SP 26 July 2023

PINNACLE!

ANYWHERE, ABSOLUTELY ANYWHERE!

It’s a tad corny a half century down the line, but the 60’s and 70’s White Horse Scotch Whisky advertising slogan, ‘You can take a white horse anywhere’, still holds good. Here Richman Yabelo shows off Princess Arlowe at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. The Riethhuiskraal-bred daughter of Vercingetorix was saddled to shed her maiden by Glen Kotzen for the Arundel family, who celebrated their 30th winner. Richard Fourie was the winning pilot. Equus star Candiese Lenferna took the photo.

SUNDAY, SUPER SUNDAY!

The weatherman is the worst tipster in horseracing, but he gets it right every now and then, and suggests that there could be cloud and rain as South African brings the curtain down on the 2022/23 season on World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

The HKJC World Pool Champions Cup to be run over 1800m has tremendous strength in depth and takes on extra significance this year because it could decide the outcome of a few Equus Awards including the Equus Horse Of The Year award.

Gold Circle report that See It Again is the current favourite to be named the Equus Middle Distance Champion, but by winning this race can he usurp the current favourite to land both the Equus Three-Year-Old Male Champion award and Equus Horse Of The Year award i.e. Charles Dickens?

Princess Calla – who is backing against the Tarry-Fourie combination? | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The Twice Over colt had a tough race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but is likely to respond well to the freshening up training regime he will have been given for this race. He has run his best races when running at the opposition, so can be dropped out from his wide draw and in a smallish 12 horse field should not have too much ground to make up. This could well be the last ride of Piere Strydom’s glittering career and what a moment it would be if he went out on a Grade 1-winning high!

Al Muthana is full of class too and showed it when winning the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, beating Charles Dickens, and then finishing just1,40 lengths behind the latter in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. He is drawn widest of all but is another

one with a fine turn of foot, capable of mowing a field down as he did in the King’s Plate. He only finished fifth last year when still with Mike de Kock, but that was after a tough race in the July.

Princess Calla is another one who could possibly be named Equus Horse Of The Year if winning this, because it will give her a third Grade 1 win of the season and on top of that she has won three Grade 2s. She is another who possesses a fine turn of foot, but she showed when winning the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes last time that she does not have to run at horses to display her turn of foot, she can do it from handy positions.

She is also drawn wide, so Richard Fourie might have to gamble and get up

In the pink! Trainer Michael Roberts celebrates his best season ever in the stableyard | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

there and hope to slot in, because she will not be easy for See It Again and Al Muthana to catch if kicking from a handy position.

Zapatillas has freshness on his side having avoided the July. He showed his class when finishing just 3,10 lengths behind Charles Dickens in the Gold Challenge, just 1,70 lengths behind Al Muthana. He loves Hollywoodbets Greyville and his narrow third in the Gr 3 Politician Stakes as a three-year-old proved he enjoys this trip. He has a plum draw of two.

Dave The King looks ideally distance suited. If the July has not taken too much out of him he will be a big runner, because his pole position draw gives him the perfect opportunity to implement his dangerous front-running tactic. The big, long-strider is progressive and if he does not go close here he should be a contender for big race honours next season.

Safe Passage had no luck in the July, first finding himself too far back and then being squeezed up against the rail when trying to go for a run on the outside. He managed to run on well when he did get a clear run, but it was too late. That run should not have taken a lot out of him and he is another who is in with a chance here.

Trip Of Fortune was one of the best three performed horses in the July and ran on very well. He has had a long season, but appears to be a tough horse who can take a lot of racing, so it would be no surprise to see him in the shake up.

He has mixed it with the best over trips from sprints up to a mile, but should not be discounted over this trip because he did not have the run of the race in his three attempts at Gr 1 2000m races.

Bartholdi has been seen running on strongly in sprint races and won up to 1500m in his early days. He has never been tried beyond 1600m, but on pedigree should get this trip being by Act Of War out of a mare by stamina influence Mullins Bay. He is a fascinating runner here from draw six.

Pomp And Power usually gets the same analysis before every race he runs in i.e. if he is able to put his temperamental issues aside for the day he can mix it with the best in the country. This could well be his best trip and he is drawn seven under in form Gavin Lerena.

Second Base will likely be written off as he was before the July, but in fact he has exemplary form for his new trainer, finishing a short-head second in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge and a commendable 5,10 length fifth in the July. He could run on again from draw nine under in form Chase Maujean.

Rascallion did not have any luck in the July as he was also caught in the

scrimmaging on the outside. He is another who is capable of staying on strongly and this is probably his best trip.

MK’s Pride won the KZN Breeders Mike in good style, but he was very well weighted there. He has mixed it with the best over trips from sprints up to a mile, but should not be discounted over this trip because he did not have the run of the race in his three attempts at Gr 1 2000m races. His second place

finish to Trip Of Fortune in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes

showed that he is still up to it as a fiveyear-old entire.

Every one of the runners is capable of being involved in the finish in a vintage renewal of this Gr 1 weight for age event. A reminder that there is a Pick 6 carryover of R2 million, with a likely pool of R12 million. The World Pool Gold Cup (race 7) hosts a quartet carryover of R1 Million, with a projected R5 million pool.

Trip Of Fortune – trainer says he will be staying on |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A BIG DAY!

Congratulations to our Hong Kong-based former multiple SA champion jockey Lyle Hewitson and his lovely wife Hannah-Rebecca Runnalls who tied the knot in Franschhoek on Saturday.

Wishing the power couple a long and happy life together – and here’s to a good few winners on World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday!

SETTING

THE GOLD

STANDARD

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is the new title sponsor of Sunday’s Gold Cup race meeting, one of the highest-quality race days in South Africa.

The 10-feature race card (the last 9 races being part of World Pool) boasts the 103rd renewal of the premier race for stayers as the title event along with four Grade 1 races, three Grade 2 races, and two listed races. Added to this, the racemeeting falls on what is the last weekend of the South African racing calendar, and with R6 million in stakes on offer it is often a significant opportunity for Horses, Trainers and Owners to secure their respective status as Equus Champions of the year.

The stakes on HKJC World Pool Gold Cup Day have been increased by more than 25% and features the R1m World Pool Gold Cup and the R1,25m HKJC Champions Cup.

Former South African Jockey, Douglas Whyte, who went on to secure 13 consecutive Hong Kong Jockey Titles and is now a successful trainer, is acknowledged by having the Grade 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes (formerly the Thekwini Stakes) named in his honour.

Doug Whyte – honoured with a Gr1 race on Sunday | Credit: HKJC

Douglas Whyte, who will attend Sunday’s racemeeting said “I feel privileged to have this race named in my honour and want to thank Gold Circle and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the recognition. It is a great race meeting and Durban has always held a special place in my heart. World Pool has been a great initiative and a much-needed boost for the South African industry.

Sunday’s bumper programme – first off at 11h10.

• R1: Tabgold Darley Arabian (Listed)

• R2: World Pool with Gold Circle Stakes (Gr2) formerly Debutante Stakes

• R3: @WorldPool Twitter Stakes (Gr2) formerly Umkhomazi Stakes

• R4: Douglas Whyte Stakes (Gr1) formerly Thekwini Stakes

• R5: World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes (Gr1) formerly Premiers Champion Stakes

• R6: Mercury Sprint (Gr1)

• R7: World Pool Gold Cup (Gr3)

• R8: The HKJC Champions Cup (Gr1)

• R9: Riding High Together Gold Bracelet (Gr2)

• R10: HKIR in December Handicap (Listed) formerly Umgeni Handicap

103 YEARS OF GOLD

First run in 1926 over 3200m for a stake of just 2000 pounds, the Gold Cup is an equine marathon that boasts a proud history and captures the public imagination on a wide scale. The race suffers no fools when it comes to fitness and stamina.

The distance and unforgiving conditions that prevail as the field go past the Hollywoodbets Greyville winning post twice, are great levellers and a look at the list of champions beaten in the Gold Cup is a long one.

The likes of Badger’s Coast, Surfing Home, River Jetez, Gondolier, Young Rake, Big Charles, Grand National, Floatyourboat and

Furious are just some of the Gr1 winners and champions to have suffered the ignominy of defeat and then very often to lower rated and lightly weighted, horses.

Sun Lad won the first running and carried just 46 kgs when winning at odds of 9-1.

He raced in the silks of leading owner-breeder Sir Abe Bailey, and the Gold Cup was one of just two wins for Sun Lad during the season. He is frankly unlikely to be regarded as one of the race’s better winners.

The first horse to win the Gold Cup on two occasions was Humidor, who was victorious in 1933 and 1935.

The start of the 1987 Gr1 Game Gold Cup

While Candican put up one of the greatest weight carrying achievements ever seen in the race, another gallant effort came in 1930, when Glen Albyn ran second under 9 stone 10 – or 136 lbs. He was beaten just half a length, giving the winner, Artist Glow, one stone.

To date, four horses have won the Gold Cup twice, but the last horse to win South Africa’s premier staying race in consecutive years was Highland Night, who won the race in 2002 and 2003. On Sunday, Nebraas bids to add a second Gold Cup after winning it in 2021.

There has only been one dead heat in the race. That was back in 1977 when Don The Stripe and Pacer shared the spoils. Since 1945, the greatest winning margin in the Gold Cup was the four and a half length winning distance achieved by Devon Air who triumphed in 1984. On the jockey front, the late Charlie Barends

won the Gold Cup seven times, including back to back wins with Chez Monty in 1949 and 1950.

Felix Coetzee equalled Barend’s achievement when he won on Bella Bianca in 1998. The Cat, as he is popularly known, surpassed that record when he registered his eighth win on In Writing in 2012. His wins include three years straight with Devon Air, Voodoo Charm and Occult. Of those, Devon Air won the July and the Gold Cup double, with Coetzee on board both times.

Occult also won the July and Gold Cup double, although Bartie Leisher rode him in the July and Felix in the Gold Cup. In 1988 Castle Walk was excluded from the July field rather controversially (yes, it’s nothing new!) but he went on to win the Gold Cup in a common canter. Felix Coetzee had to waste down to

Voodoo Charm wins the 1985 Gr1 Game Gold Cup

49.5kg to take the ride. In 1990 Coetzee again rode the July / Gold Cup double on Illustrador.

Champion sire, Foveros, is a stallion who made his mark on the Gold Cup. He sired Gold Cup winners Aquanaut, and Festive Forever, while he is also damsire of the 2007 winner,

Thundering Star. Dancing Champ is another to make a serious impact on the 3200m feature.

Sire of two Gold Cup winners (Castle Walk and Space Walk), he is the maternal grandsire of the 2004/2005 winners, Major Bluff and Reveille Boy.

HOW MANY GR1 WINNERS FOR RITCHIE ON SUNDAY?

Winning Form’s 37 year old Richard David Fourie must surely be the best South African jockey, yet to win the national title. On World Pool Gold Cup day on Sunday he has 7 rides – including four realistic Grade 1 winning chances!

And at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday, the venue of his very first winner 20 years and two weeks ago, almost to the day, he registered his 250th winner in a season for the first time in his career.

The Carletonville-born rider booted Groovy Baby home for Dennis Bosch at the KZN

Capital City circuit on 8 July 2003 for the first of his 2015 career winners.

He boasts the best win strike-rate – over 22% – of any jockey in South Africa this season, is also our leading Gr1 performer, top stakes earner, and has ridden to a 40% place strike-rate.

On Sunday, Peter Muscutt, a major supporter of the outstanding rider, saddled Richie’s 250 milestone winner.

The Boland Stud-bred Lancaster Bomber gelding Bristol Hercules produced an eyecatching effort to win at his third start.

After getting Cinnamon Blush home for Wendy Whitehead (who was reaching her own milestone of a half century of winners!) to win the penultimate race on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card, the high-riding passionate hobby fisherman is now on 251 for the season and ‘only’ a matter of 21 winners short of fellow Winning Form stablemate Keagan de Melo (272) at the end of Sunday’s racemeeting. The top gun has resigned himself to the mathematical impracticalities of reeling in the

long-time pacesetter with only days left of the 2022/23 term, and has already congratulated his colleague, who heads to Hong Kong in the new semester as a reward for his own herculean efforts this season.

Having declared his intentions to go all the way next term, Richie has already taken a slight back-seat at the powerful Snaith HQ in Cape Town. It’s a brave move in any profession to relinquish a hold on a great job, but, ask any of the past national title-holders – regular travelling is the only way to achieve the goal.

And good luck to Grant van Niekerk, who harvested the opportunities coming his way in commendable style at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday. It was quite a comeback, of sorts!

Richard Fourie and Peter Muscutt celebrate with the Murugasa family after Bristol Hercules’ milestone win Credit: Candiese Lenferna

STORM CLOUDS BUT THERE IS A RAINBOW…

While KZN racing operator Gold Circle is celebrating another successful Champions Season, which is set to reach a climax at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, the racing operator declared earlier this week in a letter to its members that it is under dire financial pressure and is forecasting a R100 million loss for the 2023/24 financial year.

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of a deal on the table to acquire the company.

The white knights are leading South African betting operator Hollywoodbets and horseracing’s 21st-century leading man, Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz.

Hollywoodbets, already a massive supporter of racing in KZN, has made an offer to acquire 100% of Gold Circle, which proposal has been accepted by the board. This offer is subject to the approval of Gold Circle’s members, the Competition Commission, and the KZN Gaming Board.

However, the ultimate conclusion of this transaction will take time – something Gold Circle does not have.

It seems that Bortz has stepped up to bridge the gap between the immediate cash needs and the ultimate sale of the company to Hollywoodbets.

He steps up with some life-giving cash flow through his investment firm GMB Investments (Pty) Ltd, which has made a proposal to loan Gold Circle R100 million to bridge them through the sale process to Hollywoodbets. The offer of this loan has been accepted by the board, and documentation is being drawn up.

Recently also appointed CEO of JSE listed Grand Parade Investments – a company of which he is a majority owner – Bortz could well ultimately complete the personal ‘holy trinity’ with the successful conclusion of the underlying transactions.

The passionate racing man also has an option to acquire 20% of Gold Circle from Hollywoodbets.

We would expect the popular and energetic entrepreneur to exercise the option, and it is incorporated in the proposal that he will take up the post of chairman of the company following the closure of the proposed deal.

Currently a director of Gold Circle, Bortz will resign from the board upon formal acceptance of the loan agreement to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

In a letter to members on Tuesday 25 July, Gold Circle Chairperson Sadha Naidoo said that the most recent management financial statements presented to the Board of Directors estimate that the company will incur losses amounting to R65 million in the current financial year ended 31 July 2023, increasing to R100 million for the year ahead.

This projection has increased significantly from the last report to members mainly due to the failure by the KZN provincial fiscus to pay the 3% bookmakers’ tax contribution to the company in terms of current KZN tax legislation. The matter is under litigation.

Cashflow in the year ahead is at a critically low level, and even with the inclusion of the ‘Ring-Fenced’ funds available from the Clairwood sale, the Company only has financial reserves that will sustain the present business for an approximate period of 18 months.

So all is not lost, and the sea change and massive differences already made in terms of a similarly structured transaction in the Western Cape suggest that KZN racing will be grabbing the opportunity of an injection of new blood, and much needed cash and business acumen to balance the ship, and set for course for a rejuvenation of the sport in the racing-mad province.

Racing starts at Hollywoodbets Greyville at 11h10 on Sunday.

GREEN – ALWAYS GOOD TO GO!

Gimmethegreenlight’s son Gimme A Prince wins the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint – he can clinch the SA Champion Sprinter title on Sunday |

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Gimmethegreenlight, South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2020-2021, looks set to be crowned Champion once again as the season winds up on Sunday.

The son of More Than Ready, sire of Saturday’s Listed Olympic Duel Stakes first and third place finishers, Kwinta’s Light and Gimme’s Lassie, appears to have a strong hand at Hollywoodbets Greyville on World Pool Gold Cup day.

The champion is set to have runners in no fewer than eight of the ten feature races, and it appears most likely he will come away with at least one stakes victory on the weekend.

He is represented in Sunday’s Gr2 Tabgold Umkhomazi Stakes by sons Ready To Charge and eyecatching Sunday debut winner Tail Of The Comet, and in the Gr2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante, by daughter Cala Muretta.Dual graded stakes winner Cosmic Highway represents his sire in

the Listed @worldpool Twitter Handicap.

Gimmethegreenlight gelding Money Heist is first reserve for the same race, while his star sons Lucky Lad and Sandringham Summit both contest the Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes on Sunday.

The Gimmethegreenlight sired full-sisters Bless My Stars and Let’s Go Now line up in the Gr2 Riding High Together Gold Bracelet, and Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes respectively, and his outstanding son Gimme A Prince looks a huge runner in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint. Second Base represents Gimmethegreenlight in the Gr1 The HKJC Champions Cup.

It has been a wonderful season for Gimmethegreenlight, who currently heads

South Africa’s General Sires List, Leading Sires of 2YOs premiership, and Leading Sires of 3YOs log.

At the time of writing, Gimmethegreenlight runners had earned R21 540 800, which places the Varsfontein Stud resident more than R5 million clear of General Sires List runner-up What A Winter.

Prior to Sunday, Gimmethegreenlight had been responsible for a top season of graded stakes winners in 2022-2023, with his tally headed by the Gr1 winners Bless My Stars (Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic), Gimme A Prince (Pongracz Cape Flying Championship, Golden Horse Sprint) and Lucky Lad (Gold Medallion).

At the time of writing, Gimmethegreenlight had been responsible for seven Gr1 winners, with his son Got The Greenlight having commenced stud duties at Camargue Stud in 2022.

The depth of Gimmethegreenlight’s runners this season can be seen in the fact he is also responsible for high-class performers Eye Of The Prophet (Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas),

Sandringham Summit (Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe), and Second Base. The latter went close to providing Gimmethegreenlight with yet another Gr1 win when he finished a short-head second to Puerto Manzano (Seek Again), in the World Sports Betting Premier’s Champions Challenge back in April.

Gimmethegreenlight pulled off yet another notable feat when his offspring Lucky Lad, Amber Rock and Gimmeanotherchance filled the first three spots in the 2023 Gr3 Protea Stakes, to give their sire a rare graded stakes clean sweep, while Gimmethegreenlight is also responsible for promising two-year-olds Gimmeanotherchance, Monumental, and Summer Lily.

Another two-year-old, Tail Of The Comet, made a big impression when romping home to a brilliant debut win on Sunday.

A winner of the Olympic Duel Stakes on Saturday, his daughter Kwinta’s Light has been another stalwart for Gimmethegreenlight, having also prevailed in this season’s Listed Laisserfaire Stakes.

Gimmethegreenlight – set for the SA champion sire title | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

Atraditional last chance-saloon for some paddock-value boosting black-type, the R200 000 Gr3 Final Fling Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday produced an exciting finish with victory going the way of Greg Ennion’s smart 3yo Love Is A Rose.

It’s the time of the year when some owners are calling it a day on racing careers, and considering second phase career options in the breeding paddocks.

A victory in the aptly named Final Fling has

perked many a catalogue page, but Saturday’s winner looks very likely to continue racing on into next season.

One of a quartet of 3yo’s in the nine strong lineup, Love Is A Rose benefitted from a typically astute ride by Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie, who judged the muddling pace fractions to perfection, just when Bernard Fayd’herbe looked to have outgunned his colleagues on Young Love, who did the donkey work.

Fourie, who was sitting on a rare blank slate for the day up to that point, judged Love Is A Rose’ effort to perfection as the gutsy filly got up at

VARSFONTEIN MASTER’S 21ST STAKES WINNER

4-1 to nab the game Young Love (8-1) in the last two strides to win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 134,71 secs for the 1950m on the winter course.

The Snaith’s Legislate mare Veronica Mars (4-1) ran on best of the rest, to gain third.

Raced by Etienne Braun, John Lamb and Wayne Mealing, Love Is A Rose was bred by Willempie Emngelbrecht Jnr and is a 21st stakes winner for Varsfontein’s Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate out of the four-time winning Silvano mare, Amarillo Rose.

She follows Pretty Betty as the second

Love Is A Rose, who is out of the Silvano mare Amarillo Rose, has a full-brother (Lot 107) on offer at the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale.

She has won 4 races with 6 places from 16 starts for stakes of R358 775.

Master Of My Fate has 12 lots on offer at the BSA August Two Year Old Sale.

Love Is A Rose (Richard Fourie) charges past Young Love (Bernard Fayd’herbe) in an exciting finish | Credit: Wayne Marks

daughter of Master Of My Fate to win the G3 Final Fling Stakes.

A VINTAGE FRESHMAN CLASS

Lancaster Bomber – his passing is a tragic loss |

Credit: Supplied

With the end of the racing season looming large, it’s time to reflect on the opening salvos of the first season sires. Judging by the results of the juvenile features at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last weekend, the class of 2023 has been arguably the most promising bunch we have seen in recent years.

In 2021, graduates of the August Two Year Old Sadly, it is War Front’s short-lived son Lancaster Bomber who currently holds an unassailable lead in the race to the freshman sires title, underlining the fact that his premature death at the tender age of seven has been a cruel blow, not just to Drakenstein Stud, but to the South African breeding industry as a whole.

A flurry of recent winners brought his tally to 19, and includes his second stakes winner Beach Bomb, who ran her rivals ragged in the Listed World Sports Betting Irridescence Stakes.

Yet another homebred triumph for Drakenstein Stud, this impeccably-bred filly is the fourth stakes performer from the first five foals out of champion racemare Beach Beauty.

By the way, Lancaster Bomber’s first stakes winner is also a filly, the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes winner Rascova, who most recently chased home unbeaten Mrs Geriatrix in the Gr2 Golden Slipper on Durban July day. She returns to Hollywoodbets Greyville this weekend for the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes (formerly Thekwini Stakes) and in the absence of Sean Tarry’s star filly, is sure to make her presence felt under Lyle Hewitson.

Another black-type daughter is the Lammerskraal-bred Siddeley, who has reached the frame in both the East Cape Nursery and Perfect Promise Sprint.

Currently heading Lancaster Bomber’s winning colts is Guy Gibson. This half-brother to Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Kilindini ran third behind undefeated Lucky Lad in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and most recently, filled the same

Danon Platina is snapping at Lancaster Bomber’s heels | Credit: Supplied

spot in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe.

One to keep an eye on is the promising Red Bomber. A fluent winner on debut, the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained colt was all at sea in the Gold Medallion, but quickly made amends next time out over 1450m.

Given that Lancaster Bomber has a number of runners in action this week, there is an outside chance that Captain Al’s record of 22 first-crop juvenile winners is in danger of being equalled.

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s other juvenile feature, the Gr3 Langerman, was dominated by Fire Away, who sired both the winner My Golly Molly and third-placed Zil Moris.

Also by War Front, the Wilgerbosdrift-based bay is a grandson of the champion racemare and equally successful broodmare Personal Ensign, and lived up to his fine bloodlines with

Gr3 victories on both dirt and turf before joining Mike de Kock in Dubai.

“He ran just once for me but pulled up with a foot problem,” the maestro trainer explained.

“He showed me he was a proper racehorse. Sadly, there wasn’t enough time to get him right, as I felt he would have won for me, but with a stud career waiting in South Africa, the syndicate decided it was time to pull the plug. That he raced until seven goes to show his durability. That’s a big plus, especially for an American-raced horse. His youngsters all want ground and look like they will train on to bigger and better things.”

Whilst My Golly Molly is his sire’s first Graded stakes winner, Fire Away’s initial black type winner was the Allan Greeff-trained Luna Halo, who has carried all before her in Gqeberha. Beaten just once in five starts to date, this

Fire Away – described by Mike de Kock as a ‘proper racehorse’ | Credit: Supplied

hugely-talented filly recently completed a fine stakes hat-trick in the Listed Lady’s Slipper. Prior to that, she scored a fluent victory in the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery over abovementioned Siddeley and prevailed in an all-filly finish to the Listed Dahlia Plate.

Egyptian Mau looks another fine prospect. Trained by Lucky Houdalakis, she took on the boys in the Gr1 Gold Medallion straight off a fluent debut win and was not disgraced when fourth behind star colt Lucky Lad.

On Hollywoodbets Durban July day, she ran third behind Mrs Geriatrix and Rascova in the Golden Slipper.

Stakes-placed son Fire ‘N Flames was his sire’s very first winner. Already gelded, he is clearly a tough customer and has maintained his form admirably well, despite having faced the starter ten times for two wins and six places, amongst which a second in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes.

Whilst classic horses have always been the meat and drink of Mauritzfontein Stud, the likes of Free Ride, Fort Wood, Strike Smartly and Ideal World, bear testament of that, the late Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer’s grandaughter Jessica Slack is moving towards injecting more speed and precocity into the famed stud.

In 2019, the stallion roster was boosted by a Gr1 winning juvenile in the shape of Japanese bred Danon Platina. A grey son of Japanese powerhouse Deep Impact, he scored a careerdefining victory at two in the Gr1 Asahi Hai Futurity on turf and was named the champion juvenile of 2014.

Although Danon Platina’s stallion career took

some time to gain momentum, an initial trickle of winners has become a steady stream and with 17 winners to his credit, he is snapping at the heels of Lancaster Bomber.

Mike de Kock, who trains his dual winning daughters White Pearl and Platina Princess, remarked:

“I’m really impressed and like what I see. That they have so much speed is encouraging. We never expected to see such precocity in his juveniles, considering that he scored his Gr1 win over a mile as a back-end juvenile. It seems the further they go, the better they get and at this stage, it all looks good for their classic season.”

Although stakes success has thus far proved elusive, that could change this weekend. Platina Princess takes her chances in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes, as does Mike Miller-trained Lady Lacewing.

In the Gr2 WSB Debutante Stakes, Duncan Howells saddles Oriental Bouquet, while sons Romance In Rome and Kyomai have thrown their hats into the ring for the Gr1 Champion Stakes.

Lancaster Bomber and Fire Away will also be aiming for a first crop Gr1 winner in the Douglas Whyte, the former with Rascova and the latter with Egyptian Mau. In the World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes, Fire Away will rely on Peter Muscutt-trained Down By The River, a wide-margin maiden winner of his last start.

Granted, it’s early days yet, however, from what we have witnessed thus far, the first crops of all three horses have done enough to suggest that they will be a force to reckon with. We can surely look forward to more fireworks next season.

It seems the further they go, the better they get and at this stage, it all looks good for their classic season.

STAKES SUCCESS FOR FIRE AWAY

Racing in the familiar black and white strip of golf legend Gary Player, in partnership with Nick & Val McFall, Canine Solutions CC (Nom: Mr D C O’Driscoll) the Sands Grooms Racing Trust, the handsome chestnut overcame the odds and showed his appreciation for the trip, and that his last start was all wrong!

My Golly Molly (16-1) snuck through on the rail to peg back the long-striding Hluhluwe (3-1) to seal a courageous victory by

a head in a time of 99 seconds flat.

Zil Moris (7-2) looked dangerous late and stayed on into third, 1,75 lengths back and beating the smart Snow Pilot (3-1) by 0,40 lengths into fourth.

“His last run was all wrong. He was too exposed. Sean Veale rode a terrific race here. My Golly Molly was slow away and he had to make up plenty of ground. I’m thrilled for the owners and

My Golly Molly (Sean Veale) slips through down the inside of Grant van Niekerk and Hluhluwe | Credit: Wayne Marks

Milnerton veteran Eric Sands pulled an ace out of his sleeve in the shape of his Fire Away colt My Golly Molly, who nabbed the highly regarded Snaith charge Hluhluwe in the final stride under a superb Sean Veale ride to win the R300 000 World Sports Betting Gr3 Langerman at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

my Grooms, who own a share,” said Eric Sands.

Bred by Rennie Price’ Wicklow Stud, My Golly Molly is a second stakes winner after the multiple stakes-winning filly La Luna, for Wilgerbosdrift’s exciting War Front stallion, Fire Away.

The winner is out of the twice-winning Western Winter mare, Molly R. He has scored 2 wins from 5 starts with a single place cheque, and took his stakes to R267 200. He looks an astute purchase at R200 000 from the National Yearling Sale and the Langerman is inevitably the starting point for better things.

First crop sire Fire Away won seven times, and earned more than $600 000, during his career with his trio of stakes wins headed by a triumph in the 2018 G3 Dixie Stakes.

The impeccably bred stallion is a half-brother to graded stakes winners Vigilantes Way (Gr3 Eatontown Stakes) and Mr Speaker (Gr1 Belmont Derby). The latter has also enjoyed success at stud, with Mr Speaker having sired the Gr1 winners Speech (Ashland Stakes) and Speaking Scout (Hollywood Derby).

Fire Away’s promising first crop also includes Listed Storm Bird Stakes runner-up Fire ‘N Flames and Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper third-place finisher Egyptian Mau.

The latter is a runner in Sunday’s Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes.

Fire Away is also the sire of promising gelding Down By The River, who lines up in Sunday’s Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes.

STALLIONS 2023

CANFORD CLIFFS R20,000 (LIVE FOAL)

MALMOOS R25,000 (LIVE FOAL)

NEW PREDATOR R12,500 (LIVE FOAL)

PATHFORK R5,000 (LIVE FOAL)

POTALA PALACE R5,000 (LIVE FOAL)

RAFEEF R70,000 (R20,000 UP FRONT + R50,000 LIVE FOAL)

REAL GONE KID

FEE ON APPLICATION

TRADITION OF CHAMPIONS

SECOND STAKES SUCCESS FOR BOMBER

Gareth Wright guides Beach Bomb to a facile victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Candice Bass-Robinson and Gareth Wright broke the Snaith-Van Niekerk stranglehold on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racemeeting on Saturday when the Lancaster Bomber filly Beach Bomb exploded through to paralyse her opposition in the R200 000 WSB Listed Irridescence Stakes and mark a second stakes winner for her late sire.

Trying the turn for the first time after a runaway maiden victory in the wet last month, the Drakenstein bred and raced Beach Bomb (15-2) charged down the middle to score a facile 3 length victory in a time of 99,57 secs for the 1500m.

Glen Kotzen’s Royals (25-2) was always thereabouts and stayed on well into second, with her 40-1 maiden stablemate Passchendaele running into third.

The diminutive winner was described by jockey Gareth Wright as ‘not having much of a rein’, but everything works below that and she has an explosive turn of foot.

A daughter of deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber, Beach Bomb is the third stakes winner from the popular five-time Gr1 winner Beach Beauty (Dynasty).

The best of the family are Wild Coast, a colt by Trippi, and Amamzimtoti, a filly also by Trippi, as well as stakes-placed stayer Rex Union (Duke Of Marmalade).

But despite her lack of physical presence, Beach Bomb could be anything come the summer, so let’s wait and see!

The winner has won 2 of her 3 starts for stakes of R193 125.

On a day that was playing ball for favourite backers until this race, the performance of the winner’s odds-on stablemate October Morn was a blow for punters. “She’s probably a better sprinter and she will find her feet back down the straight,”

added jockey Aldo Domeyer.

Top jockey Richard Fourie was on the mark with his reservations that the hot favourite could be found out around the turn on the sticky going and she duly ran out of the money.

Lancaster Bomber appears poised for potentially more feature race success next weekend with his Listed City Of Cape Town Summer Juvenile Stakes winning daughter Rascova appearing a leading contender for Sunday’s Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes.

LIGHT OF THE GREEN

The Sporting Post reported earlier in this week that Richard Fourie’s stated quest for national honours, and the fact that he will be travelling far and wide next season, have meant that the powerful Snaith operation have undergone a reconsideration of their jockey needs.

This has opened a door for Grant van Niekerk who looks likely to inherit a lot of the opportunities, with Bernard Fayd’herbe (a terrific double on the day), also on their list of preferred riders.

Starting at 9-4, Kwinta’s Light skipped clear to beat the improved again Body Electric (20-1) to win by 3 lengths, clocking 76,62 secs for the 1200m.

Gimme’s Lassie (10-1) kept true to the inside

rail and ran into third, a length back.

The 18-10 favourite Miss Marguerite was beaten out of the places.

Bred by Syrilla Stud, the winner is a 4yo daughter of champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the five-time winning Kahal mare Kwinta.

A R550 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Kwinta’s Light has won 4 races with 13 places from 21 starts for stakes of R515 638.

She was purchased recently for breeding by Maine Chance, who leased half the racing rights back to loyal Snaith owners Pamela and Neville Isdell.

Grant van Niekerk steers Kwinta’s Light to a facile victory | Credit: Wayne Marks

Justin Snaith – good day at the races | Credit: Wayne Marks

One of South African horseracing’s most extraordinary evolutionary journeys continues with the news last week of the official launch of the Cape Turf Club (CTC) on the back of exciting landscape-defining developments at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Embracing horseracing interests and the local community, while working closely with the City of Cape Town, Cape Racing is on its way to establishing a unique, groundbreaking lifestyle destination at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth that will be a first on the African continent.

Talking to the Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz, who was also recently appointed CEO of JSE-listed Grand Parade Investments, a company he now controls, one gets the sense that the launch of the Cape Turf Club is a quantum leap to providing a structure and benefits for the loyal base of patrons who will be accredited to get the most out of the exciting journey.

The Cape Turf Club provides everybody, from the dyed-in-the-wool established racing stakeholder to members of the local community, the opportunity to become a role-player in the planned new-look Southern Suburbs lifestyle destination centre with horseracing at its heart, and the passion and spirit of the sport of kings coursing through its veins.

“The Cape Turf Club is one of the most important aspects of our foundation plans. We sent out the official notice of the CTC membership options recently and have had excellent feedback and buy-in. It makes sense as it’s a value proposition where the benefits are many, and the cost is small. Plans are well advanced for the development of a 365-day-ayear, 24/7 lifestyle and entertainment complex, where the sport and stakeholders, as well as the local community, benefit. The reciprocal spin-offs are there as we raise racing’s profile, create the lifeblood of additional income

streams, in tandem with the injection of a community vibrancy and energy into a safe and secure environment,” enthuses Bortz.

As regards the specifics of what Cape Turf Club members and the public at large can expect, the energetic businessman is at pains to stress that they and their professional teams are working very closely with the City in regards to what is planned to transition Hollywoodbets Kenilworth into a landmark destination, and that respect for due process and red-tape dictate that he is not ready yet for the ‘big reveal’. “The focus will be on a secure, convenient lifestyle centre of excellence, structured around horseracing, providing a 365-day culinary, sport and entertainment experience, together with conferencing and event facilities, unique to the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. CTC members will enjoy privileges and access beyond racing events and can avail themselves on a preferential basis to all we have on offer,” he added.

“We cannot yet elaborate in any detail about our plans – as much as we are chomping at the bit to do so! What I can say is that construction is well underway. The property is looking amazing, and yet we are perhaps only 5% done! There is a long way to go, and permitting and approvals can take considerable time.

This is a complex development with substantial challenges. One of the biggest of these challenges is our parking. We expect our property to be busy every day of the year once our plans have been completed. We are working with the City to implement the appropriate traffic management plan.

Our primary access point will become our Wetton Road gate. A new secure parking facility will be made available to all our patrons and customers on the Wetton Road side of the property. There will still be some parking available on the Rosmead side, but this is very limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Furthermore, on race days, our suite holders already have their own dedicated unreserved suite-holder parking In

the Rosmead parking lot, exacerbating the Rosmead parking challenges come race days.

Bortz explained further that security enhancements and power generation have been the primary focus so far. “We have trenched and laid power and cable around our entire property, not a small task! We now have cameras, lights and beams protecting our entire property. We are monitored 24/7/365 offsite and have round-the clock-security constantly patrolling onsite, both on-foot and via Quad bikes. Top-of-the-line generators have been added, and a new solar farm is in the works. Our property is safe, secure, and able to operate around the clock, a prerequisite for any entertainment venue.”

He explains that there are three tiers of CTC membership:

Social Membership:

FREE access for all Social members who wish to come onto the property at any time, whether for racing or various other amenities. The only requirement will be for the Social members to complete the sign-up process. This will ensure that these members receive the necessary accreditation for course and facility access and provides for a more secure environment whereby every person on the property is registered.

Club Membership:

Exclusively available for horse owners registered as colour-holders with the NHA. Club Membership includes a personalised badge displaying the owner’s colours, a guest badge and access to dedicated unreserved parking for Club Members via Wetton Road at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and allocated parking at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. It also included access to the Parade Ring when the member has a runner declared in a specific race, as well as access to the 1881 Lounge, which is exclusive to CTC Club and Centurion members and guests. The cost of this level of membership is R2,500 plus VAT per annum.

Centurion Membership:

Exclusively available by application only to those qualifying owners who are either NHA or Gold Circle Life Members or who have enjoyed over 100 career winners.

Benefits include a personalised Centurion badge displaying the owner’s colours, a guest badge, access to dedicated unreserved parking for Centurion Members at the Rosmead Avenue entrance to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and oncourse parking at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The Centurion package also includes permanent access to the Parade Ring at all race meetings, including all Grade 1 races and priority table bookings in the Cape Turf Club’s

1881 Lounge. The cost of this membership is R10 000 plus VAT per annum.

In light of the limited availability of Rosmead parking spaces, this Centurion membership will, in turn, be limited in number and allocated on a first come-first served basis.

Bortz went on to say that given the vastly improved facilities available, the costs were very realistic and that all of the owner, regular racing fan, and casual visitor experience would be enhanced.

“There is a price point for everyone. For example, an infrequent visitor, or a visitor not interested in some of the benefits of the other tiers, is welcome to choose the Social Membership, enabling access to most of what our property has to offer for no cost at all. Of course, there are two other offerings, the Club Membership priced at R2,500 and the Centurion Membership at R10,000, which are also available and may be suitable or desirable to some of our other patrons. The bottom line is – everyone is welcome and everyone is free to choose whatever tier works best for them. We look forward to a buzzing, diverse, inclusive, active property all year around.”

Bortz says there are more exciting things in the pipeline for the CTC, including Syndicate Membership, Corporate Membership, Punter’s Club Membership, and

Apprentice Membership (children under the age of 13 years).

“We also welcome all owner members of Gold Circle and 4Racing on our course. The Gold Circle membership programme is longstanding, and we believe 4Racing is considering its own membership programme. We will make sure that all their members are given appropriate temporary CTC membership when on our property and are made to feel most welcome.”

“We have had questions regarding the reciprocity of the Racehorse Owners Association. We do not have any affiliation or association with the ROA. While their badges or membership have no standing on our racecourse, anyone wishing to attend a race day of ours can very quickly sign up on the day for free Social Membership and receive free access. Furthermore, we welcome all owners in the parade ring, and an NHA registered colour holder coming to watch his or her horse run will be given a temporary access lanyard for the parade ring. Our policy is one of inclusiveness, not divisiveness – we want anyone passionate enough to have bought into a horse to know they are always welcome on our course and in our parade ring!”

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robyn Collyer: robyn@caperacing. co.za or Tel: +2778 342-5624.

DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA)

War Front - Serena’s Cat (Storm Cat)

Stands at MacRath Stud in Nottingham Road

• The son of brilliant American sire War Front has enjoyed two full books of mares in his first two years at stud, His mare book includes Gr1 producing mares such as Mystery Dame (Lady In Black and Nexus) and Bloomhill mare, Wysiwyg – the dam of Bohica and Bartholdi.

• A $2,6-million weanling who is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Honor Code and Gr2 winner Noble Tune, Declarationofpeace has also enjoyed significant support from breeders outside of the KZN province, with Cape mares travelling for cover.

• Declarationofpeace is throwing quality and size into his foals and his first yearlings will be on offer in the sales rings in 2024.

Service Fee: R 20 000 Live foal Enquiries and Booking: Mike McHardy (083 447 5315)

advertorial

CAPE RACING LAUNCHES

Cape Racing has announced the launch of an industry-first exciting new syndication incentive program.

The initiative will be run through Cape Racing’s recently unveiled Cape Turf Club membership body.

The initiative is based on promoting ownership within the region and on expanding and transforming the ownership ranks.

Owners within a syndicate will have the option to join the Cape Turf Club as syndicate members, if they are not NHA colour holders.

There will be a series of bonus initiatives attached to the program.

The bonuses will incentivize the owners of each horse within the syndicate and the syndicate managers. Cape Racing believes that this program will help facilitate career opportunities for prospective bloodstock agents and syndicators.

Justin Vermaak, Cape Racing’s head of Racing & Bloodstock, explained further.

“We are always looking to find ways to increase and broaden our ownership base. Syndication

LAUNCHES SYNDICATION

is the way forward for horse racing. One only needs to see the huge success of syndication in Australia to know that syndication is imperative for our market. The high cost of individual horse ownership will undoubtedly drive the need for syndication. The nuances of the South African thoroughbred market make the need for a strong syndication market even more essential. The lack of a resale market and the ratio of prize money to the costs of keep are two particular issues that have made it challenging to attract and retain owners. Naturally, an “out of kilter” cost-to-stakes ratio has made the syndication business in South Africa extraordinarily tough, making it

We need to try to boost our smaller yards as much as possible. This creates a healthier horse population and provides further opportunities for horses to run.

difficult for agents and syndicators to earn a living from syndicating horses. We are looking at addressing this issue by incentivizing syndicators so that there is a potential sustainable career in this arena of the market.”

Cape Racing continues to focus intensely on fixing ownership challenges. This has primarily taken place through sizable increases in stakes and incentives. For example, even a Cape “Restricted Maiden” winner collects enough prize money to cover at least ten months of training costs.

With the introduction of the RaceCape Incentive Scheme powered by Hollywoodbets, two runs and a placing over two months is enough to cover the monthly training cost of a horse.

Aside from prize money, Cape Racing is revamping and enhancing the ownership experience. This aspect of horse racing is as important as prize money, if not

more important. These two foundations of ownership – healthy stakes and an outstanding ownership experience – form the cornerstone of syndication. With these two bases covered, Cape Racing can now turn its attention to the syndication market.”

Added Greg Bortz, the Chairman of Cape Racing: “We have stated from the beginning of our journey a year ago that the owner is THE key to the success and sustainability of racing. We wanted to broaden and strengthen our ownership base and, more importantly, make ownership as affordable as possible to people from all socio-economic backgrounds. By dividing the cost of purchasing and keeping a racehorse into “bite sizes,” we increase our chances of attracting desperately needed new blood into our magnificent sport.”

Cape Racing also sees syndication as a unique opportunity to assist the smaller training yards in the Western Cape by spreading the horses

purchased across the length and breadth of the Western Cape’s outstanding trainers.

Cape Racing’s support of syndicates will be threefold:

Cape Racing will assist in the marketing and promotion of each licensed syndicator. If the syndicate is a start-up, Cape Racing will assist in its initial setup. This will include logo design, website, and social media page building. Cape Racing will also provide dedicated content assistants to each syndicate. The syndicator will receive high-quality content, from track work to race footage, that he or she can offer and send to his or her owners through the content assistant. Cape Racing will also promote each licensed syndicator through all our web and social media channels.

Cape Racing will be offering financial assistance to syndicators. Each licensed syndicator will receive six months’ interest-free payment terms at a Cape Racing sale. This helps the syndicators extend slightly so there is always stock on the shelf for new owners. Cape Racing will also pay the syndicator a 2% commission on horses purchased for their syndicate from a Cape Racing sale.

Incentives will be paid out to both the ownership of the horse and the syndicate manager based on the success of the syndicate horse. The size of the incentives paid out will depend on the category of trainer of each horse. The incentive payouts will be as below:

CATEGORY A TRAINER (a top 3 position on the Cape trainers log the previous season):

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (One win bonus per horse a season)

R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (One win bonus per horse a season)

R250 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

CATEGORY B TRAINER (log position between 4th and 6th on the Cape trainers log the previous season):

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (Two win bonuses per horse a season)

R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (Two win bonuses per horse a season)

R500 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

CATEGORY C TRAINER (log position of 7th and below on the Cape trainers log the previous season):

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (Three win bonuses per horse a season)

R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (Three win bonuses per horse a season)

R750 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

Explained Justin Vermaak: “We have an imbalance amongst the trainer ranks in the Western Cape. We need to try to boost our smaller yards as much as possible. This creates a healthier horse population and provides further opportunities for horses to run. We also appreciate that syndicating horses with the so-called “smaller” stables is more challenging than selling horses to be trained by the big names. Thus we will base our incentives according to the category of trainer. The trainers’ championship standings determine the category at the end of each season. This removes any opinion or judgment in placing trainers into categories. Prior season log position is the sole determining factor.”

On top of these incentives, Cape Racing will host a “Syndicators Championship.”

All qualifying runners will earn points for their respective syndicators.

At the end of the season, the champion syndicator will win R100 000 and be awarded the leading syndicator award at the Cape Racing Awards. There will also be bonuses for the syndicators filling the top five places on the championship log.

Added Vermaak: “The process to get signed up as a licensed syndicator is simple. Contact our team, and we will send the necessary registration paperwork. We will require documentation and conduct our vetting process to ensure the applicant’s good standing. Once approved, the syndicator will receive an official verification badge from the Cape Turf Club. This serves as proof that the syndicator has been officially licensed by us and passed our vetting control, which gives prospective owners and shareholders a show of confidence in the authenticity of the syndicator. Once onboard as a licensed syndicator, we will work hand in hand to ensure the growth and stimulation of your syndicate.”

Once

During this process, Cape Racing will ensure that each horse has been syndicated in the program’s spirit. Cape Racing has set certain qualifying criteria.

For example, each horse must be at least 50% owned by the syndicate. Also, a minimum of six owners are needed for the ownership group to be designated as a syndicate. The program intends to grow the ownership base with new owners and transform the ownership base in the Cape.

Gathering a small group of existing highprofile and well-established owners to form a syndicate, for example, will not result in qualification for the incentives. All information will be clearly illustrated to each syndicator upon application.

For further information, please contact Justin

Vermaak

at email: justin@caperacing.co.za

STAKES PAID TO SIXTH PLACE

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has decided to extend the distribution of prizemoney to sixth place in all races from the start of the 2023/24 season.

Last season, prizemoney was paid to the first six placegetters in all 12 of Hong Kong’s Group 1 races and the BMW Hong Kong Derby, while for other races – including Group 2 and Group 3 races –prizemoney was allocated to the first five.

Under the revised schedule, 2% of total prizemoney will be allocated to sixth place in all Hong Kong races.

There will be 88 racemeetings in the new season commencing on 10 September. There will be 38 day racemeetings, 43 night racemeetings and 9 twilight racemeetings. The Longines HK International races will be held on 10 December.

The Club is constantly reviewing its policies as it strives to improve horse ownership experience for its valued owners and hopes the allocation of prizemoney to sixth place will assist in providing returns on investments.

onboard as an official syndicate, the syndicator must apply for each horse to qualify for the incentives.

Plenty of action again this summer | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

CAPE’S BABY BOOM!

Cape Racing has announced an expansion of its highly successful juvenile programme. Historically, early juvenile races would gather field sizes of six or seven runners. Introducing the new juvenile programme completely broke the mould of poor participation in these races!

For example, at the end of November 2022, at least thirty participants ran in the opening juvenile races, running over 900m.

The Cape juvenile programme is headlined by the three-legged “Summer Juvenile Series”. The three races forming the series are the Trippi Stakes, the Summer Juvenile Stakes and the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.

Two new races were incorporated into the programme on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas Day last December, namely the Commonwealth Cup and the Summer Coronation (for fillies). These two races were introduced at a stake of R200 000 each. Twenty-seven participants went to the starting gate across the two races.

In Cape Racing’s continuing efforts to boost juvenile fields, these races are set for prize money increases. The Commonwealth Cup has been increased to R250 000, while the Summer Coronation has been boosted to R225 000.

The “Summer Juvenile Series” legs were run for a combined stake of R1.6 million in the 2022/ 2023 season.

This Summer, the three legs will be run for a combined R2 million, an increase of 25%.

The series opener is the Trippi Stakes which is run on L’Ormarins King’s Plate Day.

The opener gets a boost to R400 000, up from R350 000 last Summer.

The World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day hosts the second leg, the Summer Juvenile Stakes. This listed race receives a lift from R500 000 in 2023 to R600 000 in 2024.

Finally, the Cape of Good Hope Nursery gets boosted from R750 000 in 2023 to a substantial R1 million in 2024.

The series finale is run on SplashOut Cape Derby Day.

The Futurity Plate will kick off the juvenile season.

Two new events have been added to the juvenile programme. To stretch the juvenile season, and also encourage earlier participation, the Futurity Plate is added to the programme in mid-November. The 800m race will be the season opener for young colts and fillies. It will carry a stake of R200 000.

Inaugural Cape Racing Sales Slipper for WSB Cape Town Met Day.

The Cape Racing Sales Slipper will be run for the first time in 2024. Restricted to graduates of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale powered by Tattersalls, the race holds a stake of R1.25 million.

It is sure to add interest and excitement to the Summer season. The “Slipper” will be run on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day.

The second running of the R7.5 million “Gold Rush” is the other showpiece event for Cape Racing Sales graduates on the day.

MILLARD CALLS TIME IN HONG KONG

South African Tony Millard will not renew his trainer’s licence in Hong Kong for next season and thus calls it a day after 24 consecutive campaign in the city.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post earlier this year, Millard cited the fact that his stable has been ‘caught in the perfect storm’ because of Covid and newcomers to the training ranks

“Unfortunately, it’s been very tough this season. In 37 years of racing [globally], we’ve never had it like this. It’s just one of those things. Our stable has been caught in the perfect storm,” Millard said.

“We had Covid, and we didn’t buy. Then we lacked the young horses coming through. We’ve just got the old horses. We’re racing six, seven and eight-yearold horses, and it’s very difficult to win. You need the new stock, especially with the new trainers coming in. They took a lot of the permits and the transfers. So, of course, we never had any stock to work with besides horses which we’d won races for the last three seasons.”

Turffontein 18 June

Race 1 Maiden Plate

Won Happy Analia

Turffontein Inside 29 June

Race 5 MR 79 Handicap

Won Luthuli

(Bred at The Fort Stud

BLING’S HEAVY CROP PENALTY

The Zietsman Oosthuizen team leads Wind Sock (Chase Maujean) in after winning the seventh at Fairview last Friday | Credit: Pauline Herman

The tussle for the East Cape trainer championship remained static after the Fairview racemeeting on Friday, with reigning titleholder Gavin Smith holding a two winner lead over chief rival Alan Greeff, with one meeting to go. It was a grand day for Chase Maujean, but there was bad news for top rider Smanga Khumalo.

While Chase Maujean was in red hot form with four terrific winners (two for Emmanuel Kaknis and one each for Zietsman Oosthuizen and Kelly Mitchley), the former SA Champion we all know as Bling was 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 his mount Demigod more than 12 times in the sixth race.

Khumalo signed an admission of guilt and was fined R35 000 and suspended for 14 days.

In determining the penalty, the Stewards took into account his record and the number of strikes – in this case 14, which is 2 over the 12 limit.

Demigod was beaten 0,35 lengths into third.

The penalties in relation to contraventions of this rule and guideline increased on 14 April 2023, and past contraventions from 1 September 2022 are now taken into account when considering penalties.

In the trainer championship, Hollywoodbetssponsored Gavin Smith held a two winner lead over Alan Greeff going into the meeting, and with both having a relatively quiet day with one

winner apiece, the two win margin sets up an exciting climax for the final term slot on Friday 28 July.

Richard Fourie will be crowned East Cape Champion jockey on Friday and is on 98 winners – chasing Greg Cheyne’s 100 winner record.

Prior to the commencement of the race meeting, it was reported to the Stipes that the sweat box was unavailable.

This matter was brought to the attention of the Racing Operator. As a result, no jockeys were sanctioned with regard to overweights. Anybody get fined for this?

OSSIE ALSO NAILED

At Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, jockey Ossie Noach 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 Golden Grey more than 12 times in the entire race.

He signed an admission of guilt and was fined R20 000 and suspended for 7 days (Dates: 27/07/2023 to 02/08/2023, both dates inclusive). In determining the penalty, the Stewards took into account Noach’s record, and the number of strikes – 17.

RACE OF THE SEASON ON SATURDAY

Credit: Ascot Racecourse

Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (16h40) looks to be the race of the season. The mile and a half Ascot showpiece has attracted 15 confirmations including the first two home in both English and Irish Derby’s against the best of the older brigade.

For the first time since 1994 the Epsom Derby first and second are on course to meet in the King George. Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin is set to renew rivalry with King Of Steel, who ran away with the King Edward VII Stakes last month over course and distance.

Some argue the weight-for-age scale favours the younger horses at this time of year and Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel and Irish Derby runner-up Adelaide River will receive 11lbs from the older colts on Saturday.

Auguste Rodin followed up his Epsom success with victory in the Irish Derby at the Curragh last month, the seventh colt to do the double this century. He was a convincing winner at the Curragh when reeling in his stable companion Adelaide River, but he will need to improve on that effort on Saturday.

King Of Steel was having only his third career run at Epsom and it was his first start of the campaign too. The huge grey will not mind softer ground on this occasion and he’s another who should be involved at the finish.

It is an intriguing rematch – especially as there is still a sense that we haven’t seen the best of Auguste Rodin yet.

The quality of the older horses in opposition looks stronger than usual this year. For starters,

last year’s winner Pyledriver is back to defend his crown. His co-trainer Willie Muir insists he has taken a big step forward from his Hardwicke victory last month, and he is actually the highest-rated runner in the field.

Sir Michael Stoute has won this a record six times and his 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown should improve significantly on his half-length comeback second behind Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown.

The Shadwell owned Hukum was over four lengths superior to Pyledriver in last year’s Coronation Cup before spending a year on the sidelines. Then, on his seasonal return in May, he turned over the unbeaten Desert Crown at Sandown. The 6-year-old looks set to have ideal ground conditions back up in trip this weekend.

Finally, the Gosdens star 4-year-old filly Emily Upjohn, re-united with Frankie Dettori who returns from an eight-day suspension.

She has improved immensely this season storming past Westover to win the Coronation Cup on Oaks day before giving weight and being denied only a half-length by top threeyear-old Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse earlier this month. She will also benefit from the step up in trip and could emulate her famous stablemate Enable with victory on Saturday.

WHAT A FABULOUS DANCER!

Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore enjoy the post-race relief! | Credit: Racing TV

Savethelastdance claimed victory from the jaws of defeat in the Gr1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday.

A 22-length winner of the Cheshire Oaks in May, Aidan O’Brien’s filly subsequently filled the runner-up spot behind Soul Sister in the Oaks at Epsom and was a warm order to go one better on home soil.

But supporters of the 10-11 favourite would have been seriously worried early in the home straight, with Moore already hard at work while British raider Bluestocking breezed into contention.

The latter looked sure to secure top honours after eventually mastering the pacesetting 80-1 outsider Library, but Savethelastdance kept responding to Moore’s urgings and flashed home to prevail by half a length and provide her trainer with a seventh victory in the Irish Classic.

On Betfair, £12.54 was matched on Savethelastdance at the ceiling price of 999/1 in-running.

“It’s a long time since she ran, she had a break after Epsom and obviously we knew this was her first run back for an autumn campaign,” said O’Brien.

“She’s a big relaxed mare. Obviously the ground was way different than what she ran on the last time.

“Chris Hayes’ filly (Azazat) just came around her when she was just starting to get going and she might have gotten a little bit intimidated by it.

“The lads were delighted with her at home, she was thriving and doing great. Ryan gave her a brilliant ride, he re-motivated her. When she was in a little bit of trouble he kept her coming forward without panicking and got her out, then he asked her to come again.

The trainer spoke to Gary O’Brien about Savethelastdance plus gave his thoughts on

Library, Warm Heart, Emily Dickinson, Kyprios and Henry Longfellow.

“It’s a very difficult thing to motivate a horse on that type of ground but she did answer for him. He was brilliant on her.”

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “Obviously we know she stays very well. I’d say she’s going to sharpen up a good bit from today.

“You can bounce her out as forward as you want and I’d say she will find plenty and save plenty.

“She’s a massive big masculine filly, she’s unusual as she’s a filly but she has a pair of horns on her head which is very unusual for a filly. She has a big, strong backside on her.

“It’s very possible (she will stay in training next year), the lads have been doing that if everything is well over the last few years. If they decided that we’d be delighted.

“We’re treating this as her first run of an autumn campaign.”

A record seventh Juddmonte Farms Irish Oaks for Aidan O’Brien – here is the honour roll:

Alexandrova (2006)

Peeping Fawn (2007)

Moonstone (2008)

Bracelet (2014)

Seventh Heaven (2016)

Snowfall (2021)

Savethelastdance (2023)

FITZSIMMONS’ GR1 MAGIC MONKEY!

The planning had been meticulous and the execution did not disappoint after Golden Monkey gave trainer Tim Fitzsimmons his first Group 1 win in the SG$400 000 Singapore Derby on Sunday.

Golden Monkey was sent out the raging favourite on the back of a convincing win when being ridden cold in the Gr2 Stewards’ Cup on 2 July, a tactic that showed the distance in the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge would not be a problem.

Prior to being beaten by Golden Monkey in the Stewards’ Cup, Super Salute was at his seventh win in a row, so the now Richard Limtrained gelding had strong support to be on the second line of betting, while last-start winner Cavalry was the only other horse with stronger support in the market.

On jumping, it was no surprise that visiting jockey Hugh Bowman dropped Golden Monkey to last, while Elite Legend (Mo Hin Tun) took up

the role of the pacesetter with Sousui (Krisna Thangamani) on his outside for company. City Gold Wonder (Bernardo Pinheiro) and Saint Tropez (Wong Chin Chuen) were also handy in the running, while jockey Manoel Nunes elected to settle Super Salute midfield with cover with Cavalry (Vlad Duric) on his flank.

At the 600m, Duric – who won the Singapore Derby atop Top Knight three years ago – was the first to make a move by sending Cavalry forward to challenge Saint Tropez for the lead on turning for home. With Super Salute in traffic behind him and Golden Monkey still three lengths back at the 400m, it was game on for all the fancies.

The Singapore Derby winning team: (from left) jockey Hugh Bowman, owner Vic Elvin and trainer Tim Fitzsimmons | Credit: STC

Yet with Bowman still smoking his pipe at the 375m, backers would have been confident that Golden Monkey still had plenty left in his tank. When the 2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey got to work at the 350m, the race looked theirs for the taking – and it was.

Golden Monkey responded liked he did in the Stewards’ Cup by levelling up at the 150m before careering away to a resounding threeparts-of-a-length win over the brave Cavalry.

A length further back, it was a blanket go for the minors with Super Salute edging out Invincible Tycoon (Marc Lerner) by a nose for third and a gamed Saint Tropez running another head away in fifth.

The winning time was 1 min 47.92secs for the 1800m on the Long Course and Golden Monkey’s sixth win in 13 starts – and fourth at Group level – took his earnings in Singapore to over $600,000.

Fitzsimmons put the historic win down to hard work and good planning by all involved.

“It’s been twelve months in the making for this race,” said a visibly emotional Fitzsimmons to racing presenter Scott Bailey after the race.

“Nothing is by chance. Everything is planned and plotted, as well as the amazing ride. Everything came off.

“I want to thank all my staff. These horses are not easy. (Track rider) Kali (Kalimutha Ganesen) who rides him (Golden Monkey) every day, (assistant-trainer) JN (Jayabalan Naidu) and

“If they were up in the leading pack, that might have been a different story, but I was confident that the ones to beat were right in front of me.

Hugh Bowman and Golden Monkey take the Gr1 honours on Sunday at Kranji | Credit: STC

Chris (Bock), who came back to help me over the last twelve months. It’s a massive team effort.

“We had a rough start but this is an amazing feeling. I love this place (Singapore racecourse) but it’s a real shame (to) what’s happening here. Look at the crowd here today.

“Thanks to (bloodstock agent) Josh McLoughlan who found the horse. He’s brought so many new owners to my stable.

“This was the last thing left. We won the premiership (2022 Singapore champion trainer), the Group 3s and Group 2s, and now to top it off with my first Group 1 in the Derby, it’s amazing.

“I want to thank my mum and dad who are at home (in Australia). I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Bowman – who earlier rode City Gold Star to victory in the Sun Marshal 2019 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m (see earlier report) – was full of praise for both Golden Monkey and the connections after weighing in.

“Full credit to the process because I don’t think this horse is at his best over this distance (1800m). I thought he simply had the class edge over this field and he’s been taught to settle and relax.

“He got a bit of fright before the start and that concerned me because I thought he wouldn’t settle before he went into the gates – but he did.

“When we jumped, I just settled him at the back and after 50m, I was confident. He was in a lovely rhythm and it was just a case of not popping my cork until I needed too.

“I had a lot of confidence in the horse and he provided me with the turn of foot that I expected.”

When asked by Bailey if he was wary of not being able to make up the ground on the leaders in the straight, Bowman knew he had those that mattered where he wanted them.

“I could see the main rivals, one or two pairs in front,” explained the Australian-born hoop of Winx fame.

“If they were up in the leading pack, that might have been a different story, but I was confident that the ones to beat were right in front of me.

“I even sort of just came back when the brakes went on at the top of the lane to let the speed go before I got involved.

“And that was the confidence the team instilled into me prior to riding him. (Jockey) Chad (Schofield) did a wonderful job last start (Stewards’ Cup) when I couldn’t get here in between Sha Tin meetings.

“I think that certainly helped at the end of the race because he sprinted and put them away quickly, but he had enough at the line.”

“A lovely turn of foot,” said Bowman of the Jig Racing/Elvin Stable-owned four-year-old by Star Turn.

WE’LL MISS YOU, ASHLEY!

Zimbabwe-born Ashley Fortune made a major impact on South African horseracing in her five years of training over 250 winners, including a Gr1 and Gr2 success, out of the Vaal.

On Friday she departs on an adventure and a new life in Australia with her former SA Champion jockey husband, Andrew, and their two children.

The Fortunes will be based just outside Sydney, working and living on the NSW Southern Highlands equine property Bong Bong Farm.

Our very best wishes accompany the wonderful racing family.

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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