SP SPRINT - 11 JANUARY 2023

CONQUERER!

Silence descended momentarily on a sundrenched Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the Australian-bred 5yo Al Muthana upstaged boom 3yo Charles Dickens to win the 162nd renewal of the prestigious R2 million Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Billed as the race of the decade by host operator Cape Racing, the presence of the previously undefeated Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Charles Dickens saw

unprecedented interest in South Africa’s premier weightfor-age mile contest.

And disappointed we weren’t, despite leaving the bustling course poorer and the fairytale unravelling late in the 1600m contest courtesy of an inspired ride by Bernard Fayd’herbe, who took his personal tally in the magic mile to 6 victories, just 1 short of Anton Marcus.

Fayd’herbe, who was lumbered with a R40 000 fine for exceeding the crop

use limit, booted one home for Mauritius and delivered a welcome-home gift to veteran trainer Ricky Maingard as the 5yo former Shadwell-owned Al Muthana, pipped the horse we all wanted to win in the shadow of the post.

Just 0,30 lengths separated the flying gelding and the odds-on Trippi 3yo, with Al Muthana (80-1) clocking 98,22 secs in near perfect Cape summer weather conditions.

Defending dual champion

Winning duo Bernard Fayd’herbe and Ricky Maingard are all smiles after their big win

CHARLES UPSTAGED BY AUSSIE

Jet Dark (7-1) was 1,25 lengths back in third, with Kommetdieding (12-1) running 0,30 lengths back in fourth.

While Aldo Domeyer gave the 5-10 Charles Dickens every chance, and may well have been better off down the middle-outside, it was not to be seven on the trot and the Drakenstein home-bred produced a great performance as he left the track for his Milnerton home base with his ego dented, but his reputation intact.

The King’s Plate was presented by British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, to the elated winning connections.

The beleaguered Mauritius racing’s loss is Cape racing’s gain and while trainer Ricky Maingard has only started with eleven odd horses, the win will be a massive boost for the man who provided such thrills with the champion Wolf Power all those decades ago. Formerly raced by Shadwell, Al Muthana has won 8 of his

18 starts, including the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, with 3 places for stakes of R2 692 375.

A Shadwell home-bred halfbrother to Gr2 winner Wawail, Al Muthana was foaled and raised at Yarraman Park and is by smart sprinter Deep Field (Northern Meteor) from the Gr2 winning Redoute’s Choice mare, Daana.

‘Like winning, getting beaten is a part of the game too. We are dealing with flesh and blood and we take the good with the bad…’

A glam Candice smiles for our photographer on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day

Chase Liebenberg

Candice Bass-Robinson

CHARLES – STILL A ROYAL IN CANDICE'S BOOK!

Spare a thought for 2022 L’Ormarins King’s Plate runner-up trainer, Candice Bass-Robinson. Born into horseracing, she was there at the age of 21 when her legendary Dad Mike saddled Counter Action, the first of his six winners of the prestigious weight-forage mile.

On Saturday, at a sun soaked Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, South Africa’s leading lady trainer had to bite the decorum bullet and call on every ounce of her life and stable yard coaching and experience, in a game that, excuse the cliché, really does tame lions.

Candice had to watch the King’s Plate dream unfolding as Charles Dickens unwound down the inside under Aldo Domeyer, looking a winner inside the 200m. But it wasn’t to be the fairytale ending we had all wished for.

The whole world will know by now that the former Mike de Kock resident Al Muthana, in the care of veteran Ricky Maingard, flashed up on the wide outside at 80-1 to snare the hot-pot favourite and budding Bass champion in the shadow of the post to cause the biggest upset most of us can recall in the royal mile –certainly this century.

A philosophical and positive sounding Candice spoke to the Sporting Post on Monday afternoon and confirmed that Charles Dickens has pulled up 100% sound and had emptied the manger on Sunday.

While she kicked off by saying that she didn’t enjoy the way that the runners spread across the width of the track in races around turn at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, we asked her to describe the initial feeling in the aftermath of the knockout blow that few of us saw coming.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say we are extremely disappointed. Along with all the fans, supporters and punters who were shouting Charles home, his defeat is a body blow. But we have been in horseracing 46 years and the Drakenstein team are seasoned racing people. Like winning, getting beaten is a part of the game too. We are dealing with flesh and blood and we take the good with the bad,” she lamented, pointing out that on the day her chestnut champion had encountered an older Gr1 winning miler, who ran out of his skin.

“Al Muthana literally ran the race of his life. He relished the hard pace as he did in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge last year and ran on powerfully late. We have

to congratulate the winning connections on a plan come together.”

Candice added that it was quite ironic that Charles Dickens had beaten two of South Africa’s top-rated older horses comprehensively.

“He beat defending dual champion Jet Dark and multiple Gr1 winner Kommetdieding - the two horses we knew we had to be beat! But I personally never considered Al Muthana as a threat. On the day, the stars aligned for the Maingard team and let’s take nothing away from the winner,” she added.

While it has already been made known that Charles Dickens will not run in the WSB Cape Town Met later this month, there aren’t too many other options for the handsome son of Trippi, other than the SA Champions Season on the East Coast.

“Yes, Durban is a real possibility, but we need to meet with the Drakenstein team to discuss the options and the programme. He is on a break now. Even if we only

“I imagine a race like the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is a possibility – I really don’t think the Daily News is an option.”

take him up later on into the KZN season– it’s all pretty fluid at the moment,” she confirmed.

When asked about likely target races, Candice seems to consider the mile his best hunting ground at this stage.

“I imagine a race like the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is a possibility – I really don’t think the Daily News is an option.”

And will her star enjoy Hollywoodbets Greyville?

“It will be his first experience of a right-handed track. But he is a sensible horse and the

shorter straight won’t worry him as he turns it on in a tickey. Other than the course being barrier draw-sensitive, I don’t envisage an issue, I really don’t,” she added.

Drakenstein must be harbouring thoughts of Charles Dickens taking up stud duties in the future? Is he physically and mentally okay at this stage? We put it to Candice that one experienced observer suggested that he looks very big in the neck area and comes down hard on those front legs.

“That’s normal for a colt and we have raced many who were a lot bigger in front.

I don’t see any issues at this stage.”

While she has an exemplary elite level record with the likes of past Gr1 winners

Marinaresco, Nightingale Russet Air, Zarina and Clouds Unfold (2), where does Charles Dickens rank in the scheme of the best horses she has trained since taking over the business from her Dad in August 2016?

“He’s number 1. I have been fortunate to have great support and train some outstanding horses. But to answer your question - Charles Dickens would be my best.”

The dream team – Candice, Aldo and Charles. Their turn will come!

Chase Liebenberg

Horses took to the beach at Surfers Paradise on Monday morning ahead of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which began yesterday

DOWN UNDER, ON TOP!

Al Muthana (Deep Field), surprise winner of Saturday's Gr1 L'Ormarins King's Plate, hails from a male line which has made its mark in South Africa.

Now a dual Gr1 winner, and conqueror of Jet Dark in last season's Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Al Muthana is one of three Gr1 winners for his sire Deep Field.

The latter, winner of his first five starts in a row including the Gr2 Tab.Com.Au Stakes, has proved a better stallion than his Gr1 MRC Caulfield Guineas winning full-brother Shooting To Win. While Deep Field has been responsible for 23 stakes winners, from 463 runners, his sibling has come up with 8 stakes winners from 282 runners.

Deep Field, already responsible for a number of sire sons, is also responsible for Gr1 Oakleigh Plate deadheater Portland Sky and Gr1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Sky Field.

Deep Field and Shooting To Win, directly descended in female line from the remarkable mare Eight Carat (dam of five Gr1 winners), were sired by short-lived sire sensation Northern Meteor. Despite dying at the age of eight, Northern Meteor more than made his mark while

at stud in Australia. He left behind six Gr1 winners, and his sons Deep Field, Shooting To Win, Eurozone and Zoustar have all sired at least one Gr1 winner.

Northern Meteor, in turn, was a son of former Australian Champion Sire Encosta De Lago, a horse who, from relatively small numbers of runners, enjoyed considerable success in South Africa. Among Encosta De Lago's notable South African representatives were dual Gr1 winner, and champion, Delago Deluxe, Gr2 Gold Circle Derby winner Dan De Lago, Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner Mac De Lago and Gr2 The Fillies Nursery queen Merlene De Lago. Encosta De Lago was also broodmare sire of South African champion Musir (Redoute's Choice), whose Gr3 winning three-parts brother Moofeed (Duke Of Marmalade) stands at stud in South Africa.

Sired by a son of Northern Meteor, and out of a mare by Redoute's Choice, Al Muthana is bred on similar lines to prominent Australian sire Zoustar. The latter, who like Northern Meteor won the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, is a son of Northern Meteor and the Redoute's Choice mare Zouzou. Zoustar, Leading First and Second Season Sire in Australia, has also made

his mark in the Northern Hemisphere, and is sire of 2022 Cartier Champion Lezoo.

Al Muthana also hails from a high-class female line. His dam El Daana, one of 179 stakes winners sired by multiple Australian champion sire Redoute's Choice, was a smart performer whose wins included a triumph in the Gr2 VRC Edward Manifold Stakes. El Daana has more than made her mark at stud, as she is also responsible for Australian Gr2 winner Wawail (Lonhro).

El Daana, who is directly descended in female line from Futurity Stakes queen Mother Goose (also ancestress of such as Danehill and Northern Dancer), is one of a growing number of Gr1 producing daughters of Redoute's Choice. Other Gr1 winners produced by Redoute's Choice mares include outstanding Australian galloper Anamoe and local racer Linebacker - who, like Al Muthana, contested Saturday's King's Plate.

El Daana had a Lonhro filly make A$625 000 at last year's Inglis Easter Sale.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH…

Chase Liebenberg

The race that raised the Stipes’ ire! Richard Fourie has Future Swing flying as Billy Spellbound (Calvin Habib, green & black) and the fourth-placed Nevada King (Grant van Niekerk) chase hard

One caller to the Sporting Post offices on Saturday suggested that Bernard Fayd’herbe’s decision to bring longshot Al Muthana down the outside in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate had been the difference between Charles Dickens’ winning and losing.

The perceived better middle to outside going up the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer straight course on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day had many of the riders gunning for a run out wide.

However Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s veteran General Manager Dean Diedericks refuted suggestions that one side should be better than the other as treatment was consistent across the width and breadth of the course.

“We apply the same cultivational processes uniformly and consistently as a rule. Naturally , certain sections drain differently to others, but we deal with those independently. At the end of the day, none of them won hard up the outside and ultimately it is the individual jockey’s call, based on the direction and strength of the prevailing wind conditions amongst others, to place his mount in the position he deems

best,” added Diedericks.

Saturday’s rail configuration was 3m out from the 1800m mark with a 5m spur at the 600m.

“That gives everybody a fair chance, I believe. As an aside, it should also be remembered that our fields are also a lot bigger on average than they were. And my job is to provide the best quality racing surface possible, with the safety of horse and rider always our top priority” noted Diedericks.

Interestingly, after the running of the final leg of the R6,9 million Pick 6 , the Stipes addressed the riders who participated in this race following incidents recorded.

The jockeys were advised that in the opinion of the Stipes, the circumstances that prevailed in the home straight were as a result of the field making its run on the outside of the racecourse.

They were advised that in the opinion of the Stipes this did not make for competitive racing and that numerous horses were unable to be fully tested as a result of being in restricted galloping room which posed a risk to the safety of riders as well as the welfare of horses.

It was further put to the

Riders that the circumstances that prevailed should not be repeated and that the Stewards would not hesitate to sustain a charge against any jockey who was the source or contribution to bunching of the field which makes for uncompetitive racing.

Particular incidents recorded in the ninth race:

• At the 300m, in a tightly bunched field with all riders electing to direct their mounts to the outside of the racecourse, BILLY SPELLBOUND (C Habib) was unable to secure a clear run, was switched inwards and then was held up and switched inwards again at the 100m when close to the heels of NEVADA KING (G van Niekerk).

• Leaving the 300m, while attempting to secure clear running between KAPUZINER (L Mxothwa) and AUS BOB (*RA Venniker), RUN FOR COVER (R Munger) was brushed outwards and made contact with AUS BOB (*RA Venniker).

• NEVADA KING (G van Niekerk) was awkwardly placed on the inside of FUTURE SWING (R Fourie) in the concluding stages.

AND NOW FOR THE MET!

The Ridgemont Highlandsbred Dynasty filly Make It Snappy endorsed her connections’ recent decision to supplement her for the WSB Cape Town Met when she went all the way to register her second consecutive Gr1 victory in under five weeks, with an eyecatching end-to-end score in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes.

Ridden by regular pilot Luyola Mxothwa, Make It Snappy raced as the leading 3yo in a field that included an SA Triple Tiara winner, the

current SA Horse Of The Year, and a Hollywoodbets Durban July winner.

And the beautiful bay with the ground guzzling stride simply galloped them off their feet with her relentless motion carrying her to a 0,30 length win over the even money favourite and defending champion, Captain’s Ransom, with the runner-up’s longshot stablemate Silver Darling (50-1) rattling late to round off the trifecta.

Mxothwa rode the perfect race in a genuine tactical plan come

together for the Hollywood Syndicate, whose second Gr1 winner she was, Ridgemont Highlands, and the Crawford Racing team.

Brett Crawford last saddled a Paddock Stakes winner when Shadow Dancing beat her rivals in 2012. Prior to that he had Bad Girl Runs, who won for Sabine Plattner in 2006.

The Philippi trainer was elated: “Now, that was a top-class ride! The filly has improved since the Fillies Guineas and really liked the 1800m. It’s quite remarkable that she has

The thrilled connections lead Make It Snappy in after her second consecutive Gr1 victory last Saturday

now won two G1’s from just five starts. She is very good indeed, and the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met is now a possibility,” he added.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, from whom she is leased for racing, the winner is by late champion Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the beautifully-bred Western Winter mare, Icy Winter Air.

Make It Snappy was her late

sire’s fourth success in this prestigious race after Beach Beauty (2013, 2014) and Bela-Bela (2017).

Make It Snappy is a winner of 4 races with 1 place from her 5 starts for stakes of R1 359 625.

Final supplementary entries for the 2000m WSB Cape Town Met close at 11h00 on Monday 9 January, when weights will be published.

Met declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 19 January.

Barrier Draws will be done electronically by the NRB on the same day.

INAUGURAL LADIES INTERNATIONAL

Candiese Lenferna

INAUGURAL OKAPI INTERNATIONAL

The lady riders are flanked by Western Cape Grooms School Riding Master Craig du Plooy (far left) and organiser, Gina Goldsmith (far right).

RIDGEMONT’S SNAPPY HAPPY SUMMER!

Guineas. Over 200m further on Saturday, she delivered much the same kind of dazzling performance – except this time beating her illustrious elders, including reigning SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom, as well as 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July heroine Sparkling Water and SA Triple Tiara princess, Rain In Holland.

This was Make It Snappy’s fourth win – including three features - from her five starts, and she is proudly being hailed in the top echelon of 3yo fillies in South Africa this term.

Luyola Mxothwa drives Make It Snappy ahead of a courageous Captain’s Ransom (Richard Fourie) The Ridgemont Highlands’ team’s dream run in the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Racing Festival continued at a sundrenched Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the champion nursery’s homebred Make It Snappy, a daughter of the outstanding Dynasty, made it a glorious Grade 1 backto-back strike with an eyecatching victory in the Cartier Paddock Stakes.

Just a month ago Make It Snappy had pulverized a high-class field of her contemporaries to win the WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies

Ridden by regular pilot Luyola Mxothwa, Make It Snappy did things the way she loves –out front with her enormous elastic stride and dictating matters - before kicking on again to thwart a late challenge from the highly accomplished Captain’s Ransom.

“Make It Snappy really is an exciting prospect. When she cantered to post for the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes on Saturday, she gave me goosebumps. The way she came back was equally impressive and there were some serious big hitters behind her! She ticks all the boxes and has a very bright future. It’s a privilege and pleasure for us to race these

Chase Liebenberg

high calibre Ridgemont Highlands bred horses and to be competitive at the elite level,” added Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager Anthony Delpech, a former champion jockey who has been associated with top horses across the globe.

For the powerful Ridgemont Highlands team it has been a summer to remember – and it’s not over yet.

The Robertson nursery of champions have produced a galaxy of stars from breeding best-to-best with

quality international and local bloodlines and are now reaping the rewards. In a month, they have celebrated a dual Gr1 winner and a top two finish in the R400 000 Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap, all products of their iconic late champion, Dynasty.

“Grade 1 achievement is the benchmark of excellence by which the Ridgemont Highlands team is measured and we are proud and thrilled to have shouted Make It Snappy home on what is one of the great racing days on

the South African calendar. The enormous legacy left by Dynasty in the lovely fillies and mares that the farm still owns has been underscored once again. We congratulate the Hollywood Syndicate and it’s a true privilege to join hands with likeminded passionate racing folk in a quest to win the big ones,” said Ridgemont’s Craig Carey.

Ridgemont Highlands present a high-quality twelve strong draft at tomorrow’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

Happy! James Rich, Devin Heffer, Anthony Delpech and .Brooklyn Delpech wait to lead the smart daughter of Dynasty in

Chase Liebenberg

EXPECT THEM TO BE FRONT & CENTRE!

Ridgemont Highlands, who bred last Saturday’s Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Make It Snappy, presents a varied and exciting draft at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, powered by Tattersalls, at the CTICC tomorrow afternoon.

Below are detailed notes on the individual lots:

Lot 3: Cadenza – colt by Rafeef out of Casadesus:

By the same sire as Gr1 winners Aragosta, Master Archie and Thunderstruck, as well as recent G2 Dingaans winner Union Square, Cadenza hails from a truly exceptional female line. She is out of the smart race mare Casadesus, who won three times up to 1600m. Already the dam of three winners, Casadesus is a half-sister to four black type horses including Gr3 winner Offenbach (the latter's sire Danehill also ranks as the grandsire of Rafeef).

The granddam Push A Venture, a daughter of outstanding broodmare sire Shirley Heights, was a half-sister to none other than the dam of legendary racehorse and topclass sire Rock Of Gibraltar. The latter, a son of Danehill, won a record breaking seven

Gr1 races in a row, and was Cartier “Horse Of The Year” in 2002.

The classically bred Casadesus is by dual Derby winner High Chaparral, who also ranks as the broodmare sire of recent Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Mile winner California Spangle.

Lot 9: Umfula – colt by Canford Cliffs ex Cool River:

This colt shares his five-time Gr1-winning sire Canford Cliffs with a host of high-class performers, including group/ graded stakes winners Cliff's Edge, La Falaise, Crystal Cliffs, Fish River, Jin Jin, and champion Cima Emergency.

Umfula is also bred on the same Canford Cliffs/Western Winter cross as multiple stakes winner Cliff Top, one of his leading performers from his first South African-sired crop.

Cool River, the dam of Umfula, has already produced four multiple winners, headed by Listed KZN Guineas Trial winner Stream Ahead and the stakes placed, five-time winner Zambezi Rapids. The three time-winning Cool River, herself a daughter of Roland's Song Stakes winner Riviersonderend, is bred on very similar lines to Gr2 winner Humdinger and speedy

Milkwood Stakes heroine Glacier Gold. The latter pair were sired by Western Winter's son What A Winter and are out of Cool River's stakes winning half-sister Himalayan Hill.

Umfula hails from a highclass family with his relatives including the very successful stallion Crafty Prospector, and G1 winners Bond Holder, Wild Spirit and outstanding South African sire, VAR.

Lot 15: African Memoir – colt by Canford Cliffs x Dinesen:

This colt is a son of sensational miler and five-time Gr1 winner Canford Cliffs, whose progeny have earned more than $34 million in prize money. A halfbrother to 2 winners, African Memoir is out of the smart four-time winner and Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes runner-up, Dinesen.

Dinesen, a daughter of the Al Mufti sired Divine Nymph herself is a half-sister to six stakes horses, including Gr1 SA Classic winner Divine Jury and Ruffian Stakes victress Velvet Hue. The latter has also made a name for herself at stud as the dam of G3 Champagne Stakes victress Phil's Dancer.”

Lot 29: Wing Walker – colt by Rafeef ex Fly Phillippa

Ridgemont Highlands' resident stallion Rafeef has proved a revelation at stud. The leading First and Second Season Sire of his year, Rafeef's stellar first crop produced Gr1 winners Aragosta and Master Archie, as well as the top-class millionaire William Robertson, while his second crop includes G1 Gold Medallion winner Thunderstruck and this season's Gr2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans winner Union Square.

Rafeef has a very well bred son

on offer at the Premier Sale this year in the form of Wing Walker. The latter, who shares his broodmare sire Dynasty with the likes of Charles Dickens and Wild Coast, is a half-brother to the speedy Winter Flight, a stakes-placed winner of six. Wing Walker is out of the stakes placed Dynasty mare Fly Phillippa, a full-sister to the Gr3 placed Dame Kelly.

The blue-blooded Fly Phillippa is also a half-sister to a pair of graded stakes winning two-year-olds as well as this season's Listed Topbet Spring Spree Stakes winner Team

Gold, and further back, this is the family of outstanding US sire Exclusive Native and a host of international Gr1 winners.

Lot 31: Show Off – colt by Canford Cliffs x Front And Centre

This colt, a son of outstanding miler Canford Cliffs, is the first foal of Ridgemont’s brilliant race mare Front And Centre. A half-sister to G1 Premier's Champion Stakes winner, and successful sire, Potala Palace, Front And Centre (by outstanding sire and emerging broodmare sire Dynasty) won

Lot 31 – first foal of Ridgemont’s brilliant race mare Front And Centre. He is by champion miler Canford Cliffs

her first four starts, culminating in a scintillating win in the 2018 Gr1 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas. The classy Front And Centre went on to capture the Gr3 Diana Stakes and ended her career having banked more than R1.448 million in earnings.

Front And Centre, who is from the immediate family of English classic winners Golan (2000 Guineas) and North Light (Epsom Derby), is directly descended in female line from one of the greatest mares in the stud book - Simons Shoes. The latter features as the ancestress of numerous star performers including the breed-shaping sires Sadler's

Wells, Nureyev and Fairy King.

Show Off's five-time G1 winning sire Canford Cliffs has sired group/graded stakes winners in all of Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and South Africa.

Lot 43: Unnamed colt by Rafeef ex Hope Solo:

Redoute’s Choice’s top-class son Rafeef has some cracking lots on offer at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. One such lot is the colt out of the winning Silvano mare Hope Solo, a three-parts sister to Listed Jamaica Handicap/East Coast Handicap winner Epona.

Hope Solo is herself a halfsister to dual G2 Hawaii Stakes winner Whiteline Fever, who earned more than R1.8 million in stakes.

Hope Solo’s dam Hockey Corner was herself a half-sister to outstanding broodmare Laptop Lady –dam not only of the aforementioned Epona, but also graded stakes winners Barrack Street and Cyber Case, and, more importantly, the mighty Jay Peg. The latter, a champion in South Africa, went on to win Gr1 races in three different countries, including triumphs in the Gr1 Cape Guineas, Gr1 Cape Derby, Gr1 Dubai Duty Free

and G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup.

Lot 57: All About Love – colt by Trippi ex Let Me Love You:

Former champion sire Trippi is enjoying a fantastic season in 2022-2023. The End Sweep son’s current flagbearers include sensational three-yearold Charles Dickens, multiple Gr1 winning champion Jet Dark, top-class miler Trip Of Fortune and high-class fillies Santa Maria and Sound Of Warning. Currently sire of more than 80 stakes winners, Trippi is no stranger to sales ring success, and has had yearlings make up to R6 000 000.

He is represented here by All About Love, a colt with a classic pedigree. All About Love is out a Silvano own sister to Gr1 SA Derby winner Seal and half-sister to two other stakes winners notably Jet Master Stakes winner Fifty Cents. The latter, like All About Love, was sired by Trippi making the two threeparts brothers. This colt’s granddam Prestine Performer is also second dam of current high-class galloper, and 2022 Summer Cup contender, Raiseahallelujah.

Lot 69: Colt - Superhero –colt by Futura ex Nona In Command:

The blue-blooded Superhero is truly bred to be anything. A son of champion Futura, whose three-year-olds this

season include the likes of Le Morne and Rockpool, he is a full-brother to G3 WSB Variety Club Mile winner, Warrior. The latter, himself a R1.2 million Cape Premier Sale buy, accounted for July/Met winning star Kommetdieding when victorious in the 2021 Cape Mile (now a Gr3 contest).

Also a three-parts brother to Gr3 Prix Du Cap/Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Pretty Young Thing (also sired by a son of Dynasty), Superhero is out of Swallow Stakes winner Nona In Command.

A daughter of top Australian sire Commands, Nona In Command hails from one of the very best families in the Australian stud book.

Lot 85: Sir Korski – colt by Rafeef ex Samarate:

Few, if any, yearlings on offer at the upcoming Cape Premier Yearling Sale, hail from a stronger and more impressive female line than Sir Korski. This blue-blooded colt is directly descended from outstanding race mare and producer Fanfreluche – Canada’s “Horse Of The Year” in 1970. Among the numerous star performers descended from Fanfreluche are champion sire Encosta De Lago and fellow G1 winners Aube Indienne, Hi Happy, I Am A Star and Pear Tart.

Sir Korski’s dam, the Fastnet Rock mare Samarate, is very closely related to the Fastnet Rock sired New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest, with both horses descending

in female line from the Secretariat mare L’On Vite.

Danehill, grandsire of Rafeef, enjoyed great success when mated to mares from this family, with this cross producing such standout Gr1 winners and sires Flying Spur and Holy Roman Emperor to name but two.

This is also the family of dual Gr1 winner, and promising sire Erupt, as well as the now Coolmore Australia based dual Gr1 winning sprinter Home Affairs.

Lot 91: Run The World – colt by One World x Six Blue Notes:

Champion One World looks to be a very attractive addition to the South African stallion band. One of more than 100 stakes winners sired by multiple champion South African sire Captain Al, One World won 10 of just 14 starts including the 2020 Gr1 Sun Met. Equus Champion Older Male of 2019-2020, One World shares his outstanding broodmare sire Giant’s Causeway with sensational US sire, Gun Runner.

His son, Run The World, is a half-brother to five winners including the stakes placed Studio Blues. His dam Six Blue Notes showed high-class form at two, running third in both the Gr1 Golden Slipper and Gr1 Thekwini Fillies Stakes. Six Blue Notes was sired by Qui Danzig, whose daughters have produced such top-flight Gr1

winners as champion Via Africa (dam of Australian Gr1 winner In The Congo), Buy And Sell, Count The Money and Pierre Jourdan.

Lot 100: Unnamed Colt by Futura ex Sweet Red: Ridgemont Highlands have already struck Premier Sale gold with a son of Futura, having sold subsequent Gr3 winner Warrior for R1 200 000 at the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. They will be offering another son

of Dynasty’s champion son at this year’s Premier Sale, with this colt’s first two dams sired by champion Australian sires Snitzel and Encosta De Lago.

His dam Sweet Red is a Snitzel winning half-sister to smart Australian galloper Superare and Sweet Red also ranks as a three-parts sister to Gr3 SAJC South Australian Fillies Classic winner Mimi’s Award (sired by a son of Snitzel). Sweet Red is herself out of a stakes winning daughter of multiple Leading Broodmare Sire Encosta De

Lago and she is bred on the same Snitzel/Encosta De Lago cross as the Gr1 winners Invader, Sword Of State and Summer Passage.

Lot 109: Kaisarissa – colt by Vercingetorix ex Whatalady:

Equus Champion Vercingetorix had a phenomenal season in 2021-2022, when finishing second, to his sire Silvano, on the General Sires List. The 2014 Gr1 Jebel Hatta winner was responsible for 14 black type winners in South Africa

Lot 109 - a handsome son of champion Vercingetorix

last season, his stakes winners picking up no fewer than 21 South African black type races in 2021-2022.

His champion son Cousin Casey, winner of both the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes and Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe at two, remains a great flagbearer for his sire, having claimed the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup on his first start at three.

Vercingetorix colt Kaisarissa is out of a top-class daughter of multiple champion sire Jet Master and is bred on the same Vercingetorix/Jet Master cross as millionaire African Warrior and Gr1 Daily News 2000 runner up Padre Pio.

His dam Whatalady won five times including the Gr3 Acacia Handicap and is a half-sister to graded stakes winners Fort Vogue and Prince Of Kahal.

Remarkably, Kaisarissa’s first three dams were all highclass stakes performers, with

granddam Vogue finishing second in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and third dam Thousand Nights capturing the now Gr3 Jubilee Handicap.

Lot 115: Sicily - colt by Rafeef ex Baltia:

Rafeef colt Sicily has a very attractive pedigree. Bred on the same Rafeef/Var cross as Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Thunderstruck and Gr1 Computaform Sprint hero Master Archie, this colt is out of a winning daughter of Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery third place getter Baltic Beauty. The latter, a daughter of high-class broodmare sire Windrush, is a full-sister to Equus Champion, and fourtime Gr1 winner Mother Russia. The latter, despite dying young, also left her mark at stud, through her champion daughter, and dual G1 Empress Club Stakes winner, Nother Russia.

This is also the family of Equus “Horse Of The Year”

Winter Solstice, and the Derby winners Bravura and Tribesman.

Lot 117: El Capitan – colt by Rafeef ex Baqueira:

A half-brother to Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes/Listed East Cape Nursery winner Cliff Top, El Capitan, closely inbred to successful sire National Assembly, El Capitan is out of a winning own sister to the brilliant Cold As Ice.

A winner on two different continents, Cold As Ice won five of just seven starts in South Africa including the Gr2 Choice Carriers Fillies Championship and Sceptre Stakes, and was beaten just a head when runner up in the 2015 Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (beating among others multiple Equus Champion Carry On Alice). Her sister Baquiera also numbers R4 million plus earner Live Life (like Cold As Ice, winner of the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes) as a half-sister.

PREMIER RIDE BY ORFFER

The handsome Rascallion is back in the winner's circle

Chase Liebenberg

Maine Chance Farms’ outstanding sire Vercingetorix (Silvano) celebrated his 23rd stakes winner when his high-class son Rascallion won the Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy run over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Looking a picture in the prerace parade, the Vaughan Marshall trained Rascallion was given a superbly judged ride by Corne Orffer to claim the 2023 Premier Trophy.

Orffer tracked the front runners early on, before hitting the front 300m from

home. Despite facing a wall of challenges, Rascallion kept finding more gamely in the closing stages to claim his biggest win to date by a long neck.

One of three runners in the 2023 Premier Trophy sired by Vercingetorix, Rascallion hails from the second crop of his sire, with this crop having also produced millionaire Seeking The Stars and G1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Vernichey.

Bred by Dr Veronique Kritzinger, Rascallion has now won four of 16 starts for earnings of R917 525.

The gelding had shown topclass form earlier in the career, with Rascallion finishing runner up in both the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000 in 2021.

Out of the Jet Master mare Sofala, Rascallion is bred on the same Vercingetorix/ Jet Master cross as fellow Gr1 Daily News 2000 runner up Padre Pio as well as Gr2 winner African Warrior.

Runner up on the South African General Sires list last season, Vercingetorix is currently second on this season’s log.

MARSHALL’S RASCAL MAKES GOOD!

Chase Liebenberg

‘A catalogue page does not always reflect the true worth of a pedigree and while Rascallion hails from a family that is rather light on black type under the first three dams, it is built on solid, classic foundations…’

Corne Orffer rides a cracker to get Rascallion home ahead of Nexus (Piere Strydom)

Seldom, if ever, does a racehorse successfully return from a serious suspensory injury, so hats off to trainer Vaughan Marshall and the connections of Rascallion, following the gelding's game victory in the Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy.

The son of Vercingetorix got the monkey off his back with this overdue first stakes success, which was richly deserved, considering he has always been on the cusp of stakes class.

He first caught the eye as a juvenile when third behind Erik The Red in the Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery. A sophomore season brought with it a string of stakes places and earned him the tag of 'Gr1 bridesmaid', as he had

to settle for second behind Linebacker in both the Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000.

Mixing it with the best of his generation, his many commendable efforts in defeat also included third places behind Russian Rock in the Gr1 Cape Guineas, Gr2 Concorde Stakes (to Malmoos), Gr3 Cape Classic (to Seeking The Stars ) and Gr3 Politician Stakes (to Kommetdieding).

He signed off on the season with a close-up fifth behind Kommetdieding in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, a fine run considering he finished just over two lengths adrift of the winner.

Following a well-deserved rest, Rascallion made his four-

year-old bow in November in the Cape Mile where only Warrior proved his superior, while Kommetdieding took third place. A month later, he provided a roller-coaster of emotions by defeating Horse of the Year Do It Again at level weights over 1800m, only to pull up after the wire with an injured suspensory ligament.

That victory came at a huge cost, as the injury was severe enough to be considered career-ending and it took considerable patience and skill by trainer Vaughan Marshall to restore Rascallion to full health.

He recalls: "Rascallion had to be box-rested and we treated him intensively, using the tendon magnet boot, heat and ice, the lot. Thankfully he's a

In the winner’s box! Orffer dismounts from the gutsy winner

very good-natured horse and took it all in his stride."

By August, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

"We were always positive and when I got back from Durban, we knew he could go back into work."

Off the track for eleven months, Rascallion returned to action in the Cape Mile, where he ran an eye-catching fourth behind Jet Dark and was certainly not disgraced in last month's Gr2 Green Point Stakes when finishing three and a half lengths off the winner Trip Of Fortune.

Finally, on Saturday, all the effort and patience paid off and yes, Vaughan confirmed the horse pulled up 100% sound. The bar will be raised once more, for the WSB Gr1

Cape Met is firmly on the radar.

From a pedigree perspective, Rascallion is out of Sofala,who incidentally, is bred on the same Jet Master x Al Mufti cross as champion Yorker and Gr1 winner Little Miss Magic. While Sofala may not have been in that exalted league, she proved to be an honest galloper, winning six races at three and four.

Rascallion is the latest stakes winner out of a Jet Master mare. The champion may be long gone, yet continues to make an impact and stamped his authority on the race as the broodmare sire of not just Rascallion, but also of runner-up Nexus and fourthplaced Universal.

Adding further gloss to the day, his daughters produced

Gr2 Sceptre Stakes runner-up Stiptelik, as well as Jet Dark and Silver Darling, third place finishers in the Gr1 L'Ormarins King's Plate and Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes respectively.

Suffice to say, a catalogue page does not always reflect the true worth of a pedigree and while Rascallion hails from a family that is rather light on black type under the first three dams, it is built on solid, classic foundations.

Fourth dam Patronage won Epsom's Listed Great Surrey Foal Stakes as a juvenile. She is out of Springtime, who besides being a half-sister to English Derby/Two Thousand Guineas winner Blue Peter, also counts amongst her descendants the English Derby winning half-brothers Blakeney and Morston.

PRINCESS MAKES IT A STRAIGHT 4

Gavin Lerena gives the salute as Princess Calla is led in after another smooth win

Wilgerbosdrift’s resident sire Flower Alley has sired a truly top-class daughter in the form of Princess Calla. The latter claimed the sixth graded win of her career when she ran out an impressive winner of the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes run over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Remarkably, it was a fourth consecutive graded win for Princess Calla, whose three previous triumphs had come in the Gr2 wsb. co.za Southern Cross Stakes, Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes and Gr3 Prix Du Cap respectively.

Now in the care of Sean Tarry, fiveyear-old Princess Calla was always up with the pace in Saturday’s 1200m sprint for fillies and mares, and stayed on gamely to post a three-parts of a length victory under Gavin Lerena.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Princess Calla is out of the Captain Al mare Princess Royal.

She has now won or been placed in 16 of her 17 starts and has earned more than R2.173 million in stakes.

Princess Calla is one of five Gr1 winners and 33 stakes winners for Flower Alley thus far. A son of Distorted Humor, Flower Alley is having another fine season in 20222023 and is currently ninth on the South African General Sires List.

Flower Alley is also broodmare sire of dual Gr1 winner Cyberknife, who has been invited to the 2023 Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Candiese Lenferna

Grant van Niekerk gives the salute as the evergreen Crome Yellow stays on smartly

Chase Liebenberg

MORE FEATURE FUN FOR TRIPPI

Drakenstein Stud’s evergreen champion sire Trippi has enjoyed a wonderful season in 2022-2023, and the son of End Sweep claimed yet more feature race glory when his son Crome Yellow won the Gr3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup, run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Successful in the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap in both 2020 and 2021, eightyear-old Crome Yellow made a mockery of his 33-1 starting price with a convincing win in Saturday’s R250 000 feature.

Under a shrewd ride from Grant Van Niekerk, the Andre Nel trained gelding was taken to the outside of the Kenilworth track and kept galloping resolutely to post a one length win, while conceding 2kgs to runner up Senso Unico.

Bred and owned by Sabine Plattner, Crome Yellow has now 10 of 37 starts for earnings of R952 163.

The gelding is out of the Jallad mare Senorita Sol.

His sire, South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2015-2016, went close to having more big race success on Saturday with Trippi’s sons Charles Dickens and Jet Dark finishing second and third respectively in the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Crome Yellow is one of 89 stakes winners for Trippi, who is currently sixth on the South African General Sires List.

Kevin Sommerville of Drakenstein Stud is looking forward to the 2023 Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale to which Gaynor Rupert’s blue-chip establishment has consigned five colts.

He discussed them, individually:

Lot 41 - Takeyourbestshot:

“A nice, strong and precocious son of What A Winter out of a dual, Gr1 winning Dubawi mare, Happy Archer. He goes about his business very well, looks a forward colt for this sale.”

Lot 61 - Great Plains:

“Great Plains a striking looking son of Danon Platina out of Mara, a young mare by VAR who was decent as a race filly. He is an attractive specimen, roancoloured and comes from a lovely family that goes back to Bright Sky. Danon Platina looks to have some precocious sorts among his early runners, he has had a good start. Great Plains has handled his prep very well, couldn’t be happier with him!”

Lot 93 - Bombers In The Sky:

“Here is a Lancaster Bomber colt out of Song Of Happiness by Giant’s Causeway. He is big and strapping, very much in his father’s mould. He has done incredibly well, physically. We are excited to see what the Lancaster Bomber runners will do on King’s Plate day. This one comes from the wonderful family of Ebony Flyer, Captain’s Lover, Vardy and others. He is one of this sale’s outstanding prospects.”

Lot 94 - Gold Sparkle:

“He is a colt by Gold Standard out of Sparkling Gem, the Gr1 winner. He is a nice, scopey sort and takes a nice shape. Sparkling Gem has already produced the Graded winners King Of Gems and Pink Tourmaline. Gold Standard has had a nice start to his career, including a couple of really outstanding fillies. Gold Sparkle should attract a lot of interest.”

Lot 99 - Supreme Green:

“A smashing colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Supreme Vision (Visionaire), who is a half-sister to Do It Again. He is a beautiful specimen with a beautiful pedigree, by a champion sire, a big, strapping colt who looks precocious but should also go on over further.”

CAPE RACING SALES SLIPPER

A SHOO-IN

The anticipation is building in advance of the 2023 Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale which makes a grand return with some exciting new initiatives under new management to the Cape Town International Convention Centre tomorrow.

The launch of the R1 million Cape Racing Sales Slipper, a race for graduates of this sale, and which will be run on Cape Met Day each year, will be music to the ears of both buyers and vendors.

“We are trying to build this sale into a premier platform for forward type of horses and putting on an early juvenile race for the graduates will hopefully help attract horses of this type to the auction each year. We are planning on building the ‘Slipper’ into a multimillion rand race in the next few years as a standout in our rejuvenated juvenile programme,” enthused Cape Racing Executive Justin Vermaak in a chat with the Sporting Post.

Justin Vermaak – innovating and moving ahead

Important to any quality sale of this level, the bench includes a mix of international and local prospective buyers, including well-known owner of champion Stradivarius, Bjorn Nielsen, and familiar names like Peter Doyle, Fiona Carmichael, Amanda Skiffington and ex Godolphin Director, John Ferguson.

Some of the locals jetting in to attend include former SA Champions Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry, Paul Matchett and KZN veterans, Paul Lafferty and Michael Roberts. The sale will be client-driven, more than ever, with a variety

of entertaining events before and after, as part of the Cape Summer Festival of Racing.

After a fabulous day of racing at the L’Ormarins King’s Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, the Cape Racing Sale Golf Day rounded off a busy weekend on Sunday.

This will be a busy week with viewing days commencing on Tuesday through Wednesday, with the Maine Chance international dinner sandwiched in between on Tuesday night.

The sale commences at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday at 14h30.

On Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the programme is headed by the Listed Jamaica Handicap and features the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Vermaak concluded by pointing out that they have slashed vendor commission down to 5% (from 8%) and have added a 2% buyers levy to all sales from the June yearling sales onward.

“This is to assist in making it more affordable for our vendors to sell horses. The 2% buyers levy is a direct contribution to the RaceCape incentive scheme,” he confirmed.

Click here for our lot-by-lot snapshot.

We are trying to build this sale into a premier platform for forward type of horses

KING’S PLATE WINNER NOW A 133!

Australian-bred Al Muthana has had his merit rating raised from 125 to 133 following his success on WFA terms in the Gr1 L’ Ormarins King’s Plate run over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 7 January.

This was his second Grade 1 victory at WFA terms over the 1600m trip having won the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge some 6 months earlier when accounting for multiple Grade 1 winner JET DARK.

The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed JET

DARK made for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 130. This view was reinforced by the fact that in assessing the race this way 4th placed KOMMETDIEDING also runs to his rating of 129, effectively making him a line horse as well.

There were also ratings increases for 2nd finisher CHARLES DICKENS, who is up from 128 to 132, and for 6th placed ZAPATILLAS, who goes up from 118 to 122. This makes him equal to 5th placed LINEBACKER, who finished a short head in front of ZAPATILLAS and who was dropped from

124 to 122. LINEBACKER, in finishing just behind JET DARK and KOMMETDIEDING, is effectively confirming past form with this pair, which also strengthens the choice of JET DARK and KOMMETDIEDING as joint line horses in this event.

Aside from LINEBACKER, the only other drop was for GOLDEN DUCAT, who is down from 125 to 120.

Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes

MAKE IT SNAPPY has seen her rating climb from 115 to 125 after winning the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes for

The Al Muthana team celebrate a major victory!

fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was runnerup CAPTAIN’S RANSOM who was considered to make for the best line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 124.

There is no real reason to believe that CAPTAIN’S RANSOM didn’t run her race, given that she was beaten only by a hugely progressive three-year-old and that she finished comfortably ahead of everything else.

Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for 3rd placed SILVER DARLING, who goes up from 113 to 122. The solitary drop was for RAIN IN HOLLAND, who is down from 118 to 116.

Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes

PRINCESS CALLA remains unchanged on a rating of 121 after winning the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed TIME FO ORCHIDS who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unaltered on a rating of 107. In assessing the race this way PRINCESS CALLA only runs to a rating of 115, hence her unchanged mark.

There were increases for 2nd placed STIPTELIK, who is up from 107 to 109, and for 5th finisher LIVE MY LIFE, who goes up from 86 to 101 to at least make her equal to the

101-rated 7th placed WHOA WHOA WHOA.

There were drops for two horses. GIMME DAT is down from 107 to 105, while KISSING POINT is down to 99 from 102.

Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy

RASCALLION remains unchanged on a rating of 122 following his win in the Grade 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was runner-up NEXUS who was considered to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 114. In assessing the race this way, 6th placed SILVANO’S TIMER runs to his mark of 109, effectively making him a line horse as well. RASCALLION however only runs to a mark of 113, hence his unchanged rating.

The only ratings increase was for 3rd placed Warrior, who is up from 107 to 112.

Two horses were given a drop. POMP AND POWER is down from 116 to 114, while AIRWAYS LAW drops from 112 to 110.

Gr3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup

CROME YELLOW has had his rating raised from 106 to 109 after winning the Grade 3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup over 2500m

at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed ARCTIC DRIFT and 5th finisher BARATHEON who were deemed to make for the best line horses, leaving them unchanged on ratings of 93 and 96, respectively. In assessing the race his way, runner-up SENSO UNICO runs to his mark of 106, which effectively makes him a line horse as well.

There were drops for five horses. SUPER SILVANO is down from 108 to 106, REX UNION drops from 104 to 101, ONE WAY TRAFFIC is down to 110 from 111, BLACK THORN goes to 102 from 103, and lastly CHOLLIMA drops from 98 to 95.

• Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 10 January 2023

ALEX’ SMART OWLOON DRAFT

Alex de Wet manages Owloon Horses of the Paarl district on behalf of German investor Christian Elleke and they are bringing three lots to the Cape Premier Yearling Sale at CTICC powered by Tattersalls tomorrow.

Alex, who grew up around horses, trained at the renowned Lane’s End Farm in Central Kentucky and returned to South Africa when the opportunity presented itself. He is proud of Owloon’s draft and invites buyers to view them.

Lot 14 - Deputy Chief: a colt by Visionaire out of Deputy Ryder by Go Deputy. Alex said: “He is a big, strong horse and looks like an early type. His dam won five times, including two Listed races. He has quality about him.”

Lot 33 - Grand Force, a filly by Global View. She is a first foal produced by Gail Force (Soft Falling Rain), a winning halfsister to Russet Air from the prolific Icy Air family. “Grand Force is an elegant, athletic filly who walks well.”

He is a big, strong horse and looks like an early type. His dam won five times, including two Listed races.

Lot 72 has not yet been named. He is an eye-catching grey colt by Global View from the promising Orators Daughter, by Oratorio. “He is a smart sort, athletic and a good walker,” said Alex about this half-brother to Sea Air and Preemptive Strike.

Presenting

LOT 14 – Deputy Chief by Visionaire out of Deputy Ryder

LOT 33 – Grand Force by Global View (USA) out of Gail

AVONTUUR

IT'S IN THE HISTORY!

Avontuur Stud is back at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, powered by Tattersalls, tomorrow. General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh invites buyers to view their small, powerful draft at the Cape International Convention Centre (CTICC) from Tuesday, 10 January.

She provided pen pics of Avontuur’s lots on offer:

Lot 23 MUSICAL SCORE - bay colt by Oratorio ex Esteemal by Captain Al: “A very impressive first foal for this talented and versatile race mare. He is a very good walker with one powerful engine, speedy type. This colt hails from the famous ‘E’ family that has produced numerous classic winners.

Lot 64 ICARAI - bay filly by Oratorioe ex Miss Ipanema (Aus.) by General Nadim “A well grown and correct, scopey filly. She is out of a Graded-placed mare and is the half-sister to the 10-time stakes wining Carioca. From an international family.”

Lot 66 SET TO MUSIC - bay colt by Oratorio ex Muamba (Arg) by Pure Prize “Here is a colt with great length and scope and he is very athletic, will need some time to fill out his frame. A

beautiful type, typical of what the mare can give us. He is a half-brother to Varumba and multiple other winners including the recent easy winner at Kenilworth Live My Life and Gold Rush entrant, Typeset.”

Lot 82 VALIEVA - bay filly by Var ex Return To Power by Trippi “The first foal of a threetime winning mare, this filly is closely related to G1 winner Rivarine and G3 winner Delta Queen, from the awesome family of Pocket Power and River Jetez. A precocious, attractive active filly, typical of her sire. The only VAR on the sale.

Lot 95 HEMISPHERE - bay colt by Vercingetorix ex Star Burst Galaxy by Var. “Smashing colt that ticks all

the boxes: by a sensational sire out of a 9-time stake wining daughter of the exciting broodmare sire VAR. Oozes quality and class.”

Lot 98 SOLARTRIP - bay colt by Querari ex Sunset Tripp by Trippi

“His dam was a fast stakes winner of 6 races and the colt is by the champion sire of twoyear-olds – a speedy cross. He’s a very tall athletic and active colt.”

Lot 104 RAFA BAY - bay colt by Rafeef ex Torra Bay (Aus) by Cape Cross

“His dam is a stakes winner of 5 races and he comes from an illustrious Australian family. A big strong and imposing colt, he is a speed machine and a credit to both his sire and dam.”

Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh – looking forward to a nice sale

HASSEN GIVES BUYERS THE GREEN LIGHT

Hassen Adams – excited by his Gimmethegreenlight fillies

Nadeson Park Stud will be represented by three fillies and three colts at the Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale at the CTICC tomorrow.

The stud’s owner Hassen Adams said: “They are all wellbalanced horses with good bone and quarters.”

Adams said that, in his view, Nadeson’s two fillies by Gimmethegreenlight were the best of his six and he commented:

“Lot 38 – a bay filly out of Grecian Dancer by Antonius Pius. The mare comes from the highly successful family of Isadora Duncan. I bought her for her blood, to breed with and never raced her. Her first foal won first time out, the next two are unraced and this is her fourth. This filly is the splitting image of her father, with four white socks. She has a lot of potential, some growing to do being a mid-October foal but has a lot going for her.

“Lot 92 is the other ‘Gimme’, and she is a daughter of Skye Lane, by Pathfork. Skye Lane was good filly, ran 4th to One World in the rich CTS 1600 but was injured in training and could not reach her full potential. I bought Skye Lane because she is herself a daughter of the Gr3 winner Queen’s Command (Commands). This is a super female line, the filly is bred along the same lines as Got The Greenlight. She is perhaps my best yearling, strong,

robust and well put together.

“Lot 16 is a filly by Master of My Fate out of District Six, by Mujadil. I raced the mare, she has a purple pedigree and won her first race by 14 lengths. She comes from the great Mystic Spring family and her half-sister by Gimmethgreenlight was sold to Lammerskraal for R3,5million after I raced her. She is a dark bay, I can’t fault her conformation.

“Lot 22 is a colt by What A Winter out of the Galileo mare Emerald Gal. What I like is when Galileo throws back to being chestnut, as this colt does. They have done very well in the UK and I have a feeling this one is going to be something special. His dam Emerald Gal is a mare I bought in Australia to get the family into breeding. The family has proven to be influential in the UK with Emerald Gal’s fullsister Ballet Shoes being a Listed winner. Huge potential.

“Lot 70 is a What A Winter colt out of Omega Force (Gimmethegreenlight) from the potent Aquila Rapax, blacktype family. This lovely colt comes from the wonderful family of Red Ray, Brutal Force, Rudra and many others.

“Lot 86 is a Potala Palace colt out of Scorching, by Dominion Royale. He is a neat colt, a steal for this sale, I think. He is a punchy type, will probably be a bargain buy that will come early.”

Candiese Lenferna

FENI WINS WORKRIDERS SERIES

A happy Godfrey Sigenu secured third place in the Hollywoodbets Workriders Series

The inaugural Hollywoodbets Workriders Series reached an exciting climax at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with James Maree graduate Siphiwo Feni doing enough to finish on top of the log and bank the winner’s cheque.

The four-race series commenced in October and culminated with the final event on Saturday.

While Saturday’s race was won by Oscar Sigenu on Night Tiger, the talented Siphiwo Feni did enough with a second on Green Falcon to clinch the R12 000 first cheque and a beautiful trophy.

A man nominated by top judge Justin Snaith as one of the better riders around, Siphiwo is built like a jockey and looks like a jockey. He had his first ride in Cape Town at the start of the series after starting with the Snaiths in KZN. He has ridden winners in Johannesburg and is a graduate of the highly respected James Maree School.

Lungisani Geledu banked the R6 000 runner-up cheque. A past workrider of the year, Lungis is a recognised top 3 rider in Cape Town and is the closest workrider to a professional jockey, according to Craig Du Plooy.

Third placer Andile Ndlebe earned R4 000 and has done

A happy Godfrey Sigenu secured third place in the Hollywoodbets Workriders Series.

well with Justin Snaith. “He is a beautiful experienced rider and is a multiple award winner. A heavy guy, he is a very talented and a strong rider,” adds experienced Western Province Grooms School Riding Master Craig du Plooy.

Fourth placer Bazile Nkunzi, who works for Candice BassRobinson and has ridden a good few races with about 6 winners to his credit, earned R2000.

Callum Dixon is the reigning Cape Workrider of the year and his fifth place earned him R1 000.

The Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series provided important race-riding experience and is a launch platform into the exciting Khaya Stables Jockeys and Workriders Challenge, a pioneering collaboration that has been exceptionally well-received since its inception.

The challenge will again be staged on Cape Derby Day in 2023 as the final race on the programme. In a change from 2022, jockeys and workriders will pair up in teams drawn to increase the level of competition.

Chase Liebenberg

A LIFECHANGER FOR ELATED ALAN

A lifetime punter won a ‘lifechanging’ R1,5 million jackpot bonus in the popular free-to-enter Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge when he tipped all eight winners on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack on Sunday.

The popular challenge, which is also held on Western Cape racing, as well as Hong Kong and Singapore, pits players against each other in the magical quest to find all the winners on a racecard.

The 60 year old retiree Alan Barkhuizen, despite watching the racing as he does all day every day, was close to speechless when contacted by the Sporting Post late on Sunday afternoon.

“Are you serious? How much did I win? This is crazy,” said the staunch Hollywoodbets customer who plays the freeto-enter competition at every opportunity.

The news that two players were running into the final leg of Sunday’s racemeeting saw racecaller Sheldon Peters add to the excitement, as he upped the ante late, calling Calulo home to round off a nice double for Rachel Venniker and Michael Roberts. Read the happy story

Alan and Samantha Barkhuizen – happy winners!

A WEEK TO GO TO MET FINAL FIELD

The Gr1 Summer Cup runner-up Safe Passage will not be taking his place in the WSB Cape Town Met on 28 January, as originally planned.

Mike de Kock advised on Monday that Safe Passage suffered a niggle whilst training in Cape Town and will be returning to Johannesburg. He has been scratched.

“We’ll be preparing him for the latter stages of the Highveld feature season with the ultimate aim being the

2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July,” said the multiple champion conditioner.

The six-time winning son of Silvano finished third to stablemate Sparkling Water in the 2022 renewal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Final supplementary entries for the 2000m contest closed on Monday and the weights have been published. Twenty horses can run.

The supplementary entries include Nexus and Warrior

from the Snaith yard, as well as Saturday’s impressive Cartier Paddock Stakes winner, Make It Snappy.

See the latest here.

Met declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 18 January.

Barrier Draws will be done electronically by the NRB on the same day.

Flashback to 2022- Kommetdieding will be back to defend his title

Chase Liebenberg

MORE MILLSTREAM MAGIC

Jan Mantel, a believer in quality over quantity, has a six-strong selection of yearlings from his Millstream Farm, going through the ring at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale at the Cape Town International Convention Centre tomorrow.

Jan gave his views on the choice lots from the Robertson farm, listed below:

Lot 21 - Unnamed filly by Gimmethegreenlight ex Captain Ahoy (Captain Al): “A good looking filly from the super family of Captain’s Emblem. She is the second foal of Captain’s Ahoy whose

first foal Captain Peg (Jay Peg) is a smart race filly from Stuart Pettigrew’s yard.”

Lot 30 - Lava Fire, a colt by Erupt ex Forty Fires x Western Winter: “A big, strong horse from the Red Ray/Brutal Force family.”

Lot 35 - Unnamed colt by Oratorio ex Ghaliya by Galileo: “He is the second foal out of a lovely Galileo mare from the family of Danehill. A strong, handsome fellow with a lot of scope.”

Lot 36 - a colt by Pomodoro ex Gilded Minaret by Al Mufti: “A half-brother to stakes

winner Mount Anderson, he is a strong horse who has done his mare proud. Nice, promising type!”

Lot 68 - Unnamed filly by Gimmethegreenlight ex No Doubt by Philanthropist: “A well-balanced, good walker from the immediate family of Vercingetorix.”

Lot 121 - a Rafeef colt ex Black Banca (Tale Of The Cat): “A fourth foal, a big scopey colt. The sale might be just a bit early for him, but he is well balanced with a beautiful hindquarter and may surprise us.”

ROMANCE GETS DAD OFF THE MARK

Mauritzfontein’s exciting young stallion Danon Platina gave his quartet that will go through the ring at tomorrow's Cape Premier Yearling Sale at the Cape Town International Convention Centre a timely fillip when when his two-yearold son Romance In Rome became handsome grey son of Deep Impact’s very first winner.

Trained by Michael Miller, Romance In Rome had finished third on debut before finishing second next time out and duly went one better at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Under Sporting Postsponsored Tristan Godden, Romance In Rome was well

away in the 1000m Maiden Juvenile Plate and went out to make the running. Asked the question 200m from home, Romance In Rome bounded away to win impressively by just over two and three-quarter lengths.

It was a good race for Danon Platina, whose sons Romance In Rome and Stars In Heaven finished first and third respectively.

The flashy grey Romance In Rome, who is out of the Captain Al mare Bella Ragazza, was bred by Riethuiskraal Stud.

His sire Danon Platina has now had four members of his first crop, now two, either win or finish in the money.

Japan’s Champion 2YO Colt of 2014, Danon Platina won five times including the 2014 G1 Asahi Hai Futurity.

The handsome grey is a son of legendary racehorse and sire Deep Impact, Japan’s Champion Sire on ten occasions and sire of 190 stakes winners including sensational young sire Saxon Warrior.

Deep Impact is also sire of the hugely exciting Auguste Rodin, who current tops the betting for the 2023 Cazoo Derby.

The Cape Premier Yearling Sale is powered by Tattersalls and gets underway at 14h30 tomorrow.

Romance In Rome (Tristan Godden) opens Danon Platina’s account in good style

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VACANCY NOTICE EXTERNAL

Position: National Racing Bureau Agent / Programming Administrator Division: Racing Department: National Racing Bureau Employment Status: Full-Time Closing date: 13 January 2023

Reporting to the National Racing Bureau Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Dealing with Entries, Declarations, Card Changes for all race meetings throughout the country.

• Liaising with external customers;

• Programming administration and

• General Administration.

Applicants must be in possession of the following:

• Matric with Mathematics being essential;

• Relevant Degree/Diploma or equivalent tertiary qualification

• Advanced Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word;

• Basic financial experience

• Administration experience within the Horse Racing Industry will be advantageous;

• Strong organisational, planning and administrative skills;

• The highest standards of integrity are required;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Ability to work well under pressure and independently;

• Be articulate;

• Must be able to work flexible hours, weekends and public holidays;

Please note that applicants may be required to undergo skills and knowledge testing as well as credit and criminal verification.

Interested candidates must email their CV detailing working experience to Nirvana Doodhram –nirvanad@goldcircle.co.za Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email.

Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late will not be considered.

Note that correspondence will only be conducted with the short-listed candidates. If the applicant has not been contacted within two (2) weeks of the closing date of the advertisement, the application should be treated as unsuccessful.

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Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter this advertised position.

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2023

NOVICE HURDLE THRILLS

The two UK Grade 1’s run over the weekend provided racegoers and analysts with greater insight into this season’s novices’ hurdle division.

It looked like a competitive renewal of the Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, with half of the eight-runner field unbeaten over timber. Harry Cobden rode a patient race behind the leaders on Tahmuras, before running out a ready winner by two and a half lengths

from 16/1 shot L'Astroboy.

Tahmuras had to overcame inexperience and some untidy jumping in the straight so the victory was that more impressive. A highly progressive sort, he will however need improve further to figure in races like the Supreme Novices’ against what the best in Ireland have achieved so far.

Last year's 12-length winner Constitution Hill landed the Sky Bet Supreme Novices'

Hurdle on his next start, and bookmakers cut Tahmuras to 8-1 to complete the double at Cheltenham.

“He travelled so well there,” said trainer Paul Nicholls. “We can sharpen his jumping and he's all but certain to run in the Supreme. It's the type of race, if the ground goes soft, that should suit him.”

Both hurdles in the straight were omitted in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle on Sunday, leading to a run-

Harry Cobden rides a third Gr1 winner in 13 days as Tahmuras returns after the Tolworth

Dan Abraham

in of more than half a mile, though the two horses with the strongest form fought out the finish.

Irish Point had finished a couple of places in front of Champ Kiely when the pair were second and fourth in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month. On Sunday, Champ Kiely was given a canny front-running ride by Danny Mullins over this half-mile longer trip and was able to reverse the placings.

Champ Kiely had failed to settle properly under a patient ride in the Royal Bond, but showed marked improvement being allowed to

lead on Sunday.

That two-and-a-quarter-length success by the Willie Mullins runner also highlighted the form of the Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale.

Marine Nationale deserved plenty of credit for winning the Royal Bond as he conceded first run to Irish Point, and he did really well to cut him back close home to take his unbeaten record to four.

However, the best performance in the novice hurdle division this season based on ratings looks to have been posted by Facile Vega in the Paddy Power Future

Champions Novice Hurdle.

Last season's dominant bumper performer created an excellent impression when winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and he stepped up on that form in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas winning easily by four lengths.

We once again have a double feature this weekend, but it all kicks off in Manchester! Two teams needing all three points for their respective domestic quests means just one thing – unbridled excitement, passion, and commitment from every player on the pitch.

Manchester United vs Manchester City | Saturday 14 January | Old Trafford | 14h30

We once again have a double feature this weekend, but it all kicks off in Manchester! Two teams needing all three points for their respective domestic quests means just one thing –unbridled excitement, passion, and commitment from every player on the pitch.

Ryan Liberty writes that these are the sorts of derbies we long for, almost a throwback to the games of old seeing players extended to their very limits and absolutely no love lost on the pitch!

Let’s do this.

To Win

Man United 33/10 Draw 29/10 Man City 8/10

Manchester United Erik ten Hag has truly begun to win over the United faithful, his tenure at the helm of Old Trafford has been tumultuous to say the least – but he has come out on top of every battle. The rocky start, the

Ronaldo saga, the Glazer issue, they have all contributed in some way to show the man’s calibre.

United have been impressive of late, winning games with attacking flare and poise but also at times getting stuck in and grinding out a hard-fought marginal victory. They are now eight games unbeaten, and I suspect will be licking their lips to test themselves once again against the best in the league.

The last time these two faced off, City came away 6-3 winners. For me the takeaway there was what went into the preparation. Pundits, the media and even players had in various ways indicated the importance of United starting quickly, or the need to limit City early on…

This time around, the talk is more about two teams closer to each other in the league, United enjoying a crop of players who know how to win.

A defensive partnership who has a strong and aggressive approach to their game and want to enact that and showcase that at every minute.

Of course, on the other side though you have arguably the best striker in the world now.

Manchester City

The biggest credit City boast – or indeed Pep Guardiola demands – is that in a season where they are second on the log, just five points off leaders Arsenal and not even halfway

through the season, there is concern and an adjustment of how we view this team.

They are serial winners, with unrelenting ability, attacking options, defensive partnerships and midfield magic. They have some of the very best players in the world now and you would be a fool not to take them seriously.

City have scored 12 times in their last five games but have only managed to keep a solitary clean sheet. I would imagine that it is something United would target, but again the visitor’s defensive instability stands only in the shadow of their attacking brilliance.

Guardiola’s men have also had to battle and earn tough victories, but that is just a testament to the difficulty of the league. The Premier league is the most competitive league in the world, the gap between the best and the worst (on any given day) could be just a single goal and so to be competing at the summit says all you need to know about this fixture.

Predicted Lineup:

Man United: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford.

Man City: Ederson, Stones, Cancelo, Ake, De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva, Alvarez, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.

Prediction: Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (19/20)

Now, now, before you accuse me of sitting on the fence – give me a second! Of course, City can win the game. However, at Old Trafford, United have been superb. They have made it a

difficult place to play and will extract the very best from City should they want all three points.

City have shown they can go through a lull and but haven’t yet shown a defensive stability to give us confidence about the visitors. The attacking threat both sides have is unmatched for most of the league and I expect this to be end-to-end. Both scoring and over 2.5 goals is a banker bet here and at just under even odds – it’s a steal.