SP Sprint - Wednesday 20 November 2024 by Sporting Post

STRIPE TO STAR!

IT

WAS TO BRAAI FOR!

Cape Racing Sales hosted Sunday’s Thoroughbred Stud Mixed Sale, featuring the Nadeson Park Stud dispersal, in the beautiful Hemel ‘n Aarde Valley with a unique culinary spin. His name is Pete Goffe-Wood, in his own words, a food alchemist, wine quaffer, cook, seafood sustainability freak, occasional writer, part time embalmer, MasterChef SA & Ultimate Braai Master judge. The verdict - the food was great! Wayne Marks took the pic.

On the cover

Vaughan Marshall’s One Stripe looks the one to beat in Saturday’s Gr2 Cape Punters Cup at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The 3yo son of One World takes on five opponents in the opening feature of the 2024/2025 Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing. This image of One Stripe (Gavin Lerena) post winning the 2024 Gr3 Winter Nursery was taken by Chase Liebenberg.

A THRILLING START TO HOLLYWOODBETS WORKRIDERS SERIES

Louis Burke gets Rafa Bay to rally down the inside and beat gutsy first-timer Flying Finley (Luke Coleman) in the exciting opener | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Former apprentice jockey

Louis Burke grabbed an early lead in the 2024/25 Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series which got underway to a hotly contested start on Tuesday.

The R110 000 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Welcomes You Workriders’ Maiden Plate run over 1100m was the first leg of the popular series which is being held for a third consecutive year.

The Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series acknowledges the vital contribution to the industry of workriders and provides an excellent opportunity for qualifying riders to showcase their skills and talent on the exciting stage of the Cape Summer Festival of Racing, while gaining genuine race-riding experience.

On Tuesday the 2023 Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series runner-up Louis Burke booted the 18-10 Justin Snaith-trained favourite Rafa Bay home for owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith.

The 3yo led early but was passed at the 250m by Luke Coleman on the Paul Reeves first-timer Flying Finley, who looked set for a winning debut. But the determined Burke had other ideas on the more experienced Rafa Bay and the Avontuur Stud-bred galloper rallied to clinch a courageous victory. A delighted Aza Mjongile was the winning groom.

Burke is enjoying a super season, and made it two from two this term, having ridden Dawn To Dusk to victory, also for the Snaith Racing Team, at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 31 August.

Another former apprentice jockey, Luke Coleman was on runner-up Flying Finley, while Siphiwo Feni partnered Phil The Fluter into

third, with Aviwe Bikwe steering Casa Estiva into fourth to complete the quartet.

Sinethemba Nikani ran fifth on the improved Peter Wrensch-trained The Postman, to gain the last of the multiple points haul, with the balance of the riders earning a point each for completing the race.

The competitive ten horse line-up included the veteran ‘senior statesman’ of the ranks, and defending Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series champion William Bambiso, who enjoyed no luck on Spirit Guide, who finished out of the money.

Speaking of no luck, Mncedi Sigenu’s skills were tested when the enigmatic Maneki Neko appeared to rear as the gates were sprung and put paid to his chances in the first strides.

Louis Burke is a talented horseman and has quite a back story, having spent a post matric gap year doing voluntary work for the South African Riding for the Disabled Association.

In 2015 he enrolled at the SA Jockey Academy and was a ‘senior’ in terms of age.

It was in his second year, and at only his 20th ride, that Louis rode his first winner as a professional.

It was a humble beginning but the sixth race at the now closed Flamingo Park Racecourse on Monday 3 October 2016 is one he will always cherish as he scored on longshot Jozi Babe for trainer Sarel Von Willingh Smit.

While the workriders earn the standard riding commissions, a grand prize of R25 000 is on offer in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series and will be shared amongst the top five riders on the final log.

Points are earned by individual positions in each of the four races and to keep all stakeholders updated, Cape Racing will publish a regular log.

The R25 000 prize pool will be allocated as follows:

• Winner earns R12 000

• Runner-up earns R6 000

• Third place earns R4 000

• Fourth place earns R2 000

• Fifth place earns R1 000

The Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series continues on 4 December, 29 January and 22 February, culminating in an exciting finale on 16 March 2025, the Cape Racing Sales Day, featuring the inaugural running of the R5 million CRS Big Cap, and which heralds the sun set on the summer season.

A proud Louis Burke enjoys the occasion | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

MARSHALL HAS THE MAGIC... BUT BEWARE KOTZEN’S DARK HORSE

Denis Schwarz and On My Honour could be the jokers in the pack |

Credit: Pauline Herman

The 2024 CommunityFest, the first racemeeting of the 2024/2025 Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing will be hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

on Saturday

and is headlined by the R500 000 Gr2 Cape Punters Cup.

The Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing offers eight vintage racemeetings from 23 November to 16 March, all held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Traditionally a Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas trial, and won by some top horses down the years, the 2024 Cape Punters Cup has attracted a quality field, that sadly lacks somewhat in quantity with the smallest field In recent memory.

Only six 3yo’s accepted at close on Monday morning, and this will no doubt be puzzling and frustrating for the local racing management who have made tangible efforts to boost field sizes since taking over.

The ten-race card has attracted 112 runners, with the two features ironically mustering just 13 acceptors between them.

Aiming for his sixth Cape Guineas success next month, Vaughan Marshall looks to hold a strong hand with his coupling of One Stripe (112), who is SA’s joint fifth highest rated 3yo male, and fellow One Word son All Out For Six.

Both try the mile for the first time but One Stripe looks the standout after producing a smart comeback run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time. He did not get off to the best of starts and cast a shoe in running. He was beaten a length by subsequent follow-up winner Snow Pilot, who had the tongues wagging last Saturday.

Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith team up with another progressive son of the ill-fated Lancaster

Bomber in Eight On Eighteen, who makes his 3yo debut after a 22 week break following his Gr3 Langerman victory.

Marshall’s support arsenal All Out For Six was outrun late when third in the Gr3 Cape Classic last time. He was beaten by Eight On Eighteen on his penultimate run but will be the fitter horse on Saturday.

Glen Kotzen saddles the dark horse in the Gimmethegreenlight gelding On My Honour, who was a facile winner of the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes on the Fairview polytrack last time. He has won his last two in the ‘weaker’ environs of the Eastern Cape, but could prove the lurker in a small field and looks very progressive.

Garrix recently changed ownership and is a highly regarded last start maiden winner, while Captain West was beaten under 2 lengths by Great Plains in the Gr3 Cape Classic. He could be held on that, but anything could happen in a small field.

The first race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is off at 12h05.

Click here to watch the gallops

Dean Kannemeyer’s Gimmie’s Countess represents the fairer sex on the first entry of 21 |

2024 HOLLYWOODBETS CAPE GUINEAS –ENTRIES ARE IN

Now sponsored for the third consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, the 2024 renewal of the R2 million Grade 1 Cape Guineas has attracted a quality first entry of 21, including the exciting filly Gimmie’s Countess, the sole representative of the fairer sex in the opening entry line-up.

Widely acknowledged as South Africa’s premier classic, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas features as the headliner on the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie raceday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 14 December and is the third in the series of eight Summer Festival Of Racing events, which commences this coming Saturday.

The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas has a long and proud history dating back to 1955 when it

was run as the Cape of Good Hope Guineas.

The mile classic has been a launch-pad of champions and a stallion-maker over many decades.

Modern-day winners of the classic include champions of the ilk of Horse Chestnut, Jet Master, Captain Al, Variety Club, Capetown Noir and Charles Dickens, to mention a handful of equine stars.

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Dean Kannemeyer’s decision to enter recent Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship fourthplaced flyer Gimmie’s Countess in both the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and the colts’ race a week later may well have been a psychological antidote against the yard’s recent bout of wide draws.

Ironically the Khaya Stables star pulled a pole position gate against the males, after drawing 12/13 in the fairer sex contest on 7 December. There will be some consolation that both Guineas are run on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course, with its longer run-in.

Fillies generally do not have an outstanding record in the Cape Guineas, although a few outstanding fairer sex gallopers have triumphed over the close on six decades.

In 1965 the brilliant Renounce became the first

filly to win the colts’ Guineas.

In 1991 Star Effort became the only filly to ever register the dual sex Guineas double. That is unlikely to be equalled in era where the two races are just a week apart.

In 1992 Empress Club beat the boys in the Guineas, while in 1993 Little Ballerina beat Fair Model to make it a fairer sex exacta. She is the last filly to win the colts’ race!

All of Sean Tarry, Mike de Kock, Alec Laird and Johan Janse van Vuuren hold away entries, while local ‘Guineas Captain’ Vaughan Marshall will be bidding for a sixth victory in the ‘classic of kings’.

• Supplementary entries for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas close at 11h00 on Friday 6 December. Declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 9 December.

2024 WORLD SPORTS BETTING

GR1 CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS – FIRST ENTRIES

Unlike the colts’ equivalent, the 2024 R1,25 million World Sports Betting Cape Fillies only attracted one ‘away’ candidate when first entries closed on Monday.

The last visitor to grab top honours in the Cape Fillies Guineas dates back a decade when Anthony Delpech steered Redoute’s Choice daughter Majmu to victory in the then Avontuursponsored contest.

The thirteen strong entry for the historic fillies classic to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 7 December includes Alan Greeff’s

East Cape Champion 2yo filly of last term Splicethemainbrace, a recent Fairview winner, and winner of 7 of her 8 starts.

The Varsfontein-bred daughter of Master Of My Fate is raced by the ASSM Racing Syndicate and could be a serious contender with Piere Strydom a possible engagement with Richard Fourie set to partner impressive recent Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Mon Petit Cherie. Brett Crawford and the Ridgemont team won’t be complaining about the 2 gate for the daughter of Rafeef.

Last successful raider! 2014 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Majmu wins easily under Anthony Delpech | Credit: Supplied

The second in the series of eight Cape Racing Summer Festival Of Racing events, the Sip & Shop, features the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas on 7 December. The hosts Cape Racing describe it as a day of exciting racing and retail therapy!

Supplementary entries for the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas close at 11h00 on Friday 29 November, with declarations closing at 11h00 on Monday, 2 December.

MARCUS &

VAN NIEKERK UNLIMITED!

Gulf Racing Club stalwart Petrus du Toit and trainer

Adam Marcus lead Hampstead Heath (Grant van Niekerk) in after her smart win yesterday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The buoyant team of Adam Marcus and Grant Van Niekerk continued their healthy strike rate as Hampstead Heath ran out a comfortable and popular winner of the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.

Graeme Hawkins writes that Kamchatka (3/1) retained her position at the top of the betting boards, but Hampstead Heath shortened from 5/1 to 33/10 and proved far too good for the favourite, forging ahead over the last 200m to win with more than a length to spare.

Enchanting Choice finished the race off well from some way back turning for home and only just failed to snare Kamchatka for the runner-up berth. Omikami rounded off the Quartet and is certainly one for the notebook. The daughter of Global View was hampered leaving the starting gates and was a lot further back than Richard Fourie would have wanted, but she was gaining quickly at the line and with only three runs under the belt, there is plenty more to come with added racing experience.

Andre Nel and Corne Orffer may have been a trifle disappointed that Kamchatka came up second best, but the combination were on the mark in the previous race when Lavender Bay ran out a pillar-to-post winner of the fourth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1600m.

Orffer took no prisoners leaving the gates and Lavender Bay (7/2) was four lengths clear turning into the home stretch. The 4yo daughter of Twice Over kept on resolutely into a strong Southeasterly headwind and try as she might,

Diamond Bomber (9/4f) was unable to bridge the gap.

Orffer was also seen to good advantage in the second race, a Cape D Stakes over 1000m, when sitting quietly and holding Casino Ace (33/10) together in the closing stages to thwart the late effort from Mrs Shackleton by half-a-length.

What A Fortune (3/1) looked one of the better bets on the card and he duly delivered in the sixth race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1400m, to win readily under Aldo Domeyer for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson. The favourite Unsolved Riddle had every chance but faded tamely over the final 200m and it was left to Solartrip (7/1) and Naushon (12/1) to chase What A Fortune home.

Senhora Victoria (11/10) ended a 616-day absence from the winner’s circle, scoring a workmanlike victory over Tres Chic (11/2) in the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m, under a driving ride from Richard Fourie. Although shifting about in the closing stages, the Eric Sands-trained 6yo daughter of Master Of My Fate dug down deep to land the odds.

Dawn Till Dusk (9/2) scored a thrilling lastto-first victory for owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.

Ridden by JP van der Merwe for trainer

Justin Snaith, the fast-improving 3yo son of Trippi relished the strong pace set by Firingonallengines and showed an impressive turn of foot to gun down Air Raid (11/2) who looked the likely winner approaching the last 200m.

www.goldcircle.co.za

JOHANNESBURG EMBRACES

THE PURPLE RACE

The streets of Johannesburg came alive on Saturday, 16 November 2024, as the Hollywoodbets 10km made its debut in the city. The event proved to be a thrilling success, attracting over 6,000 participants, from social runners to elite athletes, all gathering at the starting line.

The race saw Kenyan runners dominate, with Vincent Kipkorir and Fridah Ndinda taking the top honours in the men’s and women’s ﬁeld, respectively. Kipkorir completed the race in 29:51, narrowly followed by South Africa’s Thabang Mosiako and Chris Mhlanga, who both clocked the race in 29:52. In the women’s race, Ndinda crossed the ﬁnish line

in 33:57, followed by Neheng Khatala who came in at 34:29 and Karabo More at 34:33.

Greg Glossop, Hollywood Athletics Club

Chairman shared his enthusiasm, saying “Our debut in the City of Joburg was truly fantastic! We are deeply grateful for the warm welcome and the incredible support from our partners, who helped make this event a resounding success. We are excited to return next year, bigger and better than ever.”

Race organisers praised the event as a resounding success, with runners delivering specular performances. Thousands of spectators lined the route, fuelling the electric Purple Spirit that lit up the roads.

RACE RESULTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

Men Top Three Winners: Vincent Kipkorir ﬁnishing time 29:51 (1st); Thabang Mosiako ﬁnishing time 29:52 (2nd); Chris Mhlanga 29:52 (3rd).

Women Top Three Winners: : Fridah Ndinda finishing time 33:52 (1st); Neheng Khatala finishing time 34:29 (2nd)Karabo More finishing time 34:33 (3rd).

The ﬁnish line at James and Ethel Grey Park was a hub of excitement, packed with activities and entertainment for all participants. Despite the hilly and demanding course, the atmosphere was electric, and many runners have already set their sights on next year’s edition.

The Purple Team has conﬁrmed plans for a 2025 return! Hollywoodbets would like to thank this year's entrants for making the 2024 race an incredible success, and look forward to welcoming even more participants to next year’s event.

THIS SUMMER IS GOING TO BE HOT!

Anticipation is growing as the final field announcement for the Betway Summer Cup is all set to take place this afternoon (Wednesday, 20 November 2024). The final log for the race was published on 05 November and final declarations closed at 11h00 this morning.

At the time of going to print the final field was not available for publishing.

With the 2024 R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup carded to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 30 November, 4Racing’s Charl Pretorius took a look at ante-post punters’ varied views on value odds.

Charl Pretorius writes in his Off The Record column that See It Again was impressive in his 1600m preparation run at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently, eased down at the line in a win over Royal Victory, whose own performance carried merit ahead of his title defence.

Retired Durban bookmaker Selwyn Elk agrees with Blumberg that See It Again will shorten in the market.

Royal Victory wins the 2023 Betway Gr1 Summer Cup Credit: JC Photos

“It looks like Betway are giving their punters a bonus, their prices are currently much better. I think See It Again will start around 5-2 or even shorter. At his current 9-1 there is value, too, about Winchester Mansion. He looked well before the Charity Mile and won the way he looked. Purple Pitcher, in the 25-1 range, is my best roughie in the pack. He only finished four lengths off in the Victory Moon Handicap, a good horse at his best.”

Jonathan Blumberg, head of customer experience at Betway, said that there has been lively participation in the ante-post market for the Betway Gr1 Summer Cup at Turffontein on Saturday, 30 November.

Blumberg said: “Early punters are putting their money down. There have been notable bets struck already on four of the top five on the board, See It Again, Royal Victory, Frances Ethel and Silver Sanctuary. We’re expecting things to really heat up when the final field is declared next week. But there are any number of takers now. See It Again has been priced up at 4-1 for a while (at the time of writing, Thursday afternoon, 14 November), he has a good share of supporters who believe that his odds will shorten significantly in the run-up to the race.”

Regular day-to-day punters are divided in their opinions. Some view the race as wide open, with several longer-priced hopefuls in contention.

Among those keen on spotting valuable outsiders is 4Racing’s COO Colin Gordon, who recently made Chyavana—a 25-1 shot— a “good thing” in a sprint at Turffontein, surprising even the gelding’s trainer, Johan Janse van Vuuren. Gordon said: “My early fancy is Hotarubi at 36-1 on Betway, which is huge value. He ran on strongly in the Charity Mile and we all know how well Sean Tarry times his training to brings his horses to a peak on big days.”

Pretoria-based Francois Van Ghent, who tipped under the pseudonym ‘Longshot’ on Sporting Post for a few years, is bullish about 34-1 chance, Safe Passage. He said: “Safe Passage has finished second in the last two runnings of the Summer Cup. Last year, he came into the race off a few moderate runs, like he will do this year. But he enjoys the Turffontein 2000 and he can go one better this time. I’ve been watching him, and I think Mike de Kock will have two runners in the first four this year.”

Van Ghent didn’t say which of the other De Kock entries he thinks would share a Quartet placing with Safe Passage, but chances are he’d side with Silver Sanctuary, the well-performed filly who is also the fancy of Johannesburg’s Greg Naidoo, who commented: “I can’t wait for the race, I’ve looked at Betway’s ante-post betting and I think Silver Sanctuary offers value at 9-1.”

Naidoo said he has a special affinity with fillies and that he backed 2011 Summer Cup winner Dancewiththedevil and Summer Pudding, who won in 2020. “I was also on Fort Ember, who was at 36-1 when she finished second to Liege in 2017. So I’ll nail my colours to the mast. Silver Sanctuary’s had two good prep runs and there are no stamina doubts about her. She’s a big runner.”

Another in agreement with Silver Sanctuary is Dr. Kevin Bakos, who said: “I like to side with the big stables in the major features, and this filly has plenty of class. I think she presents good value at 9-1.”

RACHEL ENGAGED FOR BETWAY SUMMER CUP

The trailblazing Rachel Venniker was the first female jockey to ride in the Summer Cup when she partnered Shango for Sean Tarry in the 2022 renewal of the Highveld showpiece.

On Thursday 14 November, the dual former SA champion apprentice became the first official jockey declaration for the stake boosted R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on 30 November, and will partner Zeus for Fabian Habib.

“He’s a striking horse and he has top form over ground. His last run when lumbering 62kgs when beaten 3,50 lengths behind Poets Warrior in the Allied Steelrode Java Stakes was a nice effort. I am looking forward to the big day,” Rachel told the Sporting Post on Thursday afternoon.

Zeus is currently quoted at 20-1 in the big race antepost market and forms part of a handful of potential runners clamouring for what looks to be five berths up for grabs.

Besides being the first lady rider to compete in the Hollywoodbets Durban July when partnering Hluhluwe for Justin Snaith in the 2024 renewal, Rachel made more history internationally when she won Saudi Arabia’s Invest Saudi International Jockeys Challenge Stakes. In the process she became the first South African female rider to win in the desert Kingdom and the first to defeat male rivals such as Ryan Moore (whose mount ran third) and former Australian legend Damien Oliver (fifth).

Rachel also enjoyed a rewarding Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup tournament in August when she booted Holkham Bay to victory at her first ride at the historic Ascot racecourse.

Rachel Venniker – groundbreaker! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

MARSHALL’S RASCALLION DOMINATES IN CAPE MILE THRILLER

Rascallion (Gavin Lerena), Zapatillas (Kabelo Matsunyane, purple cap), Gimme A Prince (Craig Zackey, yellow cap) and Montien (Anthony Andrews, pink cap) fight out a thriller | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Vaughan Marshall’s 7yo Rascallion came out fresh off a 27-week break under an inspired ride by Gavin Lerena to win the R350 000 Gr3 Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Snaith champion Jet Dark won the 2022 renewal of the Cape Mile before going on to win the Cape Town Met. Rascallion’s connections will be hoping for history to repeat itself after their hard-knocking gelding went down narrowly to Double Superlative in the 2024 renewal of the Cape flagship and could have another shot at the big prize on 25 January.

National log-leading jockey Gavin Lerena bounced back courageously after a fall behind the starting gates in the opener, and settled Rascallion in midfield as Itsrainingwilliam led defending champion Montien and Zapatillas.

Craig Zackey had the 9-4 favourite Gimme A Prince dropped in at the rear from his wide draw.

In the run for home, Rascallion built up steadily down the inside as Craig Zackey had Gimme A Prince flying wide out, having many lengths to make up.

In a grandstand finish, Lerena timed Rascallion’s (15-2) effort perfectly as the gelding forged ahead to hold off Zapatillas (25-2) and Gimme A Prince (9-4). Under half a length covered the quartet, with defending champion Montien (4-1) plugging on for fourth.

In shades of stablemate Gimmie’s Countess performance in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship a week earlier, it was a terrific effort from a wide gate by Gimme A Prince,

National log-leading jockey Gavin Lerena bounced back from his opener fall with an inspired ride | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

who showed that he gets the mile and is likely to go for the L’Ormarins Kings Plate on 4 January 2025.

A R350 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate, Rascallion was bred by Dr Veronique Kritzinger, who was on course to enjoy thye moment. The winner is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the Jet Master mare, Sofala.

A winner of 6 races with 14 places from 27 starts, Rascallion took his total stakes earnings to R1 873 839.

Earlier on the bright sunny afternoon, the Andre Nel-Corne Orffer combination got favourite backers off to a good start in the 1200m Maiden Plate when the La Plaissance Stud product Cork Bay (33-20) stayed on to beat off a late challenge Circumbendibus (16-1).

The eye-catcher was Dean Kannemeyer’s Fire Away gelding Gurkha (66-1), who came from miles off to run into third under Serino Moodley.

Gavin Lerena was dumped by Elsinore behind the gates and the Snaith gelding was withdrawn. Gavin thankfully continued for the day.

Craig Zackey rode his fifth winner in 24 hours when he earned his commission on Dean Kannemeyer’s Rich Folks Hoax (5-2) to win the second, a 1400m Maiden Plate. The goodlooking son of Danon Platina had to dig deep to hold off rare Cape visitor Chase Maujean and Green Garnet (8-1).

Snow Pilot was the most impressive winner of the day when he ran away with the laurels in the third race, a R135 000 Progress Plate. Read more here.

Kabelo Matsunyane and Brett Crawford got on the boards in the fourth race courtesy of the

Master Of My Fate gelding Big Unit (5-1) who scythed through down the centre from his wide gate to open the Pick 6.

Big Unit beat fellow Master Of My Fate gelding Tout A Fait (33-1), who improved again for second. The 3yo Powerandtheglory was the 18-10 favourite to follow up on his recent maiden victory. The son of Gimmethegreenlight flattered to deceive and ran just out of the money.

Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie celebrated an early double when the improving 4yo Song To The Moon (11-10) beat stablemate Magic Verse (7-2) by 0,40 lengths in the 1800m Cape B Stakes.

Join The Dots (7-2) completed a fancied trifecta.

Snaith Racing was on target for the third time on the afternoon when Winx-sponsored jockey JP van der Merwe put the frustration of his runner-up status on Magic Verse in the previous race when he steered the consistent favourite Groovejet (1-1) up in the sixth race, a 1950m Cape C Stakes, to victory.

The next Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racemeeting is on Tuesday – the first carded for 12h15.

The opening of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing, the CommunityFest raceday, featuring the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, will be held on Saturday 23 November.

Trainer Vaughan Marshall receives his trophy from Cape Racing Ambassador Felix Guni Credit: Chase Liebenberg

WILL THIS BE VERCINGETORIX’ YEAR?

‘That was brilliant, he’s better than ever, he doesn’t feel like a seven-year-old!’ – Gavin Lerena

Rascallion (Gavin Lerena) beats Zapatillas (Kabelo Matsunyane, purple cap), Gimme A Prince (Craig Zackey, yellow cap) and Montien (Anthony Andrews, pink cap) in a nail-biting finish

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Will this finally be the season that Vercingetorix lifts that elusive General Sires’ title?

Since entering the top five echelon in 2020, the son of Silvano has come close on a couple of occasions. Pipped on the post by his own sire in 2021/22 and third in 2022/23, only champion Gimmethegreenlight proved his superior vlast season.

The Maine Chance stallion has certainly made a cracking start to the current racing season and finds himself at the top of the General Sires List, comfortably ahead of Gimmethegreenlight and Master Of My Fate.

Granted its early days yet, but he is churning out the winners at a pleasing rate, not to mention the fact that his AEPR (average earnings per runner) is way ahead of those behind him. It is a big ask for any horse to stand alongside his own sire, let alone a stallion of the stature of Silvano, yet Vercingetorix appears to have seamlessly stepped into the giant shoes of his sire, who died in 2021.

To date, he has sired 43 stakes winners, 10 of which having scored at Gr1 level.

His seasonal tally currently stands at four, with Rascallion being his latest stakes success.

Now seven, the veteran proved age is no barrier to stakes success when he posted his third victory at graded level in the Gr3 Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth under a masterful ride from Gavin Lerena.

His success completed also a quickfire double for Vercingetorix, with four-year-old son Daimyo having won the Listed Woolavington Stakes a week before.

Lerena made no secret of his admiration for the Vaughan Marshall-trained veteran, for whom this was a seasonal debut: “That was brilliant, he’s better than ever, he doesn’t feel like a seven-year-old!”

Daimyo (Joshwin Solomons) registers his maiden stakes victory in the Listed Woolavington Stakes | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Rascallion has certainly been a loyal servant to owners Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell, this sixth career victory pushing his stakes earnings to almost R1.9-million.

His string of victories also includes the Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy at four and last season’s Gr3 Variety Mile. Significantly, some of his most commendable efforts at the very top level have been in defeat, notably this year’s Gr1 Cape Town Met, where he looked set for victory, only to be nabbed late by Double Superlative. As a three-year-old, he was runner-up in both the Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000 and ran third in the Gr1 Cape Guineas.

Trainer Vaughan Marshall is to be commended for his handling of Rascallion, given that his charge suffered a suspensory injury at four, severe enough to be considered career-ending, and it took considerable patience and skill to restore the horse to full health.

Rascallion is the latest stakes winner out of a daughter of champion Jet Master, who may be

long gone, yet continues to make an impact as a broodmare sire, with reigning Horse of the Year Dave The King being a shining example.

Jet Master’s affinity with Vercingetorix has yet to rival that of the success his daughters enjoyed with Silvano, a cross which has yielded seven stakes winners, most notably champion Hawwaam and Gr1 winner Silvano’s Pride.

That may change sooner rather than later, given that Vercingetorix three-year-olds such as Greaterix and Mauritius Kestrel, both black type performers, have the potential to join the stakes ranks this season. The former, who is trained by Mike de Kock, is an intriguing entry for the upcoming Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas.

Rascallion has another crack at the Met on the radar, having placed sixth in 2023 and second this year. Could it be third time lucky?

If he does manage to pull it off, he will be the first seven-year-old winner since Martial Eagle claimed the honors in 2013.

L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE ON RADAR FOR SNOW PILOT

Justin Snaith’s 2023 Hollywoodbets

Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot kept the punters happy and his unbeaten record as a 4yo intact when he stormed home as the best bet of the afternoon to win the R135 000 Progress Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

The scratching of Zil Morris at the start reduced the field to 9 runners, with Ridgemont rider Richard Fourie taking the son of the ill-fated Lancaster Bomber to the front.

The free-striding machine was never seen again and he waltzed home to beat staying stablemate Triple Time (25-1) by 6 lengths in a time of 84,18 secs.

Justin Snaith explained that he may have to consider widening Snow Pilot’s stable entrance door in view of the way the 4yo has grown. “We will have to see whether he can do the same thing over a mile on the longer run-in of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course.

But we will worry about that later,” quipped a delighted Snaith in an obvious reference to the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 4 January.

Snow Pilot’s newly invigorated rise in the ranks again underscores the huge void left by his 2018 Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Lancaster Bomber (War Front), who died suddenly at the age of 7 in 2021.

The Drakenstein bred and raced galloper is out of the Cape Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance, and there must be hopes that he will stand at Drakenstein when the day comes.

Now a winner of 4 races with 9 places from 16 starts, Snow Pilot took his earnings to R1 674 151.

Snow Pilot and Richard Fourie gear down to an impressive victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Credit: Wayne Marks

Sunday’s Cape Racing Sales Thoroughbred Stud Mixed Sale, featuring the Nadeson Park Stud dispersal, signalled the end of an era for South African racing and breeding as a large portion of the equine interests of the late Hassen Adams, who passed away in March this year, were liquidated.

The sale was held at the magnificent Nadeson Park Stud in Hermanus and was an emotional occasion for the family of the man who had a lifelong passion for the horse.

“My Dad had a personal connection to every horse on this farm and I felt some mixed

feelings seeing his pride and joy fetching R5 000 in some cases. But we wish the buyers well and we hope that their dreams come true,” Rayaan Adams, CEO of Nadeson, told the Sporting Post.

He confirmed that the family would maintain their racing interests, but that that they would not be pursuing the breeding side of their business.

“We will be restructuring our operation and apportioning sections of the farm for rental. Breeding racehorses on a large scale is definitely not for the financially frail of heart and we will use the valuable land to greater benefit,” confirmed Rayaan Adams.

Carl de Vos chats to Jonathan Bloch | Credit: Wayne Marks

James Armitage was spotted at the Sale | Credit: Wayne Marks

The dispersal sale represented a unique opportunity to acquire high-quality thoroughbreds, including exceptional breeding stock, racehorses, and yearlings and that is confirmed in the fact that 81 of the 88 lots sold for R7 780 000 at an average of R96 049 and a median of R40 000.

Paardeberg Stud purchased the sale topseller Sunset Tripp in foal to champion sire Gimmethegreenlight for R700 000.

Paardeberg’s Sally Bruss told the Sporting Post that it was ‘a competitive market’ and that the positivity of recent years was in evidence.

“At a dispersal sale of quality just two years

or so ago, we never saw anything near these kind of prices. This is very encouraging for the industry,” added Sally.

Top buyer on aggregate was Jonathan Snaith who bought three lots for R1 100 000 at an average of R366 667.

“A very healthy market,” the astute Snaith told the Sporting Post.

See all the prices here.

Wehann Smith - deep in thought | Credit: Wayne Marks

STAR SA MARES AT MILLIONS

The 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogue was published last week, and is striking for the number of horses included with South African connections.

Three top-class South African bred and raced mares have yearlings entered.

Carry On Alice

A Gr1 winner at two, three, four and five, the charismatic Carry On Alice was Equus Champion Sprinter and Older Filly/Mare of 2016-2017.

The daughter of Captain Al has already produced two Snitzel-sired winners in Australia, including the stakes-placed Manos. She has a filly by The Autumn Sun (like Snitzel, a son of Redoute’s Choice) on the sale.

Missisippi Burning

Out of a mare by the hugely influential Hussonet, Missisippi Burning won the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and

Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas.

Like Carry On Alice, she is a daughter of the late Captain Al, and has a filly by superstar Frankel on offer. The is her second foal.

Flying Ice

A granddaughter of outstanding broodmare Strawberry Lane, Flying Ice won both the Gr2 Gold Bracelet and Listed Devon Air Stakes.

The daughter of Go Deputy has a filly by Extreme Choice on sale, who shares her topclass sire with recent Gr1 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice.

The South African flavour to next year’s Gold Coast Sale is by no means restricted to the mares mentioned above.

A Frankel on offer! Missisippi Burning (Craig Zackey) beats Mary O (Serino Moodley) in the WSB Gr2 Fillies Guineas Credit: Candiese Lenferna

South African bred champion, and triple Gr1 winner, Val De Ra (Var) is granddam of a Snitzel filly, with the latter produced by Val De Ra’s daughter All That Jazz (Trippi).

Another South African Gr1 winner, former Allan Robertson Fillies Championship queen Trust Antonia (National Assembly), is the dam of Not A Single Doubt mare Aneesa. She is represented by an Exceedance colt.

Former star sprinter Super Sheila (Last Tycoon) ranks as the third dam of a St Mark’s Basilica colt out of Thelittleracketeer, while Tracy’s Element, like Super Sheila, a South African raced Gr1 winning daughter of Last Tycoon, ranks as the granddam of Gr3 Geelong Cup runner-up Chateau Margaux (Redoute’s Choice). The latter has a Dundeel colt on offer.

Tracy’s Element’s Gr1 VRC Oaks runner-up daughter Kylikwong, already dam of four black type horses including Chateau Margaux, has a filly by All Too Hard up for sale. Equus Champion Alboran Sea’s I Am Invincible half-sister Iskander has a Castelvecchio filly on offer, while Gr1 SA Nursery runner-up Shaama’s multiple Gr3 three-parts sister Jazz Song is responsible for a Home Affairs filly.

Ridgemont’s five-time Gr1 winning sire Canford Cliffs’ stakes placed daughter Bumbasina, dam of two winners, has a Siyouni full-brother to Gr1 Drummond Golf -Northerly Stakes winner Amelia’s Jewel on offer. This colt is also a half-brother to the Gr1 placed Bosustow (by Blue Point).

Time Thief’s top daughter In Her Time, winner of both the Gr1 VRC Lightning Stakes and Gr1 ATC Galaxy, has a Written Tycoon colt on the sale.

The catalogue also includes siblings to South African raced stakes winners Al Muthana

(Pinatubo half-brother), Soqrat (Written Tycoon half-sister), and Suyoof (Stay Inside halfbrother).

Dual South Africa Gr1 winner Al Muthana’s Gr2 winning half-sister Wawail (Lonhro) has a Toronado colt on sale, while Zunaida, a half-sister to South African Horse Of The Year Igugu, has a Better Than Ready colt going through the ring.

Pivotal’s regally bred daughter Amanee, whose relative Moonlight Trader (Erupt) won the recent Gr3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes, won both the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas, and ranks as the granddam of a Pride Of Dubai colt in this catalogue.

South Africa’s impact on the Gold Coast sale can also be seen in the fact that promising young stallion Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit), a son of the Ascot Stud bred champion Rock Opera (Lecture), has two lots on offer.

A filly by the Autum Sun is offered! Dr Jill Warner and her champion Carry On Alice | Credit: Supplied

MAGIC MILLIONS UNVEILS WORLD CLASS CATALOGUE

The sale that produces more champions than any other in the Southern Hemisphere is ready to do it again with the online release of the 2025 catalogue.

Magic Millions is excited to unveil an outstanding catalogue of 1,401 yearlings for the country’s most anticipated and popular auction, the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The race and breed shaping event, which commences on 07 January, will see the finest yearlings of Australasia come together at the famous Bundall selling complex.

The Gold Coast Yearling Sale has not only led the way for individual Group One winners from this sale since 2019, more than double any one other Australian yearling sale, they have also won three times more Group One races.

With past graduates including superstars Winx (25 Gr1s), Golden Sixty (10 Gr1s), Imperatriz (10 Gr1s) and Alligator Blood (7 Gr1s) you can see why the sale is held in the highest of regard.

This season the sale has again established

itself the clear leader with elite level winners including Southport Tycoon, Private Life, El Castello and last week’s Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice.

The star studded catalogue of yearlings across Books One and Two, includes progeny of 127 individual sires, with strong interest to surround youngsters by 21 first season sires.

Among lots catalogued are (at least half) relations to Group One winners including Amelia’s Jewel, Imperatriz, In Secret, Nettoyer, Profondo and Warm Heart as well as spring carnival group winners Bel Merci, First Settler and Too Darn Discreet.

Yearlings from crack race mares including Avantage, Away Game, Bel Mer, Bonaria, Booker, Chica Fuerte, Fasika, Global Glamour, Haut Brior Her, In Her Time, Maybe Discreet, Speak Fondly, Sunlight, Sweet Sherry, Tinto and Toffee Tongue are all catalogued.

2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogue is now available online | Credit: Magic Millions

“The sale is the most influential for our industry with future stallions including Snitzel, Pierro, Savabeel, Written Tycoon, Pierata, Stay Inside, Farnan, Zoustar and Capitalist all being sold in the sale ring that will host their progeny in January.”

“Our team has inspected yearlings right across Australia and New Zealand and assembled what we feel is a truly world class offering of future racetrack stars.”

“We’re proud of the development of our graduates, with 34 individual Group One winners and 237 stakes winners produced from this sale over the last five years, regularly winning across all distances and age groups,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.

“Buyers should be confident to know they can come to January to fill any order. Be that for Golden Slipper winning colts, Coolmore winners, Guineas winners, Oaks and Derby winners, and even Melbourne Cup winners. You can find them all on the Gold Coast in January.”

“Buying a yearling at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale will provide shoppers the opportunity to race for more than A$20 million in 28 races nationally every year as part of the Magic Millions Race Series,” Bowditch added.

LADY FALLON – THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

As already demonstrated in KwaZulu-Natal, twilight racing is clearly quite a hit on a Friday evening, and those that made the trip out to Turffontein were royally entertained to some exciting finishes, with the R225 000 Listed Summer Pudding Handicap a heads-up heads-down thriller between two KZN-bred fillies.

Formerly run as the Syringa Handicap, the Summer Pudding Handicap is named in honour of the outstanding Silvano mare, a past Equus Horse Of The Year and SA Triple Tiara winner, who retired with 11 wins from 13 starts, including four Grade 1 successes.

The scratching of Betula reduced the 2024 renewal of the Summer Pudding Handicap to ten runners and the pace was on from the gate as Sukhumvit led Donna Mo and Key Element.

The enthusiastic leaders came back to the field at the 400m as Craig Zackey powered up the jets on Lady Fallon, who looked like she was going to come forward and win comfortably.

But it became complicated late and on a drive to the wire, Lady Fallon (5-2, tote favourite) narrowly held her advantage to beat the luckless Soldier’s Eye (40-1) by a head in a time of 99,38 secs for the mile.

Craig Zackey gets low on Lady Fallon as Wesley Marwing and the slightly obscured Soldier’s Eye loom dangerously. JP van der Merwe and Andi’s Girl stay on for third | Credit: JC Photos

It was a terrific effort by Soldier’s Eye who made up good ground and had to be switched in late by Wesley Marwing. That undoubtedly cost her momentum, but she picked herself up off the mat and was gaining fast in a tight passage at the rail.

Only three quarters of a length separated the top trio with Andi’s Girl (7-2) back in third.

Cape Lights(16-1) was beaten a further 3,50 lengths back in fourth.

Now a winner of 3 races with 8 places from 13 starts, Lady Fallon took her stakes earnings to R366 750.

Originally purchased for R125 000 at the National Yearling Sale, Dave Shaw purchased her privately and she was having only her fourth run for him – having earned at her previous 3 starts.

“I told Dave (Shawe) that he was buying ‘a problem’ and that he would have to be patient. She’s smart and I am thrilled that she has rewarded him with this stakes victory,” added the thrilled trainer

Bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbred, the winner is by Act Of War (Dynasty) out of the unraced Gimmethegreenlight mare, Chartreuse.

Craig Zackey was in rich form, with 4 winners on the evening, including a double for the high-riding Lucky Houdalakis yard. He looks a serious challenger to Gavin Lerena on the national log – although it’s early days yet.

Yadav Singh – has 19 open boxes at Summerveld | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

EVERY HORSE A CHAMPION AT SINGH RACING!

“THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO RACE IN KWAZULU-NATAL.” THOSE ARE

THE WORDS OF YADAV SINGH, THE TRAINER OF SUMMERVELD’S SMALLEST OPERATION AFTER LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT RACING ON THE EAST COAST WILL FOLLOW THE CAPE AND SOON FALL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE RACECOAST INCENTIVE SCHEME POWERED BY HOLLYWOODBETS.

With stakes also falling in line with what the Cape offers and appearance, saddling and riding fees being paid to the owner, trainer and jockey of KZN runners, things are looking up and it was just 24 hours after Greg Bortz and his team made the good news announcement at Summerveld last Tuesday that Yadav Singh saddled a long overdue winner in the shape of the Sita Govender-raced Chakpori.

The Normandy Stud-bred Potala Palace filly was purchased online and was no great shakes when based with the powerful Snaith Racing Team.

“She is not straightforward. In fact, she was stone dilly when she got here! But she has paid her way and settled in beautifully. Sita Govender is the most patient and generous owner so there was no pressure. Her victory capped a great week after the news of the stakes and incentives the previous day!”

Yadav Singh got the horseracing bug from his Dad, Jayraj, an owner of some forty years standing and a Life Member of Gold Circle. Dad raced with Doug Campbell and David Payne.

Educated at St Mary’s in his primary school days, Yadav left Merebank Secondary School at the end of Grade 10 and enrolled as an equestrian student at the SA Jockey Academy where he completed his grade 11 and grade 12.

With a hunger for knowledge, the enthusiastic Yadav made lifelong friends and thrived in the environment of camaraderie and horses.

“I had the privilege of being educated with top guys who were there at the same time. Amongst others, Gavin Lerena, Aldo Domeyer, Sean Veale, the late Chris Puller and Randall Simons, who coincidentally rode my first ever winner as a trainer, Dane Delight at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 7 June 2008.”

Yadav became South Africa’s youngest licenced trainer at age 21 in 2007 after learning from some of the best.

He was initially based at Clairwood, within a stone’s throw of the Singh family home, in the halcyon days of Corinne Bestel, Charles Laird, Tyrone Norton and Jeff Freeman.

“While still at the Academy I commenced my Stable Employee’s licence process, working for Alistair Gordon and Ron Phillips. I also enjoyed three invaluable months with Gary Alexander in the days of Icy Air and James Jaguar. After I matriculated I spent two years with Noelene Peech as an assistant at Summerveld, and then valuable time with Tony Rivalland, Weiho Marwing, and the late Cyril Naidoo. A great varied grounding for which I am most privileged!” adds Yadav.

His wife is a retail manager and the Singhs have a 16-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. We asked how he made a living with just three horses to train.

“We are conservative folk and don’t have any frills. My ambition was actually to be a pilot. But the racing bug was already in my veins and I have loved every moment of it.

And even though I have only 3 of 22 boxes filled as we speak, I wouldn’t turn back the clock for anything – including the glamour and thrills of being a well-paid airline pilot,” reflects Yadav with a broad smile.

In a nutshell, Yadav offers a personalized service and horses that may be lost in other larger operations could benefit from the Singh Racing TLC.

“I can offer personal attention, integrity, top notch communication and an unconditional love of the horse. Maidens and Grade 1 horses are treated with equal love. They are all a champion in our yard. My door is open, we have 19 empty boxes. Please feel free to contact me.”

• Contact Yadav at singhsracing@gmail.com to find out more.

1-2-3: RAFEEF’S FORM CONTINUES

Ridgemont’s red hot sire Rafeef had a good day on Tuesday, producing three winners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

SRafeef runners won the first, fifth and ninth races on Tuesday, with his daughters Hampstead Heath and Enchanting Choice running 1-3 in the fifth race on Tuesday.

Rafeef gelding Rafa Bay justified favouritism when he won Tuesday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Welcomes You Work Riders’ Maiden Plate (1100m).

Under Louis Burke, the Justin Snaith trained three-year-old flew out of the stalls and

went on to make the running.

Rafa Bay fought off a challenge from runner-up Flying Finley and went on to win by nearly half a length.

Bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, the gelding is out of the Cape Cross mare Torra Bay.

Rafeef’s four-year-old daughter Hampstead Heath was well fancied to win Tuesday’s RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Class 4 (F&M) (1600m) and duly obliged.

Hampstead Heath (Grant van Niekerk) was one of three winners for Rafeef on Tuesday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Under Grant Van Niekerk, the Adam Marcus trained filly powered home to win convincingly by a length and a half.

Now a two-time winner, Hampstead Heath, bred on the same Rafeef/Greys Inn cross as Gr2 winner Outlaw King, was bred by James Armitage.The filly is out of the Greys Inn mare Camden Borough.

Rafeef’s third and final winner on Tuesday came when his son Night Tiger won the ninth and final race.

The Candice Bass-Robinson trained five-yearold stuck his head down where it mattered

most to win the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 (1000m) by nearly half a length. Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, Night Tiger, who is out of the Doowaley mare Rei Rei, has won four times.

South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2020-2021, Rafeef made headlines when his daughter Mon Petit Cherie won the recent Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship. Mon Petit Cherie is one of two Rafeef fillies entered for the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas.

QUERARI FILLY MAKES IT A TREBLE FOR MITCHLEY

ONE OF ONLY TWO MEMBERS OF THE FAIRER SEX IN THE FIELD, KELLY MITCHLEY’S PASSCHENDAELE WENT FROM GUN TO TAPE TO WIN THE R175 000 NON BLACK-TYPE NOVEMBER STAKES AT FAIRVIEW ON FRIDAY.

Ridden with purpose by Sandile Khathi, who booted home two of the three Kelly Mitchley winners on the afternoon, Passchendaele took on some big-hitters but never looked like getting beaten and went on powerfully to hold off the dual Gr2 Charity Mile winner Bingwa (8-1) by 2,25 lengths in a time of 82,02 secs for the 1400m.

Dowser (40-1) stayed on for third to shade the disappointing 5-10 favourite La Luna who rounded off the quartet.

The decision to move Passchendaele to the Eastern Cape has been a rewarding one, as she took her tally to 4 wins from her 9 starts since relocating.

Passchendaele

stable and jockey | Credit: Pauline Herman

Bred by Maine Chance & Coolmore, the winner is a 4yo daughter of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the five-time winning Captain Al mare Pine Princess – the latter is probably best remembered as the filly who dethroned the recently deceased Siren’s Call in the 2015 SA Triple Tiara final leg.

Raced by Maine Chance Farms, the winner, a R400 000 Ready To Run graduate, has taken her win tally to 5 from 18 starts with 5 places included.

She has earned R479 600 and should pay to follow – especially as her connections’ look to register some black type before she heads off to stud next season.

LANCE . LOTZ

LOTZ . LIFE!

A trainer, breeder, farmer, but most of all a dreamer, Leon Lotz lives his best life with his family running two magnificent farms of 3500ha in Middelburg Eastern Cape – Karoo.

On Heuningsfontein, home of exciting Jet Master stallion Lance, Leon is a private trainer with his son Armand as assistant, and they also prep their young horses for sales.

They breed on the second farm, Rooiberg, which is located in the Sneeuberge at an altitude of 1700m to 2300m above sea-level. Importantly, the farm is AHS free because of the altitude and lots of snow.

It’s a wholesome family business with Leon’s youngest daughter Leonné owning three broodmares of her own at 16 years of age. She sold her first foal at the 2024 BSA August 2yo Sale for R70 000..

Leon’s middle daughter Charlize owns horses at the Juan Nel and Gavin Smith stables and races in the silks of the late legend Nic Claassen colours. Leon worked and trained for the charismatic ‘Oom Nic’.

Nic Claassen trained the Lotz’ family home-breds and their Algoa Cup winner, All Three A King.

Leon used to train privately in Kimberley with 50 horses in the stable. Today they only have three horses which are based 420km away from Fairview.

“We try to supply the middle market to trainers like us. We are dreaming about group races but it is not our focus point. Quartets with professional maidens pay more than group races!” enthuses Leon.

The biggest news for the Lotz’ in 2024 is the Jet Master stallion, Lance, who is owned by Chris van Niekerk.

“Lance holds all of our hopes. His foals are outstanding. The industry has been good to us thinking back to my old jockeys Sipho Nhlapo, Donavan Yeo, Fanie Chambers, trainers Andre Kirsten, Terry Lowe, David Rahilly and my friend Oom Nic Claassen. Jackie Mills started me with saddles, bridles, horsebox and horses. Horses like All Three A King, Port Of York and Summer Tune, Tamara Star and Staying Alive helped us to buy farms. Summer Tune helped me fly to Australia twice – I took a bet in Aussie dollars and flew back,”reflects Leon.

“We farm with Angora goats , Afrino and Meatmaster sheep where Armand is doing more intensive farming and cattle on Rooiberg. Charlize runs our fertilizer business. Horseracing and breeding horses are in our blood as a family, although things like TCO2 does stop us in our tracks for a day or two, and takes the fun away,” he muses.

They recently purchased 28 mares for the stud.

“Our first three horses on the KZN sale have produced two winners already, with Skittle Skies looking promising.”

Leon ends off saying that we have a great industry with ‘the best trainers and jockeys in the world’.

“Andrew Fortune and Richard Fourie are my all-time greats,” he concludes.

Enjoy a selection of the beautiful farms and some smashing foals from Heuningsfontein.

LANCE (C) EX PERONZADA (MOGOK)

DOB: 30 August

Dam a half-sister to Miss Argentina

LANCE (F) EX VISION TO KILL (KILDONAN)

DOB: 15 September

Dam a Gr1 winner, her first foal, Vision To Achieve won thrice

DOB: 7 October

Dam a half-sister to Evies First

LANCE (C) EX EVIES BANDIT (TIME THIEF)

LANCE (F) EX CAPTAIN’S TREASURE (CAPTAIN AL)

DOB: 19 September

Dam’s first winner Kings Sailor is a promising 3yo

LANCE (C) EX CHIT CHAT (PATHFORK)

DOB: 14 October

Dam a half-sister to Twitter

LANCE (C) EX PAM’S PRINCESS (WHAT A WINTER)

DOB: 7 October

2nd dam a half-sister to several Gr1 performers in the USA including Debraas

DOB: 18 October

LANCE (C) EX LEGAL APPEAL (ACT OF WAR)

Dam a half-sister to Juan Nel-trained Toureiro

Images supplied by Leon Lotz and Pauline Herman

RASCALLION REMAINS ON 122

Rascallion remains unchanged on a merit rating of 122 after winning the Gr3 Cape Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Handicappers believed that Zapatillas made for the best line horse when assessing this race, hence his unchanged rating of 119. In rating the race this way Rascallion runs to his rating of 122, effectively making him a line horse as well.

The only ratings drop for this race went to Sugar Mountain, who was dropped to 116 from 118.

Summer Pudding Handicap (Listed)

Lady Fallon had her rating increased to 98

from 95 after landing the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m at Turffontein Standside on Friday.

The Handicappers were unanimous in selecting Andi’s Girl as the line horse here and therefore she remained unchanged on a rating of 93.

The luckless runner-up Soldier’s Eye was adjusted to 98 from 97 for her effort.

Four horses received drops in this event, Cape Lights was dropped to 92 from 93, Juliet Tango was dropped from 88 to 86, Donna Mo was dropped to 94 from 96 and Champagne Cocktail was dropped to 97 from 99.

• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 19 November 2024.

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES

– THREE TRAINERS FINED

In a media release issued by the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa on Friday 15 November 2024, three Prohibited Substance findings have been announced.

Superskitt was disqualified, and Trainer W C Marwing signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined the sum of R18 000 (Eighteen Thousand Rand) for a contravention of Rule 73.2.3 in that a specimen which was collected from this horse prior to the running of the 1st race on 31 August 2024, at Turffontein Racecourse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Flunixin (Class 4).

Rugger Lover was disqualified, and Trainer M N Prinsloo signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined the sum of R20 000 (Twenty Thousand Rand) for a contravention of Rule 73.2.4 in that a specimen which was collected from this horse after the running after Race 8 on 25 August 2024, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Flunixin (Class 4).

Princeofgreen was disqualified and Trainer

P F Matchett signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined the sum of R105 000 (One Hundred and Five Thousand Rand) for a contravention of Rule 73.2.2 in that a specimen which was collected from this horse prior to the running of the 6th race on 12 October 2024, at Turffontein Racecourse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Flunixin (Class 4).

When assessing the penalty, careful consideration was given to the class of substance, the respective Trainer’s penalty record of prior prohibited substance contraventions during the last five-year period, the concentration of the prohibited substance in the specimen and the status of the race.

Ed – Flunixin is used primarily for short-term treatment of moderate pain and inflammation. It has been used to treat abdominal pain in horses, to decrease signs of sepsis in horses

THE IRISH SET TO ATTACK AT HAYDOCK!

The first Group 1 of the British National Hunt season, the Betfair Chase takes place at Haydock Park on Saturday. Run over a distance of 3 miles and 1 and half furlongs, ten runners compete for a first prize of £116,029. Grey Dawning, The Real Whacker and Bravemansgame along with Scottish raider Ahoy Senor are four of the nine rivals defending champ Royal Pagaille contends with in a strong renewal.

The Irish are also in town. Hewick, winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton last season makes the trip along with the JP McManus owned pair of Limerick Lace and Capodanno. The latter, trained by Willie Mullins was supplemented by his owner earlier this week.

Protektorat provided trainer Dan Skelton with his first victory in the famous race in 2022 but

was withdrawn on Monday with the stable solely represented by last season’s exciting novice, Grey Dawning.

The Turners Novices’ Chase hero is ante-post favourite but missed his seasonal return in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby due to fast ground. However trainer Dan Skelton is confident conditions at Haydock won’t be an issue.

Haydock Park plays host to the Betfair Chase on Saturday as the British National Hunt season gets underway

Credit: Haydock Park on FB

Grey Dawning carries a Timeform rating of 161p and is a horse connections have long thought could reach this sort of level.

Skelton observed: “I’ve always thought he was going to be really, really good. He just has the attitude at home, the way he gallops and the way he sees out his gallop, you always think there’s a bit left. They’re the best ones.”

“We want to go down the Gold Cup route, we’d love to become a Gold Cup horse. That’s what you start out hoping, then the racecourse will tell you whether that’s realistic or not.”

And after speaking to the media for about 10 minutes in the winning connections room at Cheltenham on Sunday, Skelton clearly felt it was time to cut to the chase.

“You all want to know the answer to the question – how good is he, don’t you?” he smiled. “The truth is we’ll find out the answer on Saturday.”

With Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow set to renew rivalry around 23 hours later in the John Durkan at Punchestown, this looks a good starting point for the striking grey.

Royal Pagaille and The Real Whacker, who defeated Bravemansgame at Wetherby last time out are quality front-runners who will ensure the pace is on from the start. Add in Hewick, last seen finishing second to Envoi Allen in the Champion Chase at Down Royal and the top-rated Ahoy Senor, and Grey Dawning will certainly know he’s been in a race.

CAPTURED BY LOVE CLAIMS

1000 GUINEAS GLORY

confirmed

Sent out the second favourite with bookmakers, Captured By Love finished brilliantly along the inside of the pack to nab the lead and race clear late.

The win, over the favourite and highly rated filly Alabama Lass, was emphatic with the winning margin a widening length and a quarter at the post.

Top class Australian jockey Josh Parr was beaming after the race – delighted to snare a top tier New Zealand race in the famous tangerine colours of Te Akau Racing.

“It feels great to win a Group One race in New Zealand,” Parr told NZ Racing Desk after the win. “Two years ago, I came to ride for Te Akau

at this carnival, and this day didn’t go well with the races being cancelled.”

“Middle to three-quarters of the way out on the track is the place to be, but it opened up on the middle to inside, so I took the shortcut. We idled up alongside the favourite and she was the stronger filly.”

“The Te Akau team has been great to me in the past and they’re huge contributors both here and in Australia.”

Captured By Love was bought for A$525,000 by Te Akau Racing from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year for the Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate. She was bred by Tony Santic’s Makybe

Captured

Love

herself one of the best of her generation with a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group One New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

Captured By Love wins the Gr1 One Thousand Guineas 2024 | Credit: Race Images South supplied by Magic Millions

operation and sold through the Milburn Creek draft. “That was a great win,” Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson, said post-race.

“At the top of the straight it could have got ugly, but Group One jockeys make Group One decisions and Josh got a lovely run through on the inside.”

“Big thanks to Dave Ellis, who bought the filly without any owners. It takes great nerve to buy the ones you want, and full credit to Karyn Fenton-Ellis for filling the syndicate.”

“It’s been an interrupted preparation for Captured By Love, but the 1000 Guineas was the one we wanted. Full credit to Sam – I’ve spent a lot of time at our Melbourne stable during the spring. He held his nerve by not giving her a hard gallop on Tuesday, just didn’t think she needed it, and the result was a very satisfying win for everyone involved.”

“She’s only going to improve heading into the autumn, so very exciting times ahead for Captured By Love.”

Syndicate manager Karyn Fenton-Ellis was not surprisingly all smiles after the win. “It’s a privilege to win this race for the seventh time,” Fenton-Ellis said. “Congratulations to David Ellis for buying this filly, the owners who understand how good she is, and Mark and Sam for the way they have managed her through a somewhat difficult preparation.”

“Today she showed all the spirit and class that she possesses and thank you to Josh Parr for

coming over and riding such a great race.”

“Nothing gives us more joy than to win a race like the 1000 Guineas for such a great group of owners, and it’s a special privilege to be on the podium accepting the awards from the Canterbury Jockey Club,” Fenton-Ellis added.

From 10 starts, Captured By Love has won five and been a minor placegetter at her five other starts. She’s already earned over NZ$700,000 in prizemoney.

Captured By Love is the first runner for her dam, the twice two-year-old winner Moldova.

A daughter of Snitzel, Moldova was a Flemington juvenile winner and is from a halfsister to stakes winners Savvy Nature and Addictive Nature.

Further back it is the same family of another New Zealand One Thousand Guineas winner Hasahalo.

Winner: Captured By Love

• Breeding: Written Tycoon-Moldova (Snitzel)

• Race: CJC New Zealand One Thousand Guineas Gr1 (1600m)

• Sold for: A$525,000

• Sale: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

• Earnings: NZ$703,435

• Breeder: Makybe Racing & Breeding

• Vendor: Milburn Creek (As Agent)

• Owners: Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding

Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM)

• Trainers: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson

Hollie Doyle ranked joint-second in 2021 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship | Credit: HKJC

DOYLE SEEKS ELUSIVE IJC VICTORY

It has been another starring year for Hollie Doyle and the jockey is hoping to claim an elusive victory on her return to Happy Valley for the 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on 4 December.

Doyle has enjoyed another stellar domestic flat season in Britain, with two Group 1 wins aboard star sprinter Bradsell rating the highlight in a campaign which saw her breach a century of winners for the sixth consecutive year.

She will return to Hong Kong in search of her first IJC success having performed admirably on her first two appearances. A win aboard Harmony N Blessed in 2020 saw her become the first female jockey to win a race in the challenge and secure jointthird place, while Viva Hunter’s win a year later helped her go one place better in joint-second.

“It’s great to be invited back to the IJC for a fifth year,” she said. “The last few times I’ve been a part of the event I’ve always hoped to come back for the next year and the HKJC have been great to me. It’s an honour to go and represent Great Britain, be a part of it all and compete against some of the world’s best jockeys.”

This year’s IJC will mark another stop on Doyle’s audacious world tour. She is currently enjoying her latest stint in Japan with husband Tom Marquand, having already taken part in the Breeders’ Cup in America and Melbourne Cup in Australia.

The rider will stand alongside two titans of the sport in Ryan Moore and William Buick to represent Great Britain in this year’s event, in which she is hoping her varied international experience can once again reap rewards.

“I’m currently in Japan until December,” she said. “It’s a place Tom and I love to come to and I’m really lucky to be able to travel while riding. I’ve ridden all over the world now and I try to go everywhere I can given the opportunity, as you want to be high on people’s lists to use in the big races. Competing around the world is what I want to do. I love the international experience and the more you can get the better.

“Obviously the rides you are allotted in the IJC are important, but so is the draw. A wide barrier can be pretty detrimental as

Happy Valley is such a tight track. The races are ultra-competitive but, luckily, I’ve had a few opportunities and a few winners around there so I’ve got to know the track quite well. Having that experience under my belt really helps.”

Doyle will eagerly await the IJC horse allocation on 2 December, while she is also hoping to be in action outside of the four-race competition before she flies back to Japan, where she will be based until 22 December.

She added: “I’m hoping to pick up some spare rides on the Happy Valley undercard. Spares don’t often come about but I’m lucky in that I can do a very light weight. We’ll have to see how it plays out.”

While she will not be in action at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 8 December, Marquand is expected to be in town to partner Dubai Honour in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase after finishing fourth in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup in 2021, and third and seventh in the Gr1 FWD QEII Cup in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

SHUM’S ROMANTIC WARRIOR SPARKLES

Champion stayer Romantic Warrior’s imperious Gr2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup triumph at Sha Tin on Sunday has laid the foundations for Danny Shum’s ambitious 2024/25 campaign, crowned by a bid for a third consecutive HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup victory next month.

Extending his current winning streak to six, Romantic Warrior (128lb) claimed his second BOCHK Jockey Club Cup with a commanding performance under James McDonald, defeating Ka Ying Generation (123lb) and Nimble Nimbus (123lb) in 1m 59.70s.

Taking his overall record to 16 wins and three seconds from 21 starts, Romantic Warrior boosted his prize money earnings to HK$154.92 million to continue his pursuit of retired Golden Sixty’s world record haul of HK$167.17 million.

Jumping from barrier one, Romantic Warrior settled in sixth place behind Sword Point and, as the field approaching the home turn, McDonald angled off the fence and fanned four-wide to challenge. Taking over at the 400m, Romantic Warrior exploded clear to win – eased down – by four and a quarter lengths.

James McDonald guides Romantic Warrior to a smooth victory | Credit: HKJC

Returning to Hong Kong for a five-week stint, McDonald was awestruck by Romantic Warrior’s victory, marking the New Zealander’s ninth win from 10 rides on the Hong Kong International Sale graduate.

“He’s like the prize fighter, isn’t he? Heavyweight champion of the world. You never really get nervous on him because he’s so good. He’s an incredible horse. I love him to bits and he’s very good,” McDonald said.

“You still got to go out and do it and (from) barrier one, you’re dictated to a little bit but he’s just so good – he can get you out of situations that other horses can’t. Just a phenomenal horse, I’m so proud of him. He’s come back in terrific order, he never lets you down ever and he’s just got this amazing will to win. It’s something I’ve never come across.”

Shum was pleased with his champion’s performance ahead of what he expects to be a far tougher assignment on 8 December.

“He was a little bit keen because he’d been off for five months, so he was a bit fresh. James put him in behind them and the fast pace suited,” Shum said. “He (McDonald) told me the horse is still improving, but I told him on 8 December it will be two different stories. The field will be totally different – much, much, much stronger than today. You see the entries – wow, so many good horses. So, it’s a tough race on December 8.”

Shum will vaccinate Romantic Warrior on Monday 18 November in preparation for possible tilts at the Gr1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh in February and the Gr1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) in April.

“It will be tough for him and the team not only in the next few weeks, but the next six months,”

Shum said. “If he runs good on December 8, the owner, Peter (Lau), is really keen to go (overseas). He deserves to have a try. It’s oncein-a-lifetime.”

Romantic Warrior was the second leg of a Gr2 double for McDonald, who also partnered Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble to victory in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m).

Zac Purton snared jockey honours with a treble, headed by Ka Ying Rising in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), Fast Network and Super Love Dragon.

Matthew Poon enhanced hopes of contesting the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on 4 December with Bravehearts’ win in the Class 3 BOC Credit Card Handicap (2000m) for Mark Newnham.

Poon sits in fifth place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 14 wins to trail Purton (40), Hugh Bowman (19), Vincent Ho (16) and Karis Teetan (14). With Purton and Ho already locked in for the four-race series, and Bowman comfortably placed, Poon is locked in battle with Teetan for the final spot.

A Group 1 winner in Argentina, Bravehearts boosted Newnham’s season haul to 15 wins.

Dennis Yip attributed the addition of blinkers to Fast Network as one of the factors in the lightly-raced gelding’s devastating victory in the Class 3 BOCHK Wealth Management Handicap (1000m) under Purton.

“I think the blinkers really helped today,” Yip said after the Wrote gelding clocked a blistering 55.83s in sweeping to a four and a half lengths margin.

Purton also produced a superb, ground-saving ride on Chris So-trained Super Love Dragon to land the Class 4 BOCHK SME in One Handicap (1400m).

Meowth made a successful debut for Luke Ferraris and Cody Mo, who then sealed a double with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Markwin in the Class 4 BOCHK “Banking Trendytoo” Handicap (1400m).

David Eustace and Teetan struck with Silvery Breeze in the Class 3 BOCHK BOC Pay Handicap (1400m) before ex-Singapore galloper Young Superstar won the Class 3

BOCHK Asset Management Handicap (1200m) for Tony Cruz and Angus Chung.

Formerly known as Kungfu Hero, the Press Statement gelding won his only start in Singapore before joining Cruz’s stable and is raced by the HKJC Racing Club Limited.

Pierre Ng also combined with Britney Wong and Spicy Spangle, the second standby starter who gained a start with the scratchings of Exceed The Wish and Top Scorer before winning the Class 4 BOCHK Cross-Border Services Handicap (1200m).

James McDonald and Danny Shum – plenty to look forward to | Credit: HKJC

Welcome bubbly, complimentary drinks & a 3-course feast. Indulge in culinary mastery as you witness the action! THE ULTIMATE VIP RACE DAY EXPERIENCE SCAN HERE

VOYAGE BUBBLE LANDS VICTORY AT SHA TIN

VOYAGE BUBBLE CLAIMED TOP SEED AMONG THE LOCAL HOPES FOR NEXT MONTH’S

HK$36 MILLION GR1 LONGINES HONG KONG MILE WITH VICTORY IN SUNDAY’S

HK$5.35 MILLION GR2 BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE AT SHA TIN.

Grinding to a seventh win at his 21st start, Voyage Bubble (128lb) was tenacious in victory over Chancheng Glory (123lb) and Galaxy Patch (123lb), respectively, clocking a winning time of 1m 32.82s as the race’s 3.5 second favourite for trainer Ricky Yiu, jockey James McDonald and owners, the Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate.

“He’s a tough horse, he loves it. He loves being in for a fight and he got the job done today,” McDonald said. “It’s nice to get one on the board and he’s trending the right way for three weeks’ time.”

Galaxy Patch – the contest’s 1.7 favourite –was unable to reel in Voyage Bubble as Yiu’s Deep Field gelding scooped his first win since January’s HK$13 million Gr1 Stewards’ Cup – the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero’s first and only Group 1 win.

Second in the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile to Golden Sixty, Voyage Bubble was unplaced in two overseas runs last term in Dubai and Japan before recapturing his winning groove at Sunday’s Bank of China (Hong Kong) Race Day, where Yiu sounded an ominous warning to rivals ahead of the 8 December contest at Sha Tin’s HK$126 million

Voyage Bubble has now won four times over the mile at Sha Tin | Credit: HKJC

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

“We think there is still a little something left in him left to come,” the trainer declared. “Yes, I was confident. Even though he finished second (first-up), I think he was only 75 or 80 per cent fit and that the race would bring him on.

“James knows him really well and with a small field we made the right decision to bring him forward and travel in a positive position. He managed to win it in quite comfortable style,” Yiu said.

Stepping away from gate nine, Voyage Bubble landed just outside of Beauty Eternal (128lb) – who led before fading to eighth. McDonald asked Voyage Bubble for an effort at the 400m mark and he responded with plenty of grit by hitting the front.

“I thought his run the other day was probably just as good as the favourite, Galaxy Patch, and he just needed a bit of luck and we got that,” McDonald said.

Voyage Bubble has now won four times over the mile at Sha Tin. Including several of the day’s opponents, the six-year-old could face overseas raiders Antino, Docklands and even Soul Rush in next month’s LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile fourth Soul Rush won Sunday’s Gr1 Mile Championship at Kyoto.

Voyage Bubble was second first-up this campaign behind Galaxy Patch in the HK$5.35 million Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap last month.

“First-up this season he finished a good second and this time the conditions were much better than his first start, and he showed the same level of performance that he did last season.

“From day one, I thought he was miler but the 2000m BMW Hong Kong Derby was only a four-year-old race. He’s one of the best milers in Hong Kong. I will see how he pulls up and mainly we just need to keep him happy because he knows his trick,” Yiu said.

Happy Together (123lb) returned for fourth on Sunday, while Beauty Joy (123lb) and Straight Arron (123lb) were fifth and sixth, respectively. Taj Dragon (123lb) dropped out to seventh with Red Lion (123lb) in ninth.

Ka Ying Rising won the day’s first feature – the HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint in course record time (1m 07.43s). Champion Romantic Warrior closed out the trio of feature races, gapping rivals in the HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup.

Ricky Yiu addresses media post-race | Credit: HKJC

KA YING RISING SMASHES SHA TIN TRACK RECORD

Ka Ying Rising’s irresistible surge towards Group 1 glory continued at Sha Tin on Sunday when David Hayes’ emerging champion sprinter powered to victory in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, breaking Sacred Kingdom’s long-standing track record.

Clocking 1m 07.43s despite being eased down over the last 100m by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising improved his overall record to eight wins and two seconds from 10 starts and took a stranglehold on the HK$26 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on 8 December.

Reeling off successive sectionals of 21.93s and 22.14s from the 800m, Ka Ying Rising (123lb) swept to a three and a quarter length victory over Howdeepisyourlove (123lb) with

Helios Express (123lb) a further short head away in third to eclipse Sacred Kingdom’s mark of 1m 07.50s, set in the same race on 17 November, 2007.

There is no doubt Ka Ying Rising could have recorded an even faster time had Purton ridden out the Shamexpress four-year-old, but such was the gelding’s superiority Purton had time to blow a kiss to a camera on the inside of the track.

Zac Purton celebrates as Ka Ying Rising blasts to victory at Sha Tin | Credit: HKJC

Settling third behind Victor The Winner and Copartner Prance after crossing from barrier 10, Ka Ying Rising stalked the speed before challenging at the 300m and, such was the 1.1 favourite’s blinding acceleration, the race was effectively over 200 metres from the finish line.

“I knew it was a track record, so I thought I would seal it with a kiss,” Purton said of his celebration. “It’s getting scary now how good he’s becoming and how easily he’s doing it. It’s a nice top-up run for the big one – LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint – next month.

“He’s certainly come a long way in a short period of time. I was on Aethero, who ran as favourite in the Hong Kong Sprint as a threeyear-old but, unfortunately, he had some health problems.

“This guy is the only other horse who’s improved as rapidly as that, that I’ve been on.

He’s just perfect to ride. He’s got great gate speed, he relaxes beautifully mid-race and he’s got a great turn of foot – it’s everything you need in a sprinter. He hasn’t won at Group 1 level yet, so he’s still got to do a bit.

“Every race, you need things to go right and we had things fall right in our favour today, so that was pleasing, but it was more pleasing for him to do what he did.”

David Hayes was relieved and elated post-race.

“He’s broken the track record and Zac was waving to the camera with 100m to go. What I loved about it was he forced the issue early the way he come back under him to sit third and fourth. From a trainer’s point of view, that is really something to look forward – to have a horse that relaxes in the run,” the dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) said.

David Hayes revels in the aftermath of Gr2 glory | Credit: HKJC

“It’s a course record held by a superstar, Sacred Kingdom. You’ve got to be pretty good to get the course record at Sha Tin when you see all these wonderful, promising horses racing on fast ground. To have your horse in the book is a bit of a thrill.

“I love looking at his action on race days –he just has that extra action. When it’s time to accelerate, when he ambles up, he really lengthens and puts races to bed really quickly. He’s a bottomless pit at the moment.

“He was a late-furnishing horse. I think that probably was why he got defeated a couple times by Wunderbar – he was a little bit immature. He thinks he’s undefeated because he was beaten a millimetre twice. When you see him walking around, some of the big, established sprinters here in Hong Kong look a bit more furnished than him, so there’s plenty more to come from this horse.”

Regarding the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, Hayes said: “All he has to do really now is hold his form and I can’t see any reason why he won’t. We’ve got 21 more sleeps before the big Group 1 in three weeks, so we’re really looking forward to it. “I think he’s the horse they have to beat. I’m not sure what is coming at the moment, but they will have a big job to beat him.”

John Size-trained pair Howdeepisyourlove and Helios Express again caught the eye with charging runs from the tail of the field. Howdeepisyourlove clocked the race’s fastest sectionals (21.57s, 21.86s) in storming from 10th, while Helios Express stormed from eighth (21.69s and 22.15s).

Group 1 winners Invincible Sage, Victor The Winner and California Spangle – all carrying 128lb – finished fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

A BREAKTHROUGH VICTORY FOR YULONG RACING EMPIRE

4YO Kimochi brought the Yulong racing empire its seventh Gr1 for the Spring and ended a frustrating run of top-level placings with a stirring breakthrough victory in Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield.

Ridden to perfection from gate 13 of 14 by Craig Williams, the Gary Portelli-trained mare found an ideal spot in running one off the fence towards the tail of the field, and surged home in the straight to win a titanic battle with Another Wil and prevail by almost half a length.

Kimochi (Brave Smash) first went through an Inglis sale when bought by expat Hong Kong businessman Leo To’s Hall Of Fame Bloodstock for just A$21,000 from the Valiant Stud draft, who consigned her on behalf of

breeder Aquis Farm, at the 2021 Australian Weanling Sale at Riverside Stables.

Her 2YO and 3YO seasons saw her build a strong record with her 13 starts yielding two wins, including the Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes, and nine placings – three of them at Gr1 level – before she was offered by To at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May.

Presented in the Twin Hills Stud draft, the then 3YO was bought by Yulong associate Ilsay Vale

Kimochi ridden by Craig Williams wins the Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse Credit: Pat Scala/Racing Photos supplied by Inglis

for A$2.2 million, making her the third-highest priced lot of the auction.

With Yulong deciding to keep her in training as a 4YO, she has made that decision look an inspired one with a lucrative Spring preparation.

In her first run in Yulong’s famed green and white in August, she defied a three-wide run to win Randwick’s Gr3 Toy Show Quality.

She is now a Gr1 winner, bringing Portelli his ninth success at the top level, her Yarraman Park sire Brave Smash his first, and Williams a phenomenal seventh victory in the Rupert Clarke.

“There was a bit of pressure on us – Yulong have been on fire with their famous colours in

the last few weeks,” Portelli said with a smile after the race.

“I was able to win first-up with her and she’d just hit a couple of little flat spots since. Back to the 1400m today, no weight on her back (52.5kg), and a champion ride; it was a brilliant ride from barrier 13 to get one-off the fence.

“She was a long way back at one stage but it is a dream come true for us. We need the bigger owners behind us, that helps, and we’ve repaid their faith.

Yulong General Manager Vin Cox was overjoyed with the victory – and not just because he’s been close friends with dual Golden Slipper winner Portelli for more than 30 years.

“It’s very exciting, and terrific for Gary,” said Cox, who excused himself from the vote at Yulong to decide whether or not to leave Kimochi with his old mate.

“From the moment we bought her, Gary said, ‘I’m going to win a Gr1 with this mare’.

“He was confident and then he was true to his word, more importantly, and delivered in the Rupert Clarke.

“We’re absolutely over the moon to have won a Gr1 with her and add to her race record and her pedigree.”

Cox said Yulong had been determined to buy Kimochi when she was entered for the Inglis Chairman’s sale.

“At that stage, she was a Gr2 winner with good potential racing upside,” Cox said. “You always hope you’re going to win a Gr1, though you can never expect it. She was only three at the time, so you felt there was always the opportunity to hopefully win some nice races.”

For Twin Hills owner Olly Tait, Kimochi’s Gr1 coronation capped a long association with the mare.

“Leo bought her as a weanling and we got her after that, and looked after her as a weanling and yearling,” Tait said.

“When Leo decided to sell her, we got her back and got her ready for the Chairman’s sale.

“She sold herself really. Her form was so good, and she was so good looking, but still she sold well.

“The Chairman’s sale obviously is a great place to show off those fillies of that calibre, and Inglis did a great job in helping us promote her.

“It was a good result for the seller and for the buyer. We thought at the time she sold very well. Now she’s won a Gr1, it looks like she was very well bought indeed.

“She’s a deserved Gr1 winner, after being placed in a number of Gr1s before today. She’s a most beautiful filly, and I’m just delighted to see her win today.”

Portelli, famed as the trainer of, amongst others, A$20,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase and Gr1 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, said winning Gr1s was of huge significance.

“It’s important. We’re only a small stable and most of our owners are just mums and dads who want to get involved in racing. We give them an experience they wouldn’t get in some of the bigger stables,” he said.

“So, for us to get a Gr1 gives them confidence that any horse that comes through our stable, we can get them to win at this level.

“I have a great team behind me that do the work at home and I want to thank them as well. They are the people that go behind the scenes that don’t get thanked enough. We’ve got some nice horses coming through, so the race is not over for me just yet.”

The last Gr1 day of the year on Australia’s eastern seaboard capped a special spring for Yulong, after Zhang’s tens of millions of dollars’ worth of investment in establishing the enterprise in the past few years.

“It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, to win seven Gr1s in the spring is a phenomenal statistic,” Cox said. “I hope we can do it again, but I fear it may not happen.”

Kimochi, who is one of 102 Gr1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and one of 45 that could have been bought for A$100,000 or less, brought her career earnings past the A$1.9m mark with today’s win.

The win also proved a tremendous result for Kia Ora Stud, who purchased the dam of Kimochi,

Summer Fun, for just A$80,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.

Making the day even better for the green and white army of Yulong, their Kris Lees-trained 2YO filly Gobi Desert – the top lot at this year’s Inglis Classic sale – won impressively on debut in Newcastle’s Max Lees Classic over 900m.

By star sire Too Darn Hot out of Hell It’s Hot, Gobi Desert was a A$600,000 purchase at the Classic sale, sold through the draft of North on behalf of breeders Fred Moses, Peter Brown and Bob Charley.

Meanwhile, Inglis Premier Yearling sale graduate Jasmin Rouge (Dundeel) rewarded trainer Clinton McDonald for his faith by winning the Gr3 Thoroughbred Club of

Australia Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield at just her second start.

Bought by McDonald for just A$70,000 from the Segenhoe Stud draft at Premier, the 3YO followed a debut third just three weeks ago by flying home from eighth on the turn to win by 0.75 lengths under Ben Melham.

Jasmin Rouge led home a 1-2-3-4 in the race for Inglis graduates, defeating Premier graduate Tobeornottobe and Easter filly On Display.

She continues a fine tradition at Premier for Segenhoe, with their recent graduates of the sale including multiple Group winner and triple Gr1-placed sprinter I Am Me, Stakes-winning, Gr1-placed Hypothetical and high-class 3YO Reserve Bank.

“We have had incredible results with yearlings we’ve sent to Premier, from small numbers,”

Segenhoe’s General

Manager

Peter O’Brien said.

“It’s a sale that’s been very good to us. Jasmin Rouge went for a bargain price, but Clinton saw in her what we saw in her.

“I always loved her. She wasn’t your typical big and imposing sales horse, but she had a beautiful mind and a beautiful action.

“Sometimes you can take a horse to a sale and they don’t tick every box, but Clinton actually loved her, so I’m particularly delighted for him.”

And at Riccarton in New Zealand on Wednesday, well-related 4YO mare Acquarello (Written Tycoon) claimed a valuable Group win at her first start in Stakes company in the Gr3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes over 1400m.

The Rifa Mustang-bred filly was offered through the Sledmere draft at Easter and was bought for A$400,000 by agent Andrew Williams, who purchased her on behalf of owners Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud.

The 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale was a particularly successful one for Williams who sourced not only Acquarello, but also Te Akau’s Group-winning sprinter Sans Doute and Gr3placed mare Petrucci, who also raced in the Trelawney Stud silks.

Inglis Digital is offering high-class filly Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) through a standalone Digital Sale, bidding for which will open on Monday and close on Tuesday November 19.

‘The Bold Bastille Sale’ showcases the most precocious 2YO of her generation, a triple Stakes-winning 2YO from a reputable speed family, who is being offered as a racing and breeding prospect.