Wednesday 13 April 2022 by Sporting Post

Climate Change – A Stark Reality

Candiese Lenferna

Candiese Lenferna Chase Liebenberg

A staggering 351mm of rain was recorded at Virginia Airport in Durban over 24 hours yesterday- more than doubling the previous rainfall record in the city of 165mm of rain in April 2019. And more of these severe weather events can be expected, according to a UKZN climate change expert. Summerveld trainer Garth Puller told the Sporting Post that it was the ‘wettest Summerveld’ in living memory.

“There is water, water, everywhere. The roads and tracks are rivers. They even removed the vibracrete wall to allow the water flow through. Horses were knee deep in water in some places. But I did get a chance to work my horses on the beach track on Tuesday afternoon as the rain has been so forceful and torrential, that it actually compacted the track beautifully! I know Dean Kannemeyer lost a few boxes and a substantial amount of bedding as the drains overflowed. But everybody is helping out and

accommodating his surplus horses. You should chat to Dennis Drier – he has been here forever and says he has never seen anything like it. It was very different to the El Nino floods of decades ago.” Equus-Award winning photographer Candiese Lenferna braved the elements and nipped down to Blue Lagoon Beach to capture the devastation for the Sporting Post.

Mopping-up operations continued across KwaZuluNatal, with reports of houses having collapsed, cars washed away, raging rivers and major routes blocked with mud and debris following a horrific night of torrential rain and flash floods. Emergency and rescue crews worked 24 hours, responding to calls for help from people trapped in houses, on top of roofs and in cars as banks and roads washed away. The number of dead and injured are still be confirmed.

The SA Weather Service confirmed that over 200mm fell in the Durban area, with some areas getting more than others. Virginia Airport measured 351mm, King Shaka International Airport 255mm, with areas such as Wentworth measuring 124mm, while down the South Coast Margate measured 311mm while the North Coast was not so badly hit, with only with 89mm and Pietermaritzburg measuring 98mm. On Tuesday, University of KwaZulu-Natal climate change expert Professor

Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudi said weather extremes resulting in flooding could be expected to occur again and the level of preparedness for such devastating weather events needed to be addressed. “Whether it’s drought or flash floods, we do expect more weather extremes due to climate change. Not too long ago (2019) we had flooding and massive landslides and this is now becoming a pattern.”

Garth Puller Chase Liebenberg

Garth Puller snapped this fiery sunrise at Summerveld this morning

Rain - Gold Circle Make Changes East Coast-based racing operator Gold Circle advises that KwaZuluNatal has been drenched by record-breaking rainfall over the past few days, with Hollywoodbets Greyville having received a total of 247mm during this time. As of this morning, penetrometer readings in some areas of the track were as high as 45. With current overcast conditions, the chances of the track drying up sufficiently for Thursday night’s race meeting is remote and Gold Circle has taken an early decision to move the

race meeting to the Polytrack. First race is off at 16h30.

Turf but that will depend on the weather.

Meanwhile, more than 150mm of rain has fallen at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over the past few days and the penetrometer readings as at 12h00 Wednesday 13 April varied from 35 to 58.

Taking all of the above into consideration, Gold Circle has made the decision to switch the race meeting scheduled for Sunday 24 April from Hollywoodbets Greyville to Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Entries for this race meeting close on Thursday 14 April at 11h00.

With more rain predicted for the weekend, an early decision has been made to move the race meeting scheduled on Sunday 17 April to Hollywoodbets Greyville. Every attempt will be made to stage this race meeting on the

Cover Image Candiese Lenferna captured the aftermath of this week's storm at Blue Lagoon Beach

10 Chat Ching – dark horse and Craig Zackey has a good record in this race

Chase Liebenberg

ROYALS AT TURFFONTEIN 11

The top two runners in the betting, Princess Calla and Zarina, have drawn barriers No 2 and No 1 respectively for Saturday’s Royal Raceday at Turffontein, highlighted by the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes. The Gr1 race for fillies and mares at weight-for-age, will be run over 1600m on the Turffontein Standside track. Princess Calla, now with trainer Ashley Fortune at the Vaal, will be ridden by Aldo Domeyer while Zarina, trained by Candice BassRobinson, has Keagan de Melo in the irons.

Both horses are reported to be in good nick. “We’ve had Princess Calla with us since the end of February,” said Fortune. “We haven’t given her a run because we’ve found the horses that have come up to Joburg from Cape Town have done really well with a six-week break into their first run. You give them the six weeks, you give them a good gallop and it provides a good foundation and good prep for the race for which they are being prepared.” Mike de Kock will have Sparkling Water competing in the race and although she has been running over further, she is very versatile, especially if all the rain makes the ground

a lot more testing. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride. Anton Marcus has accepted the ride on KwaZulu-Natal visitor She’s A Keeper for trainer Gareth van Zyl and she has to jump from barrier No 12 while Paul Peter, who has a high regard for three-year-old filly Sprinkles, admitted he was concerned about pulling No 11 draw. Wendy Whitehead (Mount Laurel) and Gareth van Zyl (She’s A Keeper) will carry the flag for KwaZulu-Natal. Unfortunately, HSH Princess Charlene will not be able to attend Saturday’s meeting but her father, Mike Wittstock,

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Princess Calla – Aldo Domeyer rides and she is now with Ashley Fortune says they are working hard to restore the Royal Race Day to its pre- Covid status. “Last year we couldn’t have anybody at the course and this year we are allowed 2000. But we still have a best-dressed competition and will continue to use the event to raise money for charity.”

Monaco group. They are a group of businessmen who have supported the race day and its charitable initiatives for the last few years.

The theme for this year’s Royal Race Day is ‘A Touch of Class with the Sport of Kings’.

Mike Wittstock, the father of HSH Princess Charlene, has from the outset been an enthusiastic supporter of this event and numerous charities as well as schools from disadvantaged backgrounds in the south and east of Johannesburg, have benefitted as a result of his involvement.

The races on the day are named after the representatives of the South African Sport of Kings

A promotion linked to the involvement of HSH Princess Charlene, has been to encourage a dress code on

the day with ladies elegantly dressed with hats or fascinators and gentlemen smartly attired. This has been in keeping with the race being held on the royal day and exciting prizes will be on offer to patrons who make the added effort and dress appropriately. The day also sees the running of the Spook Express Stakes (Listed) over 2400m. The first of ten races is off at 12h00. The weather outlook is worrying at this stage. See the final field – please click here

MK’s Pride people! Koos Nkale, Jessica Motaung, Muzi Yeni and Paul Peter after the Gr1 win 16 Grand National winner Noble Yeats is paraded with trainer Emmet Mullins, jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and owner Robert Waley-Cohen

Aintree Racecourse

MK’s Pride people! Koos Nkale, Jessica Motaung, Muzi Yeni and Paul Peter after the Gr1 win 17

Grand National winner Noble Yeats was given a hero's welcome home in Leighlinbridge on Sunday evening.The Aintree hero was paraded outside the Lord Bagenal Inn in the County Carlow town just over 24 hours after being partnered to victory by Sam Waley-Cohen. The English jockey travelled to Ireland for the parade with his dad and Noble Yeats' owner Robert, while trainer Emmet Mullins, who trains locally was also in attendance. Amateur rider Waley-Cohen enjoyed a fairytale finale to his career as he steered the

seven-year-old to victory on Saturday. The 39-year-old announced his intention to retire on Thursday, nominating Mullins’ charge as his farewell ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase. Sent off at 50-1, few would have expected Noble Yeats to strike in the extended four-anda-quarter-mile showpiece – but he ran a magnificent race as he fended off the 15-2 favourite Any Second Now for a famous National success. Coming to the last they were the only pair in contention and under a strong drive, Noble Yeats kept finding more

to prevail in the colours of Waley-Cohen’s father, Robert. Delta Work (10-1) was third with Santini (33-1) in fourth. The winning jockey - who runs a string of dental practices that number over 200 spread across the UK, Ireland and Benelux – said: “It’s an incredible high, there’s so much goodwill and it’s a thrill to be here. It’s a special day, a special occasion. “Nothing has really sunk in, these things take time before you really appreciate it. You’re still floating along – and I’ve got a busy week at work coming up! Then I’ll try

Aintree Racecourse

Aintree crowd on Saturday to get a few days away and let it sink in more.” Reflecting on the race, he said: “When he picked up and went to the front he just felt like he lifted off the ground. I didn’t get the perfect stride at the last, I went down a little bit and I thought ‘I’ve got to

fight for the elbow’, but as soon as he went back up I thought he had plenty (left). And that was it. “He fought for me, and he’s really got acceleration. Back when Patrick Mullins won on him, I watched the replays and there were times he’s been

asked for his effort and he’s really found a lot. You knew he had it. “He’ll stay here and do a summer here, he’ll definitely stay with Emmet and his team. We’ll think about trying to get him back for the National – I’m sure

the handicapper will have something to say. Hopefully we have a chance to be competitive still. Why not go back and try again?” Of Mullins, he said: “It’s amazing, he’s 32 and he’s so clever and has believed in the horse and produced him. We really admire what he’s doing and what he’s done. “We have horses with Neil Mulholland, we like to have horses with younger trainers who have proved they know what they are doing.”

It was a first win in the National for a seven-year-old since 1940, and Mullins – who revealed Noble Yeats had been stabled at Haydock in search of a calmer environment in the days before the race – said: “I didn’t even know the stats about seven-year-olds, I wouldn’t know where to look up stats! It wasn’t on my mind, I was happy with the horse. “I was able to watch no bother, I didn’t get to see much of the first circuit and coming past the stand for the second circuit I had to take a deep breath. I just said ‘this is a position where

winners come from’ – he was in position A. “At the Melling Road I took my second blow, Sam was confident enough to take that hold and follow them round into the straight. You were trying to pinch yourself as it was still there for the taking!”

22 Yeats - the best stayer of the post-war era?

GRAND SADLER’S WELLS! 23

The impact of sire phenomenon Sadler's Wells is not just confined to the flat, the breed-shaping King of Coolmore has also made a lasting impression in the National Hunt division. That much was underlined by last weekend's Grand National, where a pair of Sadler’s Wells grandsons fought out the finish to what is considered the holy grail of jumps racing. The winner was Noble Yeats, who gave retiring amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen the perfect send-off and is also the first seven-year-old to prevail since Bogskar won the Aintree showpiece in 1940.

Seven is currently the minimum age for a horse to run in the Grand National. As his name suggests, he is by Sadler's Wells' outstanding son Yeats, considered by many as the best stayer of the post-war era. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Yeats was the early favourite for the 2004 English Derby following three wins from as many starts, but was side-lined for nearly a year. From ages four to eight he proved himself a revelation, scoring seven times at Gr1 level. Successful in the Coronation Cup at four, this amazing horse reserved his place in history as the first four-time winner of the Gr1 Ascot Gold Cup, a record

only matched by Stradivarius in recent years. That feat was always going to ensure him a place in Coolmore's powerful arsenal of stallions, albeit in its National Hunt division and he duly retired to Castlehyde Stud. O'Brien remarked at the time: "His lung capacity and heart capacity are way greater than any horse we've had. He is the most unbelievable specimen." Now the sire of a Grand National winner, Yeats also counts Cheltenham Gr1 winners Flooring Porter, Chantry House and Shattered Love amongst his tally of superior runners. He has enjoyed a terrific season and looks set to secure his first

sires' championship thanks to the Grand National prize of £500 000. Spare a thought for runner-up Any Second Now. By Sadler's Wells' son Oscar, he also finished third twelve months ago. As a racehorse, Oscar was sparingly raced, his best effort from just four starts a second to Peintre Celebre in the Gr1 French Derby. He retired to Coolmore's Grange Stud at age four and quickly proved himself a potent National Hunt sire, finishing second on the leading jumps sire list on four occasions. His Grand National record is exemplary. Last year, his son

Minella Times was partnered to an epic victory by Rachel Blackmore, the first female rider to win the time-honoured race. The current National Hunt sires list makes for interesting reading. While Yeats leads the way, second-placed Fame And Glory is by Sadler's Well's champion son Montjeu, as is the rising star Walk In The Park. Sadler's Wells' Galileo, whose success as a flat sire is unparalleled, already has a son amongst the top ten in Mahler and with plenty of top sons now doing duty as National Hunt sires, that record will

25 The top notch Sadler’s Wells

undoubtedly grow in time to come. Remarkably, Sadler's Wells features as either the sire or grandsire of no less than ten of the first 25 leading National Hunt stallions and is now the grandsire of two Grand National winners, a great feat in itself.

Shergar wins the Epsom Derby by a record margin

FANFRELUCHE DESCENDANTS CATCH THE EYE Canadian champion and influential broodmare, Fanfreluche, is making her presence felt on Leading First Season Sires Lists in two different continents. Her descendant Russian Revolution (Snitzel) currently heads Australia's Leading First Season Sires List, while another descendant of the Northern Dancer daughter, Erupt (Dubawi), is one of the

leading first crop sires in South Africa this season. Winner of both the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate (a race also won by his sire) and Gr1 The Galaxy, Russian Revolution is also currently fourth on the Leading Sires of 2YOs List, by stakes, in Australia. To date, Russian Revolution had been responsible for seven winners, with his early two-

year-old winners headed by Gr2 MRC Diamond Prelude (F) winner, Revolutionary Miss, and Gr3 ATC Pago Pago Stakes winner, Rise Of The Masses. Russian Revolution is out of the Stravinsky mare, Ballet D'Amour, a winning half-sister to Open Mind Stakes winner, Taletobetold (Tale Of The Cat), with Ballet D'Amour's granddam, L'Extravagante, a

daughter of Fanfreluche. The latter also ranks as the fourth dam of Erupt, one of this season's Leading First Season Sires in South Africa. Winner of both the Gr1 Grand Prix De Paris and Gr1 Canadian International, Erupt has made a bright start to his stud career with his first runners in 2021-2022 headed by unbeaten Gr3 Protea/ Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner, Karangetang. Fanfreluche is also the fourth dam of deceased Australian champion sire, Encosta De Lago, currently second in

the Leading Broodmare Sires in Australia List for 20212022, with Encosta De Lago's grandson, Zoustar, sire of the recent A$3 million Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale topping colt. Duais, who was sired by Snitzel's Cox Plate winning son, Shamus Award, sports Fanfreluche's daughter, Red Luce, as her third dam. The talented filly has won both the Gr1 TAB Australian Cup and Gr1 Kia Tancred Stakes in 2022, and is yet another member of this family to feature in the sport this season.

Russian Revolution's dam, Ballet D'Amour, is also the granddam of this season's top-class Australian threeyear-old, Home Affairs (I Am Invincible). The latter, who looks a hugely attractive future stud prospect, has captured both the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Gr1 Black Caviar Lightning this season.

KIDNAPPED! Canadian Horse of the Year Fanfreluche has been in the news of late. A champion on the track, the daughter of Northern Dancer became an influential foundation mare, for not only did she produce the champion stakes winners L'Enjoleur and Medaille d'Or, she is ancestress of such notable stallions as Holy Roman Emperor, Encosta De Lago,Flying Spur and Lode. From her also descended the Australian filly Duais, who recently scored her third Gr1 win in the Tancred Stakes, as well as Maine Chance's freshman stallion Erupt, the

sire of unbeaten juvenile stakes winner Karangetang. Many are probably unaware that Fanfreluche was a victim of kidnapping. In late June of 1977, the then ten-year-old mare went missing from a field at Claiborne Farm while in foal to champion Secretariat. A search found a hole cut in the fence of her pasture. Despite an intensive search - which even involved the FBI - and a substantial reward, attempts to find the prized mare proved unsuccessful. However, almost six months later in December, investigators received a tip that a mare

matching Fanfreluche's description was residing at a farm on the Tennessee border, about 175 miles from Paris Kentucky. Turns out she had been found as a stray horse and given shelter by a good Samaritan, who asked local authorities to locate the owner. Fanfreluche's identity was confirmed using her upper lip tattoo and she returned to Claiborne Farm, where she foaled a colt in February 1978 named Sain Et Sauf, French for Safe And Sound.

The perpetrator, a local, was eventually convicted and sentenced to four years in prison. Fanfreluche died at the ripe old age of 32, leaving 18 foals. Imagine if she had not been found, Holy Roman Emperor would not have existed, as his dam L'On Vite, was foaled in 1986!

The Fanfreluche saga had a happy ending, unlike that of the Aga Khan's illustrious homebred Shergar, whose kidnapping shocked the Irish racing and breeding industry to its core on 8 February 1983. A winner of six of eight starts, amongst which a tour de force 10-length victory in the Epsom Derby Shergar was just five years old when he was

snatched in the middle of the night from Ballymany Stud in Co. Kildare where he had just commenced his first season as a stallion. It was believed Shergar valued at €10 million - was taken by the IRA, which was short of money and looking for new sources of funding. He was expected to be a source of profit for the syndicate which owned him. Despite frantic efforts over the next four days, the kidnappers, who demanded a ransom of £2-million, terminated communications after four days. This gave rise to the possibility that something untoward had happened to Shergar and that he had been put down. It is believed he was killed and buried, although his remains have never been found. The disappearance remains a mystery to this day. Shergar's sole crop consisted of 35 foals and included Irish St Leger winner Authaal, who was bought as a yearling by Sheikh Mohammed for 3,1 million gns. Daughter Maysoon won the Fred Darling Stakes and reached the frame in the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

“I’m one of the lucky ones. I am training to be a jockey thanks to a bursary and the generosity of Hollywoodbets. But there are thousands without work. Without a purpose. People sit idle all day. There are no prospects. No real hope. So boredom leads to mischief. No work means no money. Crime is a consequence and it’s so easy to fall into bad ways. I wake up every day and remember where I came from. It’s all the motivation anybody could ever hope for.”

JC Photos

MAKING DAD PROUD 37

The son of a career police officer, 18 year old Apprentice Siyanda ‘Num Num’ Sosibo booted home his first winner at his 20th ride at the Vaal last Thursday. He tells how every winner will elevate him from the unforgiving streets of Umlazi – South Africa’s fourth largest township after Soweto, Tembisa and Katlehong – in his quest to become a role model for those left behind in the social maelstrom. The fresh-faced Siyanda rode a perfect race to get the 7-1 JP Two Thousand home for the rampant Paul Peter yard and owner Dominic Peter as the shadows lengthened at the Vereeniging track. In a chat on Monday, he told the Sporting Post that he is still pinching himself, after managing to get on the board so early. He only arrived at the Gauteng Academy a matter of weeks earlier. A quietly spoken sports fanatic, Siyanda grew up with his two sisters and a brother in Umlazi in the care of his Dad Sibusiso and his doting Grandmother, after his Mom passed away when he was very young. He also has a stepbrother and stepsister, and labels himself ‘the second born’. According to legend, the name of the sprawling

township South West of Durban originates from ‘umlaza’, the Zulu word for the sour acid produced from fermented or sour milk. It is said that when King Shaka was passing through the area, he refused to drink from a local river claiming it had the taste of ‘umlaza’. Hence the name. Siyanda stresses he is definitely not sour with his upbringing, or badmouthing Umlazi when striving to better himself. To the contrary, he affirms that it is a vibrant community and a place that he will always call home – but unemployment levels have led to serious social issues. “I’m one of the lucky ones. I am training to be a jockey thanks to a bursary and the generosity of Hollywoodbets. But there are thousands without work. Without a purpose. People sit idle all day. There are no prospects. No real hope. So boredom leads to mischief. No work means no money. Crime is a consequence and it’s so easy to fall into bad ways. I wake up every day and remember where I came from. It’s all the motivation anybody could ever hope for.” He tells how he was pointed in the direction of the worldrenowned SA Jockey Academy by Pure Maths teacher, Mr Fredericks, at his Jacobs alma mater of Fairvale Secondary School. Another graduate of

the school is Eric Ngwane, who is now work riding in the UK for Ralph Beckett. “I was small and was not too smart or particularly bright at school. Mr Fredericks taught Pure Maths – not a subject I ever came near, but he was pushing me to try and become a jockey. I performed well at sport like soccer, cricket and volleyball. In fact I captained the teams. But I definitely wasn’t academically inclined,” he adds modestly. And ever since he joined the Academy in 2020 - he completed his matric in 2021- his Dad Sibusiso, who is based at the Marianhill SAPS, has been his mentor and inspiration. “My Dad is my off-course riding master!” he adds with a broad smile as he tells how his every ride gets analysed and feedback and good lessons are drummed in. “Dad will talk to me after every racemeeting. We discuss and talk about what I did right and did wrong. He is just my number 1 fan!” Siyanda says that he resides at the Gauteng Academy with Jeff Syster, Joshwin Solomons, Philasande Mxoli and Kaidan Brewer. He loves the environment and the guidance from the more experienced riders and Master, Robert Moore.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 39 A thrilled Siyanda ‘Num Num’ Sosibo

JC Photos

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Siyanda steers JP Two Thousand to a milestone win Asked to name another inspiration, he doesn’t hesitate. “Mr Paul Peter gave me the chance. I asked him. It took some courage for him to place faith in me and for me to actually ask! He was so kind and encouraging afterwards – I am so proud to have done the job properly!” Asked to describe the elation of that first win, Siyanda says he will never forget it. “At the 400m, I thought this could be it. He was going so well. I just kept my cool and an eye on Kyle Strydom and Funky Music on my outside. I dedicated the win to my Dad and my whole family. They

are so thrilled about it!” Siyanda hesitated briefly before telling us how his nickname ‘Num Num’ came about. “When I first arrived at the SA Jockey Academy, we were being taught about the various pieces of equipment and tack. The numnah is the padding which is placed between a horse's back and the saddle to prevent chafing. I couldn’t get the word ‘numnah’ right. So Riding Master Mr Nicky Roebuck came up with my nickname. It has sort of stuck. It’s not my favourite. But it’s sort of unique, I suppose,” he laughs.

Siyanda, who goes to scale at 48kgs, has two rides at Turffontein on Saturday’s ‘Royal Raceday’ – his milestone mount JP Two Thousand again, and Edward Longshanks for Ashley Fortune. We asked him whether they both had to be included. “I’m not sure I’m qualified to comment yet. I really can’t wait to ride my next winner – if that helps the public!”

Hollywoodbets Durban July Entries – Next Week!

Warrior Is Snaith’s 2022 Dark Horse

42 Warrior winning at Kenilworth- 17 Feb 2021

Chase Liebenberg

Justin Snaith is aiming to win the now Hollywoodbetssponsored R5 million Gr1 Durban July for the sixth time when he sends out a power attack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 2 July. Snaith will be bidding to join the illustrious ranks of Terrance Millard, who also saddled six, and the recordholder Syd Laird who won the showpiece a record seven times. Syd Laird’s reign extended

over 17 years with Kerason winning in 1961 and Politician delivering his final July trophy in 1978. The Millard July magic saw a rapid fire six winners over seven years – starting with Tecla Bluff in 1983 and rounded off by Illustrador in 1990. The relatively youthful Snaith’s reign has already lasted twelve years, and started with the grey filly Dancer’s Daughter deadheating with Pocket Power in 2008.

Justin Snaith leads Kevin Shea on 2008 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July (Pic -Gold Circle) The reigning SA Champion also won the July in contentious fashion with Legislate in 2014, and then achieved a hat-trick with Do It Again (2018 and 2019) and Belgarion winning in 2020. Snaith galloped a few SA Champion Season contenders at Kenilworth on Wednesday. He says than any bookmaker pricing Hoedspruit up at 20-1 has got it wrong.

Candiese Lenferna Chase Liebenberg

Justin Snaith – big plans ahead On arrival at Summerveld on Sunday, Snaith said his main shipment of horses had appeared to have all travelled well, although he lamented the journey becoming longer and longer due to more robots and more traffic. However, he added: “At least this year we have toilet paper and petrol!”, in reference to the impact of the looting and riots during the SA Champions Season last year. David Thiselton recently reported on www.goldcircle. co.za that Snaith had arrived later than usual and said owing to certain rules in place for gallops and the lack of a preparation event for some horses it made sense to get his horses 85% fit in Cape

Town. He could then just put the finishing touches on in KZN. He thus galloped a number of horses at Kenilworth last Wednesday including Jet Dark, Double Superlative, Pomp And Power, Hoedspruit, Warrior and Captain’s Ransom. He galloped them in a clockwise direction to familiarise them with the righthand tracks in KZN. Snaith said Jet Dark would go for the Drill Hall and Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, and a decision would then be made on his July participation. On the new look Hollywoodbets Durban July, said: “The July was always a no until the stake

change. You would need to win five Gr1’s to make the same as winning a R5 million race. If you can get the 2000m of the Met, you can get the 2200m of the July. However, there is the other argument that Jet Dark won the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in a canter and three weeks later couldn’t beat the same horses – and the only difference was the distance. However, he is very well. Last year he came here on the back of an injury but I am happy with him this year.” He said Captain’s Ransom might be taken to Hollywoodbets Scottsville for a gallop to see whether she has the speed there to take in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint before running in the Gold Challenge.

He said about Do It Again: “He is unbelievable, a freak, he is thriving and the only being who ages better than him is Dennis Drier.”

probably take his place in the Gold Challenge because this might be his last season so it would be unfair on him to try and protect his July weight.”

Snaith said Do It Again has been given a gallop to wake him up after his flat run in the Gr2 Glorious Goodwood Premier Trophy and he had subsequently been the fastest finisher in the Met.

He said Double Superlative and Pomp And Power would both go the traditional WSB Guineas, Daily News 2000 route into the July.

He added: “He was unlucky in the July last year. He will

Warrior was his dark horse for the season and he elaborated: “He has run good races in Cape Town without looking

well. If I can get him looking good here he could improve and is one for punters to watch out for. • Entries for the Hollywoodbets Durban July will close at 11h00 on Tuesday 19 April, with the entries list being embargoed and released on Wednesday 20 April.

Trainers – Been There, Won It! Only eight currently active trainers have won the Durban July previously. They are Michelle CrawfordRix (1), Justin Snaith (5), Candice Bass-Robinson (1), Mike de Kock (4), Sean Tarry (2), Dean Kannemeyer (3), Glen Kotzen (1) and Dennis Drier(1). Interestingly, Candice Bass-Robinson made history when becoming the first lady trainer to win

the race in over a century when Marinaresco won in 2017. But four years later, Michelle Rix would make light of breathtaking history to repeat the fairer sex feat with Kommetdieding (2021). Summerveld kingpin Dennis Drier is the senior statesman in the ranks – his winner coming thirty years ago with Spanish Galliard in 1992. It’s been some time between drinks for Mike de Kock –

his last winner was over ten years back with the outstanding Igugu (2011). He is seen on the pic above after Ipi Tombe won in 2002. His Randjesfontein colleague Sean Tarry will also be itching to follow-up on his halcyon years of 2012 and 2013 when Heavy Metal and Pomodoro carried the Chris van Niekerk silks to victory.

WILGERBOSDRIFT CONGRATULATES MRS GA RUPERT AND THE CONNECTIONS OF

RAIN IN HOLLAND on winning

ALL THREE LEGS OF THE TRIPLE TIARA. Owner: Drakenstein Stud Trainer: Sean Tarry Jockey: Richard Fourie Breeder: Drakenstein Stud

48 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.

Candiese Lenferna Chase Liebenberg

Kommetdieding and regular pilot Gavin Lerena after his 2021 Durban July win

Kommet On Track For Elite Honour

The result of the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes on 3 April has solidified Kommetdieding as the leading contender for Horse of The Year despite only finishing third in the race.

The winner of that race, MK’s Pride, enters the Horse of The Year log for the first time, climbing to second place just seven points behind Kommetdieding.

In winning the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes, MK’s Pride added to his earlier Gr2 win in the Joburg Spring Challenge. He now moves ahead of Jet Dark and Captain’s Ransom in the Horse of the Year and Champion Miler logs and leads the latter.

Year log by MK’s Pride.

Rain In Holland moved up 16 points after winning the Gr2 SA Oaks and landing the SA Triple Tiara, while Safe Passage, not in action in the review period, is displaced from the Horse of the

Read more here and see the tables

Kommetdieding heads the log with 84 points from MK’s Pride (77), Jet Dark (72), Captain’s Ransom (72), Chansonette (72), Rain In Holland (70), and Pomp And Power (64).

BUSH HILL – HISTORY SPEAKS 52 Bush Hill boss Warwick Render – another good sale ahead

Candiese Lenferna

Based in Mooi River, leading KZN thoroughbred nursery Bush Hill Stud will offer a quality draft of 14 on this month’s BSA Cape Yearling Sale on 28 and 29 April. The champion nursery has been a major fixture in the South African thoroughbred industry for decades. The farm, run by Warwick and Karin Render, has become a consistent source

of high-class gallopers, with the equine stars bred or raised by Bush Hill Stud headed by Gr1 Summer Cup winner Wolf Whistle (victorious subsequently in the Gr3 Al Rashidiya in Dubai), the Gr1 winning half-siblings Stellite and Zirconeum, and Gr1 SA Derby winner Seal. Bush Hill also bred the very talented Gr2 Emerald Cup winner The Mousketeer -who earned over R1 000 000 in prize money.

The stud borders on the Little Mooi River which provides water for the irrigation of the winter pastures, allowing for quality grazing all year round. Bush Hill has also stood a number of highly successful sires over the years, including Kahal and Toreador. The farm is currently home to an exciting line up of stallions, including Dubawi’s promising son Willow Magic, prolific

MJ puts another subject on the spot! New Predator in winning mode source of winners Flying The Flag, and New Approach’s well performed son New Predator. The latter, a top-class racehorse who captured both the 2016 Gr2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile and 2016 G2 Drill Hall Stakes during his career, has some well bred members of his first crop on offer in Bush Hill Stud’s National Yearling Sale draft. They include a colt (Lot 32) whose dam is a daughter of Gr1 SA Fillies Classic winner Bambina Stripes, a colt (Lot 87) out of a three-time

winning half-sister to Gr1 Dubai World Cup third place finisher Paris Perfect, and a filly (Lot 332) out of Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap runner up Cold Cash.

Stakes queen Neptune’s Rain.

Bush Hill will also be offering yearlings by all of Hat Puntano, Lancaster Bomber Querari, Rafeef, William Longsword and the aforementioned Willow Magic at the 2022 National Sale, with other potential standouts including the Rafeef filly (Lot 92) whose dam is a half-sister to Gr2 winner The Mouseketeer, the Querari filly (Lot 215) out of G2r The Debutante winner Tempted, and the Lancaster Bomber halfsister (Lot 247) to Gr3 Strelitzia

The New Approach To Winning!

Here is Warwick Render’s sale notebook:

Grade 1 quality sprinter miler New Predator is the first and only son of New Approach – heir elect to super sire Galileo’s crown, to stand in South Africa. His dam is a daughter of Australian Sprint Sire sensation Fastnet Rock.

He now has his first progeny on offer, and judging by the scores they got from the esteemed BSA inspectors they certainly look the part. Lot 32 – Pure Predator is a smart athletic and well put together colt. Speed in abundance with a touch of class. This is the first foal out of a Var daughter of Gr 1 winner Bambina Stripes. A potent international stakes producing family full of Graded stakes performers. Lot 87 – Alpha Wolf a strong, good boned colt with size and substance out of a three time winning daughter of Kahal, she herself a half sister to the 13 time local and international stakes winner Paris Perfect.

who is also a half sister to six time stakes winning Chico Azul . She has got her stud career off to a perfect start with 100% winners to runners. Like the dam of Triple Tiara winner War Of Athena Rhythmic Roxy is a daughter of Requiem. This colt has all the physical attributes to make into a race horse. Lot 332 – Leonessa is a balanced well put together filly with a good quarter and is the first foal out of the four time winning and Gr 3 placed daughter of Bankable Cold Cash. Another real “running family” with the granddam having had six to run for six to win and backed up by such top class performers Tom And Jerry and Bianconi.

The grandam is herself a stakes performing daughter of Honor Grades. Lot 129 – Space Wolf, a colt with size, substance and scope, from the true blue South African family of Equus Horse of The Year Irish Flame. This “Corn” family just keeps producing stakes horses in every generation with this colt being a half brother to the six time winning Graded stakes placed African Dream. While his four time winning dam was a half to Gr2 winning Meadow Magic. Lot 130 – Indecent Proposal is out of the five time winning stakes placed Rhythmic Roxy,

Lot 344 – King Of The Seas has class and quality in abundance. A top class international pedigree he is out of a High Chaparral half sister to Gr 2 winning Dylan’s Promise. The second dam was placed in two Gr 1’s in Australia. Further down the page, and adding to the international flavour, we see Graded stakes winners in Britain and Ireland to add to the Australian and New Zealand performers. Bush Hill Bombers We are thrilled to present two quality representatives of the exciting Lancaster Bomber. Lot 247, a classy filly with size and scope from a family

where the fillies have shone. This filly is a halfcsister to multiple stakes winning Neptune’s Rain who in addition to her wins in the Strelitzia and the KwazuluNatal Stakes recorded placings in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson and the SA Fillies Sprint Gr1. Granddam is the stakes winner of six, Waterwise, with other top class fillies in the immediate family including the likes of Lambarina , Party Time and Chestnuts N Pearls and Sally Bowles.

Douglas Dragon, Lot 320, represents so much that is good and sought after, being out of a stakes placed daughter of the mighty Jet Master, out of a daughter of Jallad out of a black type daughter of Golden Thatch from the immediate family of two ARCSA/Equus champion colts in Gold Flier and Succesful Bidder. To top it off this colt brings all the physical attributes one would want to the table too. A colt with class and scope he looks a racehorse in the making.

Shine Bright With Rafeef Lot 92 is a glittering example of what Rafeef, who just a week ago sired his first Gr1 winner, is all about. This filly has substance, quality and balance. She represents a true blue South African family that has done Bush Hill proud. The dam is a half sister to two stakes winners and by Cataloochee has shown plenty of speed, all her foals to have won have done so over 1000m. This also being the family

champion sprinter Al Nitak. Lot 312 is a scopy colt with a great walk and is out of a Dylan Thomas mare making for interesting inbreeding to Danehill. The dam is a half sister to the New Zealand Gr 3 winner of 6 Mazoon and has already produced the four time winning sprinter Chilly Winter. While down the page we see many international multiple stakes winners. Pride In Willow Magic On the back of MK’s Pride’s stirring recent Gr 1 victory in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes we are proud to present such a fine example of Willow Magic in Lot 122. This colt is the typical mould of his sire, a strong athletic chestnut with a great quarter. The dam is a half sister to Summer Cup winner and Hong Kong export and local stakes winner, Wagner as well as the dam of current stakes winner Peace In Our World. Just to prove she is on the right track the mare’s first unner Mix The Magic by Flying The Flag won by a convincing 4.5 lengths over 1200m since the catalogues were printed. William Longsword To Rule

Speed abounds in a strong athletic daughter of William Longsword , Lot 156 Sierra Sky. Her winning dam is a half sister by champion Var to Computaform Sprint Gr1 winner Attenborough and a full sister to Gr1 Mercury Sprint placed Al Sakeet. Her second dam is in turn a half sister Give Me Five, winner of the Gr1 Allan Robertson. Just to show this quality is nothing new in this family down the page we find Equus Champion Two Year Old Consensual, in turn she being dam of Equus Champion Just Sensual, and in previous generation Gr1 Winner In Camera and Tatler. Quick Querari Quentasia is Lot 215 by Querari out of the winner of the Gr2 Debutante, Tempted who is by that champion broodmare sire Jallad. She is already the dam of three winners and this speedy neat filly looks like she won’t be long in adding to that record. Second dam is the stakes winning Southern Halo daughter Tempter and own sister to international Gr3 winner Tempura. Hats Off To Puntano! The only representative of this dual Gr1 winning sire is a half

brother to recent Gr1 winner MK’s Pride. Stealth Strike is Lot 424. A quality racy looking colt in the true mould of his father. The dam, a granddaughter of Sunday Silence, has proven herself already with 100% strike rate of multiple winners to runners and all by different sires. Click here to read the online catalogue Interested parties can view Bush Hill Stud’s string at this year’s National Sale at block E in the TBA complex in Germiston.

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Candiese Lenferna

The smart Bard Of Avon – share is being sold

CTS HOST COLA DISPERSAL SALE A dispersal sale of thoroughbreds owned by the Estate of the Late Jumat Cola will be conducted by Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) after the last race at the Vaal racecourse on Thursday, 21 April. The sale offers three geldings, a colt, and a filly. They are either in training, already racing, or ready to race for the first time, and all but one is based at the Vaal with Ashley Fortune. Top of the list is the lightlyraced and well-performed Bard Of Avon (VAR), a three-time winner from nine

starts and graded-placed up to 1400m. He is a talented performer, with class and scope, and has a good career ahead of him. A share of 33% will be auctioned. Run For The Sun is a maiden gelding by Pomodoro, who has raced seven times for two places and looks to have a win in him, having run a few fair races. Master Of Change is a threeyear-old gelding by Master Of My Fate, and both he and the three-year-old Where’s That Tiger filly Tsitsikamma Pearl, are ready to beentered for a race.

“They are both in full work and doing well, certainly worth a look at” said Andrew Fortune on behalf of Fortune Racing. The filly is a half-sister to the 121 merit rated Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner, Pearl Of Asia. Also offered is a two-yearold colt by Rafeef out of Peggy Jay (Jay Peg) called Sound Effect. He was backed last June, and is with Julia Pilbeam at Soetendal Farm in the Western Cape. “He is a tall, quality colt with scope, in work, and ready to go into training straight away,” noted Pilbeam.

BENMARNE – READY FOR NATIONALS!

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 64 Benmarne Stud

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 65

The Botha family's Benmarne Stud is no stranger to producing great results, both in the sales ring and on the racecourse. Among the graduates of Benmarne are Gr1 Thekiwni Stakes winner Querari Falcon who also ran third in the 2016 Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas, and the very talented Monks Hood. The latter, a R375 000 buy from the 2016 National Yearling Sale, showed tremendous form in a brief South African campaign, with Monks Hood winning four of eight local starts including both the Gr2 Dingaans and Gr2 Gauteng Guineas. In landing the 2018 Guineas, Monks Hood trounced subsequent Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Surcharge -who would go on to capture the Gr1 Cantala Stakes in Australia before retiring to stud in Victoria.

‘Ben’ (for my father) M (for my mother, Marie, who is still involved with the farm) and Arne for me." Benmarne Stud is situated on 400ha between PE and Jeffries Bay, with 2,5km of beach front. According to Arne, ‘the big business is horses’, but they also run a herd of Bonsmara cattle. The family association with horses has faithfully been passed on and is now into the fourth generation. “My grandfather had horses and we’ve had horses that won the Gold Cup and the Chairmans.” Benmarne is a small stud, that was a big stud, that was started by Arne’s father, the late Mr Ben Botha. “We bought the farm in 1985 and there wasn’t

even a fence. It’s a family farm and it’s a great privilege to have had four generations of our family in horses. First my grandfather, then my late father, now me, my wife and my children. The Bothas will be offering four yearlings at this year's National Yearling Sale, including Imhotep (Lot 106), a Vercingetorix half-brother to Querari Falcon, and Shachath (Lot 219), a Global View filly whose dam is a full-sister to Java Handicap winner Fulcrum and a threeparts sister to champion Captain's Lover. Benmarne's draft can be found in Block B come the week of the National Yearling Sale, which will be held on 28 and 29 April. Supplied

The farm have also reaped good results in the sales ring, with Benmarne selling Querari Falcon's full-sister Free As The Wind for R1 100 000 at the 2020 National Yearling Sale. Benmarne is a small stud that was started by the late Mr Ben Botha, whose son Arne currently manages the farm. “The name of the operation is a combination of Botha family names, as Arne explains,

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Three generations! The late Ben Botha is flanked by grandson Bernard and son Arne, who runs Benmarne Stud today

Pauline Herman

RUGG SAYS FAREWELL TO RACING 68 Jarett Rugg says goodbye to horseracing

Fairview trainer Jarett Rugg saddled his last runner at his home track on Tuesday and has turned his back on a sport he once labelled a passion. While he says he is not pointing fingers or blaming anybody, he attributes the decline in his personal situation to the closure of Flamingo Park, coupled with the varying difficulties facing the industry. “It’s a very emotional moment for me personally. My late Dad Vernon was in this game all his life. My Dad’s cousin Duncan McKenzie trains here at Fairview. My Grandfather and his four brothers were all jockeys. But when the day comes when you have to ask yourself whether it’s time to go before you get pushed, then I have to say that at the age of 39, I have to step out of denial and I thankfully still have time to build a new life,” Jarett explained to the Sporting Post. He stresses that he never really made money out of horseracing and it was really an honour and a privilege to assist Duncan McKenzie when his Dad passed away in 2015. “I worked hard and lived comfortably in Kimberley.I was so motivated when I went on my own. I definitely wasn’t rich, but my credit

position was such that I wasn’t using my overdraft and could get asset finance. I could afford to feed the horses, pay my staff, settle the bills and tick over. But when the rumours about Flamingo Park’s closing started flying around about 12 months before the gates were shut, we all started swerving.

to starting a new chapter in my life. I would like to thank all my owners, family, friends, and supporters/ fans for all you done and for always standing by me. I am eternally grateful to you and wish you all the best in your future. Let’s go out with a bang, have a great day.’

It’s been downhill ever since – or an uphill battle, if that sounds better,” he adds. He says that the simple fact is that owners aren’t finding it easy and racing is not attracting new patrons.

Unfortunately it was not a fairytale ending, with his last runner Irish Rain pulling hard and getting his tongue over the bit.

“It’s a hole. When you are in it, there are no lifelines. The majority of owners already have their trainers. When you don’t have the horses, you can’t saddle winners – which are our best advertisements. So we plod on, making up field numbers. Most of my owners have been staunch. And all my horses will be sorted out and allocated to other yards. I will hand the keys back at the end of April.” Jarett issued a social media statement earlier. ‘Unfortunately I’ve had to make some tough decisions and today will be my last race meeting. I’ll be handing in my license after today and at the end of the month be starting a new chapter and journey. As hard and sad as it was to make this decision, I am also very excited and look forward

“I was hoping to at least go out with a winner. But that’s racing. We move on and cowboys don’t cry.” Jarett has previous hospitality experience and will be joining an establishment in Hartswater. “I know the area. The sea is far away. But it’s a good place to live and work.” We wish Jarett all of the best. He was always willing to talk to the media.

British Champion Series

2000 Guineas – The Countdown MJ puts another subject on the spot! 72

MJ puts another subject on the spot! 73

Godolphin

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Dubawi son Coroebus – near top of the boards With the Grand National run over last weekend, the focus now shifts to the British Flat racing season. The first Classic of 2022 is the 2000 Guineas which is just over two and a half weeks away – Saturday 30th April. Any amount of guesswork is involved when looking at the

2000 Guineas in the first half of April, and for most trainers it is a time of hope as to whether their top-notch juveniles have trained on into their three-yearold campaigns.

over the same course and distance as the Guineas, the unbeaten son of Oasis Dream takes on six rivals and is odds-on to get the job done.

Native Trial is the current 11/4 ante-post favourite for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and he will prep in the Gr3 Craven Stakes on Wednesday. Run

Charlie Appleby's colt landed two juvenile Group 1s last season including the Dewhurst on his last start. He is rated 17lbs better than

anything else in the race, and this race should bring him on for the Classic. Appleby stated on Twitter: “Work went very well over the weekend with Native Trail and Coroebus. Native Trail has been declared for the Craven and I couldn’t be any happier with him, I’m looking forward to seeing him out. With respects to Coroebus, after a collective decision over the course of the weekend, we’ve decided we’ll go straight to the Qipco 2000 Guineas." Godolphin stable companion and joint second favourite in

the ante-post market, Coroebus was an impressive winner of the Gr3 Autumn Stakes over the Rowley Mile in the autumn. He easily accounted for Imperial Fighter by two lengths, with the runner-up then running two and a half lengths off Luxembourg in the Gr1 Vertem Futurity, so the form looks high quality. The Dubawi colt would surely be coming here unbeaten had he been ridden with a touch more restraint in the Royal Lodge at the end of September. He skipped five lengths clear that day on running into the Dip

and was only collared in the final stride after appearing to idle out in front on meeting the rising ground. Aidan O’Brien has two runners at the top end of the betting. Unbeaten in three starts, the Camelot colt Luxembourg is joint second favourite with Coroebus and while he’s fairly likely to have the pace to mix it with the best milers in April, he’s already a shorter price for the Derby at Epsom.

His stablemate Point Lonsdale is around 10/1, but the vibes from Ballydoyle are positive about him after the two galloped at the Curragh at the beginning of the month. The son of Australia won his first four starts as a juvenile before being outpaced by Native Trail in the National Stakes at the Curragh last September over seven furlongs. With another winter over his back he could progress further especially over the extra furlong on offer. The Roger Varian-trained Bayside Boy is another to consider on his juvenile form. He was placed behind both Native Trail and Luxembourg

last October, but he was running on with purpose from near the back of the pack in the Dewhurst to finish strongly in third, two lengths back. Again in the Futurity, he didn’t get the clearest of passages when a staying on third just over two lengths behind Luxembourg on his final start. The Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday is the other recognised trial in Britain before the Guineas. Top on the ratings is the Ralph Beckett-trained Angel Bleu. A winner of five of his eight starts, the son of Dark Angel rounded off his juvenile campaign with successive Group One wins in France under Frankie Dettori.

His trainer Ralph Beckett said: “We plan on running. He will benefit from Saturday for sure. He has to have a prep race and slowish ground at Newbury is our best option. Whether he will go to Newmarket on the back of Saturday will depend not just on how he comes out of the race but the ground there as well.” “I’d be unlikely to run him on fast ground on the Rowley Mile, in which case he will go to Longchamp where he has already shown a liking for the place.”

Ascot Racecourse

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

BEST OF BRITISH AND IRISH FOR SA FANS Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Sports Information Services (SIS) have agreed a new fixed odds retail and online streaming deal with Hollywoodbets, which enables the South African betting operator to broadcast and take bets on British and Irish racing. South Africa’s leading betting operator will simulcast racing from 35 British racecourses and all 26 Irish racecourses into 92 betting shops in South Africa, and online via www. hollywoodbets.net

As part of the arrangement, RMG and SIS will work closely with Hollywoodbets to leverage its considerable marketing and promotional assets to grow turnover and interest in British and Irish racing, especially for the bigger race days. RMG’s Chief Commercial Officer Nick Mills said: “The agreement represents an exciting opportunity to increase the shop window for our racecourses, as well as generate additional international revenue, which goes back into the sport. “We look forward to working on an extensive joint marketing 79

plan, with particular focus on premium events, such as the Randox Grand National, Cazoo Derby, Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Qatar Sussex Stakes, Juddmonte International, Longines Irish Champions Stakes and QIPCO British Champions Day.” Hollywoodbets Betting Operations Manager, Dermot O’Connell, said: “We’re excited to have signed up with RMG and SIS which will ensure that our customers, in both the retail and online spheres, will watch the best of British and Irish racing.”

results up to: 2022-04-12

TRAINERS Name

Runs 823 870 591 366 862

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

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

159 117 66 71 93

109 108 63 54 90

89 112 65 40 86

177 187 107 74 148

19.3. 13.4 11.2 19.4 10.8

375 407 235 168 324

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

45.6 10,420,813 14,994,438 46.8 8,890,275 13,329,963 39.8 6,607,250 9,608,563 45.9 6,333,688 8,793,750 37.6 4,125,938 6,375,800

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

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

1207 676 779 764 1013

183 113 92 112 128

161 92 86 90 119

232 139 156 165 217

204 131 128 122 111

16.9 19.4 16.4 16.0 11.0

576 344 334 367 464

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

47.7 11,615,375 17,711,363 50.9 10,908,425 14,310,088 42.9 9,163,138 12,957,650 48.0 7,642,075 11,929,025 45.8 6,529,313 10,971,938

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

269 1272 314 1547

62,718 127 183 46,750 109 144

47.2 504 34.7 602

11 7

16 8

16,871,250 14,679,613

141 134 130

83,834 64,622 53,665

44.0 286 41.0 272 31.5 252

13 5 3

16 6 4

11,820,525 8,659,388 6,976,413

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

12 9 1 9 2

9,637,875 9,506,525 8,716,450 8,714,863 8,670,738

676 639 738

62 55 41

96 85 64

SIRES Name Vercingetorix Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Master Of My Fate * Silvano (GER) What A Winter

Runrs Runs AEPR 137 169 171 141 168

669 786 873 641 801

70,349 56,252 50,973 61,808 51,612

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 68 70 80 62 70

95 95 108 90 105

49.6 41.4 46.8 44.0 41.7

284 322 388 275 355

See all the detailed standings - Click here 80

9 8 1 7 2

CANCEL THE PLANS – IT’S SATURDAY!

Whatever your plans are or were on Saturday afternoon…cancel them. As if one wasn’t enough, City welcome Liverpool back to the Etihad.

want to lose this one. It is a pivotal encounter in terms of momentum and confidence – but also because this tournament remains a jewel in the English football crown!

This time they are needing to settle a dispute over a spot in the FA Cup final and personally I cannot wait to see how it all plays out.

City are the favourites with Hollywoodbets pricing them up at 13/10…I cannot say I disagree with the estimation considering the game we saw on Sunday. City were excellent in the first half and successfully put themselves in the ascendency at the Etihad.

Manchester City vs Liverpool | Saturday 16 April | Wembley Stadium | 16h30 Ryan Liberty writes that you and I both know this is going to be brilliant. So I’m going to stop and get on with this preview already! To Win (90 mins) Manchester City 13/10 Draw 49/20 Liverpool 2/1 Manchester City As a point of departure, let us not fall into the ever-growing idea that City will ‘prioritize’ this or ‘rest players’ for that. Don’t get me wrong, this might literally be the case – especially in this fixture – but it shouldn’t be used in a punting conversation where this side is concerned! Pep Guardiola has a strong side at his disposal, and he will know that neither his players nor fans will

There was a nervous edge to the atmosphere inside the Etihad, but once they were able to show they could get in behind Liverpool’s defensive line and ask questions of Alisson their supporters made their voices heard. I think a crucial and poignant point from the game, however, was not only the inherent quality and brilliance of Manchester City but also the continued and sustained fight that one should just come to expect when they play Liverpool. City looked good when they were ahead, but after Liverpool replied twice, they seemed to go into a slight panic mode. For me, it is a red flag – but I might be reading too much into it.

Liverpool Liverpool is in red-hot form going into the game and Jurgen Klopp may very well still have a fully fit squad to pick from. There will be no uncertainty with his side visiting the Etihad once again and I think mentally the Reds travel with the competitive edge. Enough has been made and said about these two sides, we know they possess quality. We know they each have a world-class manager. And so, what really splits them could literally be confidence and ‘feel’. I think the game will be very close again, we saw these two play out to a 2-2 draw last Sunday and for the most part, I wouldn’t be surprised to see much of the same. At different moments each side enjoyed control of the fixture. They both inevitably felt as though they could go on and win it, but it was the mentality of the Liverpool side which impressed me most. The visitors had to claw their way back into the game twice and the second time they looked to knock the stuffing out of City. I might be treading on disrespectful here, but Pep’s side just didn’t look as though they were their usual composed selves after Sadio Mane equalized.

From a punting point though, the draw is not usually a bet too many people will want to get behind. Of course, our instinct is to back a winner and have some clout when we are screaming and shouting our side or bet to victory! This game should be different – a draw is the smart bet in my opinion, and I think it could land once again. Prediction: Liverpool To Qualify (21/20) I wouldn’t be surprised to

see this encounter play out to another exciting stalemate (yes, we are allowed to refer to stalemates played with this amount of quality as ‘exciting’.) The difference for me is that this is a cup game; the pressure won’t grow as the game changes and already be in place before the referee blows his whistle. Both sides know what they need to do – simple. I don’t think there is as much nuance and pressure as the league game and so whilst I still back a draw in 90

minutes, I suggest we take a cover bet and get on the Liverpool train. At 21/20 I don’t think I need to convince you too much, but you’ll thank me later. Oh, and by the way – I think we can say ‘provident fund confidence’!