe has brought into the club, but what about the improvement in players are closer to stalwarts as opposed to freshman? Think about the new lease on life seen with Callum Wilson? Allan Saint-Maximin before his unfortunate injury and Miguel Almiron? I mean, I know this wouldn’t be the first time you see this point raised (or the last) but how is Jack Grealish not being force-fed humble pie and tasteless tea? Almiron probably has a greater pitch to play for City this year than his British counterpart does!

When Leicester won the Premier League, I said this, you cannot achieve success or display an ability in the most difficult league in the world by luck or chance for more than ten weeks. Once everything settles down, the cream rises, and the usual status quo is often reinstated. We are at week 16 of the domestic league season and Newcastle are priced up as favourites against Chelsea, and find themselves sitting squarely in line for European places…

Chelsea

I think the jury is still out on Graham Potter…he has shown an

adaptability and ease of adjustment when it comes to how he sets his team up. You must respect that; he hasn’t been shied away from trying new things and see Chelsea approach a game in a completely new way.

I must be honest; I was a little disappointed with his reflections after their embarrassing loss to Arsenal. By the way, I only say embarrassing because of their performance. At no point in the game did Chelsea try and win it, they offered nothing going forward and couldn’t get a foothold in midfield. To put all of that down to the fact that they are some way behind Arsenal isn’t good enough for me.

They now need to make the trip to the North-East of England to face a Newcastle side brimming with confidence, at a St. James’ Park which will be absolutely buzzing. I know that Graham Potter and his side haven’t had the best luck with injuries and consistency –but if they aren’t up for this they might get drilled.

Thiago Silva has been immense at the back, almost to the point where he has held Chelsea’s defensive line in place. I don’t see where or how Jorginho keeps his place in the side, but in Sterling do we find the cardinal sin. The

Englishman has been asked to play so deep at times, so much so that I feel his attacking prowess is nullified by his own team. I think back to how lethal he was at City, the positions he found himself in around the goal and the presence he has in the face of defenders… none of this has been seen at the Bridge!

Predicted Line-ups:

Newcastle: Pope; Burn, Botman, Schar, Trippier; Willock, Guimaraes,

Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Almiron.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Kovacic, Mount, Pulisic; Sterling, Havertz, Aubameyang.

Prediction: Newcastle Win/Draw and Over 2.5 (7/4)

I think there will be goals here for sure. Newcastle are the home side and the ones playing with confidence and belief – they will certainly have a crack at Chelsea. I suspect Graham Potter knows that Chelsea FC cannot surely

go to Newcastle and be conservative and too passive – they will need to have a go!

I really hope it plays out like that and we have an open end-to-end game. It will certainly offer up goals because of the spaces which will inevitably be left behind, but I also think it favours Newcastle. There isn’t any reason to go against them, and I don’t need too many reasons to convince me why I shouldn’t be in the camp of Chelsea!