20220216 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.4 Single Pages by Sporting Post

Jade Macdonald

MALMOOS IS HERE! 3

South African Triple Crown champion Malmoos follows in the hoof prints of some of South Africa’s greatest sires as he takes up residence at Ridgemont Highlands. The exciting news broke just over a week ago for the breeding community that the former dual champion Mike de Kock charge - only the fourth horse in history to win the South African Triple Crown - would be joining the illustrious Ridgemont Highlands stallion roster in

preparation for the new season. Craig Carey, from Ridgemont Highlands, oversaw the Malmoos ‘welcoming committee’ and had only one word for the media as the handsome athlete backed off his float. “Breathtaking!” Malmoos’ arrival certainly adds an exciting dimension to the champion nursery’s already powerful stallion roster that includes five time Group 1 winning international stakes producer Canford Cliffs, South African Champion Freshman Sire and Champion Racehorse, Rafeef, and Grade 1 winning Singspiel sire, Potala Palace. Craig Carey had a twinkle in

4 The SA Triple Crown winner poses for our photographer

his eye as he described his first impressions of a ‘true professional’ in his modern new surroundings of the stallion section at Ridgemont Highlands. “This can be a testing process as a champion colt makes the transition from the racing yard to the next phase of his career in the stallion barn. But the extraordinarily handsome Malmoos has been the consummate gentleman and his relaxed demeanour and regal presence has already created an aura around the Farm. He has settled in extremely well. His manger was empty this morning and he enjoyed his walk as he enthusiastically took in all the new sights,” added Carey, who said that he expected

Jade Macdonald

On a beautiful Saturday morning the magnificent and fertile lime-rich Robertson Valley rolled out the proverbial red carpet and welcomed another big name equine resident.

Jade Macdonald

5 Malmoos surveys the beauty of his new home at Ridgemont Highlands

demand to be at a premium for a champion racehorse that had everything going for him to make it as a sire. “He was purchased for over R4 million as a yearling by some of the best judges in the game. His catalogue page and athleticism already placed his name in lights at that early stage. He then showed his versatile mix of speed and stamina when he won from 1200m to 2450m. It is already well documented that he lifted the South African Triple Crown in 2021 - winning the final leg in shades similar to that of the great Horse Chestnut. He is the last Grade 1 winning son of the great Captain Al, and he has to be one of the most exciting locally bred

prospects to stand in South Africa for many a long year. We are privileged to be a part of the exciting Malmoos journey, and our belief in him is so great that it was decided for him to take up residence in the stable left by the inspirational Dynasty.” enthused Carey. When contacted for a comment, trainer Mike de Kock was pleased to hear that his former star had arrived safely in Robertson and was already settled in. “He is such a special animal! I am on record, and I will stick to my guns, that Malmoos is the real deal. It doesn’t take a trained eye to observe that he has that athletic superstar presence about him – that rare x-factor. From the moment he

walked into our stable as a youngster he commanded that status. His Dad was a champion and his pedigree speaks for itself. He is a young stallion that has it all - the sensational Grade 1 performance on the racetrack, one of the best pedigrees in the history of South African breeding, and the looks of a superstar. To find a horse with all of those qualities is not common – it’s special! One thing we can be very thankful for is that courtesy of the magnanimity and support of Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum and the Shadwell team, we are enjoying the privilege of standing him on African soil!” said multiple champion trainer, Mike de Kock.

Jade Macdonald

It’s happening.

the untouchable… finally within reach.

8 Flashback: Lyle celebrates his first HK winner at his second stint

HKJC

LYLE’S EYE IS ON THE BALL

Building character and absorbing as much as he can from every professional around him. That’s the positive approach of our 24 year old treble SA Champion Lyle Hewitson, currently in his second Hong Kong season and hammering hard for his next winner. Going from his best ever season, when lifting his third SA title with 263 winners last term, and following a dreadful accident just two months ago, Lyle told the Sporting Post on Monday that he is physically and emotionally 100% and as sound as a bell – despite only having one winner to his name from 76 rides, in what was supposed to be a benchmark season in Hong

Kong. “I am enjoying 100% full flexibility and there is nothing wrong physically at all. I am actually feeling very good,” he adds. It’s been a remarkable recovery! Lyle came back to riding a month ago after being injured in an accident during the running of the Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December that left him and two colleagues - Zac Purton and Yuichi Fukunaga - injured, and two horses sadly euthanised. At the time Lyle wrote on Facebook: “Beyond blessed and very lucky to be in the state I am considering the magnitude of the incident. It is great to have gone from ICU to

10 Mr & Mrs Hewitson - happy and having fun

hospital ward to home in just a few days! Overwhelmed by all the messages of support, prayers and visits – certainly reminds me of the amazing people I have in my life. Now for the road to recovery and I promise to be back better, stronger and as soon as is realistic.#carpediem“ With amazing resilience and determination, Lyle refuses to make excuses, and with the support of his wife Hannah is staying true to his professional ethics. He also enjoys a friendship with fellow SA Champion, Luke Ferraris. Lyle is focussed and determined to get amongst the winners and build solid and lasting relationships.

“At my last two meetings my twelve rides have produced six third places. That may not sound amazing on the face of it, but I am not riding fancied horses and am getting some of them to improve their form and get closer. I am just very grateful to enjoy the support and have a wonderful opportunity to gain experience and learn amongst some of the world’s finest horsemen,” says Lyle, who acknowledges that after breaking the ice at his third racemeeting, the accident a week later had broken his momentum. But he is not making excuses. “While winning races has a collective snowball impact on opportunities, confidence and even luck, the irony is that right now as I speak to you I feel good and I feel strong – and mentally I am positive that the tide will turn,” he adds with a maturity that belies his years. Lyle was reluctant to single out any trainer. But fellow Saffer and Hong Kong veteran Dougie Whyte has been a source of good counsel and guidance. “I was always aware from early on in my career that it pays to listen and learn from anybody and everybody who is willing to offer input. I am doing that every day, and it’s a great motivation as I turn

my personal ship around,” he says with positivity. Lyle adds that, like for so many people all over the world these last few years, the covid-19 pandemic has meant a tailoring of movement and lifestyle. The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced this past weekend that in view of the rapidly worsening COVID-19 pandemic situation in Hong Kong, they have decided to temporarily close all the Clubhouses in Happy Valley, Sha Tin and Beas River, as well as on non-race days the catering premises at the Happy Valley Racecourse from 13 February for two weeks until 27 February 2022 in order to protect its employees and Members. So Lyle and Hannah are basically shut down at Sha Tin. “We are all in the same boat. I personally spend a lot of time at stables and riding work. We have trials on Tuesdays and Fridays, and race Wednesdays and Sundays. On off days I spend time looking at my rides and going through the programme. Having Hannah with me helps a lot. Life is good and there is never a moment of boredom, despite the restricted movement!” Lyle said that he keeps pace with the South African horseracing scene and stays abreast of all the results, as well as watching the features.

We asked what he thought of Rain In Holland’s dramatic victory in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Guineas last Tuesday evening. Lyle won the Gr1 Thekwini on the daughter of Soft Falling Rain as a 2yo at Hollywoodbets Greyville. “That was a really smart victory and it was an encouraging result for Rain In Holland’s SA Triple Tiara chances as the mile would really be her most difficult leg in my opinion. Yes, I also watched Kommetdieding win the WSB Cape Town Met – another very good victory for him and he seems an exciting prospect. My best wishes to all back home. I hope South African racing goes from strength to strength in 2022.”

Chase Liebenberg

‘The late champion Jet Master featured as either the broodmare sire or paternal grandsire of no less than five of the eight winners’

12 Everglades (Grant van Niekerk) is led in by Alfred Mqamelo, Alex Ngqwangi, Callum Dixon and Kimberly Home

THE HIGH-FLYING JETS!

Chase Liebenberg

Plattner home-bred Birdie And Bogie wins under Callum Dixon That the legacy of Jet Master continues to resonate across South African racing and breeding was more than evident at Kenilworth last weekend. It may have only been a mundane meeting, yet the late champion featured as either the broodmare sire or paternal grandsire of no less than five of the eight winners. His daughters produced three winners, all owned by Sabine Plattner, who enjoyed one of those red-letter days, her familiar green and indigo silks adorning the winner's enclose no less than four times!

Remarkably, the fourth winner was sired by Jet Master's accomplished stallion son Master Of My Fate, who also registered a double on the day. Homebred three-year-old Birdie And Bogie set the tone when he justified favouritism with a fluent victory in the 1000m opener. By Vercingetorix, his stakes winning dam Razzle Dazzle Rose captured both the Gr2 Gold Bracelet and Gr3 Victress Stakes for her owner. Birdie And Bogie's victory served as a perfect prelude, for in the third race, his stable companion Everglades appreciated the step up to 1800m to break her maiden in

style. Backed well into the red, she had little trouble dispatching of her rivals and powered home to win by the best part of two lengths. Bred by Varsfontein Stud, she is the first foal of Jet Master's daughter Kissimmee, a full sister to the stakes winner Top Jet and a half-sister to the dam of Gimmethegreenlight's multiple Gr1-placed son Second Base. Interestingly, the winner of this season's Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes One Night In Paris, is also by Gimmethegreenlight

out of a Jet Master mare. Varsfontein also featured as the breeder of Master Of My Fate's son Policy Target, who captured the 2000m fifth race in the Plattner silks and like Everglades, was partnered by Grant van Niekerk. Van Niekerk was also aboard Plattner homebred Lillybelle in the last race and she duly closed out the day as the third favourite to score for her owner, whilst completing Jet Master's fine treble. Her dam Jet Flo is a homebred half-sister to Just Like Al, a smart stayer who carried the Plattner silks to victory in both the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers and Gr3 East Cape Derby. Master Of My Fate's Kenilworth brace of winners was initiated by Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Thunder Master in the fourth race. The three-year-old is raced in partnership by Marsh Shirtliff, who of course, will forever be associated with Jet Master's standout offspring Pocket Power and River Jetez.

Jet Master's success as a broodmare sire on the day was not just confined to Kenilworth, he also tasted success in the second race at Turffontein Eric Verdonese-trained Wikkel Spikkel was sent off favourite and duly lost her maiden tag at fourth time of asking. Out of Jet Master's daughter Hear The Rain, the well-related filly is a half-sister to Tony Rivallandtrained Gr3 winner Tristful. Significantly, this is not the first time Jet Master has stamped his presence on a race meeting. On 3 January, he dominated at Hollywoodbets Greyville as the broodmare sire of four of the eight winners. At Kenilworth's 1 February meeting, he also registered a treble, which included a smart victory by Black Silver, who is out of Jet Master's Gr1winning daughter Ebony Flyer. Second in the Listed Ardmore Handicap, she followed up with a decisive 2.25 length defeat of stakes-performed rivals over 1800m. In addition, the first race on that day was won by Line Of Duty,

a three-year-old colt by Jet Master's son Pomodoro. Jet Master currently finds himself well clear on the Broodmare Sires List and considering that this season's Gr1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate hero Jet Dark and Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative are likely to add to their achievements, a fourth consecutive Broodmare Sires title looks a distinct possibility. Footnote: Jet Master is the broodmare sire of nine lots catalogued for the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale on 27 February, and on paper, the most prominent is undoubtedly the Twice Over filly out of Sofala – Winterbach’s lot 62. Not only is she a half-sister to Gr1 Cape Derby and Daily News 2000 runner-up Rascallion, she is also bred on the same cross as Double Superlative.

WILGERBOSDRIFT CONGRATULATES THE CONNECTIONS OF

RAIN IN HOLLAND on winning the

WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (GR 2) 1 600m the ﬁrst leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara. Owner: Drakenstein Stud Trainer: Sean Tarry Jockey: Richard Fourie Breeder: Drakenstein Stud

18 TAB supports responsible gambling. Gambling for persons 18 years and older. Winners know when to STOP. National Responsible Gambling Toll-Free counselling line 0800 006 008. Alcohol not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Drink Responsibly.

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Nippy Winter (Aldo Domeyer) is led in by Carol Bass, Candice Bass-Robinson, Jo Campher & Alondra Taylor

SYNDICATES - THE WAY TO GO

Some racing syndicates succeed. Others fall in a hole. But when a consistent flyer like Nippy Winter is carrying the flag, it’s easy to understand why racing can be fun. The chestnut daughter of What A Winter races in the 100 strong Centenary

Syndicate’s gold and white silks and benefitted from a ‘really good ride’ – that was in the words of her modest winning rider Aldo Domeyer – when she weaved her way through from way back to win the sixth at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The diminutive chestnut is only two bricks and a tickey high, but she can run and always puts her heart into it. Prepared for the Ready to Run Sale and shrewdly labelled by her astute conditioner as a filly with speed, Nippy Winter took a month of Sundays to shed her

maiden ticket. But she earned at every one of her first nine starts, bar one Durbanville outing where she ran fifth after no luck in running. A R120 000 Cape Ready To Run Sale graduate, she was bred by Maine Chance out of the well-performed Arelon mare Nossa, who won in Germany and was placed at Listed level in Italy. Nippy Winter made it two wins with ten places from her fourteen starts when holding off the year older Little Doe by 0,75 lengths in a time

of 71,88 secs for the straight 1200m. She boosted her stakes bank in the process to close on R180 000. Only two members of the large syndicate were on course to lead their chestnut ATM in, but winning trainer Candice BassRobinson promised more of the concept introduced by her entrepreneurial sibling, Mark. “We are going to offer two more in the same syndicate with 200 owners,” added the Milnerton lady trainer, who

enjoyed a double on the day after Domeyer steered Thunder Master home to shed his maiden in the fourth. This was Domeyer’s 52nd winner of the season at a strike-rate of 23%. He is at 11th on the SA jockey log and isn’t a national title contender as he hardly travels. Interested in racing in Cape Town? Visit the www. centenaryclub.co.za.

ANOTHER ONE CALLS TIME

24 Mike Robinson – closing shop after 9 years

Bay Media

The Cape racing trainer ranks has been reduced to just twenty stables with the sad news that the Mike Robinson yard in Philippi will be closing after nine years of producing winners. In a brief notice on social media late last Thursday evening, a statement said: It is with a very sad heart due to financial reasons that we are closing our yard next week and we are blessed that Brett Crawford will be taking on our clients and horses from next week. Robinson, who suffered a severe bout of tick-bite fever late last year, came through the ranks from the ground up and has a cv steeped in learning from the best. Starting in the military, he learnt the trade with Mike Stewart, Chris Snaith and

Dennis Drier Mike took out his licence in 2008 while he was still working at Drakenstein Stud and after a few years in charge of spelling and pre-training, as well as training a small string of horses off the farm for them, he took the plunge and went out on his own in 2013, basing himself at Philippi. Supported by his wife Luella, daughter of the veteran KZN trainer Doug Campbell, Mike Robinson has had his fair share of success, without breaking into the big league – which is the magnet that attracts the owners and horsepower. And it has been a hard slog. He has trained 4 winners at a strike rate of just under ten percent this season. In a region dominated by less than a handful of powerful yards, it is becoming tougher

every year for the smaller operations to keep their heads above water. Feed costs are subject to hikes on average four times a year, and labour and peripheral costs further distort the small yard business model, with the majority of the powerful players supporting the Gr1 trainers in an environment of reduced stakes and general uncertainty. Met day was a resounding success in many respects. But we continue to ask questions about the underlying business model, beyond the glitz and glam. Losing small trainers is not good news for racing, whichever way we choose to spin it.

Candiese Lenferna

Piere Strydom – one of the greats

STRIKER – AT A CROSSROADS After being sidelined by an eye-injury for almost a year, Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom could be back in the saddle within a couple of weeks, if he gets the green light from his ophthalmologist. The multiple SA champion jockey is even more anxious to get back into the saddle than his staunchest supporters, as he still has a number of goals which he desperately wants to achieve

before finally hanging up his crop. “I’ve got a semi-detached retina,” Strydom told Tabnews’ Danie Toerien on Monday, explaining his long absence from racing. “If I get a bump on the head or something similar, it could cause the retina to detach completely and then I’ll lose the sight in that eye completely.

“That’s the reason I’ve been off for so long. I’ve had to take time off for the eye to heal. But it seems that the healing process is going well,” he said. One of the symptoms of this condition is that he gets flashes of light in his affected eye, making it impossible for him to ride. “I have another appointment with my ophthalmologist in

two weeks’ time, and then hopefully I’ll be able to make a decision about if, and when, I can start riding again. Time is the big factor here.” One of Strydom’s biggest goals, is to ride another 11 winners. “To be honest, I know I’m at the end of my career. I would love to get another 11 winners to get to 5,500. So, there’s still that incentive to come back and reach that goal. “I went to the races on Tuesday night (Guineas Day at Turffontein) and a couple of trainers said they’d give me some rides to get there. “How long it will take me to get those 11 winners is

another story. It could be weeks or months.” There should be ample opportunity for a jockey of Strydom’s calibre to get winning rides, with the likes of Callan Murray, Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris plying their trade abroad. “There definitely is a bit of a gap in the jockey ranks. It might just be the right time for me to step back in and do it. “I still have that desire to ride and to ride winners. It’s definitely there. “I know I’m not going to win any more championships. That takes a year of riding every day and riding winners. But I still have goals, and they

drive me. “At this stage of my career short-term goals are very important and I want to achieve them before I retire. “I’m at a crossroads here. There are positives and negatives. In two weeks, I will hopefully get a final verdict, but for now I’m not sure what or where this will lead to.” · Tabnews

30 Gavin Lerena drives Zeus to his fourth victory on Saturday

JC Photos

ZEUS TO TAKE ON SAFE PASSAGE 31

Trainer Fabian Habib’s progressive 3yo Zeus maintained his unbeaten fourfrom-four record at Turffontein on Saturday and is set to clash with Mike de Kock’s rising star Safe Passage in the R1,5 million Gr1 WSB SA Classic in early March. A smashing son of Silvano, Safe Passage attracted the accolades and plaudits after his fluent success – his fifth on the bounce – in the Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas just over a week ago. Talk of freakish heart rates and excited anticipation by champion conditioner Mike de Kock of the day when Safe Passage goes further have not scared off Zeus’ connections, who have indicated that the plan is to expose their colt for the first time at feature level in the 1800m SA Classic. The Vaal-based Fabian Habib is definitely not a man given to excited oversell, hype or

talk of telephone numbers, and he told the Sporting Post on Sunday that Classic day on 5 March was the likely next stop on the Zeus agenda. The son of Soft Falling Rain looks half special and has won all four of his starts – all under Gavin Lerena – from 1400m to 1800m, and impressed when winning the MR 95 Handicap for three-year-olds run over 1800m on the Turffontein Inside track on Saturday. Zeus hails from a family close to Fabian’s heart as his Elusive Fort half brother Out Of Your League was the young conditioner’s maiden Gr1 winner when scoring at double digit odds in the 2020 SA Derby. Bred by longstanding Wilgerbosdrift Manager Wynand Nel out of the Windrush mare, Lil’ Bacio, who never raced, Zeus was a bargain R70 000 ticket at the National 2yo Sale.

JC Photos

32 The Happy Zeus connections

Lil’ Bacio was originally purchased from Dr Marianne Thomson and also produced the multiple winner, Paybackthemoney (Marchfield). It’s a happy story of going back to the well, that has paid dividends for Habib and his loyal band of owners. “We feel Zeus is ready to tackle stronger now and the plan is to go for the Classic,” confirming that his charge was ‘an easy fellow to work with’. “He is not a complicated horse and does things correctly – as good horses tend to do!” Fabian has made giant strides in his 17 years in racing and while his Dad Joe and brothers Teddy and Joe Junior raced horses, he had no interest in racing to begin with. Tabnews reports that he

was at Chefs School for ten months until his Dad suffered a stroke and lost his speech. That would require hours of rehabilitation, doctors’ appointments and physiotherapy, all of which Fabian and mother Hakla spent at his father’s side. One day fate intervened. He accompanied his Dad on a visit to Dom Zaki’s stable at Walkerville Fruit Farm and the young young Fabian fell in love with the horse. “I got goosebumps touching, rubbing and interacting with the horses. My Dad told me that day I was not meant to be a chef but to train horses, and he made me make a promise.”

Joe Senior, who had horses in training with Zaki, arranged that Fabian would join the yard as a stable employee. That was the start of greater things to come.

brothers to me, we’re all very close. Jonathan is the stable’s Racing Manager and Sebastian, who runs tomorrow, runs in his colour

Fabian was born on 9 September 1984, and grew up on the East Rand in Germiston and Boksburg.

The father of two lovely daughters went on his own in the 2018/19 season and modestly confirms that Zeus is the best he has been privileged to train, ‘so far’.

Habib is grateful for the support of his family and his in-laws. “Zack and Amal Nassif are my wife Madonna’s parents and mine through marriage, but they’re an inspiration to me and probably my biggest influence. They’ve always encouraged me to follow my dreams!” Brothers-in-law George and Jonathan Nassif play an active role too. “They’re

Entries for the SA Classic, the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, are due by 11h00 on Monday 21 February. Now just imagine if Justin Snaith hits the road and brings his WSB Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative up to take on the Gauteng big guns!

Cape Derby Entries Justin Snaith’s WSB Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative, subsequently fourth placed in the WSB Cape Town Met, is one of thirteen entries for the R1 million Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby to be run at Kenilworth on 26 February. Snaith has also entered his Concorde Cup winner Pomp And Power in the 2000m event, the final Gr1 of the Cape Summer Season. Mike de Kock is the only visiting trainer amongst the entries and has nominated the 85 rated Motown Magic. R1 000 000 Gr1 CAPE DERBY - entries

Baratheon Piet Botha

Never Ending Rain Glen Kotzen

Darjeeling Vaughan Marshall

Pomp And Power Justin Snaith

Double Superlative Justin Snaith

Senso Unico Vaughan Marshall

Gem King Piet Steyn

Universal Adam Marcus

Gimmie A Star Dean Kannemeyer

Waiting For Summer Candice Bass-Robinson

Global Ally Brett Crawford

· Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Friday 18 February.

Master Redoute Andre Nel Motown Magic 34 Mike de Kock

· Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 21 February.

JC Photos

Zeus in the Turffontein parade ring on Saturday

WINDRUSH MARES TO THE FORE!

Promising three-year-old Zeus (Soft Falling Rain), who made it four wins from four starts when victorious at Turffontein on Saturday, is the latest above average performer produced by a daughter of deceased stallion Windrush.

Zeus, also one of a growing number of high-class performers inbred to Storm Cat, is out of one of the best broodmare daughters of Windrush in the form of Lil' Bacio. Saturday's winner is one of four winners, from as many runners, produced by the unplaced Lil' Bacio, whose

previous runners include Gr1 SA Derby winner Out Of Your League (Elusive Fort) and Gr3 World Sports Betting Gold Cup runner up Paybackthemoney (Marchfield). Lil' Bacio, however, is just one of a number of daughters of

Windrush to make their mark at stud. Windrush's greatest daughter, the ill-fated Mother Russia, was not only a champion on the racecourse but her only foal, Nother Russia (Tiger Ridge) emulated her dam in becoming an Equus Champion. Like Zeus, Nother Russia was closely inbred to legendary stallion Storm Cat. Between them, Mother Russia (L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, Paddock Stakes, Majorca Stakes and Empress Club Stakes), and Nother Russia

(Empress Club Stakes twice), won six Gr1 races and earned in excess of R7 million in prize money. Windrush also sired the very smart racemare Sunsational, winner of both the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes and Gr3 Prix Du Cap, with Sunsational going on to produce Gr1 SA Fillies Classic/Gr2 SA Oaks queen Juxtapose (Judpot). Another daughter of Windrush to land the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes (this time on two occasions) was A Daughters Legacy. The latter, whose eight career wins also included a

score in the Gr3 Victress Stakes, has produced Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes/Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe runner up Ancestry (Oratorio) and Gr2 The Debutante heroine A Womens Way (Var). The latter is another inbred to the great Storm Cat. In contrast, Windrush mare Arctic Breeze went unplaced during her career, but she more than made amends at stud when she produced Equus Champion Sprinter, and Gr1 4Racing Computaform Sprint winner Rio Querari (Querari).

Windrush (Seeking The Gold - Tempest Dancer) Arctic Breeze's dual Gr3 winning full-sister Nordic Breeze had a Querari filly fetch R900 000 at the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale, with another full-sister Nordic Wind having a Vercingetorix colt make R850 000 at the same auction. Yet another Windrush mare to leave her mark is Sapphire Silk - dam of current highclass Singapore based galloper Katak (Potala Palace). The latter, unbeaten in five starts in South Africa,

has since gone on to win in Singapore and finish second in the Queen Ellizabeth II Cup.

Wild (Offlee Wild) and Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway).

The Gr3 Stymie Handicap winning Windrush certainly had the pedigree to become a successful broodmare sire -his sire Seeking The Gold left behind nearly XX black type winners, including the likes of Dubai Millennium, Flanders and Heavenly Prize, and is damsire of more than 170 stakes winners, including such Breeders' Cup winners as Blame (Arch), She Be

Windrush's dam Tempest Dancer, a full-sister to Kentucky Oaks queen Sardula, was sired by multiple champion sire Storm Cat -Leading Broodmare Sire in the USA on four occasions, and broodmare sire of more than 300 stakes winners!

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Rachel Venniker – broke the ice on Saturday

HELLO BOMBSHELL! Leading SA apprentice Rachel Venniker was elated to break her duck in the Cape when piloting the Justin Snaith-trained Bye Bye Bombshell home in the seventh at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Speaking to the Sporting Post as she boarded her flight for Durban, the 20 year old horsewoman who had to break through brickwalls to become a jockey, said that it felt ‘really good’ to have finally put one on the board in the Cape and her 43rd winner of the season.

We calculate that Bye Bye Bombshell was Rachel’s 15th ride in the Cape after she made her debut at the Mother City’s grand Southern Suburbs venue on Day 1 of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival on 7 January.

“The Snaiths have kindly given me an opportunity and one always wants to do your best and deliver. And thankfully Bye Bye Bombshell broke the ice. She is a lovely filly and really turned on the jets in the final stages,” she said. Interestingly, Bye Bye Bombshell, who races in a partnership of Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, was one of Rachel’s mounts on her debut day on 7 January. When asked if she had

adjusted to the different style of racing down South, Rachel said that it was quite a contrast to her hometown. “The paces are very different and when we are in the home straight we are quite clustered and close together in Cape Town. In KZN we tend to fan out a bit more. But it’s great to learn and be exposed to different racecourse. It’s all a learning process,” she adds. Rachel is looking forward to returning on Cape Derby day on 26 February.

“It’s a privilege to ride on the big days, so I am looking forward to that!” And have the Cape jockeys warmed to her yet? “They were a bit cool at the start. But they have accepted me I think and the camaraderie is wonderful.”

Magic Millions

Australian racing is competitive and can be fun and profitable!

COME RACE DOWN UNDER A pioneer in his profession, after 45 years in the global bloodstock game, Andy Williams boasts a cv that includes the purchase in Britain of subsequent SA Champion sire Foveros and 1984 July winner Devon Air. And the veteran is now offering South African owners and racing enthusiasts a golden opportunity to participate in owning a share in a variety of racing syndicates in Australia. One of our most successful bloodstock men, Worldwide Bloodstock’s Andy Williams is en route to Australia on a

roadshow that will culminate at the Gold Coast for the Mares, Weanling and Yearling Sale at the end of May and June. “After two years of being unable to attend yearling sales in Australia, I will now be travelling there to attend some top sales,” Andy tells the Sporting Post. Included in the seasoned buyer’s itinerary is: · Melbourne - Inglis Premier Sale from 27th February to 1st March. · Adelaide - Magic Millions sale from15th -16th March.

· Sydney - Inglis Easter Sale from 5th-6th April. “After Sydney I will be attending the Magic Millions Sale at the Gold Coast where I be assisting South African clients to purchase Yearling, Weanlings and Broodmares from the last week in May until June. The sale usually takes just over two weeks,” he confirms. “At the abovementioned sales, as well as purchasing for my Australian clients, I will be putting syndicates together for South African clients interested in racing there as the stakes have increased

dramatically over the past two years. Anyone who might be interested in taking shares in the syndicates, whether it be AS1000 upwards, may contact me as we are able to get the funds out of the country for the purchases, as well as paying for the keep costs , etc.” There has been some positive news around Australian racing in recent months, including the fact that the global standing of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday is set to be enhanced in 2023 with the introduction of two new worldfirst innovative races, along with an added investment of A$1,5 million taking the prizemoney pool to A$11,75 million across the day.

On January 14 2023 the meeting will expand to a 10race card through the addition of two new races: Magic Millions The Syndicate (1200m, 3YOs & up) and Magic Millions The Debut (900m, 2YO).

for their keep for over a year. I have all the information with regards to all the stakes from Major Centres to Country Courses, if anybody would like to chat about any specifics,” concludes Andy.

As a result, the 2023 edition of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday will be the first raceday in Australia to stage eight million-dollar plus races, with only the Dubai World Cup meeting and day two of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships offering more across the globe, with nine apiece.

1 Australian dollar equals R10,83 per close on 15 February.

“The stakes in Australia being as great as they are means that most horses that win a race either in the cities or races in Metropolitan areas, will pay

Andy’s contact details: +27 836541043 +61 416236581 (Australia) His email address is worldwide.za@mweb.co.za.

TELEVISION & RACING – NERVOUS TIMES The current Tellytrack Partnership, involving Phumelela (in Business Rescue), Kenilworth Racing and Gold Circle will be dissolved on 28 February 2022. As a direct result of that dissolution, with effect from 1 March 2022, Tellytrack (Channel 249) will no longer be broadcast on the DStv bouquet. No doubt, the potential absence of KZN horse racing on DStv will be causing all racing fans, some disquiet. Gold Circle wants to assure the public that negotiations with 4Racing are on-going regarding the reciprocal use of product to facilitate multiple broadcast channels

encompassing all South African racing, and we are hopeful of settling on an agreement before 1 March. Gold Circle understands its obligation to deliver the best possible broadcast of its racing product to the racing public. In this regard, a High-Definition broadcast of KZN and International racing has been launched and is available, at no charge, via live streaming (www.galloptv.co.za). The same service will also become available via free to air (FTA) satellite decoder with. a dish installation on IS-20 (same installation as DStv and OVHD). Various brands of free to air (FTA) satellite decoders (e.g.

Space HD FTA Decoder) are available at Space TV outlets countrywide (https:// www.spacetv.co.za/contact/) or online retail websites like www.takealot.com for R500-R1000. Once purchased and installed, there are no monthly subscription fees payable. Gallop TV has set up a support call centre (031-314 1902) and email support service (support@galloptv. co.za) to assist customers with any queries they may have regarding access to Gallop TV.

COUNTDOWN TO BSA CAPE YEARLING SALE

VALLEY OF DREAMS

52 The magnificent Drakenstein Stud

Drakenstein Stud

Drakenstein Stud, one of South Africa's top stud farms and breeders of recent repeat G1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate winner Jet Dark, will be offering a high-class colt at this year's Cape Yearling Sale. Drakenstein's sole offering is Except Temptation (Lot 11), a colt from the first crop of War Front's Dixie Stakes winning son Fire Away. The regally related Except Temptation is from a topclass family, with his dam Looking At Stars a daughter of former Equus Champion, and dual Gr1 winner Lady Windermere. The latter, in turn, is a Western Winter half-sister to a trio of stakes winners

notably Gr3 Byerley Turk Plate winner Olympic Flag. This is also the family of former South African Horse Of The Year Classic Flag -and fellow Equus Champion Royal Aproval -among many others! Evergreen Farms, situated in the same valley as Drakenstein Stud, will be offering two yearlings at the 2022 Cape Sale. Both Evergreen's lots were sired by Tapit's very quick son Coup De Grace, a prolific source of winners in South Africa. First up from Evergreen is the Coup De Grace colt (Lot 65) whose dam Sorceress is a winning half-sister to G2r Joburg Spring F&M Challenge winner Lazer Star, and this

colt's dam was runner up in the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Coup De Grace is also responsible for a filly (Lot 99) out of a G3 placed daughter of Jet Master, and this filly hails from the same female line as star fillies Covenant, Lady Brompton and Promisefrommyheart - as well as Jet Master's top-class sire son Master Of My Fate. The Cape Yearling Sale will take place on Sunday, February 27th this year, with the one day auction set to be hosted at Kenilworth racecourse. Look out for the Sporting Post’s lot-by-lot snapshot in next week’s Sprint!

PUNCHESTOWN IN PURPLE! Punchestown bedecked in the Hollywoodbets purple Death Duty rolled back the years to claim top honours in the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial at Punchestown on Sunday. Gordon Elliott's charge was a Grade One winner over hurdles and fences in his pomp, but had failed to get his head in front since winning the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in December 2017.

Now an 11-year-old, Death Duty had not been disgraced in either the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown or the Thyestes at Gowran Park on his last two starts and he was a 6-1 shot for his latest assignment. Ridden by Jack Kennedy, the veteran moved into the slipstream of stablemate Coko Beach rounding the home turn before taking over on the run to the final fence.

Champagne Platinum came home to good effect, but Death Duty never looked in any danger of being reeled in and passed the post with three lengths in hand.

Kendal Green wins the 1974 Cape Fillies Guineas

Maestro Millard The late Terrance Millard trained no less than 9 Cape Fillies Guineas winners, including the very first running of the race – the 1969 Benson & Hedges Cape Fillies Guineas - with a filly called Cilaneum. Cilaneum was a chestnut filly bred by the Birch Bros. She carried Millard’s grey and black silks and was piloted to

victory by Bert Abercrombie He teamed up again with Abercrombie for his second win in 1974. This time it was for Tony Kalmanson with the Godfrey Gird-bred Kendal Green, who would go on to become one of Varsfontein’s foundation mares.

The Millard-Abercrombie team were back again the following year, with the Cohen-bred Party Time. The daughter of Filipepi ran in the Millard silks and has also become a stud book mainstay.

- Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden

n Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies -

Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies

Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golde

MANDY WILL BE MISSED The South African racing industry was rocked on Sunday with the news of the sudden passing of Mandy Long at the age of 57 in England. Mandy, formerly married to trainer Dean Kannemeyer, worked for Kenilworth Racing for some years. Clyde Basel told the Sporting Post that Mandy had managed the ladies racedays. “She was responsible for arranging a sponsored racehorse from a farm that would be trained for free and we had a charity fund raising for various charities in the room and orchestrated women only syndicates - she did a fantastic job! I think every horse turned out to be a multiple winner - so much fun! She will be sadly missed,” said Clyde. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.

Hollywood’s Top Treble The Hollywood Syndicate enjoyed a red-letter day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday as their elevenstrong army returned with their first-ever treble and a maiden trifecta. The Hollywood roll commenced in Race 3 as Mighty Mashona came through to win under Donovan Dillon, he was positioned just off the pace and ran on nicely to win by half a length. The son of Master Of My Fate was named by Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Mike Procter, who was undergoing

open heart surgery at the time of the race. While the Hollywoodbets family had Procter in their prayers it was extremely heart-warming to see Mighty Mashona power through to victory. Procter is currently in recovery.

won in sensational style – coming from four lengths off the pace into the home straight before darting to the inside to win going away by two lengths. This was the Syndicate’s 50th win of the 2021/2022 season.

Hollywoodbets Racing Manager Anthony Delpech hoped that the victory would brighten up Procter’s spirits.

The day was the rounded up in fine style as the Syndicate notched the trifecta in Race 7 with the Sean Tarry trained Kuuma winning under a confident ride by Warren Kennedy. He was followed home by Ralph The Rascal who ran on from well back, and Purple Nkanyezi put the cherry on the top as he stayed on for third.

Jockey Keagan De Melo who is in exceptional form at the moment was the man responsible for bringing the second winner home for the Syndicate. The57Alyson Wright trained Purple Powahouse

DHRIC

Lord Glitters does it again!

GREY IS THE NIGHT! Just as he had done in 2021, Lord Glitters laid claim to being the star of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, collecting a third Meydan Racecourse win in the Gr2 Singspiel Stakes last Friday evening.

The great grey actually made a minor piece of history in becoming the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the 1800 m turf contest, coming from the back of the field in trademark style to secure the win under regular rider Danny Tudhope.

Only fourth in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya on his 2022 debut, trainer David O’Meara felt that Lord Glitters would improve for that run and he was right; the nine-yearold being a length too good for Royal Fleet and old foe Zakouski.

“He means a lot to me and the team, so well done to everyone back at home,” said Tudhope. “He’s just as enthusiastic as ever and we did think he might just need his first run. “They went a nice even gallop; there was no stop/ start. He travelled so nice through it and when he does that you know he’s going to finish off well.” Lord Glitters’ success was the first of this year’s Carnival for a British-trained horse, but it nearly came four races earlier when Alignak was just beaten in the Race Of Future

Handicap, over 2410 m on turf. Trained by Jamie Osborne and ridden by his daughter Saffie, the grey came with a storming run but couldn’t quite get to Godolphin’s Global Storm, who hung on by a length under William Buick. That started off a Godolphin double as Saeed Bin Suroor also got in on the act, saddling Storm Damage for an impressive front-running victory in the new Listed Business Bay Challenge, over 1400metres on turf. Making just his sixth start, the son of Night Of Thunder has now won four of those and beat stablemate Mutafawwig by a length, under Pat Cosgrave.

“He’s a very smart horse but he’s not straightforward; he’s a bit quirky,” said Cosgrave. “All credit to Gary Peter who rides him out every day. He’s got him to relax, brilliantly. “He’s very keen but he keeps going, which not many do. He won off 108 today, which was impressive. The next step is to get him back into Group company.” Carnival action returns on Friday when the Gr3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy is among the feature races.

Candiese Lenferna

Majestic Mambo is amongst the De Kock entries

COUNTDOWN TO 26 MARCH Charges from the Mike de Kock stable and US star Life Is Good are among 750 horses from 20 different countries who have been nominated for the 26th Dubai World Cup meeting, on 26 March 2022. With nine races, including six Gr1’s, on the card and $30.5 million in total prizemoney, the Dubai World Cup meeting promises to be a spectacular day of racing, culminating in the 26th Gr1 Emirates Airline

Dubai World Cup. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “To have more than 750 horses from 20 different countries nominated shows the continued strength of the Dubai World Cup meeting, which has grown each year since its inception in 1996. This achievement has been made possible by the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is the world’s most influential supporter of this sport. We are delighted to have so many Group and Grade 1 winners nominated, including established stars such as Life Is Good and Hot Rod Charlie, and we thank the horse connections for their support and their trust in Dubai. We look forward to welcoming connections and fans to the

FOR GROOMS! HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE – SUNDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY 2022

Race 1 - Inkosithandile Hasu - RULERSHIP

Race 4 - Bonginkosi Nonhlanzi - QUEEN MERCURY

Race 1 - Mtoti Mxolisi - SUNDANCE KID

Race 5 - Mbusi Nkandi - NATIONAL FLAG

Race 2 - Mvuyisi Nomkhe - EAU DE VIE

Race 6 - Boy Nzimande - WINTER WAVES

Race 3 - Bongi Nzikani - MR MOLONY

Race 7 - Simphiwe Ngwendu - TIME TO ROLL

Race 8 - Xolisa Nkomba - FAUSTINO

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE – MONDAY, 14TH FEBRUARY 2022

Race 1 - Luvuyo Tuse - GUNSMOKE

Race 2 - Wostille Tsiba - AUNTY LIZZY

Race 3 - Nicholas Mzaba - MIGHTY MASHONA

Race 4 - Timothy Gocha - ROY'S COMMAND

Race 5 - Alfred Vilakazi - SHAKEN NOT STIRRED

Race 6 - Philani Nhlanzi - PURPLE POWAHOUSE

Race 7 - John Nohlahla - KUUMA

Race 8 - Ncedo Zingelwayo - THE APPEAL

GROOMS’ INITIATIVE As an added investment into the amazing sport of horse racing Hollywoodbets & Gold Circle award R1 000 to each winning groom Photo Credit: Candiese Lenferna

62 SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING. NO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF HOLLYWOOD SPORTSBOOK IS A LICENSED BETTING OPERATOR. HOLLYWOODBETS 18 YEARS ARE PERMITTED TO GAMBLE. WINNERS KNOW WHEN TO STOP. SOUTH AFRICAN RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING FOUNDATION TOLLFREE COUNSELLING LINE 0800 006 008 OR WHATSAPP HELP TO 076 675 0710.

26th Dubai World Cup and we aim to deliver a spectacular night.” Run over 2000m on dirt, the Gr1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup has attracted 153 nominations, including 23 individual Group/Grade 1 winners. Among them is Gr1 Pegasus World Cup winner Life Is Good for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has also nominated Happy Saver and Dr Post, and Doug O’Neill’s Hot Rod Charlie, already a winner at Meydan Racecourse in the G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2. A strong bunch of nominations from the USA also includes Art Collector, trained by Bill Mott, and 2019 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

winner Storm The Court, for trainer Peter Eurton. There will also be a strong home defence, with Godolphin Gr2 winner Real World nominated by nine-time World Cup winner Saeed bin Suroor, and Gr1 winner Salute The Soldier by Bahraini handler Fawzi Nass. Japan, who won the Dubai World Cup in 2011 with Victoire Pisa, are also set to be wellrepresented, with 2021 runnerup Chuwa Wizard among their nominations, as well as Gr1 winner Café Pharoah. The $6million Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Longines, has attracted a strong list of top-class turf

horses, with 11 Group 1 winners nominated. They include G1 Coronation Cup winner Pyledriver, trainer in the UK by William Muir, as well as Japan’s Glory Vase, dual winner of the Longines Hong Kong Vase. The $5million Gr1 DP World Dubai Turf has attracted 22 Gr1 winners among 210 entries, including defending champion Lord North, trained in the UK by John Gosden, and 2021 Gr1 Emirates Airline Jebel Hatta winner Lord Glitters. The USA could be represented by dual G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf winner Colonel Liam, trained by Pletcher, while a strong Godolphin challenge includes Charlie Appleby’s popular Barney Roy.

The Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, over 1200 metres on turf, has 170 entries, including defending champion Extravagant Kid, trained by Brendan Walsh, and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Emaraaty Ana, trained in the UK by Kevin Ryan. There are three Gr2’s on the card, including the UAE Derby which has attracted 141 entries. Among them is Grade 1 winner Albahr, for Appleby, while US Hall Of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has nominated the exciting Pinehurst.

Baffert could also be represented in the G2 Godolphin Mile, in which he has nominated G1 winner Eight Rings, while defending champion Secret Ambition could bid for a repeat for first season UAE trainer Bhupat Seemar. The 3200m Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, on turf, which is a popular race with fans, has attracted exciting nominations from Europe in particular. They include Dermot Weld’s dual G1 Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song, as well as Johnny Murtagh’s Sonnyboyliston,

winner of the same race in 2021. The Purebred Arabians also get their chance to shine in the $1million Dubai Kahayla Classic, the traditional curtain raiser to the day. It has 70 entries, including 2021 winner Deryan and second AF Alwajel, representing three-time UAE Champion Owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. The full list of entries is available by clicking here

“However, over the past week, water pushed through from below in the finishing area, so that the races could not be held as planned. All racing events – flat and trotting races as well as skijoring – were shortened to 800 metres. Since the starting boxes were not in use either, all races were started with the flag.”

On Thin Ice The St Moritz gallops held in February are under threat from climate change as the frozen lake under the course is melting. The guardian.com reports that the White Turf meeting has been held for 114 years, and last weekend, 7000

people visited St Moritz to watch the race. “With enough ice and not too much snow on Lake St Moritz, everything seemed perfectly prepared for this year’s 114th edition of the White Turf,” 64 said a spokeperson for the meeting.

Breeding & Racing report that the winners on the day were Identified (ShowcasingCorazon Canarias, by Caradak) in the GP Koller Elektro, Mordred (CamelotEndure, by Green Desert) in the GP Longines, High Hope (Sea the Moon-High Heat, by Boreal) in the Preis Freunde des Reenvereins, and Turandot (NutanTurmalina, by Doyen) in the GP Von Celerina for skikjoring.

Candiese Lenferna

The top-class Got The Greenlight

SOMA STAR FOR SALE Five -time Gr1 winner Got The Greenlight, a star of his generation, will be sold for stud, to dissolve a partnership, at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 26 February. The sale, on Cape Derby Day, is open to all bidders and will be conducted under the auspices of Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) in the parade ring after the last race of the afternoon. Got The Greenlight, a fiveyear-old bay horse, will be the first son of super sire

Gimmethegreenlight to go to the stud barn in South Africa and lively interest is expected in his best-performed son. His dam is the Australian-bred Command Chi, by Commands. The South African-bred Surcharge (Yulong Prince) is at stud in Australia. Got The Greenlight raced just 21 times for eight wins and ten places – five of his victories in Grade 1 company. He won the Premier’s Champion Stakes as a two-year-old, the SA Classic and the Daily News at three and the Horse Chestnut

Stakes and the Premier’s Challenge at four, defeating the country’s best. He also finished second and third respectively in successive Durban Julys. Got The Greenlight won a Group 1 race as a 2yo, 3yo and 4yo a truly exceptional racehorse. Got The Greenlight raced for the partnership of Dayalan Chinsammy, Hassen Adams and Joey Soma and won from 1200m – 2000m. He was trained throughout his career by Joey Soma.

results up to: 2022-02-15

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

749 589 432 277 668

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

101 109 49 56 72

13.5. 18.5 11.3 20.2 10.8

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

166 120 79 56 117

7,523,400 11,263,213 6,330,188 9,365,313 4,135,375 5,914,313 4,327,438 5,848,500 3,041,875 4,761,450

2nd

3rd

93 85 38 40 75

94 64 44 31 63

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

138 85 84 105 80

122 76 70 96 73

178 137 106 178 130

7,971,625 12,118,713 8,349,075 11,426,588 6,501,550 8,893,663 4,935,563 8,337,263 4,312,075 7,137,525

353 269 161 127 255

47.1 45.7 37.3 45.8 38.2

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr R D Fourie Mr M A Yeni Mr K de Melo

920 696 505 844 580

150 116 100 95 81

16.3 16.7 19.8 11.3 14.0

438 298 260 379 283

47.6 42.8 51.5 44.9 48.8

Total Stakes (R)

BREEDERS Name

B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %

Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

244 1011 292 1231

49,092 104 142 39,689 92 113

42.6 407 31.5 485

8 4

10 5

11,978,463 11,589,188

132 125 122

65,620 46,967 42,200

41.7 223 35.2 209 29.5 202

11 2 2

12 2 2

8,661,900 5,870,875 5,148,388

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

10 7 1 6 3

7,319,325 6,985,250 6,734,413 6,696,925 6,094,300

541 506 589

55 44 36

81 65 52

SIRES Name Vercingetorix * Silvano (GER) Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Elusive Fort

Runrs Runs AEPR 128 133 157 153 107

524 524 688 601 517

57,182 52,521 42,894 43,771 56,956

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 60 54 66 56 38

80 74 83 75 51

46.9 40.6 42.0 36.6 35.5

217 223 313 240 227

See all the detailed standings - Click here 69

8 5 1 6 3

PLENTY MORE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 71

A full round of fixtures awaits us in the league, the headline fixture (well, I guess this could be a point argued) but for what’s it worth, the immovable object that is Manchester City host Spurs on Saturday evening! Ryan Liberty suggests we look out for another sneaky treble as well – it’s all happening this weekend. Saturday 19 February 13/20 West Ham | Draw 29/10 | Newcastle 4/1 (14:30) What a game to get the weekend’s action underway! West Ham have sort of become far too reliant on individual players, whilst Newcastle have just continued to improve. I am inclined to have a nibble on Newcastle getting something here…but I’m still not sold on their inconsistency. West Ham on the Win/Draw Double Chance and Both teams to score at 21/20 is my tentative bet. 4/10 Arsenal | Draw 7/2 | Brentford 6/1 (17:00) I thought Brentford were up for it against Palace at the weekend, but I’m still not sure they are back to their exhilarating best. Thomas Frank and his team will begin

to start peering over their shoulders a bit more, they are now only seven points clear of a relegation scrap. Arsenal enjoyed the weekend off and should be chomping at the bit to go again here! I think the hosts will have too much for their visitors, throw them into every and all multiples. 15/20 Brighton | Draw 51/20 | Burnley 38/10 (17:00)

all but cooked. I can’t seem to find any other worthwhile betting angles, but given the fact that Liverpool enjoys getting off to a fast start at home…over 1.5 goals in the first half at 9/10 seems interesting? Get on. 21/20 Southampton | Draw 51/20 | Everton 49/20 (17:00)

I think many people assumed Liverpool would simply roll Burnley over. The result was of course expected, but the performance was surprisingly positive. I thought the Clarets looked to attack with confidence and weren’t intimidated to ask Liverpool questions in their final third.

I might be jumping the gun here, but Everton looked exceptional this past weekend! Frank Lampard would have been mightily impressed with his side and why not? They dominated the ball in every area of the pitch and looked like a side capable of hurting the very best in England.

Brighton have been there and there about – but I don’t agree with 15/20. I think a bet on the away win offers enough shrewdness to feel good about yourself, and enough value.

I didn’t think Southampton were particularly great, I thought they just took advantage of a poor situation – and no that is not sour grapes. Back the Toffees to go two from two.

1/8 Liverpool | Draw 8/1 | Norwich 19/1 (17:00)

6/10 Aston Villa | Draw 3/1 | Watford 44/10 (17:00)

There is nothing to suggest even romanticizing with the idea of anything, but a Liverpool win would be feasible. Liverpool will win this game. Norwich’s defensive issues don’t allow the Canaries to get going and pose a serious attacking threat, and as such I think their relegation-goose is

Aston Villa have won just once from their last five games. It’s not a great statistic, one that is probably made worse by the fact that they aren’t beating teams who are often there for the taking.

Watford, on the other hand,

have been almost putrid so far. If Roy Hodgson doesn’t know he’s in a relegation dogfight – he will after this weekend. At 6/10 I’m all over Villa here. 42/10 Crystal Palace | Draw 28/10 | Chelsea 13/20 (17:00) I’ll show my cards early here: Chelsea win the game, but it won’t be as simple as the betting odds would otherwise suggest. Palace have done a decent job so far this year, they have built a squad capable of taking the club to new heights. That is a side who are slowly but surely beginning to enjoy a mentality – and with it inevitably comes success. Chelsea are world champions though, right? They have the team and ability to win this, and I can’t see why they shouldn’t. For some extra cover though, I’m going to go Chelsea on the Win/ Draw Double Chance and Over 2.5 goals at 11/10. 1/4 Manchester City | Draw 48/10 | Tottenham 9/1 (19:30) This is obviously the game of the weekend! Or at least in

terms of so-called ‘big name clubs’ it is. Due to Tottenham’s poor performances and City’s mockery of this brilliant league, our Editor has opted not to deem this match a ‘feature’, and I couldn’t agree more. The integrity of our publication is still important! Nobody will be running home celebrating a 1/4 odds on tip, so back City to score first and win at 4/10. Yes, that’s it. That’s the preview. Sunday 13 February 29/10 Leeds | Draw 28/10 | Manchester United 17/20 (16:00) If there was to be a fixture United could play before their Champions League tie, it would surely be this. Leeds have been horrible; they rely completely on the expertise of Patrick Bamford and now without him they look average. United haven’t exactly done anything to stir up any sort of confidence, in fact if you are like me, their fixtures recently bring on deep-seated bouts of anger and frustration…forcing you to often find some degree of happiness at the bottom of an empty beer!

Nevertheless, surely, they have enough to get a result here. 27/20 Wolves | Draw 22/10 | Leicester 43/20 (18:30) I’m not sure there will be much to split these two sides. Wolves aren’t renowned for claiming victories with a serious goal margin involved. That is likely to be compounded by the stockstandard approach we can expect to see from Leicester. The pace and accuracy with which Brendan Rodgers will have his side ready would suggest that Wolves might be a little wearier going forward. These sides can both hurt the other going forward, but it’s the defensive prowess on show now at Wolves that for me makes all the difference. Back the pack! TREBLE @ 8/1 Arsenal Win 4/10 Liverpool v Norwich: Over 1.5 (First half total) 9/10 Everton Win 49/20