SP SPRINT 8 FEBRUARY 2023

Wednesday 08 February 2023

POWER OF WON!

Candiese Lenferna snapped these ominous clouds over Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday

CONTENTS

Days Of Thunder!

06 Rachel knocks ‘em for a 6! Eye Of The Prophet opens SA Triple Crown

14 Soma & Strydom in pound seats

Past it? Not on your life!

42 Cape In Shape! The Bortz factor warms winter

52 Charles heads Cape Derby entry

Snaith brings in the army!

72 Dubai World Cup ‘23 What a cast!

On the cover

Two of the grand old men of SA racing, Joey Soma and Piere Strydom showed the rest how it’s done after Lady Of Power won the Wilgerbosdrift

Gr2 Gauteng Fillies

Guineas. Pic is courtesy of JC Photos.

Issue: 06/2023

JC Photos

RACHEL OPENS SA TRIPLE CROWN

South African champion apprentice Rachel Venniker registered another milestone on her fast growing cv when she produced a courageous ride to outgun former SA champion Smanga Khumalo in a thrilling finish to the R1 million WSB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday.

thriller

The crops are raised as Eye Of The Prophet (Rachel Venniker) and Royal Victory (Smanga Khumalo) fight out a

A far more experienced rider on a more exposed feature campaigner, Smanga Khumalo looked like he had timed his run to perfection on the Nathan Kotzen-trained Royal Victory.

But Miss Venniker wasn’t letting a golden opportunity to grab her maiden Gr2 success slip through her fingers! On a day where surprise results were the order of proceedings, Eye Of The Prophet (33-1) completed a 3800-1 feature treble when he got the better of Royal Victory (5-1) by a nose in a time of 99,17 secs.

When the two came together late, both riders had their crops in their outside hands, with Royal Victory lugging across and appearing to carry Eye Of The Prophet off a straight course. But Rachel made it easy for the Stipes as she managed to hang on. The rest were well beaten, with Electric Gold (25-1) completing the trifecta.

Jimmy Don (10-1) was a half length back in fourth, with Anfields Rocket (8-1) making his way from last, to bank the R25 000 fifth cheque.

The highly vaunted Shoemaker, having his first start since the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, was taken up to lead but faded out to last.

He is something of an enigma and the betting public may well have lost any faith in him.

A beaming Rachel Venniker was out of breath but clearly thrilled.

“I had my head down and asked the guys if Smanga had caught me. I am so grateful to Mr Paul Matchett and the Kapnias family have given me such chances. I love this horse!” she added.

Trainer Paul Matchett said that Rachel and Eye Of The Prophet have built a bond. “They really get on so well.

Thanks to my team – and owners Matthew and Anthony Kapnias missed their first Gr2 win – they are in Tanzania. But we are all thrilled!”

A R200 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Eye Of the Prophet is raced by Messrs M J Kapnias & A M Kapnias and was bred Patricia Devine Investments (Pty) Ltd from champion More Than Ready sire Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) out of the one-time winning Fort Wood mare, Umlilo.

He has now won 3 races with 5 places from 12 starts for stakes of R884 500.

The World Sports Betting SA Triple Crown for 3-year-olds is the richest series of races in Africa and comprises Saturday’s feature as well as the R1 5 million WSB Gr1 SA Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 4 March.

The third leg is the R1,5 million WSB Gr1 SA Derby to be run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 1 April.

A bonus of R2 million will be paid to connections of the horse that wins all three legs of the WSB SA Triple Crown.

CALVIN’S FLYING FIRST CLASS

Already a multiple Gr1 winning rider, things are happening quickly in the life of Calvin Habib. The 25 year old had his last ride at Turffontein on Guineas day and flew out of Johannesburg on Monday afternoon on a Singapore Airlines flight all set for an exciting new phase in his career.

Calvin chatted to the Sporting Post while packing his suitcases on Sunday afternoon. The talented son of former jockey Donovan Habib said he was excited at the thought of joining the yard of South African trainer Ricardo Le Grange at Kranji’s state-of-theart training facilities.

Le Grange is an institution in Singapore. Originally a stud farm worker and assistant to Joey Soma here in SA, Ricardo was granted a trainer’s licence in December 2016. He had originally made the move to Singapore in 2001 with the now retired Patrick Shaw.

“The Singapore season started on 7 January, but Ricardo confirmed that most horses were needing their first run and that I haven’t missed much. I had my feature commitments in South Africa up to Saturday, and wanted to honour those.

Things happened pretty quickly and my visa arrived promptly. So I’m on my way and hope to have my first rides on Sunday, including the 2022 Singapore Gold Cup winner Hongkong Great, who could be a big horse for the season, “ adds Calvin enthusiastically. The decision to travel east was made fairly quickly, but with plenty of thought and consideration.

“Both Ryan Munger and JP van der Merwe told me not to hesitate and that they would be very happy to be riding in Singapore if the opportunities existed. I have been to Singapore previously, but was only a young apprentice at the time. My cousin was riding there and I enjoyed what I saw. I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity,” he adds.

On the domestic front, Calvin is married to a highly qualified professional in Shandre, who is a daughter of former legendary jockey and Stipe, Andre Hoffmann.

Shandre and Calvin Habib – happy couple off to Singapore

We asked whether she would be joining him.

“Yes of course! Both Shandre and Ellie (a cross Pekingese) – she’s actually our child- will be travelling across to join me in a few weeks. We are in the process of selling our house at the moment,”he confirms.

But February won’t be easy –it’s Valentine’s Day on the 14th and Calvin celebrates his 26th birthday on 19 February.

“Thank goodness for interflora – I can at least send some flowers. But we will leave all the celebrations for their arrival,” he laughs.

Calvin has been riding with great success for Sean Tarry since cracking his maiden Gr1 success in June 2021 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville when Under Your Spell stormed to victory in the Allan

Robertson Championship. Trainer Sean Tarry, for whom Calvin has ridden all four of his Gr1 winners, told the Sporting Post that he wished Calvin all the very best and that it was a deserved opportunity for somebody who has worked very hard.

“A stable jockey relationship is one that is forged and built over time through interaction and hard work. There is no plan for us to replace Calvin now and the in-form jockeys will get the opportunities and the rides,” added the multiple national champion conditioner.

Calvin leaves South Africa at sixth position on the national log with 71 winners. Interestingly he has surpassed the hard slogger Muzi Yeni (766) as the country’s hardest working rider, with 772 rides to his credit. Log-leader Keagan

de Melo has ridden 752 horses in the same time period. Calvin Habib was always destined to be a jockey, but he had to jump a few hurdles along the way!

He grew up in a horseracing house, with his Dad and cousin Derreck David jockey. Mom Amanda has been doing the jockey room catering at Turffontein and the Vaal for years.

“I recall as a ten year old going to work with Mom and just wishing I could put on the boots and the silks and go out and ride a winner.

The atmosphere was intoxicating and my superheroes as a young boy were the jockeys, rather than the predictable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the likes of Batman.

Calvin boots Flying First Class home in the Allez France for his last feature victory on SA soil – for now!

JC Photos

So I was probably always predisposed towards a career in the game,” he is on record as telling us in an earlier interview.

He was rejected when first applying at the SA Jockey Academy as the experts felt he would get too tall in time.

“So I joined Mr James Maree’s Workriders Programme with Lyle Hewitson and will never look back on that experience. I learnt so much and it formed my attitude towards my career – long before I knew I would actually even get accepted at the Academy!”

Calvin rode his first winner on 3 May 2014 at Turffontein.

The filly’s name was Lucky Gambler for Devin Little and another eight winners followed as a workrider before his reapplying at SAJA.

“What a feeling it was when I walked through the doors of the SA Jockey Academy on 13 January 2015 alongside the likes of Denis Schwarz, Dylan Lerena, Ashton Arries, Louis Burke, Khanya Sakayi, Sandile Mbhele and Leon Tarentaal.

It was only three months after starting that he rode his first winner as a professional apprentice jockey!”

The date was 17 April 2015 and Calvin piloted Missmasala to victory at Hollywoodbets

Greyville for Sean Tarry. His trip to Singapore will not be his first international exposure.

In late 2017 he rode in Bahrain and picked up 7 winners from 50 odd rides. He also rode in France in an apprentice challenge and has had plenty of success across the border in Zimbabwe.

We wish Calvin, Shandre and Ellie all the very best in their new life in the island country. With the free-to-enter Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge proving popular on Singapore racing, Calvin Habib will be a man to follow for many players!

STRYDOM & SOMA UNLIMITED!

Education only teaches you to spell ‘experience’!

A pearl of wisdom from veteran master trainer Joey Soma after fellow stalwart Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom rode a peach of a race to win the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas on free-striding longshot Lady Of Power.

Strydom’s retirement date has become a bigger point of uncertainty in recent

months than the debate on the outcome of the EU audit on our export protocols. Who knows which one comes first?

And just a week after riding in his last WSB Cape Town Met, the 56 year old showed his genius in the saddle with a terrific front-running ride on the Master Of My Fate filly, who has now thrown him a curved ball.

“She should be more suited

to the 1800m, so I may have to seriously reconsider that pension date! One doesn’t get a bite at the SA Triple Tiara every day,” he laughed after Pick 6 and Jackpot punters ran for cover in another knockout blow after in the wellpatronised exotics.

Lady Of Power was doing it so easy early, that Strydom thought it might be a false start. One could argue that he rode them to sleep!

The majestic Piere Strydom steers Lady Of Power to a terrific win

But it was all so simple in the end as the good-looking Lady Of Power (25-1) kept rolling to beat the late-finishing Feather Boa (4-1) by a quarter length in a time of 100,02 secs to give the experienced Joey Soma his first victory in the fillies classic.

The fancied Gimme A Shot was given every chance and took off late to be beaten out of the quartets into fifth. Strydom said that with Lady Of Power’s gate speed she does it so easy.

“She was doing it at her speed. There was no pressure on me. Well done to Joey and thanks to the owners. I appreciate the support,” added the humble hero.

With a treble in the bag on the day, Joey Soma said that Lady Of Power’s victory was a 6 month plan in the making.

“She has shown us superstar potential from day one. She

had a throat issue and was out of action for five months.

Thanks to the owners who came to the party when we were stuck. Gary , Dylan and Neville – thanks all different class,” he added, saying that he had run out of tears.

Soma closed by saying that racing and breeding owes the like of Mary so much. “For all the blood they have introduced and for all they have done to aid racing. Where does one start?” he said.

The winner is raced by Kisten Pillay Racing Syndicate (Nom: Trevelen Pillay), MGAS Bloodstock(Nom: GA Soma),Power Of 5 Syndicate(Nom:YaganNair) & Messrs D Chinsammy, RGCoppin & E Naicker.

A R175 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Lady Of Power took her career earnings to

R579 625 with her 3rd win and 2 places from 6 starts.

Bred by James Armitage, she is a daughter of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the Fort Wood mare, Duchess Delight.

The Wilgerbosdrift SA

Triple Tiara for 3-year-old fillies is the richest series of races for fillies in Africa and comprises Saturday’s feature, and then the R1,25 million Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 4 March.

The third leg is the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 1 April.

A bonus of R1 million will be paid to the connections of the filly that wins all three legs of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.

The thrilled connections

JC Photos

‘Considering that Lady Of Power is bred on the same cross as Caradoc Gold Cup hero African Adventure, Derby Trial winner Gift For The Gap, and Kenyan Triple Crown winner Silverstone, the step up to 1800m in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic should be within her scope, but…’

A smiling Piere Strydom unsaddles after Lady Of Power's sensational end-to-end win

THE POWER OF PATIENCE

Patience is a virtue, in particular in horse-racing and when applied, it often does pay off. That adage definitely applies to the connections of three-year-old Lady Of Power, who caused somewhat of a stir when she opened her stakes account in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

The daughter of Master Of My Fate had to undergo surgery for a wind problem, during which the vets also discovered two ulcers near her windpipe.

Needless to say, she spent the next few months on the sidelines and when she returned on Christmas eve, ran fourth in a sprint. Exactly a month later, she defied both top weight and a wide draw to score by a wide margin victory over 1450m.

On Saturday, trainer Joey Soma had his charge razor sharp and in a masterful display of frontrunning under veteran jockey Pierre Strydom, she showed grit and class in equal measures to repel a determined Feather Boa in a tight finish to the mile classic. Understandably, her connections are now dreaming big, with the Triple Tiara top of the list.

Lady Of Power is the latest stakes winner bred by James Armitage, who acquired her dam Duchess Delight from owner Colin Bird in a foal share deal. The daughter of Fort Wood had shown little in five starts, but as James remarked: "She's by Fort Wood and as a daughter of the excellent racemare Duchess Daba, I felt she was worth taking the chance."

Duchess Daba raced for the Kalmansons of Varsfontein Stud. One of the best of her generation and a classic winner of the Gr1 SA Fillies Guineas, she had the distinction of defeating no less than Horse of the Year Celtic Grove in the Gr1 November Handicap.

As a broodmare, Duchess Daba proved a disappointment to put it mildly and failed to reproduce anything resembling herself, notwithstanding the fact that she visited elite stallions such as Fort Wood, Western Winter, Trippi and Gimmethegreenlight. Only four of her ten foals succeeded on the track, headed by the three-time winner Go Dutch.

Considering that Lady Of Power is bred on the same cross as Caradoc Gold Cup hero African Adventure, Derby Trial winner Gift For The Gap, and Kenyan Triple Crown winner Silverstone, the step up to 1800m in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic should be within her scope, however, her extended female line suggests the Oaks trip may just be a tad too far.

Duchess Daba won up to a mile, surprisingly, since she was by speed influence National Assembly out of the brilliant sprinter Izindaba. Racing fans of a certain age will cherish the memories of this daughter of Politician, who raced from two to six and scored no less than 15 times while accounting for the Gr3 Diana Stakes and two renewals of the Champagne Stakes.

The majority of Izindaba's offspring clearly inherited their dam's impressive turn of foot. Duchess Daba's own brother Chief Editor won up to 1400m, chased home Golden Loom in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint and also ran second to Classic Flag in the mile Gr2 Dingaans and Gr2 MEC Guineas.

To the grand sprinter Phantom Earl, Izindaba bred the Gr1placed juvenile stakes winner Phantom News, while Caesour son Caesar's Warrior ran second in the Gr3 Man O'War Stakes.

A rare exception was daughter Persuasive Reason. Sired by the miler Rainbow Dream, she scored up to 1800m and when mated to Caesour, produced Winter Oaks winner Cause To Believe.

Tragically, James lost Duchess Delight last year. "She died of complications after foaling a filly by Pathfork."

Whether he will part with that depends on how Lady Of Power progresses. As fortune would have it though, there is another daughter of Duchess Delight roaming the Sandown paddocks, the young Ashaawes mare Glamorous Life, who is currently in foal to Soqrat. A three-time winner for Glen Kotzen, she earned small black type when third in the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes.

For now, Lady Of Power appears to have overcome her physical problems and as she looks to be on an upward spiral, Strydom may yet have to postpone his retirement a little longer!

BLING IN THE THING AFTER GUINEAS

Former SA champion jockey Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo will want to put the memory of Saturday’s WSB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas well behind him after going down a head second and picking up a suspension and a fine in the process.

The Championships season certainly kicked off with a bang at Turffontein Racecourse as 4Racing hosted the first race day of the season, the Gauteng Guineas Day.

Khumalo and champion apprentice Rachel Venniker provided the thriller of the afternoon , when Royal Victory and Eye Of The Prophet went hammer and tongs to the wire, with the talented lady rider gaining the upperhand with a supreme display of horsemanship to win the opening leg of the SA Triple Crown on Paul Matchett’s Eye Of The Prophet.

But the Stipes didn’t enjoy

what they saw:

Watch the concluding stages here:

It has been reported that in the concluding stages, Eye Of The Prophet (Venniker) was bumped in and then was carried in significantly by Khumalo’s mount Royal Victory, which shifted in away from the crop.

Khumalo was thus charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to Eye Of The Prophet n the concluding stages.

Khumalo signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of ten days, the dates of which will be advised.

Khumalo was also charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that

he misused his crop by striking Royal Victory more than twelve times in the race.

Jockey Khumalo signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R12 000. When assessing the penalty, the Board took into consideration the number of times the crop was used (15), the manner in which and the distance over which the crop was used, the status of the race as well as Jockey Khumalo’s recent record with regard to this Rule and Guideline.

To rub salt into the Guineas wound, Khumalo was pipped by Venniker in the final race of the day when Gimmealight got up in the final stride to beat In The Beginning.

So high drama and excitement to launch the Highveld feature season!

Smanga Khumalo (brown cap, closest to camera) and Rachel Venniker slug it out

UPCOMING RACES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Day 2: Classic Day, 4 March:

World Sports Betting SA Classic (Grade 1) (Second leg of the Triple Crown)

Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) (Second leg of the Triple Tiara)

Day 3: Derby Day, 1 April:

World Sports Betting SA Derby (Grade 1) (Third leg of the Triple Crown)

Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks (Grade 2)

(Third leg of the Triple Tiara)

H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1)

Day 4: Ladies Day, 15 April:

HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes (Grade 1)

Day 5: Championships Finale, Champions Day, 29 April:

Premier’s Champions Challenge (Grade 1)

Computaform Sprint (Grade 1)

SA Nursery (Grade 2)

SA Filles Nursey (Grade 2)

Gerald Rosenberg Stakes (Grade 2)

Camellia Stakes (Grade 2) Gold Bowl (Grade 3)

RACHEL’S DREAM DAY

Rachel Venniker was pulling horses out in the sleepy Summerveld dawn light on Sunday morning, almost oblivious to the fact that under 14 hours earlier she was going at it hammer and tongs 550km away at Turffontein with former SA Champion rider Smanga Khumalo, to secure her groundbreaking maiden Grade 2 victory.

We asked why that champagne milestone moment had not qualified her for at least a mini lie-in on Sunday morning?

“Mr Michael Roberts is the ultimate professional. He never failed to pitch for work after his many Gr1 winners. I don’t even dare ask for privileges. I flew back from Johannesburg to Durban on Saturday evening.

I battled a bit to sleep as I was still on a high. But I was at work on time and had to ride at Hollywoodbets Scottsville the same day. I am doing what I am doing today, as a result of Mr Roberts’ inspiration and work ethic,” she says proudly as she chats to the Sporting Post 48 hours after her terrific success in the WSB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas.

Rachel maintained her winning streak at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday

Candiese Lenferna

Such is the inspiration and stamp on the 21 year old SA Champion Apprentice’ career of the legendary Michael ‘Muis’ Roberts that Rachel tells how his was the first call she received after the races on Saturday.

“Getting that call from Mr Roberts with a ‘well done and congratulations’ meant as much to me as winning the Guineas. I have been very fortunate to have had an internationally accomplished champion jockey to mentor me. I don’t forget how really lucky I am, ever!” she adds with a broad smile.

The Jonsson Workwearsponsored Rachel, our only female jockey, is comfortably ensconced in a top-ten position on the national log and put the cherry on the top of a memorable day as she again beat the by now befuddled Smanga Khumalo to win the last on Gimmealight – again for Paul Matchett.

Rachel tells how she thought that Gimmealight was her likely winner on the day, and that the double was a lovely, albeit not a major surprise at all!

“She’s a lovely filly and I did feel that Eye Of The Prophet was going to make his presence felt in the Guineas. But as the day gets closer, you know how it goes, the doubt creeps in. One hears how well this one is doing, and how that one is coming along nicely. So I started thinking – hang on,

this is the Guineas. The first leg of the SA Triple Crown. Get your feet on the ground –these are hard-knocking 3yo’s. This is tough. In the end, Eye Of The Prophet pulled it off. What a horse,” she enthuses modestly.

We observe that Eye Of The Prophet was some way back and Rachel tells about the run up the home straight.

“I know – we were some way back. But he makes it up so beautifully. He sort of canters up to the leaders. I just put my head down and kept my crop in my right hand as he can hang a bit. That last stretch went by in a flash. I asked the guys at the pull-up.

victories. She calls him a ‘funny’ horse but theirs has been a racing union made in heaven, since day 1. She tells that things happened quite fortuitously.

“I was at supper with my folks at the Summerveld Country Lodge. Mr Paul Matchett walked up and said he had a horse he’d like me to ride. I turned up at his yard the next morning and the rest is history, as they say!”

About Eye Of The Prophet, Rachel says he is ‘so lovable but doesn’t like too many people’.

“That is beyond his Groom Anton, Paul Matchett and myself. A very fussy fellow, but what a fantastic horse!”

I just put my head down and kept my crop in my right hand as he can hang a bit.

They were saying well done, you got it – but my mind flashed back to the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes on Gold Cup day, where they said I had won it on Sun Blushed. And we were beaten by Warren Kennedy on Swing Upon A Star. I thought, just don’t get ahead of yourself.

Turffontein is also very deceptive on the line. But then the result came up and I wanted to scream yesssss!” she says with a bounce in her voice.

Rachel has been aboard at all of Eye Of The Prophet’s

Can he win the SA Triple Crown?

“I believe he will stay the 2450m of the SA Derby. I’d like to think he will be very competitive. Mr Matchett is a veteran and knows what he is doing, so I will leave that in his hands.”

On Sunday, Rachel was back at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She had to wait until the last to ride a winner – Our Emily for Michael Roberts.

“It’s a great game this. On Saturday I rode a double – on Sunday it was all back to the basics. But fortunately Our Emily produced a cracker to win. That was a relief, believe me,” she laughs.

WOOD BURNS BRIGHT ON GUINEAS DAY

Not for the first time, the late Fort Wood made a big impression at Turffontein on Saturday. The former champion South African sire is broodmare sire of both the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Lady Of Power (Master Of My Fate) and Gr2 World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas victor Eye Of The Prophet.

Fort Wood is also broodmare sire of William Longsword, sire of Saturday's smart debut winner Back In Business, while his grandson Act Of War is the sire of G3 World Sports

Betting Tommy Hotspur Stakes winner Rollwiththepunches.

Former Cape Guineas winner Act Of War is a son of Fort Wood's outstanding son Dynasty, who is having an outstanding posthumous season in 2022-2023.

Dynasty is sire of this season's Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas/Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Make It Snappy, and the former Horse Of The Year is also broodmare sire of five stakes winners this season headed by brilliant Gr1

Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Charles Dickens (Trippi).

Fillies Guineas winner Lady Of Power, a first Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner for her sire Master Of My Fate, is bred on the same Master Of My Fate/ Fort Wood cross as Gr3 WSB Best Odds, First Caradoc Gold Cup winner African Adventure and Derby Trial winner Gift For The Gap.

Fort Wood also sired Master Of My Fate's Spook Express Handicap winning half-sister Justthewayyouare, dam of

The iconic Fort Wood (Sadler's Wells - Fall Aspen)

2021 South African Triple Crown winner Malmoos (Captain Al).

Eye Of The Prophet, who joins National Park as a Gauteng Guineas winner for the redhot Gimmethegreenlight, is bred on a cross which has already had plenty of success. Graded stakes winners bred on the Gimmethegreenlight/ Fort Wood cross also include

Second Base, Gee For Go, Hack Green, and Light Speed.

Speedy Gr3 Magnolia Handicap winner Green Pepper, dam of Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Sweet Pepper (Trippi), is yet another graded stakes winner bred on the Gimmethegreenlight/Fort Wood cross, while Fort Wood also appears in the pedigrees

of the Gimmethegreenlight sired Gr1 winners She's A Keeper (Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes) and Gimme A Prince (Pongrac Cape Flying Championship).

Continuing the success, Dynasty is broodmare sire of Gimmethegreenlight's Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Ciao Bella.

At the age of 56, multiple champion Piere Strydom showed again on Saturday that there are few better value riders in the world. His retirement date has reached the same levels of the EU Audit results - clearly imminent, but don't hold your breath!

Now that he has a genuine shot at the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara, who can blame him for hanging in and going for a another chapter of history on his extraordinary cv?

No jockey in our history has reached the Striker stratosphere and even the late Lester Piggott 'only' rode 4493 winners. Lester retired close to 60 years of age after having ridden his first winner at the age of 12. Striker started later, so maybe he has a few years left?

We received this meme from the riding community and which we felt was good fun. Piere had a good laugh too.

EMOTIONAL BLOW AS ASHBURTON SHUTS GATES

Ashburton - time has marched on and popularity waned

John Lewis

At a Gold Circle Board meeting held on Monday, 6 February 2023, it was decided to mothball the Ashburton Training Centre and relocate the five resident trainers and their horses to Summerveld.

The decision was taken in light of the difficult trading environment over the past six months. The mothballing of Ashburton would cut operational costs and reduce the financial burden on the company. The move is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Summerveld has about 800

empty stables and Ashburton currently houses around 196 horses.

The closing of Ashburton has been on the cards for a number of years as the number of trainers housed at the centre has reduced from twelve to five. Gold Circle has come to an arrangement with the trainers and grooms to assist in the costs of relocating to Summerveld.

Former KZN Champion Trainer, Duncan Howells, said it was sad that the centre had to close but felt that it was the correct decision for the betterment of KwaZulu-Natal

racing in the light of current circumstances.

Ashburton was originally built by the Pietermaritzburg Turf Club as an alternative to Summerveld before the amalgamation of the three racing clubs, namely the Pietermaritzburg Turf Club, the Durban Turf Club and the Clairwood Turf Club into Gold Circle.

Media release by Gold Circle on Wednesday 8 February 2023.

WHAT A PUNCH-UP!

Roy Magner’s Act Of War

gelding Rollwiththepunches turned on the speed reminiscent of the champion chestnut bullet in whose honour the feature is named when winning the 2023 renewal of the World Sports Betting Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.

Riding like a demon since his return from Mauritius last month, Denis Schwarz

had the 4yo gelding ripping out front and all of them gasping for air as, running fresh after a five month break, Rollwiththepunches carried too many guns for his opposition.

Never headed over a trip thought to be marginally short of his best,

Rollwiththepunches (25-2) flew away to beat the late rattling Far Away Winter (7-1) by a quarter length in a time of 56,11 secs.

JC Photos

Denis Schwarz did some low-flying on Magner’s Rollwiththepunches! (Pic – JC Photos)

The flying filly Big Burn (13-10) was always chasing and had no answers, holding on for third a further 1,25 lengths adrift.

This was Rollwiththepunches first stakes success and a welcome first ‘trophy’ for partowner Malcom Cruickshank, who was on course with his granddaughter Layla. He owns the smart speedster in partnership with Steve Leahy.

Veteran trainer Roy Magner said that they thought Big Burn may be a bit quicker than their charge.

“But his work has been good!” he smiled.

Denis Schwarz said it was an honour to be riding a winner on the big day.

A R160 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the winner was bred by Summerhill Stud from the Dynasty stallion Act Of War out of the five-time winning Russian Revival mare, Lady Red.

Now a winner of 6 races with 7 places from 19 starts, Rollwiththepunches has earned R507 124 in stakes.

race is run annually in honour of Tommy Hotspur who was the proverbial Ferrari on four legs, known for demolishing his opposition with his lightning toe.

Trained for the larger part of his career by Gary Alexander, and then by David Ferraris, he won his first 8 starts in a row, and 10 races in total, including the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.

Denis Schwarz steers Rollwiththepunches to an eyecatching win

PROPHET JUMPS TO 113

Paul Matchett’s Eye Of The Prophet has had his merit rating raised from 93 to 113 following his victory in the Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 4 February.

The Handicappers were of the view that 4th finisher JIMMY DON made for the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 105.

There were also increases for 2nd finisher ROYAL VICTORY, who is up slightly from 111 to 112, and for 3rd placed ELECTRIC GOLD, who goes from 104 to 106.

It is worth noting that ELECTRIC GOLD had run to a mark of 106 when finishing 2nd in the Grade 3 London News Stakes at his most recent start, but the specific conditions of that race did not

permit for any increase to his merit rating. The only other increases were for RULE BY FORCE, who goes up from 86 to 102, and for ATTICUS FINCH, who was upped from 88 to 92.

There were drops for two horses. GOLDEN PROSPECT is down from 96 to 91, while ALLEZ MORIS drops from 96 to 90.

GR2 WILGERBOSDRIFT FILLIES GUINEAS

LADY OF POWER has had her rating raised from 91 to 109 after capturing the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

Here it was the runner-up FEATHER BOA who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 108.

3rd placed RENY goes up from 86 to 106, while 4th finisher EMIRATE GINA was raised from 99 to 105.

EMIRATE GINA only raced here off a pre-rating of 99

due to the 6 pounds cap she enjoyed for her win in the Fillies Mile (Grade 3) where she actually achieved a performance figure of 108.

There were also increases for BLESS MY STARS, who is up from 101 to 103, and for TIPSY TARRAGON, who is up from 95 to 101.

TIPSY TARRAGON had run to 101 when finishing 2nd at her last start in a Graduation Plate where her rating could not be raised, and a mark of 101 makes her correctly rated relative to the 97-rated BONETE, who finished

four pounds behind TIPSY TARRAGON on Saturday.

The only other increase was for KINKY BOOTS, who is up from 82 to 88.

KINKY BOOTS had achieved a considerably higher rating when finishing 2nd in the Grade 3 Three Troikas Stakes five weeks earlier, but the specific conditions of that race did not allow for any increase in her rating.

The only drop was for ROCK THE FOX, who is down from 102 to 99.

EQUUS: JET LEADS SNAPPY & CHARLES

Six months into the 2022/23 season, and with the Cape high-season almost complete, Gr1 WSB Cape Met winner Jet Dark (70 points) leads the Equus Horse of the Year log from two three-yearolds, Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Make It Snappy (64), and Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Charles Dickens (64).

Gr1 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship winner Gimme A Prince (56), and Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and Gr3 London

News Stakes winner Puerto Manzano (50) are in fourth and fifth spot respectively.

Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner Al Muthana (48), and Gr1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes winner Desert Miracle (46) make up the table.

With Jet Dark likely to have run his last race in the WSB Cape Met and with racing action returning to the Highveld in the next three months, Highveldbased Puerto Manzano and Desert Miracle will have an

opportunity to strengthen their position on the Horse of the Year log.

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt

The exceptional Charles Dickens (64 points) has opened a big lead in this category, with Gr2 Cape Punters Cup winner Cousin Casey (32) and At My Command (22) trailing. The Mike de Kock and Highveldbased pair of Gr2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans winner Union Square (16) and

Make It Snappy - dual Gr1 winner and right in the Equus mix

Candiese Lenferna

Shoemaker (12), make up the table.

Charles Dickens looks difficult to oppose in the 3yo colt category

(Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

The top three will have another opportunity at the end of February to accumulate points in the Gr 1 Cape Derby, while Shoemaker returns to action in the Saturday’s Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas. The Highveld based three-year-old males will have opportunity to close the gap on their Cape rivals with the first of the three legs of the Triple Crown starting on Saturday.

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly

Make It Snappy (64 points) holds a large lead on her closest rival, Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner, Ciao Bella (32 points), in this category. Grade 2 Betway Ipi Tombe Challenge winner, Gimme A Shot (22), and Golden Hostess (12)

make up the table.

Gimme A Shot returns to action in the first leg of the Highveld Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, this Saturday, and will be looking to make inroads into the lead of Make It Snappy.

Champion Older Male and Female

Jet Dark (70 points) leads the Champion Older Male category from Gimme A Prince (56), Puerto Manzano (50), Al Muthana (48) and now-retired Kommetdieding (36).

Desert Miracle (46 points) leads the Champion Older Female category from dual Graded fillies-sprint winner Princess Calla (32), Captain’s Ransom (32), Gr2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge winner Humdinger (16), and Silver Darling (14).

Distance Categories

Gimme A Prince (56 points) leads the Champion Sprinter category from Princess Calla (32), Rio Querari (20), Stiptelik (12), and Isivunguvunghu (10).

Al Muthana (48 points) is in the lead in the Champion Miler category from Desert Miracle (40), Grade 2 WSB Green Point Stakes winner, Trip Of Fortune (34), Charles Dickens (24) and Jet Dark (21).

Jet Dark (48 points) leads the Champion Middle Distance category from Puerto Manzano (42), Make It Snappy (32), Gr 2 Peninsula handicap winner, Nexus (32), and Kommetdieding (24).

Grade 2 New Turf Carriers

Cape Stayers winner Salvator Mundi (23 points) heads the Champion Stayer category from dual Listed stayers’ winner Arumugam (12), Nebraas (10), and Senso Unico (10) and Grade 3 Chairman’s Cup winner Chrome Yellow (10).

GR3 WSB TOMMY HOTSPUR STAKES

ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES has had his rating raised from 104 to 110 after winning the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Stakes over the straight 1000m course at Turffontein on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed Big Burn made for the best line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 115.

In assessing the race this way ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES

actually runs to a mark of 115, but the specific race conditions only allow for a maximum sixpound increase in the winner’s rating, and no increase at all for any other runner.

Accordingly, 2nd placed FAR AWAY WINTER and 4th finisher DANILO DANILOVITCH remain unchanged on ratings of 102 and 103, respectively, despite actually running to marks of

112 and 106, respectively. There were drops for three horses.

VAL D’ORCIA is down from 110 to 108, VASEEM was trimmed from 105 to 104, and lastly SMORGASBORD drops to 114 from 117.

• Media release by NHRA on Tuesday 7 February 2023

THE CAPE – OH SO IN SHAPE!

The Cape’s summer season is drawing to a close with the traditional season closer, the Cape Derby, to be held on 25 February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

This season drew a record number of participants from around the country, breaking field size records not seen in

the Cape for many years.

As we approach our winter months, Cape Racing seeks to build on the momentum gathered and is proud to announce continued increases to our prize money levels and further increases to our ever popular “RaceCape” incentive scheme.

In addition, the structure of the Cape’s races over the winter months has been restructured, innovated and simplified.

Background and Review of Last Six Months

Gregory Bortz, the Executive Chairman of Cape Racing, explained: “As we reflect on

our first six months at the helm, we are satisfied with the progress we have made. But now is the time to double down, not stand still. The motivation behind these new increases is self-evident.

The sizable raising of stakes, coupled with the RaceCape appearance and saddling fee programme, worked exactly as we had hoped. The focal point of our approach is to reward and incentivise owners for supporting our previously economically unsustainable sport, and to right-size the economics for all our other stakeholders, including our employees, grooms, jockeys, trainers, breeders and their staff, farriers, vets and so on and so on.

It is our strategy for these incentives to drive ownership, stimulate the breeding industry, increase field sizes, drive betting turnovers, and fuel the sustenance of our industry through the resultant trickle-down economics.

Racing in our part of the world was dead. We are using our passionate team, our capital and our innovations to reinvigorate the industry in the Western Cape, which remains so critical to the livelihood of thousands and thousands of people in our province. So now we keep on going and press forward.”

Justin Vermaak, Cape Racing’s Racing & Bloodstock Executive, added: “The statistics tell the story.

The initiatives of the past six months have led to a monumental positive shift in all our key racing metrics, such as: – average field sizes increased from 9.8 runners per race in January 2022 to 11.5 runners per race in January 2023, a 16.5% increase – the average field size in the Cape in January 2022 was 2.7% below the national average; in January 2023 it was 16% above the national average –average juvenile runners per race increased from 6.4 in the prior year to 13.7, a staggering increase of 114% – last season a total of 26 raiding horses visited the Cape, versus 101 raiding horses this season, an increase of 288%

Breaking the Cape’s historical pattern of wrapping our 2-year-old horses in cotton wool and not racing them was a key trend we needed to break.

The sizeable Juvenile stakes and incentives have clearly done the trick.”

Donovan Everitt, Cape Racing’s Chief Operating Officer explained further:

“The vast improvement in the key racing metrics has had the desired stimulatory impact on our betting streams. Predictably, our improved racing and field sizes has driven up the betting turnover on our racing product. Despite betting on horse racing on the South African Tote being down considerably year over year, we in the Cape have witnessed a double digit increase in the Tote betting volumes on our

racing.

Similarly, bookmakers in the Cape have seen a spike in their Cape racing betting activity, the by-product of which ultimately flows through to Cape Racing through our share of the punter’s 6% winning tax. We intend to keep this going, by reinvesting all resultant revenue streams back into the industry in the form of further stake increases and RaceCape incentives. Of great interest and pride are some of the pertinent Tote betting statistics.

For example, the average betting turnover per race on our Cape racing (meaning the bets wagered countrywide on our local Cape racing) averaged R589,000 per race for the six months year to date through the end of January 2023.

This compares to an average betting turnover per race of R440,000 for the 2022 financial year, and R461,000 for the 2021 financial year. This equates to a 34% increase over last year.

We look forward to seeing a continued renaissance of racing in the Western Cape, and we urge owners to come out and support the upcoming Bloodstock South Africa sale to be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at the end of the month, and the subsequent sales after that!”

RaceCape Incentive Increases

From 1 March 2023 until July 31 2023, the RaceCape

saddling and appearance fee incentive will be temporarily increased from R2,500 per runner to R3,000 per runner, an increase of 20%.

This incentive will be split in the ratio of R2,250 to the owner (up from R2,000), and R750 to the trainer (up from R500).

From 1 March 2023 until July 31 2023, the 10 runner-perrace day limit for trainers will also be temporarily lifted.

Winter Season Programme

Overhaul and Stake Levels

Apart from offering unprecedented prize money levels over the winter months, Cape Racing is offering a new look programme. The

minor race schedule has been modernised to a more structured “Class” racing system, like that used abroad.

The programme will also be aided by banded stakes races to offer a wider spread where numbers may be needed to increase field sizes. Cape Racing is focusing on rewarding young horses with ability and remains committed to putting on high stake levels for juvenile racing.

“Restricted Maiden Juveniles” have been added to the programme and will be run for higher stake levels. These races will be positioned in parts of the programme

where the higher class of horses tend to start their careers. The races will continue into next season where “Restricted Maidens” will be put on for three-year-old horses.

This is once again in theme with positioning higher stakes for horses in the early stages of their career, while lowering the stake levels for maiden races as the season progresses and the weaker maidens are left competing in these events. “Class 5” racing will also be introduced.

The Sprint is interactive - please click here to read more

CAPE BUCKS NATIONAL TREND

The Cape Racing renaissance machine has proven to be no one-trick summer pony, with the news on Friday that the gloomy Cape winter months have been brightened considerably with programming innovation, incentives and stakes boosts.

While there are devil’s advocates, detractors and cynics at every turn in this wonderful sport, it’s very difficult to fault the turnaround in horseracing’s fortunes in the legislative capital of our beautiful country.

Have a look at the numbers below of five odd seasons.

Nationally, starting numbers are down 220 in December 2022 versus December 2021, with the Western Cape showing a smart upturn with 100 more runners than in the the corresponding month a year earlier.

The Cape upturn of starters continued last month with 144 more than January 2022.

In the comparable periods, the Highveld, who commence The Champions Season on Saturday, was down 95 in December 2022 versus December 2021, and down 89 in January 2023 over January 2022.

On the East Coast, KZN was down 200 in December 2022 over December 202, and showed 43 less in January 2023 over January 2022.

The Eastern Cape numbers are shown below for reference purposes.

Justin Snaith – looking to race at home more

Chase Liebenberg

SNAITH - KZN LOSES LUSTRE

A regular contributor to the SA Champions Season action on the East Coast for the past twenty years, Cape champion trainer Justin Snaith is considering only travelling a handful of his substantial and powerful string up to Summerveld for the big season this year.

The sweeping announcement last week of a revitalisation of the Cape winter programme, with increased stakes and incentives into the bargain, may have many local trainers swapping their speedos for thermal underwear and reconsidering the relative costs and logistical inconveniences of interprovincial uprooting for the three months.

While the weather comparisons between the two provinces is chalk and cheese – the Cape is not the easiest region to train horses in during June, July and August – the underlying financial framework is a very stark reality for most.

One of the biggest horseracing festivals in the world and featuring 37 stakes races, including 13 Gr1 contests over a threemonth programme period, the SA Champions Season is traditionally regarded as the

national championships of South African horseracing and is set to get underway with a multi-feature programme at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 6 May.

Talking to the Sporting Post over the weekend, Cape champion trainer Justin Snaith said that after looking at the comparative programmes, he would probably only be taking a handful of horses to KZN.

“We have to race where it makes most financial sense for our stakeholders. I see the KZN programme has the same stakes for MR 66 Handicaps as for Pinnacle Stakes, as one example. That’s an issue for me and, while the beach is more attractive and the weather is probably a lot more pleasant in Durban in the coming months, I have to make sensible business decisions in the very best interests of my owners,” added the champion conditioner after yet another highly successful WSB Met day.

Milnerton trainer Peter Wrensch said that while the increases and incentives helped the wide spectrum of trainers, the smaller trainers really and truly appreciated

the boost and it was ‘very encouraging’ to see the substantial stakes increases.

“We realise that we have less meetings and with the wet weather, some more are likely to be washed out. But we have already felt the advantage of enjoying the benefits of the cash-flow spin-offs provided by the RaceCape cheques,” he added.

When we put it to the former amateur champion rider that more Snaith horses staying at home could also well mean stiffer competition, Wrensch added that he saw it as providing the basis of a better quality of winter racing overall.

“Looking at it holistically, there are important positives in the domain of betting turnovers, and further on the plus side it creates an opportunity for the smaller yards to market a strong racing platform for horses wanting to escape the harsh winter tracks in Joburg, for the kinder underfoot conditions of the Cape.

“Even those horses out of their depth maybe in Durban during the season, are a possibility. Us smaller guys have a great opportunity. We have the empty boxes, the experience,

and the ability to train winners. Now we also have a very attractive financial dynamic to underpin our business. It’s exciting and most of all, it’s only positive and good for the overall morale and for the game,” he added.

Another trainer said that he felt that it was disappointing that little imagination had been applied in the distribution

of stakes in the KZN programme.

He pointed out that to race an MR66, a Maiden and a Pinnacle for the exact same stakes simply made no sense. “We should always be striving to reward excellence,surely?” he asked.

Here are a few comparisons of the Cape vs KZN feature stakes across various categories:

OPEN FEATURES FILLIES & MARES

Variety Club Mile (Gr3) R300 000 vs Kings Cup (L) R150 000

Legal Eagle (Gr3) R300 000 vs Sledgehammer (L) R150 000

Pocket Power (Gr3) R300 000 vs Derby (Gr3) R175 000

Cape Vase R200 000 vs Cup Trial (Gr3) R175 000

Winter Mile R200 000 vs Thukela Handicap (L) R150 000

Cape Point Stakes R200 000

SPRINTS

Champagne Stake (Gr3) R300 000 vs In Full Flight (L) R150 000

Easter Sprint R200 000 vs Umngeni (L) R150 000

Winter Sprint R200 000

Off To Stud (L) (F&M) R175 000 vs Poinsettia (Gr3) R175 000

The Magnolia (F&M) R175 000 vs KZN Stakes (L) R150 000

Sweet Chestnut (L) R200 000 vs Scarlet Lady (L) R150 000

Ladies Mile (L) R200 000 vs East Coast Cup (L) R150 000

Stormsvlei (L) R200 000

Final Fling (L) R200 000 vs Off To Stud (L) R100 000

JUVENILES

Winter Nursery (L) R200 000 vs Umkhomazi (Gr3) R200 000

Winter Fillies Nursery R150 000 vs Strelitzia (Gr3) R175 000

Somerset (L) R200 000 vs Godolphin Barb (Gr3) R175 000

Perfect Promise (L) R200 000 vs Debutante (Gr3) R200 000

Langerman (Gr3) R300 000 vs Gatecrasher (L) R150 000

Irridescence (L) R200 000 vs Devon Air Stakes (L) R150 000

SNAITH ARMY TAKES ON CHARLES

Rockpool – improving colt and an interesting Cape Derby prospect

Chase Liebenberg

Cape champion trainer Justin Snaith holds eight of the thirteen first entries for the R1,5 million Gr1 Cape Derby to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 February.

The final Gr1 contest of the inaugural Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Festival Of Racing promises to be a humdinger with boom colt Charles Dickens stepping up to the 2000m and taking on a Snaith attack spearheaded by the eyecatching Politician Stakes winner, Rockpool.

Snaith certainly knows how to win the Cape Derby – Russian Sage (2008), Legislate (2014), It’s My Turn (2016) and Pomp ‘N Power (2022) bearing testimony to that!

Richard Fourie was aboard all of the Snaith past Derby winners, bar It’s My Turn, who was ridden by Piere Strydom.

Candice Bass-Robinson will be looking for her first Cape Derby winner, her closest connection coming via 2006 winner Floatyourboat, who was saddled by her Dad, Mike.

Contested over 2000m as opposed to the true classic distance of 2400m in metric terms, the race was first run in 1946 and what an auspicious event it proved to be.

The winner was the Birch-bred colt Feltos, who sprouted wings from a hopeless position in the straight to get up on the post.

Trained by the great Syd Garrett and ridden by Stanley Amos, the colt entered the Derby off

a facile victory in the Metropolitan and to this day, remains the only three-year-old to have completed the coveted Met/Derby double in the same season.

• Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 14 February.

• Declarations are due by 10h00 on Wednesday, 15 February.

STRAIGHT TALK... PENCIL THESE

5 IN!

Talk Of The Town (Var – Street Wise) has his first crop through the ring

Chase Liebenberg

Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, whose former stallions include the brilliant Var, look to be standing another exciting sire prospect in the form of Var’s handsome son Talk Of The Town.

The latter, an impressive winner of three of his five starts, hails from the one of the best families in the stud book, with Talk Of The Town’s numerous high-class relatives including legendary Australian sire Redoute’s Choice and champion South African sire Northern Guest.

Avontuur will be bringing three members of Talk Of The Town’s first crop to the 2023 Cape Yearling Sale, with the estate’s Pippa Mickleburgh delighted by what she has seen thus far.

Pippa says of Talk Of The Town colt Sound Of The Sea (Lot 30): “This half-brother to ten time winner Chantyman is a wonderful type with good bone and a super temperament.”

Talk Of The Town is also represented here by Trendsetter (Lot 137): “This speedy Talk Of The Town filly has a really powerful hind quarter and she is a typical Var to me.”

Talking Point (Lot 148) is a three-parts sister to Var’s Gr1 winning son Normanz. She has made a big impression on Pippa, who describes her charge as ‘a simply stunning filly’.

“She is big and strong legged.

I firmly believe she could be on the National Sale.”

This draft also includes Master Of My Fate filly It’s Her Way (Lot 72) “an eye catching, high-quality filly who is from a good active family”, and Var colt Alcaraz (Lot 99). The latter is one of just a few colts left by his sire, with Alcaraz being a three-parts brother to the Var sired Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Contador.

Avontuur Thoroughbred Estate’s draft for the auction can be found in Block B at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse.

The Sprint is interactive –please click here to see the catalogue.

Here’s a talking point! Lot 148 is a daughter of Talk Of The Town out of Gr1 mare, La Normandie. Her name is Talking Point.

EXCITED AND PRESENTING OUR (ENTIRE) FOAL CROP OF 2021

Oscar with lot 13 as a foal

Stud farms can be seen as a static collection of fixed assets, comprising land, paddock fences and buildings. This is accurate up to a point, but they’re also fluid, in a sense like projects without an end point. There are always bloodstock decisions being made, broodmares being added or removed, not to forget the stallions that make or break the herd.

Each year’s crop of yearlings is a kind of waypoint, representing a snapshot of the ongoing project. In our case, this project started more than

50 years ago.

In the case of Normandy Stud’s draft for the BSA Cape Yearling Sale, this is pretty much our entire picture for 2023. With the exception of the weanlings that we sold in 2022, and the four fillies being retained for stud, this is our entire crop of 2021. We are not sending yearlings to any other sales.

Through various branches, all but one of our foundation families are represented, the exception being the In Camera-Tatler dam line that started with Entre Nous. Of

course, there are a couple of other high-profile gaps: Arctic Breeze (the dam of Rio Querari) aborted a Legislate, and her full-sister Nordic Breeze lost a One World. It also happened to be the year that two of our Mother Russia sisters did not conceive.

However, we can only focus on what we have, and in this respect, there are many reasons to be excited.

Firstly, five of the 15 yearlings are the first foals of their dams. Another four are out of young mares that already have 100% records of winners from

runners. Who knows which of these mares will turn out to be our stars of the future?

It is also pertinent to point out that five of the draft are by Dubawi’s hot young son, Erupt, who is producing a high percentage of progressive horses. He is also throwing more speed than may have been expected from a 2400m Gr1 winner. Dubawi gets them to run over all distances and Erupt seems to be no different.

Before we get to the yearlings themselves, we should mention why we’ve targeted this sale.

Firstly, we want to sell our yearlings in the Western Cape. Transporting them to Johannesburg – with all the risks and costs involved –especially getting them back to the Western Cape, is crazy.

Secondly, the timing works fine for a broad spectrum of our yearlings, even though we have a couple of November foals.

Finally, the various BSA incentives, especially the R100k bonus for the first 100 juvenile winners, are a big plus.

Lot 7 c. Erupt (IRE) – Point Of Order

Long before we had any idea whether Erupt would get winners, we could see the extent to which he’s improving on his mares, and this colt is a cracking example. He’s a good size (especially for a first foal), he’s scopey, and there’s plenty of him.

He’s from the Cap Alright branch of the Terpsichore family.

Lot 13 c. Querari – Quetta

The half-brother to Sachdev, who came within an agonizingly close half-length of winning the Cape Derby. His dam is a half-sister to Bravura, who did win the Cape Derby, and it’s the family of multiple champions Mother Russia and Winter Solstice.

This colt oozes class – he moves like a dream, and as a 1 November foal he’s just going to get better and better as he matures.

Lot 23 f. Oratorio (IRE) –Sabrina Fair

The dam’s only runner is a winner, and Oratorio produces an impressive close on 60% winners from foals, so percentages are on your side. The dam is a half-sister to the dam of the top sprinting filly,

Sarah, and it’s the Terpsichore family.

This filly moves extremely well. She is built a lot like her dam, whose racing career was just taking off when she did a tendon.

Lot 84 f. Potala Palace –Ashram

The dam has a 100% record, including Wind Water, who is looking like a handy sprinter.

This is a good-sized, scopey filly, and she moves extremely well.

Lot 85 c. Potala Palace –Azarenka

The only runner of this stakesplaced mare is a winner. It’s a family that has been prolific

in producing winners for us, tracing to a smart sprinting filly by Royal Affair that we obtained in the early 80’s.

This colt is bred on the same cross as the top-class Katak. He’s a high quality chap, and the very epitome of athleticism.

Lot 92 f. Erupt (IRE) – Blue Wonder

We couldn’t be happier to have this as the first foal of a new mare. She’s a super athletic Erupt filly that should show pace up the straight even though she’s out of a Silvano mare.

Lot 119 f. Erupt (IRE) –Fleeced

We often speak about

the extent to which Erupt upgrades on his mares. This filly is out of a very attractive stakes-placed mare that didn’t need any upgrading, and it’s hard to imagine a better first foal. She stands over plenty of ground, she is powerfully built, and she has a high quality, refined head.

It’s the immediate family of Star Empire, Fabiani and GG’s Dynasty.

Lot

126 c.

Erupt (IRE) – Good Cause

This is a neat, good-moving Erupt colt, out of a half-sister to the graded stakes-winner Crowd Pleaser, from the family of the Champion US filly, Smart Angle.

Lot 139 c. Twice Over (GB) –Joshua's Princess

This colt has the Classics written all over him. He’s tall, scopey and high quality, with a good action. Of course, being by the Grade One sire Twice Over, out of the grand race filly Joshua’s Princess, that’s very much in his DNA. Apart from her own exploits on the racetrack, she’s a half-sister to the dam of the Cape Derby winner Grande Jete.

Lot 150 c. Potala Palace –Lady Of The Fleece

We’ve been big supporters of Potala Palace because of his proven ability to produce top horses out of the worst mares in the Stud Book (not that we’d put Lady of the Fleece into that category). This is a high quality, scopey colt with a great action. He’s a half-brother to a couple of winners, including a black type filly, from the close up family of Fabiani, Star Empire and GG’s Dynasty.

Lot 151 c. One World – Lady Wylie

We like the look of this three-

parts brother to our Cape Flying Championship winner Sergeant Hardy. He has a sprinter’s way about him, and moves well.

There are a couple of firsts here, in that he’s from the first crop of One World, and he’s the mare’s first foal.

Lot 153 f. Erupt (IRE) – Live Aid

This filly is built like a tank –yet another example of how Erupt improves on his mares. She’s a great opportunity to get into the family of Bravura, Winter Solstice and Mother Russia.

Lot 161 c. William Longsword – Marie Antoinette

For a first foal he’s a really good size, and for a big guy he’s exceptionally light on his feet. Here’s another three-parts brother to Sergeant Hardy.

Lot 172 f. Potala Palace –Night On The Hill

This athletic, high quality filly is from the Cap Alright branch of the Terpsichore family. Her full-sister was the subject of

spirited bidding on last year’s RTR, and early reports about her are extremely positive.

Lot 174 c. Legislate – Nordic Light

Whenever we get asked about the perfect cat-like walk, we’ll pull out a video of this colt in action. He is just the most sensational mover. Of course, he’s by the stallion with the best percentages in the country, and his dam’s only runner is the uber-competitive Beerenberg, who has three wins and seven places from 11 starts.

His dam is a half-sister to the dam of Rio Querari, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see this cracking colt follow in those hoofprints.

Ed – the BSA Cape Yearling Sale will be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 26 February. Once the Normandy pics have arrived, they will be published on www. sportingpost.co.ca.

SA JOY – AND NOW FOR CHELTENHAM!

Just two months after celebrating their first Grade 1 winner on home soil, the Hollywood Syndicate enjoyed the pleasure of watching their maiden International elite winner storm home as Il Etait Temps, leased in partnership with the Kieswetter’s Barnane Stud, and also owned by Ross

Doyle and PW Jones, charged to victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Gr1 Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The partnership between the Kieswetter family’s Ridgemont Stud in South Africa and the Hollywood Syndicate has gone

from strength to strength, with recent dual Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Gr1 winner Make It Snappy racing in the purple and yellow flag, and leased from her breeders, Ridgemont Highlands.

On Sunday Il Etait Temps raised the bar for the

Il Etait Temps en route to a sensational first Gr1 victory

partnership as he caused something of an upset, with stablemate and race favourite Facile Vega finishing last of all after fading quickly out of the race after turning for home.

On the flipside, Il Etait Temps accelerated under Danny Mullins to score a nine-and-ahalf-length success at 14-1.

There had been drama earlier on, when one-time Derby favourite High Definition parted company with JJ Slevin.

It could be exciting things next for the grey Il Etait Temps who is a son of Jukebox Jury (Ire) out of the Dom Alco (Fre) dam Une Des Sources (Fre).

The result has also immediately shaken up the betting for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival!

An elated Devin Heffer, who watched the Leopardstown action on television from his Durban home over 14000km away told the Sporting Post that the Hollywood team were incredibly privileged to be a part of a wonderful and exciting journey.

“To have enjoyed the success that we have over the past two months with the outstanding Make It Snappy and her two sensational Gr1 victories, and now to have enjoyed the thrill of this breathtaking Gr1 Leopardstown winner at such an early stage of our entry into the UK racing arena, is something that we could not

have dreamt of just a matter of months ago. And it would not have been a reality without Wayne and Craig Kieswetter, and the Ridgemont and Barnane Stud teams. Their hard work and initiative in breeding and sourcing horses of the highest calibre, is professionalism of the highest order in what we all know is a very competitive industry. We are very fortunate to be enjoying the journey with them and look forward to many more wonderful moments,” he added.

Trainer Willie Mullins said that the winner is ‘a very good horse’ and just has to get his jumping right.

“He made a mistake at the first again but he’s a Grade 1 horse! I’ve always thought a lot of him, he got a cute ride from Danny who knew what was going to happen. He said he let the two in front have their battle and pick up the pieces afterwards. He felt they went too fast up front and the pace was wrong.”

The trainer felt the fast pace cost Facile Vega who was defeated for the first time in seven starts. Last season’s Champion Bumper winner raced prominently with High Definition before he unseated before fading in the closing stages.

Mullins added: “We’re going to have to ride him like a racehorse and not a machine next time, that’s what Paul did today so we’ll change tactics

next time and hopefully we’ll be back to what he is.

The partnership’s Gust Of Wind was beaten into fifth in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the festival on Saturday.

Hollywoodbets is a leading SA-based international sportsbook operator and have raced horses in South Africa under the same silks for over 20 years.

The Kieswetters have achieved great success from their Ridgemont Stud in Robertson in South Africa and their Irish satellite operation Barnane Stud, just outside of Templemore Co, Tipperary, has dovetailed to form a burgeoning international horseracing and breeding powerhouse.

Next issue: Ross Doyle talks about the purchase of the rising star and the exciting prospects for Cheltenham.

A WHOLE WORLD FOR

WHOLE NEW FOR NGCOBO

The weather is ‘a lot cooler’ than Durban, he is excited about the new challenge, and hey, guess what, there seems to be no loadshedding!

That was the initial thoughts of Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Calvin Ngcobo who touched down at Dublin Airport last Thursday evening to continue his career in Ireland.

The Umlazi-born 27 year old said things had happened quickly after getting the offer to ride for former jumps jockey Kevin Coleman in Tipperary, Ireland.

Speaking to the Sporting Post shortly after settling in at his new boss’ home, Calvin, who attended the International Apprentice Course at the British Racing School campus in Newmarket with colleague Diego de Gouveia in 2017, said that while he would miss his family, he was excited at the opportunity to further his career prospects in a top-rate racing jurisdiction like Ireland. “I have been to Britain, but this is my first trip to Ireland, and while it’s a bit cold, the people are friendly and I am prepared and very ready to give it my best shot. I will be staying with Mr Coleman and

his family until my flat is ready.”

Calvin is a graduate of the South African Jockey Academy, which he joined in 2011.

He rode his first winner as a greenhorn second year apprentice at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday 1 February 2015 on a horse called Rainier, trained by Michael Roberts, a man the older generation will probably have heard of in Ireland!

After a disrupted apprenticeship and an injuryenforced four year absence from the saddle, Calvin has developed into a balanced rider.

The son of a teacher and caterer, the Wentworth High graduate has overcome the odds

A single man and non-smoker, Calvin says he is geared on doing well.

“I want to make my family and South Africa proud. What an opportunity!” he added excitedly.

He expects to have his first ride in a matter of weeks once all of his clearances are through.

A relatively new player in the training ranks, Kevin Coleman reportedly retired from raceriding in his 20’s as a result of injury, weight struggles, and a lack of big-race opportunities.

After pursuing a third-level education, he obtained a sports science degree and returned to racing as a trainer.

Coleman is currently based at a purpose-built yard in Carrick-on-Suir.

Calvin and his supportive Gran at Hollywoodbets Greyville

Candiese Lenferna

$30, 5 MILLION IN STAKES

More than 1600 entries, including 892 individual horses from 21 different countries have been received for the 2023 Dubai World Cup meeting, which takes place on Saturday, 25 March.

One of the most spectacular days of racing on the global calendar, this will be the 27th running of the meeting, which offers $30, 5million in prize money across nine races. The feature event is the Gr1 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, which has attracted 171 entries, including 24 individual Group or Grade 1 winners.

Among them is Country

Grammer, who could attempt to become just the second horse to win two Dubai World Cups if he takes his chance for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing, who have also nominated three-time Grade I winner Taiba. Joining them on the trip from America could be Rich Strike, who shocked the world when a longshot winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Japan’s Panthalassa deadheated in the Dubai Turf last year but holds a Dubai World Cup nomination this time, while upset 2022 Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road could make his UAE debut.

The Longines Dubai Sheema

Classic carries a purse of $6million and has attracted a superb bunch of entries, including 2022 winner Shahryar as well as Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen winner Equinox, the highestrated three-year-old in the world in 2022. Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has won this race twice and he has entered Rebel’s Romance, winner of the 2021 UAE Derby and the 2022 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Nominated from the UK is the John and Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn, winner of the G1 Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot.

The Dubai Turf (Sponsored by

Country Grammer – can he repeat history?

DP World), worth $5million, has attracted 21 individual Group/Grade 1 winners, including Lord North, winner of the race in 2021 and joint winner in 2022. Potentially joining him from Newmarket is 2022 fourth Saffron Beach, while Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile second Shirl’s Speight could take his chance for Canadabased trainer Roger Attfield. One of the more intriguing entries is Golden Sixty, a seven-time Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, who could make his international debut here.

The Dubai Golden Shaheen, run over 1200metres on the dirt, has been a good race for the Americans down the years and they have nominated 14, including the Steve Asmussentrained Gunite. Leading the home challenge is RRR Racing’s defending champion Switzerland, while dual runner up Red Le Zele and Saudi Sprint winner Dancing Prince are among the strong Japanese entries.

Run over the straight 1200metre turf track, the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments, is always a spectacle and it could see the well-travelled Artorius make the journey from Australia for trainer Anthony

Freedman, while Appleby has nominated his Gr1 winner Creative Force.

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the UAE Derby on three occasions and he has nominated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road for the 1900m contest, one of three G2s on the card. Potential rivals include Baffert’s Mr Fisk, Newgate and Speed Boat Beach, while Brad Cox has nominated 13, including Gr 2 winner Instant Coffee.

The longest race of the day is the 3200metre Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, which could see the return of popular 2021 winner Subjectivist. An exciting potential Irish challenge includes O’Brien’s G1 winner Broome and Sonnyboyliston for Johnny Murtagh.

The first of the Group 2s is the Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Nakheel, in which defending champion Bathrat Leon is entered, along with Japanese compatriots Lauda Sion, Derma Louvre and Soliste Thunder, who was fourth last year. From the US, Todd Pletcher, successful in this race with Coal Front in 2019, has nominated Pioneer Of Medina, while Saffie Joseph Jnr could

be represented by his Grade 1 winner White Abarrio and Richard Mandella by Royal Ship.

The traditional opener to Dubai World Cup day is the $1million Dubai Kahayla Classic, for Purebred Arabians. 78 entries include 17 Group 1 winners, among them the last two winners of the race, Deryan and First Classs, and multiple G1 winner Lady Princess, arguably the best Arabian in the world.

“We are delighted by the strength and depth of entries for this year’s Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for Dubai Racing Club. “To have horses from more than 20 countries considering the trip shows the meeting’s continued global appeal.

“It is especially gratifying to have so many horses and trainers returning to the meeting, with our 2022 winners of the Dubai World Cup, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf, Golden Shaheen, Godolphin Mile and Kahayla Classic all in line to defend their titles.”

Invitations for the meeting are set to go out during February.

MULLINS IS DUKE OF DUBLIN

The came in numbers!

Leopardstown Racecourse

Leopardstown hosted eight Group 1’s over the weekend with Willie Mullins successful in six. However, not all went to script with four of those victories being won by the stable second strings.

The Dublin Racing Festival started on Saturday and Willie Mullins had his first success when Gala Marceau ran out a comfortable two and a half-length winner of the Gr1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle. The main talking point here was the shock defeat of 1/3 favourite Lossiemouth who lost her unbeaten record when hampered her at a crucial point in the race by her front-running stablemate Jourdefete.

Paul Townend, aboard the favourite, lost a couple of lengths as he was shuffled to the back of the field and then was barged out wide when making up the ground through the field. Lossiemouth just couldn’t reel in stablemate Gala Marceau (racing in Honeysuckle’s silks) who enjoyed a much smoother trip towards the front of the pack under Danny Mullins.

Forty minutes later and Willie Mullins found an outstanding candidate for Sporting Life Arkle next month in El Fabiolo. This lightly raced six-year-old was really impressive on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse and he overcame his chasing inexperience in this higher grade well. Jockey Daryl Jacob had him in third position throughout before challenging

his more fancied stablemates two out. He quickened up in taking fashion after clearing the last on his way to a 10-length win.

Beaten a neck by Jonbon in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last season, that rivalry is set to be reignited in the Sporting Life Arkle and it could all come down to who jumps best on the day.

Galopin Des Champs continues to do little wrong as he gallops towards Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham after a comprehensive eight-length win in the Irish Gold Cup.

He looks to have all the qualities needed to win the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – slick jumping, a high cruising speed and after Saturday, his stamina does not look an issue.

Gordon Elliott stopped the Mullins Group 1 domination when Mighty Potter did the business convincingly in the Ladbrokes Novices’ Chase, the first feature on Sunday afternoon.

With all five of his rivals hailing from Closutton, Gaillard Du Mesnil lead under Paul Townend giving Mighty Potter an easy tow into the race with Davy Russell happy to sit on his shoulder until it was time to go.

The six-year-old jumped superbly on his way to an eight-and-a-half lengths victory with plenty in hand.

A young horse with four Gr1s already, he looks the star novice chaser over 2 and a half miles and should be seen next in the Turners at Cheltenham.

A turn up in the Ladbrokes

Dublin Chase followed as the 1/4 favourite Blue Lord was beaten by stablemate Gentleman de Mee who bounced back to form after three disappointing starts this season.

Danny Mullins picked up the winning ride after a nasty fall earlier for Mark Walsh and got Gentleman De Mee jumping out in front like no other jockey had this season.

Willie Mullins suggested post-

race that the winner loved the quicker ground while the favourite might be worth another chance with a proper gallop in the Champion Chase.

Finally, the front-running display by State Man in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle was possibly the standout performance of the festival.

Honeysuckle was the emotional fancy, but State Man was well-backed in the morning to claim her crown.

Those who backed the Mullins six-year-old did not have a moment’s worry. State Man dominated from the front, travelled with authority, and

jumped fluently like all the best hurdlers do.

A near five-length defeat of Honeysuckle, who ran her heart out, giving her the 7lbs, was enough to see him trimmed to 11/4 second favourite for next month’s Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Another top-class two-mile hurdler from the Willie Mullins yard, and while he may have to improve again to give Constitution Hill a race, he looks the biggest threat.

“He jumped like a Champion Hurdler, I thought, all the way down the back,” reflected Mullins.

Another for Mullins and a first for Townend as Gallopin Des Champs win the Irish Gold Cup

A MAN AND HIS HORSE

Crowning a perfect week for veteran trainer Manfred Man, rising star Lucky Sweynesse’s redemptive victory in the HK$12 million Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday also provided Zac Purton with revealing satisfaction.

Devastated for Man after Lucky Sweynesse failed to obtain

clear running before finishing an untested sixth in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 11 December, the usually emotionless Purton jubilated in the four-year-old’s first Group 1 success – two days after Man, 65, had been given an extension to continue training next season.

Referring to Lucky Sweynesse’s

unfortunate LONGINES

Hong Kong Sprint experience, Purton revealed the most important part of Sunday’s triumph was the validation of Man at the elite level after the five-time Hong Kong champion jockey took luck out of the equation by sitting outside leader Sight Success before accelerating strongly inside the last 200m

Manfred Man and Zac Purton celebrate a super win

to prevail in decisive fashion.

“There was nothing I could do in the International Sprint (Hong Kong Sprint). We drew the wrong gate (barrier three) and we just got locked away. I was just disappointed for Manfred. It was his big chance and it doesn’t sit well with me at not being able to deliver for him, but hopefully today has gone some way to repaying him,” Purton said.

“It was pretty painless today. As soon as he begun as well as he did and I was able to get outside the leader, I was fairly confident from there. He still had to turn up and do it and Sight Success gave him a good race – he gave a good kick, so I had to work to get past him and hold them off. He did a terrific job.”

Purton seized a familiar initiative today after Lucky Sweynesse mustered early speed to take his preferred position on the speed, while Hong Kong’s top-rated sprinter and four-time Gr1 winner Wellington stalked his rival from fourth place. The positioning would prove telling with Wellington clocking a

faster last 400m (22.15s) than Lucky Sweynesse (22.17s), but ultimately unable to overhaul his younger foe in the run to the line after Purton had struck first for home.

While Wellington eventually edged Sight Success into third place to deliver the quinella most pundits expected in 1m 8.12s, Purton drew undisguised delight from the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s decision to extend Man’s licence into the 2023/24 season.

“I think the Club has done the right thing there and I look forward to riding a fair few more winners for him,” Purton smiled.

Beaming with excitement, Man said: “Each winner is special for me but a Group 1 winner makes me feel powerful. I’m still excited. I was full of confidence that he could win. Two runs ago he just had no luck, everyone could see that. This race he drew eight but he could still win. I think the horse can still improve. Zac told me he is a good horse.”

Ruling out international travel,

Man will next target the two remaining legs in Hong Kong’s Speed Series – the Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 19 March and the Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 30 April.

“I don’t think we will go to Dubai because the timing is maybe not suitable for him. Dubai is the end of March and then after one month Hong Kong has a sprint race for him, so I just worry that with the quarantine there’s not enough time to train him up,” said Man, who previously won the Centenary Sprint Cup with Eagle Regiment in 2012 and 2013.

“Eagle Regiment is only suitable for 1000m straight races but this horse (Lucky Sweynesse) can go to 1200m, 1400m and even 1600m. I think he is better than Eagle Regiment.”

Asked about the licence extension, Man who has 23 winners this season, said: “I can only say thank you to the Jockey Club for giving me the chance, I will try my best.”

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES

See all the detailed standings - Click here

THE LONDON CLASH!

It’s a clash of two London clubs with a great deal of respect, but very little love lost. Will David Moyes and West Ham add more misery and frustration to Graham Potter? Or will this game give Chelsea a better indication of their best team?

Either way, I don’t see too many goals, but you can still expect tensions to rise and a feisty game to ensue, writes Ryan Liberty.

West Ham vs Chelsea

Saturday 11 February

London Stadium | 14h30

To Win

West Ham 23/10

Draw 23/10

Chelsea 5/4

West Ham

I’m not entirely sure what to make of West Ham, they always look as though they are a team with something to offer and with a bit of grit and confidence, can cause anyone difficulty.

They were rather flat against Derby in the FA Cup before consolidating a slow start at St. James’ before warming up and eventually getting into the game. With that being said though, the Hammers have now put together a run of three games without defeat, conceding just once.

I’m intrigued to see which approach David Moyes favours on Saturday afternoon, they have found currency (West Ham) in sitting rather deep and compact and asking teams to bring the game to them.

The Hammers have become so comfortable at the counterattacking system, one wonders how detrimental a change might prove to be.

They face a Chelsea side devoid of confidence, but overflowing with talent –it certainly will not be a straightforward outing.

Chelsea

Whether or not Chelsea has the ability to beat West Ham isn’t a concern here at all, its whether or not the Chelsea capable of beating a spirited West Ham show up on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea have opened the purse strings and gone to town without any fear or judgment, their latest coup includes bringing the best young player at the World Cup (Enzo Fernandez) to Stamford Bridge. I thought his debut was neither here or there – but such is the Premier League for newcomers.

I think the greatest challenge facing Graham Potter is not knowing his best team. The changes at Chelsea have been great and not without slipups. The Ziyech debacle has remined relatively quiet, but we all know how those sorts of issues can contaminate a good camp.

Mykhailo Mudryk is up there with the greatest signings in January, and yes, I will say that early on without seeing too much of the Ukrainian superstar in England. His speed and skill combination are superb, usually players with blistering pace lose a bit of their intricate control when going at full tilt – not Mudryk. He is certainly one to watch.

I hope that Graham Potter’s luck changes, he is a brilliant coach who deserves a degree of success in England.

Predicted Line-ups:

West Ham: Fabianski, Aquerd, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Emerson, Rice, Paqueta, Coufal, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, James, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Fernandez, Gallagher, Mount, Mudryk, Havertz, Felix.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals (15/20)

The questions around West Ham’s approach as well as the inconsistency in Chelsea’s squad make this an incredibly difficult game to predict. These two sides have both shown glimpses of being able to approach a corner to and then follow through with turning it – but I can’t split them here.

I think under 2.5 goals at 15/20 makes the most appeal for me. I would add it to my weekend multiple and then enjoy the game.