SP Sprint - 14 DECEMBER 2022

WHO WILL STAR IN THE HOLLYWOOD CLASSIC?

Cover Image

Charles Dickens – red hot favourite to stay unbeaten

The arch rivals in Saturday's Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, courtesy of Chase Liebenberg

A quality field of 15 has accepted for Saturday’s R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas to be run over the lush summer course mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Headed by unbeaten local star Charles Dickens, the vintage renewal includes hometown Gr1 winner Cousin Casey, as well as the visiting trio of Dingaans winner Union Square, his stablemate Shoemaker and Grant Maroun’s Graham Beck Stakes winner Anfields Rocket.

There are varying opinions in the build-up banter.

Is it really a match race? On

paper, Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey look set for a head-to-head battle and will start from wide gates 11 and 14, respectively in the 1600m Grade 1 showpiece, run on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course with its kind 600m straight.

Despite the gate inconvenience, Charles Dickens is 5/10 to stay unbeaten, whilst his seriously classy market rival is respected at 7/2.

Host operator, Cape Racing suggest that rating racehorses is part art, part science, and it’s rare for figure-makers to be in complete agreement.

A son of Trippi, Charles Dickens has an official rating of 121 ahead of Vercingetorix star Cousin Casey

(115) and the two Highveld raiders, Union Square (116) and Shoemaker (114).

Karel Miedema’s Raceform takes a more conservative view on the ratings, using a slightly different scale, but effectively also rank Charles Dickens on top of the current classic generation with a RFR of 110 vs 107 for Cousin Casey, and ahead of the visiting brigade, including Anfields Rocket (RFR 103, draw 13/15).

Respected classical weight handicapper Charles Faull reckons that Charles Dickens ‘could be the next Sea Cottage, Horse Chestnut or Politician in SAF’s racing value hierarchy’. A big

Cousin Casey – a serious challenger!

Chase Liebenberg

statement – but the man has more knowledge and experience than most!

Faull has chosen to reserve judgement until season end, but his preliminary ratings based on Charles Dickens’ concession of weight at a remarkable last start drubbing of older past Cape Guineas victor Russian Rock sends him into the figure makers’ stratosphere – 131 + versus Cousin Casey on 128.

He also sees this year’s field as ‘particularly strong’ with the potential to yield five plus individual

Grade 1 winners over time.

One of those, At My Command (MR 109) fared well at the barrier draw and will have the inside gate. He has twice run with distinction against the track bias and may upset if getting the run of the race.

The most recent ‘away’ winner was Soqrat in 2018.

His jockey (Randall Simons) and trainer (Mike de Kock) combine again on Saturday with recent Dingaans winner Union Square. De Kock has a great record in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, having won it in 2018 with Soqrat, 2015 (Noah From Goa), 2003 (Domino Man), 2002 (Flight

So to overlook his runners is clearly folly. But Union Square (draw 4) and Shoemaker (draw 7) must up their game - not inconceivable given the surges of improvement properly conditioned threeyear-old thoroughbreds can make.

Jockeys who have won the Cape Guineas and are riding in the ‘classic of kings’ on Saturday include Corne Orffer, Randall Simons, Bernard Fayd’herbe and Piere Strydom.

Alert)

and 1999 (Horse Chestnut).

Flashback to 2021 – Double Superlative (Anton Marcus) is led in by the Snaiths and owner Nic Jonsson

Chase Liebenberg

Trainers who have won the prestigious race previously are Justin Snaith, Brett Crawford, Mike de Kock and Vaughan Marshall.

Charles Dickens is currently trading at 5-10 with the big race sponsors.

Find something to beat and you are set for 2023. But don’t bond the house to do it.

Worth A Wager

The Pick 6 commences in the fourth race at 13h20. A R1 million carryover means

The Pick 6 commences in the fourth race at 13h20. A R1 million carryover means a likely pool of R6 million. a likely pool of R6 million. The quartet carryover of R250 000 on the eighth race, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas,

The quartet carryover of R250 000 on the eighth race, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, should mean a tidy R1 million to chase. Imagine finding the top 4, without Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey! Dream on.

A PROUD HISTORY

Now known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, the ‘classic of kings’ has been a source of champions on the colourful tapestry of South African horseracing for most of our lifetimes.

The race changed its name to the Western Province Guineas in 1945 and in 1955 became the Cape of Good Hope Guineas, when run for a stake of £4200. The 2022 renewal boasts an all-time

record stake R2 million under the auspices of a proud and dynamic new sponsor.

The first Guineas winner Marion Island was bred by George Kramer at his Broadlands Stud and was raced by Mr & Mrs R Engestrom and Mr J Carney, who was also his trainer. The horse changed stables to Syd Garrett sometime after his Guineas win and went on to win the first of the £10 000 Mets in 1957. Those were certainly the days and a host of sponsors have branded the event

over the ensuing years.

In 1963 Cape Mellow-wood came on board as sponsors until 1970. The race was sponsorless from 1971 to 1974. In line with the Cape Town Festival of 1975 the race was branded the Argus Festival Guineas and won by the brilliant son of Kirch Flambee, Gatecrasher.

The classic became the Richelieu Guineas in 1978 and in the next two decades

Little Ballerina beats the boys to win the 1993 Cape Guineas

had various sponsors from Topsport Bloodline, to Bloodstock South Africa, Cape Premier Yearling Sale and Grand Parade Investments.

The honour roll of winners boasts many of our most famous horses. Three of them, in Colorado King, Hawaii and Shah Abbas subsequently went to the United States, to continue their distinguished careers in the face of the world

opposition. The first Guineas winner Marion Island went on to win the Met two years later.

The modern era of winners includes the galloping goldmine, Empress Club, and stallions Horse Chestnut, the late Captain Al as well as the champion Jet Master.

The Guineas was the pinnacle event on the Milnerton Turf Club programme. The track where the ‘surf meets the turf’ boasted one of the best racing surfaces in Africa and this was borne out by the

statistics which saw it host 52 meetings in 1978 . The Guineas was traditionally run on the first Saturday in February.

How life has changed –bring on Saturday!

Captain Al wins the 2000 Cape Guineas

SIMONS & DE KOCK - A CLASSIC UNION

Randall Simons – out to make it his best season yet

At the age of 36, and now under the Sporting Post flag as our newest sponsored jockey, Randall Simons jets into Cape Town on Friday evening, ahead of his ride on Union Square in Saturday’s R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Time flies and it’s been four years since Randall and his colleague Smanga Khumalo rewrote the ‘hapless travellers’ guide to flight complications’, en route to his first winning ride – a Gr1 into the bargain - in the Mother City.

It was December 2018, an age of relative innocence in

a time when none of us had even heard the ugly term, coronavirus.

“Don’t remind me! Luggage regulations and an airline overbooking had myself and Bling round-tripping from Johannesburg via the Kruger National Park. It felt like mission impossible at one stage. I saw parts of South Africa I hadn’t seen previously – but we made it and I won the Cape Guineas on that really smart colt, Soqrat, on a beautiful summer’s day,” reflects the quietly spoken Randall as he looks forward to a smoother passage via Flysafair on Friday evening!

After a frustrating few years – he only returned this term after 18 months on the sidelines courtesy of two shoulder operations – the father of two boys is keen to pick

up the Gr1 golden thread on Saturday.

“When I returned from injury I weighed 62kgs. I now ride at 54kgs. I am feeling good and determined to make the most of the opportunities,” he adds as he recalls that his maiden Gr1 victory was on the lightning fast Let’s Rock ‘N Roll in the 2006 Golden Horse Casino Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville for Paul Matchett.

Randall’s next elite win came over 4 years later. It was for Mike de Kock on Flirtation in the 2010 Gr1 Summer Cup. That time frame and stable suggest the stars are aligned for Saturday!

He has been a soldier for De Kock as Soqrat provided his next two big strikes – in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Super Saturday 2018, and then five months later on the same Aussie import in the Cape Guineas after that flight to nearly everywhere!

At final declarations for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Monday, Randall landed up with a 4 from 15 barrier draw on the impressive recent Jonsson Workwear Gr2 Dingaans winner, Union Square.

He says his mount is safely settled in the Cape with the Mike de Kock string.

“This will be his first run on a left-handed track. He has already galloped at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and it went well. It would be a dream for me to win this great race again. Union Square is fit and ready, but I am obviously mindful of the fact that he is a class horse looking for

slightly further, and likely to be more effective in the SA Classic and Derby.”

When questioned on who he feels he has to beat, a diplomatic Randall said he always had all the respect for his opposition.

“No doubt, Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey are topclass and very exciting prospects. And there is my stablemate Shoemaker to consider, too. It takes a top 3yo to win this race. I am so looking forward to Saturday!”

Randall’s wife Vash and sons Mason (8) and Zachary (6) will be cheering their favourite jockey from their home in Glenvista.

In one of the toughest professions on the planet, he has leaned heavily on family support years before and ever since 14 January 2003 when the tentative apprentice Simons took his first ride to the start.

Randall’s first winner came on Gun Salute for Tony Nassif at Turffontein on 20 March 2004.

Over the years he has enjoyed a special affinity with the Mike de Kock team, with 75% of his career Gr1 winners hailing from the powerful yard.

“I have always enjoyed riding for Mr De Kock. In fact the best horse I have ever ridden was one of his. I rode the brilliant Igugu to three wins in her first four starts, including a Gr3 success. I am privileged to enjoy Mr de Kock’s

support. He has the horses and the owners – and is the best trainer in the country. It is a privilege for me to be associated with a top team,” he added.

On the subject of top teams, how does he feel about his Sporting Post sponsorship?

“Really honoured and thrilled, thank you! I have three nice rides on the top day, and what a start it to would be for our association to bring home a winner!”

The R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas is run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and is carded to jump at 15h40.

KHAYA’S KANNEMEYER FLYER

A longstanding supporter of South African horseracing, Khaya Stables’ Lady Christine Laidlaw enjoyed a ‘wonderful day’, in her own words, at a humid Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

The international owner led in two winners, including her lightly-raced home-bred Gimme A Prince, who won the R450 000 Gr2 Cape Merchants in emphatic fashion.

Coming in off a fast-

finishing second behind Resonate in the Listed Southeaster Sprint in October, the clearly very smart and versatile Dean Kannemeyer charge Gimme A Prince started favourite and stamped himself a smart prospect when skipping clear late to register a top-class victory in a race where Winning Formsponsored Keagan de Melo rode him with supreme confidence.

There are few standouts in the speed ranks at the moment, and while the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship is run at weight-forage over 200m shorter, that and the Diadem Stakes (sponsored by Khaya Stables), stand out as likely

targets for a horse who has already won over 1400m on the KZN all-weather track.

Coming into the final 200m on Sunday, Gimme A Prince (7-2) had them under pressure and he went on well to beat the smart 3yo We’re Jamming (11-2) by 2 lengths in a time of 71,1 secs.

Bereave (25-2) flew up late for third a head back, with Piet Steyn’s Cape Met entry Gem Queen (50-1) running a cracker as he boosted the quartet by

Gimme A Prince storms clear under Keagan de Melo

running into fourth. Jockey Keagan de Melo, who was riding his 112th winner of his peak season to date, said that Gimme A Prince gave him 'goosebumps'.

The Khaya Stables bredwinner is a 4yo gelded son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the

smashing Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Real Princess.

Like Gimme A Prince, the Klawervlei daughter of Trippi was raced by Khaya Stables for Dean Kannemeyer.

Real Princess was the most expensive filly sold at the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale (Book 1) when knocked down to Form Bloodstock for R2,7 million.

Gimme A Prince is her first foal, with the unraced The Real Prince currently in training with the powerful yard.

This was Gimme A Prince’s maiden stakes success and his first victory on Cape soil. He took his tally to 4 wins and a place from 6 starts for stakes of R475 700.

Chase Liebenberg

Lady Christine Laidlaw congratulates Keagan de Melo

A passionate and wellinvested owner, race sponsor and a benefactor of the sport via the Star Grooms initiative, Lady Laidlaw has enjoyed her racing in South Africa since 2008 when purchasing the subsequent dual Guineas winner and sire, Noordhoek Flyer.

She has since celebrated Gr1 success, including a Durban July victory with Power King in 2015.

On Sunday Lady Laidlaw

was accompanied by her niece and dedicated the win to her sister Patricia, who is ill.

She thanked the Dean Kannemeyer team and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe after her ‘star of the day’, SA national log-leading rider Keagan de Melo, rode a confident race.

Dean Kannemeyer acknowledged Varsfontein Manager Carl de Vos who had told him early on that Gimme A Prince, then a foal, was ‘something special’.

Jehan Malherbe said that while Khaya Stables was the official breeder, Varsfontein deserved the accolades as they ‘caught the foals’ and did all the work.

Earlier in the afternoon, Brett Crawford saddled the handsome grey Silvano's Dasher to victory for Khaya Stables.

FLOWERS & ANOTHER KHAYA

Gimme A Prince at 5 months old, poses with star Mum Real Princess, while Lady Christine

‘It all began when the Drum Beat mare Bluebell Girl visited the magnificent chestnut Royal Prerogative at Broadlands Stud, a logical choice, since he had sired her Gr1-placed half-sister Regal Blue – who, by the way, would become the dam of J&B Met winner Imperious Sue’

Christine Laidlaw, her sister Patricia, Jehan Malherbe and Dean Kannemeyer enjoy the moment

The modern-day South African stud book is nowadays liberally sprinkled with international female lines, yet there are certain local families which continue to exert their influence on the racing industry.

Cape Merchants winner Gimme A Prince lives up to that billing, for he is out of a mare from a dyed-in-thewool South African dam line.

And what a dam line this has proven to be over the

years. It all began when the Drum Beat mare Bluebell Girl visited the magnificent chestnut Royal Prerogative at Broadlands Stud, a logical choice, since he had sired her Gr1-placed half-sister Regal Blue – who, by the way, would become the dam of J&B Met winner Imperious Sue.

The filly which resulted from the mating was named Wild Hyacinth. She displayed early talent when runner-up behind Broadlands-bred champion and paternal half-sister Tempest Queen in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship before winning the Majorca Stakes at three and running

third in the Paddock Stakes.

Given her track record, Wild Hyacinth warranted only the best consorts in her second career as a broodmare, and records show that she visited top sires like Harry Hotspur, Foveros, Dancing Champ and Northern Guest.

To champion Foveros she threw Wild Cocktail, a Gr2placed stakes winner of nine races; the stakes-placed Fov's Flower; as well as unraced Garden Verse, who became the dam of

Look at him today! Khaya Stables’ Gimme A Prince and Keagan de Melo

Chase Liebenberg

the high-class globetrotter Imbongi, and the Graded stakes winners Spring Garland and Mahubo.

Gimme A Prince descends from Bluebell Girl's second foal Dancing Flower, a highquality filly by powerhouse stallion Dancing Champ. Bred by Des Scott and Luke Bailes, she won three races and was purchased at the old Maritzburg Sale by the late Ken McKenzie, who sent her to his Litchfield Stud.

As a broodmare, the chestnut added to her illustrious roots in no uncertain manner and became dam of five stakes performers, amongst

which two champions. Kelly won the (then) Gr1 Gold Bowl and was voted Champion stayer, Flame claimed the Woolavington Handicap, while Arabian Pearl ran second in the Gr1 Woolavington 2200 and Off The Peg was runnerup in the Gr3 Summerveld Stakes.

Dancing Flower's crowning achievement was her champion son Victory Moon.

Successful in his only start as a juvenile, the Al Mufti colt was exported to Dubai where he was subsequently named Horse of the Year, his tally of stakes wins including both the Derby and Guineas. He returned to South Africa for stallion duties but died after standing just four seasons at Maine Chance Farms. In hindsight, his premature loss was a tragic

one, considering he sired the dual champion Princess Victoria, Gr1 winner War Horse and also features as the broodmare sire of Gr1 winner Astrix.

Needless to say, Dancing Flower's offspring had become hot commodities by the time her Fort Wood daughter Pagan Princess was offered at the 2008 Vintage Yearling sale. She was always likely to make big money and so it proved, with Joey Ramsden signing the ticket at a sales topping R1,7 million. Pagan Princess failed to live up to that price tag, managing just one win at three, however, she went on to redeem herself as a broodmare, both in the

Real Princess and a young Gimme A Prince

sales ring and on the track.

Pagan Princess came up trumps with her first foal, a smashing Trippi filly named Real Princess. Just like her dam, she commanded seven figures when sold at auction. In fact, her R2,7million price tag made her the top-priced filly at the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, with Form Bloodstock signing the docket on behalf of Lady Laidlaw's Khaya Stables.

That Pagan Princess passed on her good looks to her foals was quite evident, for Vaughan Marshall purchased her Captain Al colt, the future Gr1 Cape Guineas winner and up-andcoming young sire William Longsword for R2 200 000, while her Silvano colt Silver God, fetched R2-million and won the Wolf Power 1600.

Pagan Princess's last known foal, the Captain Al filly

Really Royal, eclipsed all that by topping the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling sale at a cool R4-million. A big, strapping amazon, she went on to claim the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes.

As for Real Princess, she also lived up to her fine pedigree on the track, carrying Lady Laidlaw's familiar yellow and black silks to victory in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr3 Poinsettia, while chasing home Red Ray and Night Trip in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

Lady Laidlaw boards Real Princess at Varsfontein Stud and as spokeswoman Carolyn Erasmus recalls: "We all ooh'd and aah'd over her when she arrived at the farm. She looks like a topclass mare should, there is just something about her."

Remarkably, Real Princess has visited only one stallion since swopping the racetrack for the paddocks, the farm's linchpin Gimmethegreenlight. Gimme The Prince is her first foal and

as Varsfontein's Carolyn Erasmus recalled: "He was an absolutely stunning first foal, so handsome."

Now a stakes producer, Real Princess has a juvenile colt, a yearling filly, and a September-born colt, and is once again in foal to Gimmethegreenlight.

Dancing Flower died in 2018 at the grand age of 30 and fittingly, was laid to rest in a place of honour, under an apple tree at Litchfield's broodmare yard.

Katherine Winshaw, who, together with husband Geoff, purchased Litchfield from Ken McKenzie in 1991, fondly recalls the mare: "It is not often one owns a mare who makes your dreams come true. She was so special to us."

Lady Christine Laidlaw and trainer Dean Kannemeyer - a long and successful partnership

THE END OF AN ERA

All good things come to an end. For Cape Racing TV’s Fiona ‘Fee’ Ramsden and her two beautiful teenage daughters, Friday 16 December marks the end of an African adventure that lasted over a quarter of a century, and the beginning of a new life in their Motherland, England.

A popular personality

on South African horseracing television screens for nearly fifteen years, the 52 year old Fiona told the Sporting Post that she has ‘procrastinated enough’ and will be moving back to the country of her birth after over 25 years in the most beautiful city in the world.

“It has been a privilege to live and work in a beautiful city like Cape Town. But there comes a stage when one knows that it’s time to

move on. And that time is now for me and the girls. We have had a wonderful time these final few days doing all the ‘touristy things’ that we probably take for granted. It will be a sad goodbye, and there are so many people that I will not have a chance to thank and bid farewell to,” she told the Sporting Post in a quick catch-up on

Bon Voyage! Fiona is flanked by Holly and Zara as they bid Cape Town goodbye

Wednesday morning.

The former better half of past Cape champion trainer Joey Ramsden, Fee smiles as she looks skywards and adds up the years, observing with surprise that she has spent half her life in South Africa.

Fiona Alexandra Haynes was brought up on a farm in Wiltshire. Her Dad Edward, now in his late 80’s, was a trainer and the family were all involved in equestrian pursuits, from Pony Club to amateur race-riding when growing up.

Fee worked for Barry Hills for four years when he was at Manton for Robert

Sangster She was employed by Jack and Lynda Ramsden in North Yorkshire when she met Joey, who had returned from his world travels. JR had decided at that time to come home from South Africa, where he had worked, amongst others, for Mike de Kock, and been an assistant to Vaughan Marshall.

After running a satellite yard in Southwell for his family, the charismatic trainer and his girlfriend decided to chance their luck in Africa and in 1995 Goodhope Racing was born at Milnerton.

Fee was a key player in the success of the very successful and customer-orientated business.

But life and circumstances change.

And she eventually found her niche around 2006 in racing television, combining her natural screen appeal, eloquence, and broad -based horse knowledge, to popular effect.

“And now we are on our way! It feels a little surreal. And when is it really ever a good time to move with two teenagers? But thankfully both the girls are sports crazy – Holly (16) with her swimming and triathlons, and Zara (13) with the horses. So my first objective will be to get them settled and happy in their passions!”

When asked as to where she

Holly is an up-and-coming talent in the open water swimming ranks

will be living, Fee’s smile brightens.

“I am on the WiltshireBerkshire border, down the road from the ‘the Valley of the Racehorse’, more familiarly known as the Lambourne Training Grounds. Thankfully I have many friends and contacts in the racing industry in England – so I will hopefully be able to get involved there, again,” she says with

enthusiasm, adding that she really has so many people to thank.

“We all need good friends, support and kindness in our lives–especially with family so far away. I have so very many people to thank here – they know who they are. To the racing public and to Greg Bortz and his team at Cape Racing – I wish you all the best. Great things are happening here in the Cape. It actually seems crazy to be leaving in the midst of such exciting times. But I will be watching it all from

over there and spreading the word. Despite all the problems, South Africa –and Cape Town in particular – is a beautiful destination. Thanks so much to you all from us three,” concluded Fee as the mist welled in her eyes.

Cheers Fee, Holly, Zara. The door is always open in Cape Town.

Zara is following in her Mum’s footsteps

IT SHAWE WAS A LUCKY DAY

Longstanding owner Dave Shawe and trainer Lucky Houdalakis owned the seventh renewal of the R500 000 World Sports Betting Grand Heritage at the Vaal on Saturday when their accomplished coupling of Duke Of Sussex and the year younger Dyce filled the first two places in the bumper field handicap run over 1475m.

Hailed as ‘South Africa’s

greatest betting race’ by host operator 4Racing, the Grand Heritage hosted 27 runners, with TAB paying place dividends down to sixth finisher. The quartet dividend of over R108 000 spoke volumes of the result.

While his Gr2 winning stablemate Dyce, having his third run after 16 months off the track was the more fancied of the pair, the consistent Vaal specialist Duke Of Sussex carried too many guns as he was relaxed in the early stampede,

before being set alight down the outside by JP van der Merwe.

In an exciting run down to the wire, the orange and black Shawe silks dominated as the 14-1 Duke Of Sussex held a halflength advantage to beat the favourite Dyce (15-2) in a time of 88,88 secs. The exacta paid R168-30 on the tote.

Vaal specialist Duke Of Sussex (JP van der Merwe) is too strong for stablemate (Dyce) who was given every shout by Muzi Yeni

Philasande Mxoli produced the trifecta knockout, with the 33-1 Whafeef staying on in a tight finish to run third, ahead of visiting rider Grant van Niekerk on Outofthedarkness (25-2).

Former Met winning jockey JP van der Merwe is working hard, travelling everywhere and certainly reaping the rewards!

He was later to also ride the Heritage Consolation winner

Fateful Day for Gavin van Zyl. That capped a great week after he rode a double at Turffontein on Tuesday 6 December and a double at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 8 December.

None of the six winners were particularly fancied either! The form jockey is engaged at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday, 11 December – and could be worth following.

The winner was a R425 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy and

has now won 8 races with 5 places from 17 starts for stakes of R760 250.

Bred by Drakenstein, he is by the champion farm’s deceased Danehill sire Duke Of Marmalade, out of the one-time winning Trippi mare, Pemba Island.

Vaal trainer Lucky Houdalakis receives the smart trophy from WSB's Steve Karam

JC Photos

MUZI AND MAGNER’S MAGIC

Roy Magner’s Taikonaut produced the finishing burst of the afternoon under Muzi Yeni at the Vaal on Saturday when the son of Twice Over reeled the Gr3 Protea Stakes winner Karangetang in late to win the R175 000 World Sports Betting Sophomore 1000 in the style of a horse with more to come.

Erupt’s smart son Karangetang is back to peak fitness after a break and change of stables, and the speedy chestnut looked to have matters in the bag

as he hit the 100m marker full of running under Grant van Niekerk.

But the competitive Muzi Yeni had other ideas and he persisted with Taikonaut (3-1) down the inside with the bay getting up in the shadow of the post to win by a quarter length in a time of 57,39 secs.

Karangetang (15-2) shouldn’t be long in winning again and stayed on well.

The winner cost Hong Kong owner Robert Chung R600 000 at the 2021 BSA August 2yo Sale and took his stakes tally to R284 990

with his third win with 4 places from 9 starts.

Bred by Cheveley, Taikonaut is a son of Twice Over out of the four-time winning Captain Al mare, Earth’s Orbit.

Muzi Yeni drives Taikonaut up the inside to snare Karangetang

50 UP FOR SMITH

Hollywoodbets-sponsored East Cape Champion trainer Gavin Smith reached the season’s 50 winner mark and capped a terrific fourtimer at Fairview on Friday, 9 December when substitute rider Muzi Yeni rode a beautifully judged race to win the R175 000 Founders Trophy, contested over a mile on the all-weather track.

After his topweighted favourite stablemate Global Drummer had made the pace and probably failed to see out the mile, Yeni produced the 6-1 Ferrari Ice

late in the race with his customary burst.

Despite Richard Fourie bearing down menacingly on the fastfinishing Grazinginthegrass (7-2), Ferrari Ice made it five winners in Gqeberha for 2022 when he held on courageously to win by half a length in a time of 94,99 secs.

The runner-up’s stablemate Bold Resolve (7-2) earned again in third, ahead of the tiring Global Drummer in fourth.

A son of Querari (Oasis Dream), the winner is out of the unraced Spectrum mare Summer Ice and is bred and raced by the Meaker family, longstanding

supporters of racing in South Africa.

Ferrari Ice has hardly put a foot wrong since relocating to the Eastern Cape from KZN a year ago. He has won 7 races with 9 places from 28 starts for stakes of R513 387.

Muzi Yeni and Richard Fourie shared the riding honours on the day with a double apiece.

The next Eastern Cape racemeeting is on the public holiday, Friday 16 December.

Muzi Yeni keeps Ferrari Ice at his task as Richard Fouire moves up strongly on Grazinginthegrass

GIMME A PRINCE GOES TO 114

Gimme A Prince has had his merit rating raised from 108 to114 following his fluent success in the Gr2 Cape Merchants (handicap) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The Handicappers were unanimously of the opinion that third-placed Bereave was the most suitable line horse to use when assessing this event, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 106.

The winner aside, the

only other ratings increase was for runner-up We're Jamming, who was 2 pounds or 1 kg under sufferance at the weights and who carried one pound or half-a-kilo overweight. Consequently, he goes up from 106 to 109.

There were ratings’ drops for no fewer than nine horses. Safe Return is down from 102 to 101, Speed Machine was trimmed from 109 to 108, Barzalona drops to 103 from 105, Mr Cobbs is down from 101 to 100, Ambiorix is down from 100 to 98, Tempting Fate goes from 108 to 107, Battle Force drops from 116 to 114, Formagear

is down to 99 from 103, and lastly Good Traveller was cut from 120 to 118.

• Press release by NHRA on 13 December 2022

Gimme A Prince – upped to a 114 after a smart win on Sunday

PETER NAME BACK IN TRAINING RANKS

Tony Peter – young talent set to continue family name

Candiese Lenferna

The decision by newly crowned SA Champion trainer Paul Peter to relinquish his licence in September shocked the local racing community and will go down as one of the knockout events of 2022, in a sport staging a recovery on many fronts.

Against that background, the news that the seventime Gr1 winning former conditioner’s 28 year old son Tony will be taking out a trainer’s licence will be welcomed by many.

In an exclusive chat with the Sporting Post on Sunday, Paul Peter emphatically rejected rumours that he was planning a comeback.

“No, I really won’t be training again. The decision I made was tough at the time, but was a realistic one, and was done in consideration of the

implications for my family and my personal health. Today I am working in the family paint business and am feeling much better,” said a relaxed sounding Paul.

He went on to explain that his yard had grown exponentially over the years and that it would have made no sense for Tony to take over, ‘almost on the backfoot, as it were.’

“Tony has been around the yard since his teens. He is a compassionate horse and people person. He loves the game and now starts on a clean slate. He wrote his licence examination on Monday and I believe the licencing board will sit possibly this week. I have every confidence that Tony will make us proud,” added the man who set a new South African record of 221 winners last season.

An assistant to his Dad, the quietly spoken Tony Peter was often seen filling a more prominent role in the top yard last term. It is often

said that he played a major part in the prep of the stable’s winners, including Paul Peter’s final feature success with Shangani in the Marshalls World Of Sport Gr3 Gold Cup at the end of last season.

It is believed that Tony will commence with a small string and will be based at Turffontein.

Paul Peter’s rise through the training ranks was meteoric. He trained his first winner Magico on Durban July day in 2010.

While Summer Pudding’s extraordinary SA Triple Tiara feat in 2020 was an undoubted highlight, Paul Peter trained 7 Gr1 winners and was known as a mediafriendly conditioner who always had time to talk to the press.

We wish Tony Peter well.

COUNTDOWN TO PREMIER!

The catalogue for the 2023 Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale has been published online.

The sale, scheduled for Thursday 12 January, is set to recapture much of its former glory under the new Cape Racing banner, with a number of highlights in the offing.

In more detail, the Sale: -Returns to its original home, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), with the backing of the world

renowned Tattersalls Group; -Features top stud farms back on the vendor list after a long absence, including Varsfontein Stud and Sandown Stud; -Has a strong representation from super stallions in Vercingetorix (10 yearlings) and Gimmethegreenlight (17), alongside a good variety of other leading stallions, including What A Winter Querari, Master Of My Fate, Rafeef and the Drakenstein pair of Trippi and Lancaster Bomber, whose available progeny are now limited; -Features the first offspring of highly regarded stallion One World (Captain Al); -Is client-driven, more than ever,

with a variety of entertaining events before and after the sale, as part of the Cape Summer Festival of Racing. They include a Golf Day, a Lunch at Avontuur Estate, the Maine Chance Farms International Dinner and the 2023 King’s Plate.

Justin Vermaak, Head Of Operations for Cape Racing, said that the 2023 renewal of the Premier Sale will be heralding a new era. “We are very pleased to welcome the powerhouse Varsfontein Stud back into the fray. The

Justin Vermaak & Dr Andreas Jacobs

renewed support of studs like Varsfontein is due to the work done by Greg Bortz in reviving Cape Racing.

“We did a roadshow to gain fresh support for the sale and we explained the imperative that the 2023 Premier Sale, and those to follow, will not be a copy-andpaste replica of the old CTS Sale. The major difference is that CTS was independently owned while it is now owned by the Operator, which means that proceeds from our auctions go directly into the stakes pot.”

Vermaak added: “We had a good reception from other stud farms who will show their faith from 2024 onwards, when we’ll move the sale to a later date in January. While

Town for the King’s Plate, it is just too early for a number of stud farms to have participated.

There will be highlights throughout the day in what will be an exciting time for vendors, buyers and indeed also the auctioneers on duty.

the 2023 sale works out well for overseas buyers being in Cape

Varsfontein Stud’s prolific ‘Mystic Spring’ family (Snowdance, Bela Bela, Rabiya, et al) is represented by Lot 2, a bay colt by top five stallion Master Of My Fate out of

‘She was an orphan foal “What we have, however, is a compact auction with deep quality throughout, 120 lots in total. More than 20% of the yearlings on sale are by South Africa’s top three stallions.”

Smart stakes winner Cliff Top has a Rafeef half-brother on the sale

Chase Liebenberg

Canukeepitsecret (Captain Al) – one to ensure spirited bidding early in the auction. Klawervlei have several lots bred in the purple.

They include Lot 28, a halfbrother by Vercingetorix to Hammies Hero (Twice Over), one of this season’s outstanding threeyear-olds, and Lot 45, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of a half-sister to Vercingetorix himself.

Ridgemont will present Lot 31, the first foal of Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front

and Centre (Dynasty), a colt sired by Canford Cliffs; also, Lot 117, a half-brother to 2022 stakes winner Cliff Top, sired by Rafeef.

Avontuur have a handful of impeccably bred yearlings to go through the ring, including Lot 23, a colt by Oratorio born from the Listed winning Captain Al mare, Esteemal, from the potent Ever Seeking female line (Elusive Fort, Easyjadeasy, et al); also Lot 82, one of the last fillies by VAR from a Listed-placed mare, and from the immediate family of Pocket Power.

A half-brother to Gr1 Classic winner Red Saxon (Lot 83), sired

by Erupt, comes to the sale courtesy of prominent Narrow Creek Stud. He is one of many gems waiting to be discovered in the catalogue.

For more information: Justin Vermaak justin@caperacing.co.za Or phone (+27) 72 623 7994

ENSUING SNEAKS INTO GOLD RUSH PICTURE

Owner Rikesh Sewgoolam and veteran Milnerton conditioner Vaughan Marshall have further strengthened their R7,5 million WSB Gold Rush claims with the smart William Longsword gelding Ensuing an eyecatching winner at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Wednesday.

Bred by leading Gauteng owner Laurence Wernars, Ensuing has won 3 of his last 4 starts over the sprints, but has decent early form over a mile to the graded stakes

placer Royal Victory, who showed up well in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes, Gr2 Dingaans and Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes.

Ensuing has come in from nowhere to position 21 on the latest log and trainer Vaughan Marshall has confirmed that the Gold Rush is definitely an option.

“He has been consistent over the sprints but the mile is well within his range. He is a lovely horse,” added Vaughan.

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 concept as The Everest in Australia.

Owner Rikesh Sewgoolam holds one of 16 prospectors tickets and has multiple choices in his hunt for the treasure at this stage!

A reminder that the log is for information purposes only and has no bearing on the final field.

Ensuing (Corne Orffer) maintains his consistent formline with another good win last Wednesday

The latest log:

PULLER IS SIZZLING

Former KwaZulu-Natal champion conditioner

Garth Puller continues to lead the trainer’s log in the R1 million Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge, with just seven racemeetings left in the multi -faceted competition.

An individual participant league-based challenge that launched on Sunday 16 October, the Hollywoodbets

Sizzling Summer Challenge provides owners, trainers, jockeys and apprentices competing at KZN racecourses the opportunity to win generous prize money based on their performance.

It is open to all licensed stakeholders countrywide, irrespective of where they may be permanently based.

The big attraction for punters is that a simple click on the latest

logs provides a form snapshot of who’s hot, and even who’s potentially got the lot or not, on the local scene!

The competition is unique in that it also rewards the ‘smaller players’, by virtue of a strike-rate calculation. The latter percentage could also be a valuable reference point for punters.

STRAD – THE ART OF LETTING GO

Every now and then a story gets a bit stuck –some because they are tricky to write, and others because perhaps we just need to warm our hands on them for a little longer.

Life is hard, but it is also magic and when you find those rare bits of it, you have to mine them for all they’re worth, because magic exists to make one feel better. About life.

About anything, really. That’s rather the point. And

if you want magic, racing is the place to look.

Les Carlyon coined the expression ‘When horses, or those who ride or train them, do rare things, they make the people who were present that day feel good’. I try not to borrow it too frequently for fear of wearing it out, but if there is a better way of describing it, I’ve yet to find it.

I think the ‘good’ he’s referring to is magic. The old kind, the rare kind, the knowledge of which is twisted deep into the strands of

our DNA and compels us to spend our lives chasing it. It’s a magic that snags the attention of horsemen and makes their hearts skip a beat because when they finally find it, they know.

Robyn Louw writes that the story of Stradivarius has been told and retold, but as the old saying goes, a classic never goes out of fashion.

As in all the greats, things had to arrange themselves

Happy Strad days!

just so for all the elements to blend together the right way, but it starts with a boy and a horse.

Born in Cape Town to a Danish father and South African mother, Bjorn Nielsen grew up in the suburb of Pinelands.

The Sprint is interactive –please click to read more here

Keagan de Melo receives his cheque from Winning Form's James Rich as an acknowledgement of reaching his 100 winners for the season

Candiese Lenferna

SA SIRES –INTERNATIONAL UPDATE

Zafonic horse Count Dubois, whose progeny include South African champions Asylum Seeker, Edict Of Nantes and French Navy, made news as a broodmare sire in North America last Saturday.

His classy daughter Madame Dubois (who shares her name with Count Dubois' own dam)

is the dam of promising two-yearold OK Boomer, who made a winning debut when victorious at Gulfstream on Saturday.

A colt by Noble Mission, OK Boomer kicked clear in the closing stages before staying on to make a winning debut with a half length win.

Madame Dubois is not the first daughter of Count Dubois to leave winners overseas, with

his champion daughter Asylum Seeker dam of Gr1 Australian Oaks runner up Scarlet Dream (Sebring).

Spectrum

Former Irish 2000 Guineas winner Spectrum, who had stints at stud in both the Cape and KwaZuluNatal, made his presence felt this year through the deeds of dual Gr1 winner

Count Dubois (Zafonic - Madame Dubois) - broodmare success in North America

Dutch Art (Medicean). The latter, whose dam was the Spectrum mare Halland Park Lass, is broodmare sire of one of the best two-yearolds seen out in 2022 in the form of Chaldean (Frankel). The latter, a leading classic contender for 2023, won four of just five starts this year including the Gr1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Gr2 Coral Champagne Stakes and Gr3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.

Chaldean is out of the four time winning Dutch Art mare Suelita –the dam of 3 stakes winners to date including Gr2 Mill Reef Stakes winning sire Alkumait.

Winner of both the Gr1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes, Dutch Art’s tally of 44 stakes winners includes

Gr1 July Cup winner and popular young sire Starman and he is also broodmare sire of 2022 group winning two-year-old Fancy Me (Pivotal) –who is bred on similar lines to the dam of Cape stallion, The United States.

Duke Of Marmalade

The five time Gr1 winner, whose son Duke Of Sussex captured Saturday’s WSB Grand Heritage, is another former South African based sire to make his mark internationally as a broodmare sire this year. Duke Of Marmalade’s Gr2 winning daughter Traffic Jam is the dam of top filly Place Du Carrousel (Lope De Vega), who bested dual Gr1 winner Nashwa (Frankel) as well as subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Tuesday (Galileo) when victorious in the 2022 Gr1 Prix de l’Opera Longines on Arc day. Ironically, Place Du Carrousel and Tuesday are closely related, with both fillies descended

in female line from the Shadeed mare Hiwaayati.

King Of Kings

King Of Kings, one of the best travelled classic winning sons of Sadler’s Wells, is another former SA based stallion to make his presence felt this year. The 2000 Guineas winning King Of Kings is the sire of the winning mare Silent Queen, whose stakes winning daughter Silent Candy is the dam of the now Ashford Stud based Epicenter (Not This Time). The latter, whose sire is out of a mare by Trippi, won six of 11 starts including the Gr1 Travers Stakes and was also runner up in both the Gr1 Kentucky Derby and Gr1 Preakness Stakes.

'TIS THE SEASON!

National Hunt horse racing is one of the finest sporting codes on show in the UK and Ireland throughout the year

The snow and freezing temperatures put paid to National Hunt racing over the weekend and more jumps fixtures are being abandoned during for the forthcoming week. With daily course inspections failing, hopefully by the Christmas weekend the weather has improved, and the Group 1 contests can take place at Kempton and Leopardstown. Here is long term look at these Christmas features.

The Christmas meeting at Kempton always provides some festive spirit for the racing public and the King George VI Chase run over 3 miles has always been a great race in its own right. Run traditionally on Boxing Day, greats like Arkle and Desert Orchid (3 victories), and more recently the mighty Kauto Star who won an historic five for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls has ‘farmed’ this major Group 1 in recent years, victorious in 10 of the 16 years runnings including 2020 winner Frodon. He returns attempting more glory together with stable companions Hitman and ante post favourite, the

course and distance winning 7-year-old Bravemansgame.

L’Homme Presse, a Cheltenham Group 1 winner last season, is currently the second favourite and looks to have a major say in proceedings being officially the highest rated runner.

The Irish contingent looks strong with Henry de Bromhead nominating Envoi Allen and recent Aintree Gr2 winner Noble Yeats for the Emmet Mullins yard also in the reckoning.

Leopardstown also hosts a Christmas festival with most of the cream of Ireland’s chasers and hurdlers likely to compete.

On Boxing Day, the Gr1 Novice Chase over an extended 2 miles sees the Gordon Elliott pair, the highly progressive Fil Dor and Hollow Games clash with possibly all of Appreciate It, Flame Bearer, El Fabiolo and Saint Roi from the champion yard of Willie Mullins.

Defending Cheltenham Champion Chaser Energumene, a facile winner of the Hilly Way Chase at Cork last weekend, will be long odds on to follow up in the Gr1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on the 27th. The Closutton stable look to have a strangle hold on this feature as the next two in the ante post market

Chacun Pour Soi and Blue Lord are also trained by the Irish maestro.

The highlight of the festival is the Gr1 Savills Chase over 3 miles on the 28th. Galopin Des Champs heads the ante-post market narrowly at 5/4 for the Mullins yard closely followed by the 2020 winner and last year’s narrow runner-up A Plus Tard in the red, white and blue of Cheverly Park Stud. Galvin, last year’s winner and the third placed finisher Kemboy are also declared making this a top-class renewal.

Another mouth-watering contest on the same card is the Gr1 Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle for staying hurdler’s, run over 3 miles.

Last season’s winner Klassical Dream, and runnerup Flooring Porter have both had a start this season and will both be primed for this event, whilst the Henry de Bromhead trained Bob Olinger, winner of the Turners’ Novices Chase at Cheltenham last season reverts back to hurdling to contest after a good seasonal return over hurdles last month.

WELLINGTON IS LORD OF SPEED

Wellington now looks to have the racing world at his feet after the home-trained champion delivered a performance of real authority in the HK$24 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Richard Gibson’s six-yearold has had an almost faultless 12 months since his unfortunate seventh place run in this 1200m showpiece at the end of 2021. Now a fourtime Group 1 winner, he

has swept the board in divisional honours, retaining his Gr1

admirable weight-carrying performance in the Gr2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m).

Only a few weeks ago, Wellington’s regular rider Alexis Badel dislocated his shoulder in a fall at Sha Tin and so Gibson looked to the very top for a replacement – his British compatriot Ryan Moore.

Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) and returning from a break with an

Moore, one of the world’s leading pilots who was winning his eighth race at the HK$110 million LONGINES Hong

Wellington wins the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)

“He began very well, the pace was very slow for the first furlong and a half,” said Moore. “I was able to slot in just worse than midfield, had a bit of cover and I was able to go when I wanted to go...

Kong International Races (HKIR), admitted the race went perfectly to plan as he settled in the middle of the pack. Singapore runner Lim’s Kosciuszko went to the front and was then superseded by Christophe Lemaire and John Size-trained Sight Success.

With 200m remaining, Lemaire had set for home, but Wellington was on his shoulder in an instant, passing the line threequarters of a length in front in a time of 1m 08.76s. Sight Success held on for second, ahead of Sky Field and Courier Wonder in a finish dominated by

Hong Kong runners.

“It was very straightforward from my horse; he took me there

lame after finishing sixth in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

comfortably and had the race sewn up with 200m to go really. To me, he has looked the best sprinter in Hong Kong for some time now and obviously it’s very harsh on Alexis but I’m very thankful to pick up the ride and have a go on him today.”

Gibson had been given a challenge as Wellington had been

big one,” he said. “We’re all part of a really big team, Alexis is a huge part of that, and I’m gutted for him to miss it but so proud of my guys. We had a lot of work to do after his disappointing run last time out and we’ve got a great veterinary team, chiropractors, there’s a lot of people to thank. We had to be a bit patient, but I was pleased we hadn’t missed work with him.”

“You can’t call yourself a sprint champion unless you win this

“There is a programme for him during the coming months, but if that goes well, we will look at Ascot.”

Gibson had won three races at this meeting, but this was his first since 2013, not long after he had relocated from training in France. He was emotional about delivering for owners Mr and Mrs Michael Cheng Wing On and Jeffrey Cheng Man

Cheong and this opens the door to travel with Wellington, possibly to Royal Ascot next June.

“All our energy has been focused since last year for this race,” Gibson said. “We really wanted to win it for Hong Kong and for the owners, who have been so

supportive to me and were my first owners in Hong Kong. I’m delighted I’ve delivered one of our biggest races here and it’s fantastic for Hong Kong to have horses of this ability.

THEY CALL IT CALIFORNIA DREAMING!

It was a case of third time lucky for California Spangle at Sha Tin on Sunday, as he sensationally denied Golden Sixty’s record-equalling Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) hat-trick bid in front a raucous 42,624 crowd.

Beaten by Golden Sixty in the 2022 Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and last month’s Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m), California Spangle reversed the result with his first-top

level crown for trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Zac Purton.

Golden Sixty by a neck in 1m 33.41s for the trip, while Laws Of Indices and Beauty Joy filled third and fourth places, respectively.

Injecting a bit of mid-race pace into the contest, Beauty Joy found the front at the 800m mark ahead of his stablemate (California Spangle) before fading late. The win is

Stepping away cleanly under Purton, the four-year-old fired forward before denying a brave

California Spangle’s ninth from 14 starts in Hong Kong, including victories in last season’s Hong Kong Classic Cup

California Spangle and Zac Purton stave off Golden Sixty

“I’m very proud of the horse. I expected him to win (Hong Kong) International Races one day and lucky I have Zac with me. Zac rode the perfect race today.”

(1800m) and this season’s Gr3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) and Gr2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m). “We planned the tactics and how to ride the race, but everything can change in seconds and somehow it turned out to be so fantastic.

“California Spangle is a rising horse and with Golden Sixty, age has come to catch up with him. I think this is where we got the advantage,” Cruz said.

The win is Purton’s fourth in the race after the victories of Ambitious Dragon (2012), Beauty Only (2016) and Beauty Generation (2018), while the success is Cruz’s fourth also after Lucky Owners (2003), Beauty Flash

(2010) and Beauty Only (2016).

“It was pretty straightforward early.

bit more than we did last time. He’s a lot more relaxed this season and he kept coming back underneath me. I kept trying to click him along but he was waiting for the other horses, I think we’ve seen today that he is a little bit versatile.

When Beauty Joy came around him he was happy to let him go and it helped him think about what was going on. He got into a lovely rhythm in behind and wanted to chase him.

Tony pre-race asked me if I could just let the horse roll along a little

“Then when he got clear of him he wanted to wait a little bit which was a worrying time for me when I could feel Golden Sixty breathing down my neck again. Today I thought he had me at the 200 (metre mark) and then at the 100

Zac Purton celebrates the win aboard California Spangle

HKJC

“Then when he got clear of him he wanted to wait a little bit which was a worrying time for me when I could feel Golden Sixty breathing down my neck again. Today I thought he had me at the 200 (metre mark) and then at the 100 (metre mark) I thought, ‘he hasn’t quite got me yet.’ We kept trying and we were lucky to get the result today.”

(metre mark) I thought, ‘he hasn’t quite got me yet.’

We kept trying and we were lucky to get the result today,” Purton said.

Cruz is confident of bigger and better things from his talented charge: “Young horses like California Spangle can improve his character in time. It’s easy to train a horse to get fit but it’s how you train a horse in his mind. That is the hardest bit of it.

“I believe Spangle’s racing mind is turning more professional, and he’s getting better all the time. Obviously when you have

a great jockey like Zac, you don’t make mistakes anymore.”

California Spangle enhances his earnings to a mouthwatering HK$48,878,300 after collecting HK$17,100,000 for first place.

“He’s very good. He’s shown right throughout his career he’s a horse that deserves to be in the top echelon,” Purton said. “It took Golden Sixty to beat him last time and I think Golden Sixty is the best I’ve seen since I’ve been here and there’s no disgrace in that.

“Every run he’s had, he’s put in. He’s a phenomenal horse and he’s versatile. He’s won over 1000, 1200, 1600, 1800 and just got beat over 2000 (metres)

Not many horses can do that.”

Defeat for Golden Sixty was just the champion’s fourth across his career which boasts 22 wins, including six at Group 1 level for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho. “My horse ran very well and I’m happy for him. The other one had good pace and saved all the ground,” Ho said.

Jockey James McDonald was elated with the performance of Laws Of Indices for trainer Annabel Neasham: “He went enormous. It was unreal. I’m so proud of him.”

ROMANCE AND THE CUP!

They came to bow down to the old king and left saluting a powerful new prince of Hong Kong racing as Romantic Warrior left a high-class global field trailing in his wake at Sha Tin on Sunday, with a thunderous performance in the HK$34 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Hong Kong racing’s biggest crowd since the corresponding day in 2019 gave dual Horse of the Year (2020/21 & 2021/22)

Golden Sixty a glowing reception despite his failure to wear down California Spangle in the HK$30

million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

McDonald had been asked to take the ride on Danny Shum’s gelding once it became clear that Karis Teetan would not recover in time to resume the relationship with the muscular son of Acclamation in last month’s Gr2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).

However, Danny Shum’s gelding banished any sense of anti-climax with a devastating success that left his rider James McDonald saying that “he’s got everything a good horse needs and he’s got it in spades.”

The Kiwi marked the greatest year of his career when receiving the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award at a glittering Gala Dinner on Friday (9 December) and the 30-yearold ace has no doubt that Romantic Warrior compares

Romantic Warrior dominates the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

‘She was an orphan foaland "This horse has a lot of great attributes but his greatest is that he’s so adaptable at taking a position.”

well with any of the elite global performers who have carried him to the peak of his profession.

“I promise you, that was really as good as it looked,” he said. “He was perfect from start to finish today and he’s right up there with any of the other really good ones I’ve ridden, don’t worry about that.”

If McDonald was always confident then the same could also be said of the winning trainer, who stood quietly in a covered corner of the weighing in area as a field of twelve including five

Japanese raiders and Irish hope Order Of Australia jumped from the gates.

Shum didn’t bat an eyelid as the freewheeling Panthalassa edged across his charge to take the lead running into the first bend and cast his eyes up and down from race card to television screen as the Gr1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) runner-up took the field through solid early fractions of 25.34s, 23.53s and 23.51s.

Content to settle back into sixth as Ka Ying Star and Money Catcher pressed the leader passing halfway, McDonald asked Romantic Warrior to improve on the outer rounding the home turn and Shum took a deep breath and moved his

multi coloured glasses to the top of his forehead.

And then, as Romantic Warrior loomed up to challenge with just over 300m to run, the winning trainer finally let his pentup emotions bubble to the surface.

A deep-throated “Good Boy” rang around the side of the Sha Tin stand as McDonald asked his mount to deliver the killer blow and Romantic Warrior didn’t hesitate for a second, powering four and a half lengths clear take over from globetrotting French star

James McDonald waves to the crowd

HKJC

Jim And Tonic (1999) as the widest margin winner in LONGINES Hong Kong Cup history in a winning time of 1m 59.70s.

Danon The Kid stayed on willingly to fare best of the Japanese quintet in second with Money Catcher, Tourbillon Diamond and Russian Emperor finishing third, fourth and fifth for Hong Kong. Geoglyph came home a creditable sixth, but fellow Japanese raiders Jack d’Or and Panthalassa were well held in seventh and tenth.

Shum’s previous career highlight came when his crack sprinter Little Bridge staged a daring hit-and-

run raid on Royal Ascot’s Gr1 King’s Stand Stakes in 2012 but he is now looking forward to an assault on the Hong Kong history books that could involve a clash

with California Spangle and Golden Sixty as part of an audacious Triple Crown bid.

“His owner Peter Lau said ‘Danny if we win this race we should target the Hong Kong Triple Crown over 1600m, 2000m and 2400m’,” he said.

That epic feat, which involves winning three more Gr1 prizes comprising the Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m), has only been achieved once by River Verdon back in 1994.

However, Romantic Warrior has already done what very few horses

in

“His confidence keeps increasing but ever since I saw him at the International Sale, he has been so professional and calm in everything he does,” he added. “It has been an amazing effort by my team and I think this must be the most memorable day of my career.”

Hong Kong history have ever done, winning nine of his ten races since making a winning debut at Happy Valley in October 2021, and Shum is certain his unusually professional temperament is a key factor. A runaway win in one of the world’s great 2000m contests will always resonate on racing’s global stage but this one rang out in Hong Kong for several significant reasons.

First, it was a maiden HKIR success for 62-year-old Shum, who rode 24 winners as a homegrown rider between 1977 and 1983

then learned his trade as a trainer with the legendary Ivan Allan before being awarded a licence in his own right for the 2003/04 season.

Second, it provided a ringing endorsement for the Hong Kong International Sale – where the hammer came down at HK$4.8m when Romantic Warrior went through the ring in June 2021 –and for a vintage 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) that was dominated by today’s LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and LONGINES Hong Kong Mile heroes.

And, last but not least, Romantic Warrior’s commanding success left the HKJC’s Head of Handicapping,

Race Planning and International Racing

Nigel Gray pondering a provisional rating of 124, which would place him behind only world champion Baaeed as the best 2000m turf performer in the world.

But, on a day which generated crowd of around 45,000 and a record HK$1.729 billion in wagering turnover the focus was more on the sense of joy of seeing a brilliant young horse in full flow as Hong Kong’s sports fans revelled in the first HKIR day with meaningful crowds since COVID struck.

WIN, WIN, WIN!

While the red, black and white silks of Win Company have fared well in Hong Kong thanks to dual Sha Tin winner Win Bright on Sunday, it was a case of firsts all round for Damian Lane and Takahisa Tezuka as Win Marilyn passed the entire field to record an impressive debut Group 1 success in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Lane refused to be panicked in a race with little early pace and, having broken best of all, allowed Win Marilyn to drift back through the field to the point where they had eight horses ahead

of him turning for home.

As French-trained challenger Botanik made his bid for victory, Lane angled Win Marilyn to the outside and once the five-year-old daughter of Screen Hero hit her stride, the result was quickly settled.

Botanik stayed on well to be a length and a half back in second while hat-trick seeking Glory Vase bowed out with a courageous third-placed effort.

Lane’s previous best in six LONGINES Hong Kong International Race rides was third aboard Salios in the 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and he admitted that he

had put himself under some pressure to get on the board.

Second to Daring Tact in the 2020 Gr1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), Win Marilyn came here off the back of what was arguably a career-best performance when denied by Geraldina in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

“She showed a good turn of foot at the end of her race which really suits the 2400 metres here in Hong Kong,” said Lane. “I thought the horse that beat her that day was something special so I was confident if she could

Damian Lane lands maiden Hong Kong Gr1

hold that form today.”

Lane has enjoyed considerable success in Japan over the last four years, building on his Cox Plate-winning partnership with Lys Gracieux to record five Grade 1 victories in his adopted winter home.

He said: “It’s just a privilege to be part of Japanese racing and to get on these horses and great to be a part of it.”

A Grade 1 winner as far back as 2011, Tezuka has really taken his career to a new level in recent seasons thanks to horses such as 2021 Yushun Himba heroine Uberleben, as well as Schnell Meister and Fierement.

“This is my first trip to Hong Kong, and I am very honoured to be with one of the horses representing Japan,” said Tezuka. “I am very glad to be here.”

After a fruitful 2021 campaign, Win Marilyn has improved steadily through the current season and showed her wellbeing when chasing home Jack d’Or and Panthalassa in the Gr2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m),

before dead-heating for second behind Geraldina at Hanshin a month ago.

At five, Win Marilyn is now a valuable broodmare prospect to Big Red Farm but Tezuka held out the possibility that the owners might keep her in training in 2023. Botanik had shown his potential when getting the better of Stay

if you ignore his run on Arc day, he looked like he had a real chance.

“Mr Fabre doesn’t send many horses here and when he does send them you know they have a chance.”

Buick added: “He’s Mickael’s ride and unfortunately Mickael has Covid so I’m only a step-in. But he’s going to be a real nice stayer for next year. He’s got a great attitude and he stayed well the whole way.”

There was to be no third success in this race for 2019 and 2021 winner Glory Vase but he still put up a brave performance to be third.

Foolish in the Gr2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August and trainer Andre Fabre was ready to forgive a sub-par effort on deep ground in the Gr2 Prix Dollar last up.

Deputising for Mickael Barzalona, William Buick was impressed with Botanik, who looks set to be an international flagbearer going forward for Godolphin.

“He’s run a blinder, he’s a lovely horse,” said Buck. “To be honest,

“He went alright, he did his best,” said Joao Moreira. “His condition was as good as it could be but with his age and younger horses coming up. I’m proud of what he has done.”

German hopes were dashed when Mendocino reared as the stalls opened and refused to race for Rene Piechulek.

‘She was an orphan foaland “After the Queen Elizabeth Cup when she ran second we talked about the Hong Kong trip with the owner and then we decided,” said Tezuka. “This mare suits both 2000 metres and 2400 metres but this is the best trip for her and we decided to bring her.”

TURNVOVER OF HK$1,729 BILLION

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has hailed the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) as a celebration of worldclass racing and Hong Kong’s incredible “Can Do” spirit at Sha Tin on Sunday.

On a day when Hong Kong racing shone on the international stage as local champions – Wellington (LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint), California Spangle (LONGINES Hong Kong Mile) and Romantic Warrior (LONGINES Hong Kong Cup) – won three of the four elite Group 1 contests,

– SERIOUSLY!

Japan also continued its successful association with the “Turf World Championships” with Win Marilyn (LONGINES Hong Kong Vase).

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges paid tribute to Hong Kong’s ability to produce world-class performances from a horse population of only 1,250 as more than 45,000 fans flocked to Sha Tin and Happy Valley – the largest racing crowds in three years – to participate in a “Celebration of Champions.”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges thanked international and local owners, trainers and jockeys as well as Club staff for the staging of an unforgettable meeting.

“I want to thank our team who have done an absolutely outstanding effort because what

the team has pulled off has made me as the CEO extremely proud because this is the Hong Kong ‘Can Do’ spirit and this is excellence of the Hong Kong Jockey Club – and we never give up,” he said.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank the Hong Kong Government for their tremendous support that we could hold such a global event – because this is a real global event which goes around 80 countries where people around the world who love horse racing focus on Hong Kong.

“We are on the world stage, and we are global leaders and we can do things

The closing ceremony featured a pyrotechnic display

very few others can do.

“The overseas connections who came here, I would like to thank them because they made it a global event and they were all extremely appreciative at how we could conduct this event and stage a global show.”

Addressing Hong Kong’s effort to win three of the four Gr1s, Mr EngelbrechtBresges said: “Wellington shows he is one of the best sprinters in the world and the ‘Golden Generation’ of California Spangle and Romantic Warrior have shown that they can compete on the world stage. Romantic Warrior has produced the best 2000m performance I have seen

for a long time against worldclass competition, and I would like to acknowledge Golden Sixty

“Today is about the sport, today is about world-class racing and today is about celebrating champions,” Mr EngelbrechtBresges said. “Today, Hong Kong has shown that we have world-class quality. It’s amazing that we have only 1,250 horses in training – that is 0.8 percent of the world’s horse population and it is amazing how many quality horses we have in Hong Kong who are world leaders.”

because, even in his defeat, he has shown that he is a champion.

“Today is really a day where I would like to acknowledge the tremendous atmosphere we had on track. We had more than 45,000 people coming and cheering our heroes. The theme of our meeting was a ‘Celebration of Champions’, and our fans were more than happy to come back to the track.

“We had one of the best race meetings and after a period of time living in a hiatus it shows Hong Kong is a unique place and our fans around the world can see how good Hong Kong racing is and it gives me great confidence in the future.”

NEW RECORDS BIG SURPRISES!

RECORDS & SURPRISES!

We have reached the final few days of the World’s greatest sporting event! The 2022 FIFA World Cup is slowly ending and before it does, I think it is well worth our while to have a look at a couple moments which have played a part in etching the tournament into the pages of history.

Admittedly, it started a little flat, but the FIFA World Cup soon exploded into life! The knockout stages loomed and with it came unprecedented highs and lows with its usual captivating style, writes Ryan Liberty.

Nobody has been able to keep their eyes off of this World Cup and whether it be for the football or the peripheral media attention…the one thing we cannot deny is that football holds the key to every single sporting enthusiasts heart –and every four years is just a little reminder as to why. Records will always tumble.

The FIFA World Cup is a showroom event, one which continues to capture the imagination of millions of people around the world. You would hate to be a record at the world though considering every event sees new one’s being set,

and old ones absolutely shattered!

So far in Qatar, the majority (of records) have remained in one piece, but we have a few that have fallen on the proverbial sword… A host nation usually aims to make their World Cup the best they can and leave a legacy – Qatar, I suppose you can say, have done that but for the very wrong reasons.

Ignoring the controversy – which has already been covered in another SBN Feature article, Qatar have become the only host nation to lose every single group stage game, obviously then also not progressing through to the knockout stages.

However, there are a couple records which should be shared, and which could possibly bring a smile to your face. Among them, we have seen a World Cup which has had the very first female officiating involvement and the very first World Cup to be held in the Middle East

And of course, it would be remiss of me to leave out the fact that Lionel Messi is the first male to register an assist at five consecutive World Cups! Or that Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male to score at five consecutive World Cups. Olivier Giroud has also become the highest goal scorer at a World Cup for France, scoring 52 (at the time of writing) but with the ability to extend his record.

Big Moments in Qatar

What is a World Cup without big moments dominating the headlines? Allow me to take you back to Iran’s first game against England, the Iranian players took the bold and courageous choice of not singing their national anthem before kickoff. It was a gesture of good faith and support for the nation’s protesting the treatment of women, but human right violations in general.

Their silence echoed around the world, and just last week we heard of the Iranian government suspending the morality police from service!

Another massive moment was Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening game! the secondlowest ranked team in the tournament mounted an incredible comeback to score twice and send absolute tremors around the globe. Who gave a continental that Saudi Arabia lost their subsequent games? Their nation is still celebrating, and their players have a Bentley each.

And then Croatia, who can call themselves a football fan and not respect Croatia? Japan took them to

penalties in the round of 16 and then they had to hold their nerve against Brazil just to earn themselves a place in the final four of this year’s tournament – but that’s not the point I’m making.

Croatia have participated in six World Cup’s, and they have made the final four on three occasions! That is huge. They were uninspiring and rather dull early on, and nobody would have given them even a sniff – but they have undeniable ability and rooted experience, all of which have come to roost in Qatar.

Finally, Africa – stand up! Morocco have done us proud, epitomizing the African spirit and fighting even when nobody gave them a chance. At every World Cup there is a team who punches above their weight and this year Morocco have taken up that

mantle! They have created history by becoming the first African side to reach the final four, and that is just an indication of Islamic excellence and African pride.

Any surprises?

Cristiano Ronaldo taking a seat on the bench…is that a surprise? I’m not sure that it is to be fair. Ronaldo had been benched in the round of 16 game against Switzerland, and while it felt seismic, I assure you those who were tasked with taking up the mantle did so with absolute ability and conviction.

Coach Fernando Santos (and I suppose every coach who had engaged with Ronaldo over the past few years) indicated his displeasure with being taken off against South Korea and then chose to make a statement. Personally, the statement seemed to allow Portugal to play with freedom – but that’s just me.

Talking about time on the field,

this World Cup has seen a sizeable amount of injury time being applied. 563 minutes of injury time had been played in the group stages of the World Cup! This is of course because of the deliberate decision by FIFA to add on time for all stoppages in a manner which only depicts that of a totalitarian state.

You talk about a Golden Generation, but what is the opposite called? Germany and Belgium for example are two colossal teams with a staunch history in the game and yet neither have managed to remain competitive in the modern era. Japan and Australia on the other hand have flown the flag for Asia and I suppose continue to endorse FIFA’s message of extending football around the globe.

DON’T CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA!

Thousands of Pakistanis in a Karachi neighbourhood, once synonymous with gang violence and poverty, will mass together to roar on Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

People poured through the labyrinth streets of Lyari in the early hours of Wednesday to watch Lionel Messi and his Argentina side on a giant screen beat

Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final.

Wearing Argentina shirts, some broke into song and dance after the South Americans sealed their spot in the decider in Qatar against France or Morocco. Fireworks lit up the night sky.

"Most of the youth are inspired by them," Tahir Khan, a 40-yearold football coach, told AFP of Argentina's World Cup stars.

Messi is inevitably the favourite -- but they also like his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar of Brazil.

"I see most of the youth wearing Messi or Neymar jerseys. Even at Eid they wear their jerseys... instead of traditional dress," said Khan.