SP Sprint - 22 December 2022

A STAR IS BORN

He came, he saw, he conquered!

Drakenstein flagbearer Charles Dickens confirmed his status as a superstar in the making when he slammed a nationally representative quality field to maintain his unbeaten record and win the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. His new merit rating is 128.

On a day when the crowds

came back in their numbers to savour the new spirit and life of Cape Racing, Trippi colt Charles Dickens established himself as surely the most exciting thoroughbred prospect of the century, when he overcame an unfavourable gate and beat the odds from off the gallop to make it six wins from six starts.

While the much anticipated match race between the Drakenstein home-bred and Equus champion Gr1 winner Cousin Casey largely failed to materialise, Charles Dickens became the stuff of dreams as he stormed home amid

cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.

Flashing his magnificent stride up the outside, Charles Dickens (4-10) had them all under pressure 250m out and stormed clear to beat his media rival Cousin Casey (11-2) by 4,25 lengths in a 97,69 secs.

On her birthday, Lady Christine Laidlaw’s consistent Querari colt At My Command (10-1) stayed on a neck back into third.

Aldo Domeyer salutes as Charles Dickens coasts to his sixth victory

WSB Gold Rush candidate Royal Aussie (80-1) rounded off the quartet.

Now undefeated in six starts, Charles Dickens is

a Drakenstein home-bred son of past SA Champion sire Trippi (End Sweep) out of the five-times stakes winner Demanding Lady (Dynasty), who scored up to 2200m. He took his stakes earnings to R1 625 930.

The SPRINT is interactive –please click here to watch the replay.

IN THE FRAME!

When dual Equus Awardwinning photographer Candiese Lenferna captured an image at Hollywoodbets Greyville in November of Jason Gates, with an Egyptian Goose above his head, steering the Louis Goosen-trained Sea Goddess to victory in the

third race, we had to acknowledge a rare feat!

The fact that the timing was perfect, and that Louis is wellknown as ‘the Goose’, gave us goosebumps. The pic made the cover of our weekly digital, the SPRINT.

Earlier this week, Louis Goosen and Candiese were presented with a memento of the image as a keepsake.

WRIGHT GUINEAS

Pacemaker Canford Lights is in the distance in the gold and blue as Charles Dickens storms clear

Candiese Lenferna

Cover Image

Kenilworth Racing Chairman

Greg Bortz has been acknowledged for his extraordinary efforts in a turnaround in Cape racing in double quick time. This image was captured by Chase Liebenberg on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day on Saturday.

WRIGHT OR WRONG? GUINEAS TACTICS IN SPOTLIGHT

The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday heralded the arrival in the Gr1 stratosphere of one of the most exciting horses we have seen for many a year. The victory by Charles Dickens is a massive feather in the cap for Milnerton trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and her team.

But the role of the sensational winner’s 80 rated stablemate didn’t escape the attention of the Stipes.

Karel Miedema observed on our comments platform

after the announcement of the final field earlier this week ‘that it looks like Canford Lights is there to make sure of a true run race at a good pace until they hit the straight. Legacy of Terence Millard …’

Steve Reid labelled the Miedema observation an interesting comment and noted that a perusal of the NHA rules makes no mention of the use of pacemakers in a race.

Reid added that if Miedema’s observation of Canford Lights being used as a pacemaker was true, then it breaks a few guidelines in his opinion –although he concedes that these guidelines are ‘murky at best’:

62.1 Every HORSE shall be run and shall be allowed to run to the best of its ability and on its merits.

Would a pacemaker be seen as fulfilling this guideline?

62.1.1. A HORSE must be ridden in such a manner as to benefit its best interests of the RACE in general.

The ‘benefit its best interests of the RACE’ portion of this guideline is open to interpretation, suggests Reid. What exactly does it mean? It appears contradictory to 62.1 but

perhaps the ambiguity is intentional.

He goes on to say that things get muddier with the following guidelines:

62.2.1 The RIDER of a HORSE shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout a RACE to ensure that his HORSE is given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing.

Is last place the best possible placing if your stable companion benefits?

62.2.9 The RIDER take all reasonable measures to ensure that he rides to the instructions given to him by the PERSON authorised to give such instructions.

Should the trainer give the instruction to the rider to sacrifice the horse as a pacemaker – with the clear intention of benefiting the companion – does this then trump the guidelines that show this is not allowed?

He also asked whether the solution would not be to allow for a pacemaker in the guidelines? This would then need to be declared on acceptance. It would be as simple as declaring a piece of equipment.

As it transpired, Canford Lights did make the pace on Saturday.

Jockey Gareth Wright reportedly told the Stewards that his instructions were to ride the gelding positively and to ensure that he cleared the two horses drawn to the inside of him from the start.

He added that he had managed to clear both At My Command Port Louis with ease once the gates had opened but Canford Lights had taken hold of the bit and had raced more prominently at the head of the field than he had anticipated.

When questioned by the Stipes as to why he had at one stage in the back straight and on the bend been positioned several lengths in advance of the field, he responded that the gelding had been strong and he had been unable to bring it back to the field.

The Stipes then observe that after straightening, Canford Lights commenced to give ground suddenly and had finished tailed off.

Jockey Wright also stated that Canford Light’s merit rating was far

below the average of the other runners in this race.

When it was put to him that he had not made a report to the Stipendiary Steward that was assigned to take reports from the riders following the race, Mr Wright confirmed that he was aware of the Rules pertaining to ensuring that his mounts were given every opportunity to obtain the best possible placing and that he is obliged to report any circumstances that might have had an effect on his mount’s performance.

The Stewards have adjourned to give further consideration to this matter.

THE BORTZ THOUGHTS MR RACING '22

‘Turnover and profit are important. But when Owen Heffer and I stood and looked at how many people were milling around and having a good time, we were mindful that this doesn’t show up

Greg Bortz hugs Speeding Bullet’s winning rider Richard Fourie as Jono Snaith looks on

Chase Liebenberg

on a spreadsheet’

The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas raceday on Saturday was the deal clincher, but Cape Racing’s gamechanger Greg Bortz was always at short odds to be named the Sporting Post’s Horseracing Newsmaker of the Year for 2022.

Over 15 000 people, dominated by groups of happy families, thronged through the newly painted gates of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday to enjoy a day of top notch horseracing against the carnival backdrop of the local favourites, Die Kaapse Klopse, also known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town

Street Parade.

It was a day that had even the traditionally staunchest critics and dyed-in-the-wool cynics lauding a new birth for horseracing, with comparisons being made to the tightly packed bums-on-seats and party spirit of major big days of years past.

On hearing that the name Greg Bortz was our pick for our final SPRINT cover of 2022, and thus our Newsmaker Of The Year, the cordial entrepreneur said that he was very flattered to receive the accolade, but that recent history didn’t speak too highly of newsmakers.

“If one looks back, the newsmakers have hit the headlines

for all the wrong reasons –from the capture of racing and Business Rescue, and the rest. And frankly the last thing I want is to be in the spotlight. There is no upside in my world to being placed on a pedestal or a perch. And that’s genuine – no false humility! I have been under the radar all my life and I prefer to do what Owen Heffer does – that is, rather to be the Wizard Of Oz behind the curtain,” said the man some call ‘the executioner’ (for all the right reasons, of course!), with a broad smile.

“Can I make a suggestion? Gaynor Rupert and Charles Dickens, or Mary

Slack, would be far more deserving contenders for this prestigious acknowledgement for the impact they have individually made on SA horseracing this past year. And for all the right reasons!”

We had already decided on the Kenilworth Racing Chairman as our year-end cover star, so we changed the subject of any ideas he had of walking off the stage without his Oscar in hand, to the glorious day that was Saturday 17 December 2022.

“When this journey started just over four months ago, I didn’t think this would happen as quickly

as it did. To get the feedback of comparisons to past Met days and the rest was unbelievable! And while I know you are probably yawning and thinking ‘cliché, boring’, it has been a team effort, whichever we look at it. Allow me to repeat that – a team effort!” smiled the man who has introduced a culture change, where even the switchboard operator sounds like she wants to help.

We asked Greg if his was the proverbial dream team?

“Everybody to the last man and woman, has done their bit. The season is intense and stressful, so the potential for burn-out is there. But we thankfully have bench strength. We have forged a team ethic – together with Hollywoodbets – and we are all

excited about our individual roles. Think about it – this is a multi faceted and complex business. I have used the example before, but we are not selling a widget. And we are also trying to grow it by using the real estate for conferences and events –Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville cannot only be alive on racedays. We need to use the asset to work for the better good of the end game!”

And the tie-up with Hollywoodbets and a business dynamo like Owen Heffer and his team? Did Greg ever think the partnership would work as well as it has?

Speeding Bullet is led in by Gina Goldsmith, Jono Snaith, Siyabulela Xhego and Greg Bortz, with Justin Snaith in the background

“It’s an interesting question with an easy answer. Owen and myself have never had partners – so this was new to both of us. But we share a common drive in the joint venture – that is passion and not bottom-line economics. If the latter was the case, neither of us would be here. And if one of us was focussed on money, and the other on boosting the popularity of racing (our main goal), there would be a lack of sync.”

Greg points out that many wanted to know what turnover and profit was on Saturday.

“Yes, those are important questions. But when Owen

and I stood and looked at how many people were milling around and having a good time, we were mindful that this doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet. The decision to bring in the wonderful Kaapse Klopse was a great start in our reconnection with the local community. And happy people are an asset in our aim to help people fall in love with racing again!”

He says some asked about the crowd on Saturday. Greg says it was authentic.

“Tote turnovers are up over 125% over prior year. But that isn’t the intent. The intent is to boost our profile and standing. Our business relies on sponsorship, eventing, broadcast, food and beverages, and so much more. And it is now profitable, after teetering on the

brink of Business Rescue the day before we came in through the front gates. So yes, I repeat, any crowd is authentic!”

Looking back over the past four months, we asked Greg if Saturday’s success means he can relax a bit and reflect on a job well done?

“No, no, no! We are only at the start line! The bar has been raised early –that’s very rewarding so we now need to lift our game again,” he adds.

Beyond the betting turnovers, the Kenilworth Racing Chairman was taxed to nominate one area that is

The Kaapse Klopse had the large gathering enthralled

Cape Racing

a priority and a challenge at the same time.

“Unquestionably the horse population. We need more horses in the national system. Field sizes have a knock-on effect of lifting betting turnover. But there are just not enough horses in the system and we definitely don’t want to fix our house at the expense of other centres either. A rising tide raises all ships, so we need to create the environment where more owners want to buy and where more breeders can make a living out of breeding more horses. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation. But raising stakes and making ownership more rewarding and fun will stimulate demand which

in turn will stimulate supply. But it must be demand driven. And then there is the EU audit. We wait but good news there could be a further stimulant.”

We asked the energetic entrepreneur to sum up the goals for Cape racing in 2023?

“We haven’t left the gates yet. We are looking for incremental growth. Yes, we can shoot the lights out with our season but, as I said earlier, we have to get our horses and owner numbers up. We simply have to bring more owners into game. We have launched the Cape Racing Turf Club initiative for membership. Many guys were wearing their badges on Saturday. The outsourcing of owner management did not work and we have some rebuilding to do. So we will strive to continue to uplift the owner experience and improve all

our facilities – and naturally for our beloved horses too. We have already spent many millions, and by the end of 2023 I’d think I’d want to see all our building work completed.”

On a personal front, we have been reading in the financial press about Grand Parade Investments and corporate chess games. To us, and probably the average layman, it’s mostly Greek.

“In a nutshell, at this moment I own approximately 49% of Grand Parade Investments and have made an offer to buy the 51% balance. GPI has meaningful stakes in Grandwest Casino and Sun Slots. The relationship

Happy people thronged Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday

potential for horseracing here is on many fronts. For example GPI were sponsors of the Cape Guineas, and there are other betting overlaps. For example, we also have slot machines in many of our branches. It’s fair to say that it is premature to speculate at this point in time but my rationale is a direct line into two of the most attractive gaming assets in the world which could generate strong cash flows and good dividends. In time I hope to wind up with over 50% of GPI, and thus effective control. The relative end percentage will impact on the outcomes and decisions. For somebody who has lived overseas, what this exercise does show is that I am financially committed to the Western Cape and it reflects that my heart and focus is here!”

As an owner, Greg has enjoyed two Gr1 winners in Undercover Agent and Pomp And Power. He also had a smart winner on

Saturday in Speeding Bullet.

“Gina (Goldsmith) and myself have a fairly exciting crop of youngsters. For example, Speeding Bullet, who won on Saturday, was beaten by our impressive debut winner Gimmelightning first time out. So we have high hopes for both of them. Maybe this time next year we will be talking about the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and other big races. What I can say we are privileged to own horses and enjoy it thoroughly. As to more Gr1 winners – well if the universe were to grace us, we would grab it!”

We asked if he is one-trainer owner?

“No, I have gone both ends of the spectrum. I used to have around 16 trainers which makes management so difficult. Multiple bills and accounts are timeconsuming so for convenience, efficiency and productivity it is just simpler to have fewer trainers. We have our bulk with the Snaiths and have formed solid friendships with Justin and Jonathan which makes it fun. In Gauteng I am with Lucky Houdalakis and Ashley Fortune, while here in Cape Town

I also have horses with Brett Crawford and Paddy Kruyer, and then a couple with Alan Greeff up in Gqeberha.”

And what does the Bortz family do over the holiday season?

“All three of my kids live in the USA but happily all are going to be home for the holidays. Our plans are Cape Town centric, including the L’Ormarins King’s Plate!” he says enthusiastically.

Does New Year’s eve mean a party and will Greg see it in with champers and dancing?

“You must be joking. If you can find any two people who go to bed earlier than Gina and myself, then I will be surprised. I am up at 4am every day. So I will really see in 2023 when I wake up to go to the bathroom on 1 January!”

BUSINESS DAY REPORTED IN NOVEMBER…

Grand Parade Investments (GPI), having been coldshouldered by the market for years, is suddenly in play thanks to some chunky share purchases by casino giant Sun International and former international merchant banker Greg Bortz.

Hands are being dealt fast and furiously, and GPI shareholders, who have

endured some rough patches in the past few years, will be the last to complain: the share price has surged about 25% in just a few weeks.

Says Bortz: “I am enthused by GPI’s future. For the first time in a long time there will be a clear pure play runway of visibility into the highest-quality gaming assets.”

In late September GPI told shareholders it had entered into

a process that could result in the ‘potential sale of GPI and/or its underlying assets’. This was no big surprise, as GPI had, following the sale of its Burger King fast-food interests, told investors it planned to unlock value and return capital.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

When Charles Dickens (Trippi) romped to a devastating win in Saturday’s R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas, he stamped himself as the leader of his generation and also an exceptionally appealing stallion prospect.

One of 11 Gr1 winners for his evergreen champion sire, Charles Dickens is out of an increasingly

successful broodmare in the form of Demanding Lady (Dynasty).

A winner of five races, including a score in the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, Demanding Lady is also dam of Gr1 Gbets Cape Derby runner-up Charles and Somerset Maugham, who was promoted to first in this season’s Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy.

Like Charles Dickens, both Charles and Somerset Maugham were sired by Trippi.

The unbeaten Charles Dickens is inbred to one of the greatest, unbeaten thoroughbreds in history in the form of the mighty Ribot.

The latter’s sons Tom Rolfe and His Majesty both appear in Charles Dickens’ pedigree.

Ribot won all 16 of his races, including back to back renewals of the Prix

The magnificent Charles Dickens en route to the start

de l’Arc de Triomphe, and he defeated subsequent champion South African sire High Veldt when he claimed the 1956 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Ribot (Tenerani) was as great a sire as he was a racehorse and headed the General Sires List in Britain and Ireland on three occasions. From top milers to Romulus to St Leger winners Boucher, Ragusa, Ribocco and Ribero, and Epsom Oaks heroine Long Look, Ribot proved to be an outstanding sire.

Ribot also enjoyed great success in North America, where his numerous highclass representatives included US Horse Of The Year Arts And Letters, influential full-brothers Graustark and His Majesty, and Preakness Stakes winning champion Tom Rolfe.

The latter made his mark on the breed through his champion sons Hoist The Flag (sire of dual Arc winner and outstanding sire Alleged) and Run The Gauntlet, and Tom Rolfe mare File produced US champion and influential sire, and sire of sires, Forty Niner. The latter is grandsire of Charles Dickens’ sire Trippi.

Another son of Ribot to enjoy notable success at stud was His Majesty.

Champion sire in North America in 1982, His Majesty sired Kentucky Derby winning champion, and outstanding sire, Pleasant Colony, as well as the dams of prominent US sire Dynaformer and, more impotantly, the dam of breed shaping stallion Danehill

His Majesty also sired Beautiful Bedouin, fourth dam of Charles Dickens.

Ribot also made his mark as a broodmare sire in South Africa –his daughter Ofa produced another exceptional Cape Guineas winner

in the form of Politician.

While Ribot’s male line has all but petered out, he remains a potent factor in pedigrees today, with inbreeding to the mighty champion resulting in a slew of top-class performers.

Charles Dickens joins a still growing list of star performers inbred to Ribot including Duke Of Marmalade, Mozart, and this year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel.

ANOTHER CHAPTER IS WRITTEN

Charles Dickens has been awarded probably the highest merit rating in SA history for a three-year-old in December.

The NHA handicappers have given the son of Trippi a 128 after winning his first Grade 1 on Saturday, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, which saw him

remaining unbeaten after six starts.

David Thiselton writes on www. goldcircle.co.za that this can be compared to the 121 of Hawwaam by the time of the July. Hawwaam had by that stage won six out of seven races and his three Grade 1 wins included a 4,10 length rout of older horses in the Grade 1 Champions Challenge.

Double Superlative was given a 125 after his Cape Guineas win last year. However, he failed to build on that rating.

Charles Dickens is the third highest rated horse in the country at present behind Jet Dark (130) and Kommetdieding (129).

DE KOCK SAYS IT WAS A ‘REALITY CHECK’

Charles Dickens canters to post

Candiese Lenferna

Saturday’s Hollywoodbets

Gr1 Cape Guineas was a bit of a reality check in that we know now that the Cape-based three-yearolds are significantly better than their counterparts in Gauteng this season.

Mike de Kock writes on his website that a true star was crowned in Charles Dickens.

What an amazing performance from this beautiful colt, certainly the best I’ve seen since our own Horse Chestnut won this race 23 years ago, and it looks as if there is still much to come from the Drakenstein-bred.

The three Highveld raiders Union Square, Shoemaker and Anfields Rocket were comprehensively beaten, our own pair with no excuses though Shoemaker suffered some minor interference and could have finished a length or two closer than he did. But the sensational Charles Dickens was not beatable as it was.

Congratulations to Candice BassRobinson and her team for a big training feat, and to Gaynor Rupert, who described this win as her best day in racing. Moments like these make everything worthwhile for breeders and owners like her who put so much into the game.

Well done also to Greg Bortz, Cape Racing and sponsors Hollywoodbets for putting up a professional and entertaining day that drew a crowd we haven’t seen in years. The buzz was tangible.

Their restless efforts in bringing the sport back to the masses is applauded.

www.mikedekockracing.com

LOVE IN WINTER –ON A CAPE SUMMER’S DAY

Love In Winter (Corne Orffer) charges clear ahead of Sun Dazed (Aldo Domeyer) and Trivial Matter (Keagan de Melo)

‘There's quite a story behind him. He was actually sold twice and both times, the deal fell through; the first buyer didn't pay, while the second one thought he had bought a two-year-old, when in fact Love In Winter was a three-year-old!’-

John Koster

Chase Liebenberg

The magnificent Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas romp by Charles Dickens elicited a flood of superlatives and rightly so, for when last did an undefeated contender put a field of Gr1 opponents to the sword in such emphatic style?

However, the Drakenstein homebred was not the only undefeated horse in action on the day. With all the focus on the Guineas, budding sprint star Love In Winter looked in danger of falling through the cracks.

After all, the What A Winter colt made it four wins from as many starts when he led home a scintillating trifecta for his sire in the preceding sprint race, a fine achievement which was understandably all but lost in the Guineas euphoria.

Proud owners Martin and Steven Karunga were on course and joined breeder John Koster in welcoming their colt back to the winner's enclosure.

We subsequently caught up with John, who elaborated on the lightly raced fouryear-old.

"There's quite a story behind him. He was actually sold twice and both times, the deal fell through; the first buyer didn't pay, while the second one thought he

had bought a two-year-old, when in fact Love In Winter was a threeyear-old!"

Enter the Johannesburg-based brothers Steven and Martin Karunga.

"They were looking through the sales list and approached me. Five or six emails later, we cracked the deal!" John remarked. The rest as they say, is history, for the colt hasn't looked back since his facile debut win in September.

"He's a real fighter and doesn't want to be beaten," John added.

Love In Winter is trained by Vaughan Marshall, whose relationship with top Klawervleibreds stretches back many years. He handled the likes of Captain Al and many of his best offspring - William Longsword, One World, Always In Charge, All Is Secret –were all bred at the Bonnievale farm.

Granted, Love In Winter has yet to scale similar heights, yet Vaughan's comments on the colt are more than enlightening.

"He shows nothing in training, that's the reason we didn't fancy him first time round. He's improving all the time and he's done everything that is expected of him.'

Given the fact that Love In Winter has scored three times over 1000m and just held on over 1100m in his penultimate start, his optimum distance appears to be the minimum trip, and that's where he

will be campaigned for now.

With a perfect record in tow, temptation would be great to throw the colt into the deep end and yes, the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship readily comes to mind. However, the trainer is adopting a far more cautious approach and for now, it's a matter of small steps.

"We will take him along quietly," Vaughan said. "He's not a big horse and we will pick his races carefully. Sadly, there is such a shortage of black type races over 1000m, I may just take him to Durban and prep him for the Computaform Sprint."

A lofty target indeed for a colt who remains an interesting prospect and will be on many shortlists to make his mark in the sprinting ranks come autumn and winter.

From a pedigree perspective, it is no surprise that Love In Winter's metier is sprinting first and foremost.

As mentioned, he is by a champion sprinter in What A Winter, whilst speed, rather than stamina, is the hallmark of his female line, which is that of champion sprinter Dandy Man, the juvenile Gr1 winner Sudirman and stakes-winning speedsters

Hamza and Anthem Alexander.

His Irish-bred dam Lost In Love is a once-raced daughter of Middle Park hero Dark Angel, who has sired such outstanding flyers as Battaash, Harry Angel and Mecca's Angel. The next two dams are by champion French juvenile

Common Grounds and Gimcrack winner Doulab respectively, so there's plenty of speed on the bottom line.

Klawervlei no longer owns Lost In Love, but has retained her first foal, an unraced daughter of Frankel imported in utero. Named Quite Frankly, she is now doing broodmare duty for the farm and as John reported, has a One World

foal at foot and is in foal to Querari.

The latter is also sire of Lost In Love's last known foal, a juvenile colt who is now in training with Dean Kannemeyer.

Owner Martin Kalunga shows his joy

Chase Liebenberg

VETERAN DUO HIT THE PENINSULA IN STYLE

A crowd of over 15 000 flocked to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, and besides being treated to a champagne performance by rising star Charles Dickens, they witnessed a vintage display from one of the world’s great jockeys.

With only four rides on the big day, multiple champion Piere Strydom will be thrilled to have teamed up with the 7yo Nexus to deliver a match-winning

performance at 50 to 1 in the R400 000 Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap.

The 7year old and the 56 year old have built up a special affinity and turned on the charm for the happy crowd as Sean Veale and Imilenzeyokududuma joined in a scrap with 350m to go.

Fresh after a 19-week break, Nexus raced just off the pace set by the Piet Botha pair of Rockin Ringo and Baratheon, before slipping his field and being joined by Imilenzeyokududuma.

The tussle lasted a few strides before Strydom balanced his mount and drew away to beat Imilenzeyokududuma (4-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 111,9 secs.

Glen Kotzen’s 6yo Han Solo (7-1) ran third a further 1,75 lengths back.

The WSB Cape Town Met entries Airways Law, Senso Unico, Winchester Mansion, Baratheon and Silvano’s Timer all failed to feature.

Nexus comes home powerfully under Piere Strydom

The feature represented a welcome return of champion breeders Ridgemont Highlands to the sponsor fold.

Nexus, a R1,7 million National Yearling Sale graduate, was bred by Rathmor Stud and hails from a Gr1 family.

He is a son of the perennial powerhouse Dynasty (Fort Wood) – who was the sire of the first and second placed runners – and is out of the top-class five-time winning Jet Master mare, Mystery Dame.

He has won 9 races with 10 places from 31 starts for stakes of R1 331 725.

Owner Nancy Hossack said that every time she considers retirement for Nexus, trainer Justin Snaith suggests she holds on and the gelding produces a winning performance.

RIDGEMONT’S PROUD DYNASTY STANDS TALL

Chase Liebenberg

Winners! Trainer Justin Snaith, Nexus’ owner Nancy Hossack and Ridgemont Highlands’ Craig Kieswetter

The high-riding Ridgemont Highlands team’s memorable Cape summer season continued at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Robertson nursery of champions celebrated their return to the bigrace sponsor arena with a memorable exacta for a legend close to their hearts in the R400 000 Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap.

Just weeks after marking a feature double that included their iconic stallion Dynasty’s third Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner in seven renewals of the time-honoured classic, the timeless late son of Fort Wood was carving out his indelible impact again with

a 1-2 finish for two of his smart sons in the Ridgemont Highlandssponsored feature.

The Rathmor Stud-bred 7yo Nexus came back after a 19 week break under Piere Strydom to beat the progressive Ridgemont Highlandsbred Imilenzeyokududuma.

A delighted Craig Kieswetter said that it was an honour to sponsor a Gr2 contest of this level, and having the finish fought out by sons of their late hero Dynasty was both emotional and very satisfying.

“Dynasty’s legacy lives on at every racetrack in this country every day. He is also broodmare sire of Charles Dickens – surely the most exciting horse seen in South Africa in two decades and more? The way he won the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday was simply sensational!”

Kieswetter went on to acknowledge the contribution of the Cape Racing and Hollywoodbets teams to the new found spirit in the sport of kings in the region.

“Not in our experience or involvement in the industry in the past ten years have we seen the level of public participation or sense of excitement on a racecourse as we witnessed at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. I believe there were close on 15000 people on track. That underscores our decision to play a role as a feature sponsor and we are privileged to be a part of what we believe that history will show as a new dawn!’ he concluded.

MARINA MAKES MAGIC

The fabulous Silvano mare Marina, a 2023 WSB Cape Town Met entry, capped a glorious day for the Candice Bass-Robinson team when she finished with a flourish to win the R250 000 Hollywoodbets Gr3 Victress Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

A disappointing omission for her connections from the Hollywoodbets Durban July field earlier this year, Marina has vindicated the decision to keep her in training another season and after winning the Gr2 Gold Bracelet at the end of last

term, she bounced back strongly to win Saturday’s Gr3 contest with some authority.

Regular pilot Aldo Domeyer, still on a high after his glory ride on Charles Dickens earlier, rode a confident race on the even money favourite as he produced the chestnut down the inside to beat her 40-1 pacesetting stablemate Do Angels Cry by 1,25 lengths in a time of 113,33 secs.

Silver Darling, who took the outside strip home with the pacemaker, was a further head back in third.

The disappointment was Chansonette, who spoilt her

consistent formline –probably not staying the 1800m.

Marina is by deceased multiple SA Champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the twice-winning Fort Wood mare, Gay Fortuna.

She is now a winner of 10 races with 6 places from 21 starts for stakes of R996 600.

Aldo Domeyer has Marina in full stride to win well

CHARLES DICKENS TOPS THE CHARTS!

Charles Dickens has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 128 following his emphatic success in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Charles Dickens has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 128 following his emphatic success in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

on Saturday 17 December. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up Cousin Casey made for the ideal line horse when assessing this event, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 115.

The winner aside, there were ratings increases for four other horses. 3rd finisher At My Command is up from 109 to 114, 4th placed Royal Aussie was raised from 99 to 109, while 5th placed Dave The King and 6th finisher Money Heist – who were separated by no more than a short head in this level weights contest – both

go up to 108 from 105 and 103, respectively. This would ensure that they meet on the correct terms i.e. level weights, should they face each other in a handicap race, given that they showed essentially the identical level of ability here.

No horse received a rating’s drop as a result of this race.

Press release by NHRA on 20 December 2022

Chase Liebenberg

Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap

Nexus has had his merit rating raised from 107 to 114 following a second career success in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Nexus also won this race two seasons ago, when he achieved a mark of 116 carrying 1 kg more than this time around. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 3rd placed Han Solo made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100.

Runner-up

Imilenzeyokududuma –who was 1 pound or 0.5 kg under sufferance at the weights – goes up from 95 to 100 and was the only

other runner to receive a rating’s increase. There were however ratings drops for five runners.

4th finisher Warrior is down from 108 to 107, Chollima drops from 100 to 98, Rockin’ Ringo was trimmed from 109 to 108, Future Prince is down to 96 from 97, and lastly Senso Unico drops from 108 to 106.

Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes

Marina remains unchanged on a mark of 117 after winning the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed Silver Darling made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 113. In assessing the race this way, Marina only runs to a mark of 114, hence her unchanged rating. Marina also won this race a year ago, carrying 4.5 kgs less and only

running to a mark of 104, testament to the progress which she has made during the intervening twelve months.

There were also increases for 2nd placed Do Angels Cry, who goes up from 93 to 102, and for 4th finisher Bye Bye Bombshell, who is up from 98 to 100.

The only drop was for Chansonette, who continues to run well below her best form of last season and who is down from 121 to 116 to make her lower than the winner.

• Press release by NHRA on 20 December 2022

SILVANO – A SUPER SIRE

in August 2021.

In a twist of fate that was to change the landscape in South African racing and breeding for decades, Silvano shuttled here in 2003 and was forced to stay, due to an outbreak of African Horse Sickness.

A champion globetrotting racehorse of his time, Silvano won seven races, while earning more than $4 000 000 in prize money, tasting success in all of Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore

At the virtual Equus Awards in 2020, Silvano claimed his fifth South African General Sires title. It was his fourth consecutive national title, having also been Champion Sire in South Africa back in 2012/13.

Marina’s victory in the Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes on Saturday had us thinking about her star sire, who passed

A half-brother to Gr1

Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap winning sire Sabiango (Acatenango) and a full-brother to the dam of Hemel ‘n Aarde’s Gr3 winning Dynasty sire Horizon, Silvano is one of ten winners produced by 11 time winning mare Spirit Of Eagles – America’s and Germany’s Broodmare Of The Year of 2001.

and the USA. He scored his most notable victory when landing the 2001 Gr1 Arlington Million

Chase Liebenberg

Richard Fourie was at his best to get Speeding Bullet home

Another feature, and also run at Juvenile plate conditions, this time for the boys and contested for the first time as part of Cape Racing’s rejuvenated and stakes-boosted juvenile programme, the R200 000 Hollywoodbets Coomonwealth Plate produced an exciting finish at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

With the holiday crowds filtering through the gates as the day progressed, racing fans were treated to a outstanding display of jockeyship by local hero Richard Fourie, who got Speeding Bullet home after

a protracted scuffle over the final 150m.

Showing the benefit of a promising first run, the well-supported Speeding Bullet came right back to hold off an improved Pompei Warning in a close call.

Promising Snaith first-time William West, who was reported to be catching pigeons at home, ran third.

In a dramatic sequel, JP van Der Merwe, rider of Pompei Warning, weighed in over-weight and an objection by the clerk of sales saw the Piet Steyn runner disqualified. Racing in the interests of Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, the winner was bred by Sean Jerrier

and cost R400 000 at sale.

The winner is a son of Equus champion What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the twice winning Jet Master mare, Bulleteer.

Now a winner of 1 race with a place from two starts, he took his stakes tally to R130 150.

RASCOVA IS ON TARGET

Chase Liebenberg

Rascova (Calvin Habib) gets the better of the more experienced Miss Hannigan (Bernard Fayd'herbe) after an exciting tussle over the final stages

Run for the first time as part of Cape Racing’s rejuvenated and stakesboosted juvenile programme, the R200 000 Hollywoodbets Summer Coronation Plate opened the Cape Guineas day feature programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

On the final Gr1 raceday of 2022, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth came alive under sunny skies with a carnival atmosphere prevailing and a happy crowd enjoying the high-quality racing.

And the 1000m dash proved a memorable moment for Drakenstein Stud's late War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber who produced his

first winner in grand style when the Cheveley Stud-bred Rascova got the better of a titanic duel with recent debut winner Miss Hannigan in the final 50m.

In a thrilling finish, the Glen Kotzen-trained Rascova registered an impressive first victory under Avontuur-sponsored Calvin Habib.

The winner was bred by Cheveley and is a daughter of Lancaster Bomber (War Front) out of the five-time winning Western Winter mare, Netsuke.

A R260 000 sale graduate she took her stakes tally to R118 750.

Next up is the three-legged Summer Juvenile Series, commencing with the R350 000 Trippi Stakes which is run on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day. Save

the date – 7 January 2023! The second leg is the R500 000 Listed City of Cape Town Summer Juveniles Stakes which will be run on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met day28 January 2023.

The third leg is the R750 000 Cape Racing Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery which will be contested on Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby day5 February 2023.

In a welcome move for all stakeholders, the Summer Juvenile Series offers stakes of R1,6 million. That’s a vast increase in anybody’s language from the R525 000 for the same three races last season!

BOMBER LANDS FIRST WINNER

Drakenstein Stud’s much missed Lancaster Bomber marked his first winner when his first crop daughter Rascova made a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Trained by Glen Kotzen, two-year-old

Rascova was always up with the pace in Saturday’s R200 000 Hollywoodbets Summer Coronation Plate (1000m).

Staying on gamely down the inside of the Kenilworth track, Rascova fought off a dogged challenge from impressive debut winner Miss Hannigan to score by on debut by half a length.

Bred by Cheveley Stud, Rascova is out of the Western Winter mare Netsuke.

She was one of two runners for her late sire in Saturday’s juvenile race, with another member of Lancaster Bomber’s first

Lancaster Bomber: War Front ex Sun Shower by Indian Ridge

crop, Manchester Fighter, having caught the eye when finishing fourth on debut.

An exceptional racehorse, Lancaster Bomber finished first, second or third in seven Gr1 races, and accounted for Gr1 Investec Coronation Cup winner Defoe and Gr1 Investec Derby runner up Cliffs Of Moher when victorious in the 2018 Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Other notable winners of

the Tattersalls Gold Cup include champions Fantastic Light, Duke Of Marmalade, So You Think and Magical as well as the exceptional stallion Montjeu.

One of more than 100 stakes winners for his exceptional sire War Front, Lancaster Bomber was produced by the prolific producer Sun Shower. The latter, a daughter of King’s Stand Stakes winner Indian Ridge, also produced triple Gr1 winner Excelebration (sire of Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy), multiple group

winner Mull Of Killough and the 2022 G3 Seagram Cup Stakes victor War Bomber. The latter is a full-brother to Lancaster Bomber.

HAT'S OFF TO ARGENTINA!

Just 24 hours after Argentina produced one of the great performances in history to win the Soccer World Cup in Qatar, another product of the second largest country in South America was registering a milestone of his own at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds-

based Argentinian-bred Hat Puntano registered his first winner when his daughter Givers Grace, having just her second start, won a 1000m Maiden Plate on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf.

Ridden by apprentice Katjedi for trainer Carl Hewitson, Givers Grace beat the favourite African Folklore by a half length in a time of 62,06 secs. Raced by the Poet’s Corner

Syndicate (Nom:Michael Moroney) and Andre Louw, the Wynnholme Stud bred filly is out of the thrice winning Jet Master mare, Fender Bender.

A R30 000 National 2yo Sale buy, she improved smartly on a quiet debut effort at Hollywoodbets Scottsville earlier this month, to beat the boys in

Hat Puntano : Hat Trick ex Stormy Pursuer by Bernstein

the 1000m contest.

A product of Argentina’s famed La Biznaga Stud, the handsome brown Hat Puntano arrived in South Africa a dual Gr1 winner of the Gran Criterium at two and that country’s Guineas at three.

Trained by the Azzie team,

he proved himself a top miler on two continents with a splendid victory in the Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein.

Hat Puntano is a grandson of the mighty Sunday Silence, albeit through another son, the globetrotting champion and sire of sires, Hat Trick.

His first youngsters include a

most interesting colt, a half-brother to the Gr1 winner MK’s Pride. Out of the Admire Main mare Ikimasu, he is linebred 3×3 to Sunday Silence.

ALL THE KING’S HORSES

The first entries for the R2 million Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate were received on Wednesday morning and include Justin Snaith star Jet Dark, who is out to emulate Legal Eagle as he bids for his third successive win in South Africa’s premier weightfor-age mile. An interesting, but not unexpected, entry is BassRobinson champion Charles Dickens who can join the likes of Jet Dark and Gimmethegreen light as 3yo winners.

The race will be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 7 January 2023.

Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 27 December.

Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 28 December.

The list of first entries:

Jet Dark goes for his third win in this race

VALE GAVIN HUNTER

The Sporting Post has learnt of the sad passing of former trainer, stipendiary steward

and jockey agent, Gavin Hunter. Our condolences are extended to

his daughter Claire, and his family and friends.

HIGHVELD & EAST CAPE BOOST

The Racehorse Owners Association have announced the re-introduction of added stakes bonus races for ROA members in good standing.

The bonus stakes will be made available for all Open

Maiden Plates run in 4Racing jurisdictions from January to July 2023.

This incentive has a total value R4 Million and the ROA state in a media release that they are extremely proud to be able to

award their loyal members with this added benefit.

BUMPER CATALOGUE!

The catalogue for the Bloodstock SA 2023 Cape Yearling Sale which will be hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse

on Sunday 26 February, is now available online.

The sale starts at 12h30 on that day when the first of 177 lots

will pass through the ring.

Please click here to view the online catalogue.

BANNED JOCK RETURNS

News from Australia is that Group 1-winning jockey Adam Hyeronimus is free to ride in barrier trials again with a view to returning to race riding early in the New Year.

Hyeronimus was at the peak of his career before he was banned for two years and four months for bettingrelated offences.

Racing NSW chief steward Steve Railton gave

Hyeronimus permission to resume track riding earlier this month and to ride in barrier trials from Thursday.

But Hyeronimus told News Corp he intends to ride trackwork for a few more weeks and improve his fitness before going back to the barrier trials.

Hyeronimus politely declined an interview request, preferring to concentrate on his comeback but Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse was quick to offer the

jockey her full support.

"Adam's the most talented young jockey,'' said Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott.

"He has copped his punishment well and he's eager to get back to race riding. He realises he has made mistakes but he wants to get on with his career and be successful.”

CHALLENGE SET FOR BUMPER CLIMAX!

With only three racemeetings left, things are hotting up in the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge which sees R1 000 000 awarded to owners, jockeys, trainers and apprentices.

After the latest KwaZuluNatal meeting, Keagan de Melo remains top of the jockey leaderboard with 753.5 points. Serino Moodley holds second place with 661 points ahead

of Tristan Godden, who is on 541.5 points.

Garth Puller leads the way on the trainer leaderboard with 701.5 points. He leads from Kom Naidoo who is on 601 points. Princess Tea leads the way atop the horse/ owner leaderboard with 42 points.

Rachel Venniker remains top of the apprentice leaderboard. She tops the pops with 590 points with Siphesphile Hlengwa back in second with 414 points.

See all the logs by clicking here.

There are only three KZN race meetings between now and the end of the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge:

26 December –

Hollywoodbets Greyville

28 December –

Hollywoodbets Greyville

30 December –Hollywoodbets Greyville

Keagan de Melo – suspended and it could cost him

FRANKIE CONFIRMS RETIREMENT PLAN

The Italian, 52, has enjoyed a glittering career, but on a blank day of racing in Britain and Ireland he confirmed on ITV Racing that next year will be his last.

He said: “Next year, 2023, will be my final professional year as a jockey.

“I will break the news now. It is something I have been thinking about for a while and what an appropriate day to tell the racing world that it is going to be my finale next year.”

Dettori’s place in the pantheon of the sport’s greatest jockeys has long since being assured, with his achievements far too many to mention. He has been associated with numerous equine greats, including dual Arc heroine Enable, the mighty stayer Stradivarius and two Derby winners in Authorized and Golden Horn.

What will Dettori do when he retires from riding? Plenty of clues in this Off Track special, recorded a few weeks ago

Dettori said he will officially bow out at next year’s Breeders’ Cup

meeting at Santa Anita in November.

He added: “The plan is I am riding Boxing Day in Santa Anita and I’m planning to spend 10 weeks in California.

“I should make my way back via Dubai and Saudi and I guess start my (British) season in Newmarket.

“I will be riding right through, obviously it will be my last Guineas, my last Derby, my last Royal Ascot so on and so forth

and then will probably finish (in Britain) at either Champions Day at Ascot or at Newmarket.

“The final farewell as a professional rider will be in California at the Breeders’ Cup.”

Dettori insists the decision to call it a day is not one he has taken lightly.

“It is a very difficult decision because my heart wants to carry on riding, but I have had to use my brain and I’ve just turned 52 and next year

I’ll be 53,” he continued.

“I want to be competitive enough to do my owners and my horses justice next year and I think I’m still in that bracket of being good. It was difficult, but it is the right time.

“I spoke to my dad at length. My dad stopped at 51, he is very supporting, and I also had to speak to my wife and children who are delighted because they have barely seen me for 35 years!

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks, and I’ve decided with the firepower I have next year and the horses I have to ride I can

finish my career on a big note. Fingers crossed I stay in one piece, and we’ll give it a good go next year.

“Look at Ronaldo, one day he was playing and he’s on the bench the next. I don’t want to end up like that and end up where I’m struggling to get rides in the big races. At the moment I still have good horses to ride, and I want to finish like that.”

• Racing TV

DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL TAKES SHAPE

Nearly 150 horses from 17 countries have been accepted to run at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, which gets underway on Friday, January 6th at Meydan Racecourse.

With millions in prize money up for grabs across nine weeks of racing, the Carnival promises some excellent action on the turf and dirt tracks at the UAE’s flagship racecourse. The action builds up to the Dubai World Cup, which takes place on Saturday, March 25th, for which a separate set of

nominations will be received.

The cosmopolitan nature of the entries reflects the success of the 2022 Carnival, which welcomed winners from the UK, France, Uruguay, Bahrain and the USA. The 2023 renewal sees 147 horses accepted, including nine individual Group/Grade 1 winners.

California-based trainer Doug O’Neill enjoyed an excellent Dubai stint in 2022, saddling four winners from just 19 runners. He has nominated a team of 11, including Grade 2 winner and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile third Slow Down Andy, as well as Get Back Goldie, winner of the Oud Metha Stakes at Meydan

last season, and three-yearold B Dawk, sixth in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby. Joining O’Neill from the US could be fellow Classic-winning trainer Dallas Stewart, who has been nominated Grade 2 winner Long Range Toddy.

South America enjoyed plenty of success at the 2022 Carnival and they are back again, with Grade I winners La Validada, Nino Guapo and El Musical nominated by Argentinabased trainer Juan Saldivia, while Ricardo Colombo brings over the exciting Loreley, winner of the local

Group 1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos in Uruguay in September.

Australian trainer Will Clarken made an impact at Meydan last season with He’s A Balter running fourth in the Gr2 Blue Point Sprint, and he has nominated the gelding again, along with Beau Rossa and Ironclad.

South Korea, successful at the Carnival in the past with the likes of Listed Curlin Stakes winner Dolkong, are set to return to Dubai after a break of a couple of years. Trainer Youn Gu Park has nominated Haengbok Wangia, while Young Kwan Kim has put

forward another US-bred, King Of The Match.

The Carnival, which began back in 2004 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse, often welcomes back returning stars and the Charlie Hills-trained Equilateral is set to visit for a third time, alongside stablemate Khaadem, a Group 2 winner since running at Meydan last season. Hills’ fellow British trainer Richard Hannon has put forward Group winners Chindit and Happy Romance; the latter having enjoyed Dubai before when she was second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Commenting on the 2023 Carnival, Stephanie Cooley, International Liaison for Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are delighted with the

strength of nominations which we have received from across the world for the Carnival.

"To have nations such as South Korea, who have suffered from Covid restrictions in recent years, returning is gratifying, and it's also superb to welcome back many returning equine stars as well as some new faces from the UK, Ireland and the USA.”

The list of Carnival entries is available here: DRC Press Releases - Horses from 16 countries accepted for Dubai World Cup Carnival (dubairacingclub.com)

SHA TIN BLOCKBUSTER FOR JANUARY

Next month’s Gr1 Stewards’ Cup is set to be a blockbuster renewal with a trio of Hong Kong’s equine heavyweights –Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and California Spangle – expected to lock horns in the HK$12 million feature at Sha Tin on Sunday, 29 January, 2023.

Fresh following a devastating Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) triumph this month, Romantic Warrior will be set for a Hong Kong Triple Crown campaign which kicks

off with the Stewards’ Cup before the Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in February and Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May.

Unlike many other Triple Crowns from around the world, Hong Kong’s is not age restricted and has only been achieved once in history – by the great River Verdon back in 1994.

If successful in all three legs, 2021 Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior will pick up a HK$10 million bonus, however, standing in his way is a rematch with California Spangle

and a first meeting with dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2020/21 & 2021/22) Golden Sixty.

Trainer Danny Shum believes the Stewards’ Cup will be the biggest hurdle Romantic Warrior will face in his Triple Crown bid: “It’s a good race! It will be the focus of the world, the Triple Crown is the goal this season. I think he can handle the 2400 metres, just the first run over 1600 metres is the difficult one against Golden Sixty and California Spangle.”

Romantic Warrior wins the 2022 Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

Romantic Warrior is the joint-highest rated horse in Hong Kong (130) with Golden Sixty, while California Spangle holds outright second spot on 129. Romantic Warrior boasts nine wins from 10 starts and a whopping HK$62.19 million in earnings.

“It will be a good race but it won’t be easy, those are good milers, they’re champions – my horse is good but 2000 metres is better, I wouldn’t be afraid of them but 1600 metres will be tough,” Shum said.

Karis Teetan will ride

Romantic Warrior in the Stewards’ Cup having partnered the Acclamation gelding to victory in the 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and 2022 Gr1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).

“He’s pulled up well and Karis (Teetan) has come to the stable each day to ride him. He’s happy with the horse,” Shum said.

Golden Sixty will chase a second win in the Stewards’ Cup. He prevailed in 2021 before his 16win unbeaten streak was halted by Waikuku in the 2022 edition of the race.

“Golden Sixty is ok – no problems, he is healthy and he now goes to

the Stewards’ Cup. It will be a good race to watch. He still wants to fight,” trainer Francis Lui said.

Now a seven-year-old, Golden Sixty won first-up in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) over California Spangle before his younger adversary reversed the result in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday, 11 December at the HK$110 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

Golden Sixty has banked HK$122.85 million across his record-breaking career

and Lui is remaining open to the option of travelling the 130-rater abroad in 2023.

“We will see, I still haven’t decided. Of course, Japan, it’s closer and easier to get to but we will see, it is too early to tell. Dubai is another option but in March, he still has to race here,” Lui said.

A winner of nine races from 14 starts, California Spangle has enjoyed a sparkling rise and his trademark front-running style of racing will once again be looking to light up Sha Tin in next month’s Stewards’ Cup.

Danny Shum’s star Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior rose to the top of his age bracket last season

and after unveiling Nordic Dragon last month, the handler is remaining optimistic of following a similar path towards a FourYear-Old Classic Series tilt with his sale-topping HK$7 million purchase.

PERTH YEARLING SALE'23

The Swan Valley will come alive in February with a stunning catalogue of 327 lots confirmed for the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

With the recent online release of the catalogue, the quest will be on to find the next world class galloper at the world Magic Millions WA complex.

The 2023 Perth Yearling Sale will be held across two days - Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February.

With graduates including Group One stars Portland Sky, Sheeza Belter, Black Heart Bart, Boom Time, Silent Sedition, Scenic Blast, Moment of Change and Scenic Shot, the Perth Yearling Sale is regarded as one of the best producing in Australasia.

There is great variety on offer with stock by 79 individual sires including 12 represented by members of their first crop.

The 2023 catalogue features countless well-bred youngsters including (at least half) relations to recent Perth Summer Carnival stars

Admiration Express, Buster Bash, Bustler, Buzzoom and Saintorio.

In a great boost for local buyers 94% of yearlings catalogued are eligible for either the Westspeed Platinum or standard Westspeed scheme. Some 68 lots are BOBS eligible and all lots offered are eligible to be paid up for the $14+ million Magic Millions Race Series.

Magic

The sale will be preceded by the Magic Millions Raceday at Pinjarra on February 18 – featuring the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) and $200,000 Magic Millions

WA 3YO Trophy (RL, 1200m). The 2YO Classic is boosted with the $75,000 Magic Millions WA Racing Women's Bonus.

To view the online catalogue for the 2023 Magic Millions Perth

Yearling Sale click here or download via the Equineline iPad app. Printed copies of the catalogue will be distributed over the coming weeks.

COLD ENOUGH?

Turfway Park has cancelled its Friday night programme because of freezing temperatures and a forecasted wind chill as low as 25 below zero.

Turfway Park is located within the city limits of Florence, Kentucky, about 16 km south of the Ohio River at Cincinnati.

The National Weather Service forecast for

Florence, Kentucky calls for rain and snow overnight Thursday into Friday. The highest temperature on Friday is expected to be near 5 degrees, and it will be breezy, with wind of 20 to 22 mph and gusts as high as 41 mph. The low Friday night is expected to be 2 degrees.

Turfway Park is scheduled to resume racing next Wednesday. The holiday meeting is scheduled to run through Saturday 31 December and the winter/spring meet will begin with a special New

Year’s Day card on Sunday 1 January 2023.

Racing director Tyler Picklesimer will add and redraw the races from Friday’s card to racing next week, according to a Turfway news release.

KEVIN SOAL - POPULAR OWNER WILL BE SADLY

MISSED

Just weeks after celebrating a sensational Grade 2 victory with a horse he bred and owns; longstanding Gauteng patron Kevin Soal became a victim of a senseless and shocking crime on Wednesday evening and his distraught family now face a bleak festive season.

Mr Soal’s abandoned vehicle was found in Thembisa on Wednesday evening.

After a police search his body was recovered a matter of hours later. It is believed he was in the process of dealing with a tenant. The matter is under

investigation by the SAPS. The passionate racing man was the owner of National Heavy Haulage and also farmed in Mooi River.

The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Gimme A Shot was a runaway winner of the Betway Gr2 Ipi Tombe on Summer Cup day at end of November in the black and red Soal silks.

A runner carded at the Vaal on Thursday was withdrawn, while the late businessman was also a partner in Black Egret, who is carded to run in the opening race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

An emotional trainer Ashley Fortune told the Sporting Post that

the news of the tragedy was ‘absolutely devastating’. “He was such a good man, and our thoughts go out to his family,” she added.

Other racing stakeholders who knew the deceased chose not to be named and quoted, but the Sporting Post was told that the 68-year-old Kevin Soal was a much-loved husband and father, a successful businessman, and a massive supporter of horseracing in South Africa.

Our sincere condolences are extended to his family and friends.

Kevin Soal made the most of every loving situation

A SMILE TO REMEMBER

KwaZulu-Natal racing is mourning the passing in Durban on Friday evening of prolific owner Robert Maingard.

The popular Maingard was a widely invested owner, and his red and green silks were a familiar sight on racecourses around the country.

His most recent winner was Mr Gonzales who won at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently.

The best horse that he owned was possibly the filly Respectable. Trained by

Ricky Maingard she finished third in a dead-heat with Jungle Warrior behind Illustrador and Olympic Duel in the 1990 Durban July with Jeff Lloyd aboard.

Maingard was an entrepreneur,

Jungle

making his fortune in the AgriChemical business, before diversifying into property, largely in

the Franschhoek Valley.

Roslyn Vivienne Coetzee raced horses with Mr Maingard and told the Sporting Post that he was a larger-than-life character of enormous generosity.

“He loved racing. He loved people. It is difficult for the sport to ever replace someone of his energy and passion. We are going to miss him a lot,” she added.

Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac said: “Robert played a big part in my life and has been very influential

Robert Maingard - loved his racing

Sands raced in Maingard’s colours winning the Germiston November Handicap and finishing third in the Queen’s Plate.

in the career path I chose. He touched the lives of so many in the racing industry and will be sorely missed”

Recently elected Chairperson of Gold Circle, Sadha Naidoo echoed the sentiments and tributes from other stakeholders. “Mr Maingard no doubt contributed immensely to both the racehorse and business communities in

South Africa. His contributions would be etched through the legacy and memories that he leaves behind with his dear family who will continue to burn the Maingard flame.”

Bill Lambert said that Robert Maingard was a most colourful personality who had a great passion for racing. He was an active member of Gold Circle and rented the largest private box at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

“He was a popular member of the French/Mauritian community and was a warm personality. His box was always open to those wanting to share a glass of champagne,” said Lambert.

ARGENTINAWORLD CUP CHAMPIONS'22!

Lionel Messi is celebrating a dream, career-defining World Cup triumph as Argentina won the most dramatic final in history on penalties after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick had kept holders France alive.

After 63 matches and a thrilling month of action, Sunday’s breathless finale was the wildest conclusion anyone could have imagined to the first finals held in the Middle East and Arab world.

Messi came to Qatar looking to crown a glittering career by leading Argentina to a third World Cup triumph and managed just that after a staggering 3-3 draw ending in a 4-2 shootout victory against France.

Emiliano Martinez denied Kingsley Coman before Aurelien Tchouameni failed with his effort, with Gonzalo Montiel striking the decider to spark wild celebrations at Lusail Stadium.

Messi converted his effort in the shootout having opened the scoring on Sunday with a first-half penalty that was quickly complemented by Angel Di Maria’s fine goal against meek France, only for Mbappe to spark them to life.

The 23-year-old scored twice in 97 seconds to take

match beyond 90 minutes and became the second player to score a final hat-trick when cancelling out what had looked to be an extratime winner by Argentina's captain.

But this was Messi's final. This was Messi's tournament – one that ended with him lifting the trophy aloft at the same ground where they suffered a humiliating loss to Saudi Arabia just 26 days ago.

The 35-year-old's fifth and final appearance at this stage ended in glory as he captained them to their first World Cup triumph since the late, great Diego Maradona did so in 1986.

It was a blockbuster ending to one of the most controversial World Cups in history, with Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships among the key issues.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino labelled it the best ever, but Human Rights Watch’s Minky Worden says it will be remembered "as the most expensive sporting event ever – and the deadliest".

The organisers have largely kept quiet throughout a tournament that ended with a star-studded crowd joining the Argentina fans that have turned Qatar sky blue over the last month.

Their team flew out of the blocks in Lusail and looked up for the fight against jittery France, whose poor start was punished midway through the first half.

Di Maria brilliantly beat Ousmane

Dembele and hit the deck as the France forward attempted to halt him leading referee Szymon Marciniak to point to the spot.

Messi stepped up and fired into the bottom right-hand corner as Hugo Lloris went the wrong way and things got worse for France in the 36th minute.

Alexis Mac Allister played onto Messi and darted forwards. The skipper sent a beautiful flick to Julian Alvarez, who put the Brighton midfielder through to send a low first-time cross to the far post for Di Maria to score.

Didier Deschamps responded by bringing on Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. Dembele and a fuming Olivier Giroud made way as France failed to muster a first half shot.

The match looked over as Argentina continue on top. Rodrigo De Paul saw a volleyed effort saved and Lloris denied Alvarez, with France taking until the 68th minute to register any shot.

The final appeared to be petering out, only for Nicolas Otamendi’s overzealous defending to give France a chance from the spot.

Marciniak awarded a penalty for the foul on Kolo Muani

and Mbappe beat Martinez with an 80th-minute goal that sparked an astonishing turnaround.

Coman dispossessed Messi at the start of a move than

ended with 23-year-old meeting a return ball from Kolo Muani with a fizzing low strike past Martinez. An amazing hit, a remarkable moment.

Thuram was booked for a dive in the box as France sought a late

winner, with Mbappe trying his best and Messi seeing a shot stopped before extra-time.