Sun Met winner Whisky Baron’s part-owner Ross Kieswetter admitted emotions had run high in their second floor box at Kenilworth on Saturday and even a few tears were shed among the hugs and kisses.

Whisky Baron (Liesl King)

His parents, Wayne and Belinda, and brother Craig, together with racing manager Craig Carey, have poured both professionalism and passion into the owning-and-breeding operation named  Ridgemont Stud.

To have won the Met so early in Ridgemont’s existence was beyond words and Ross said, “The July is the July, but for a Capetonian to win the Met … it’s huge.”

Ross and Craig, who are the official owners of Whisky Baron, had decided over dinner one night to name the Australian-bred horse in honour of their father and this made the win even more special. Wayne is an entrepreneur whose business successes include a partnership in a whisky distillery company in Scotland. Belinda was born in Scotland and sons Craig and Ross thus chose racing colours which resemble the national flag of Scotland, the St. Andrews Cross.

Ross became confident of victory at roundabout the 300m mark, at which stage Whisky Baron was ranging up to the favourite Legal Eagle. “Greg Cheyne had once told me this horse’s biggest asset was that he has a second kick,” he revealed. Whisky Baron duly found another gear to draw clear and win by a cosy 1,5 lengths, thus giving trainer Brett Crawford his third Met and Cheyne his first.

Ross described racing as an “addiction” and said if this characteristic had not previously existed within him it had now “definitely kicked in!” His father Wayne had been involved in racehorse ownership many years ago on a small scale and even used to work ride for his trainer Chris Snaith on Muizenberg beach.

When Wayne recently returned to the game his passion was evidenced by him buying Ross a racehorse for his 18^th birthday. This Australian-bred colt by Elusive Quality, trained by Joey Ramsden, went on to win four races. About two years ago Wayne founded Ridgemont Stud as a banner for the family’s racing and breeding operation.

Brett Crawford (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kieswetter brought in Craig and Amanda Carey, who have vast experience working with and breeding thoroughbreds as well as being involved in other industry concerns (Craig is a Director of Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) and Amanda is CTS’ Sales Manager). Although racing and breeding is Wayne’s hobby, he has, dedicated himself to the Ridgemont operation “big time”, according to Carey.

Kieswetter and Carey have strategy and feedback meetings a few times a week. Ridgemont Stud’s emphasis is on quality not quantity and they in fact currently have only about 24 horses in training.

It was decided at the time of Ridgemont’s formation that Craig and Ross Kieswetter would race the colts in their colours, while the fillies would run in the Ridgemont colours.

Whisky Baron, who was selected in Australia by Carey and trainer Joey Ramsden, was in fact the first racehorse Craig Kieswetter ever owned. Craig Carey recalls Whisky Baron at the Sales. He had a “huge hindquarter” and was a very good “mover”, so was purchased despite his sire Manhattan Rain having still been unproven at that stage.

Carey points out Ridgemont is very much a team effort and everybody involved participates actively. Ross, for example, has had a stint at both Klawervlei Stud, under the guidance of John Koster, and with trainer Willie Haggas in England, in order to learn the ins and outs of breeding and racing. He has also done some bid spotting.

Ridgemont has recently bought one of South Africa’s most established stud farms, Highlands Farms Stud, which was taken to great heights by the late great business magnate Graham Beck. They have thus overnight landed some top quality bloodlines, including the reigning Equus Champion Broodmare Our Table Mountain.

Ridgemont had earlier bought a plot in Wellington, where Craig and Amanda Carey now back and pre-train the company’s racehorses. Mike Sharkey, the long time stud manager of Highlands, will continue in his role, so is now also part of the Ridgemont team.

This suits Craig Carey as the plot in Wellington is a good base from which to visit Ridgemont’s horses in training (Racing Manager is one of Carey’s roles). The plot is also conveniently close to the airport, as Carey attends many Sales around the globe on behalf of Ridgemont.

Craig Kieswetter played one day cricket for England 71 times as a wicketkeeper-batsman before an eye injury ended his career. He is now attempting to qualify for the European golf tour. However, he flies back and forth between South Africa and Europe, so is still able to play an active role in Ridgemont. Carey envisages Craig one day being very much part of the day to day running of the operation.

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Ridgemont already have a couple of valuable broodmares overseas in Cold As Ice and In The Fast Lane, through whom they will be able to bring good thoroughbred genes into South Africa. The pair  will stand in the UK and Australia respectively and will thus have access to top sires. However, their progeny will be imported to South Africa. Cold As Ice looks likely to go to Oasis Dream this season, while In The Fast Lane is in foal to one of Australia’s leading sires Snitzel.

Brett Crawford is currently Ridgemont’s chief trainer, but they also have five or six horses with Candice Bass-Robinson, one with Eric Sands, some with Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth and a couple with Ormond Ferraris.

However, they intend expanding their number of trainers.

Whisky Baron will soon be departing for Drakenstein Stud, where he will have a well deserved holiday. Carey said the big horse would then likely be on his way to KZN, where the Vodacom Durban July will be his chief target.

He has been accorded a 120 merit rating by the handicappers, who used third placed Captain America as the line horse, so is likely to be top weight in the July.

Craig and Ross are only 29 and 23 years-old respectively. To have such dynamic youngsters achieving success as owners is brilliant news for South African racing.

By David Thiselton

Ashburton trainer Des Egdes’ step daughter Skye Gilbert is anticipating her fist ever race ride at Scottsville tomorrow aboard the Just As Well filly Just Rap with plenty of excitement.

Skye Gilbert and Just Rap (Supplied)

Skye is based in Newmarket in the UK with the 25 time Gr 1-winning trainer Ed Dunlop and her apprenticeship license was granted at the end of November.

She said about tomorrow’s race, “I worked Just Rap on Saturday and she worked very well, she will be fit and well but it’s a competitive field.”

Skye is limited to riding down the straight for at least her first five rides so feels lucky to be given this opportunity.

Just Rap has run twice over the course and distance and on the second of those occasions finished 5,5 lengths back in a handicap off a 72 merit rating, so she should get closer on paper tomorrow off a 67 merit rating together with Skye’s 4kg claim.

Skye grew up with horses being the daughter of farrier Ford Wallace, who now practices in Cape Town, and showjumper Kim Egdes.

Showjumping and eventing were high on her list of priorities while growing up.

However, racing was where her ultimate ambitions lay.

She worked for her step father Des as a stable employee before departing for the UK four years ago.

She was taught all aspects of racing and horse care by Des and the same thread was picked up in her first eight months in the UK as a stable employee to Newmarket trainer Marco Botti.

She found it exhilarating to be living in racing’s Headquarters and spiritual home, Newmarket, where residents eat and sleep The Sport of Kings.

She later worked for a stud farm before joining Ed Dunlop.

Ed is the son of the 1995 British champion trainer John Dunlop, who won ten British classic races in an illustrious career. John played a pivotal role in the establishment of Middle Eastern influences in British horseracing, training Hatta, Sheikh Mohammed’s first winner as an owner at Brighton in 1977. He was also associated with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum over a period of three decades.

Ed is immediately associated in world racing circles with the gallant warrior Red Cadeaux, who ran five times in the Melbourne Cup, finishing second three times.

Skye Gilbert and Just Rap (Supplied)

He also trains Trip To Paris, who in 2015 won the Ascot Gold Cup, Britain’s most prestigious event for stayers. He went on to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

Skye works Trip To Paris, among other horses, every day out on the Newmarket heath, which has a vast choice of grass gallops, as well as a polytrack or two.

The jockey qualifying system works differently in the UK to South Africa.

It is up to the trainer to whom the rider is attached to teach them the basics of race riding.

Skye, for example, was able to receive advice not only from Dunlop, but also from the jockeys attached to his yard. She also sought advice from Richard Perham, a former jockey who is now a “Jockey Coach” at the British School of Racing.

She has been able to hone her skills on a equicizer in a gymnasium which is just down the road from Ed’s yard.

It is up to the trainer to recommend youngsters for apprenticeship licenses.

“The trainer must decide whether it is worth taking a chance on a rider making it as a jockey,” explained Skye.

Before applying for the licence the rider should have completed a Level 2 Diploma in Racehorse Care. He or she would also be expected to be confident and competent in galloping a racehorse at speed, riding work on a racehorse and jumping a racehorse out of the starting stalls.

The Apprentice Jockeys licence allows riders aged between 16 and 26 years old, who are in full time paid employment with a UK based Licensed Racehorse Trainer, to ride in flat races against professional jockeys, but with a weight allowance to compensate for their inexperience.

As part of the application, the prospective jockey is required to attend, and satisfactorily complete, a five-day course at either the British Racing School or Northern Racing College. They must also undergo a medical examination.

Apprentice and Conditional jockeys who hold their licence in the UK are entitled to be allocated a qualified Jockey Coach. They receive coaching in all aspects of their careers from technical support to motivation, confidence, fitness and communication skills. The jockeys can continue to receive coaching until they have completed the season in which they ride out their claim. The funding is done through an annual grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board as well as a contribution of between 3,75% and 7,5% of the jockey’s riding fee.

However, the trainer remains the rider’s guv’nor and Skye had to receive permission from Ed Dunlop to ride out here.

Skye still appreciates her South African roots and her idol is Anton Marcus.

“Anton Marcus is brilliant strategically and knows about his own and every other horse in every race he rides in,” she said. “I aspire to be like him.”

Des and Kim will be cheering for Skye from the course tomorrow and her father Ford will be glued to Tellytrack at 14h45 for the milestone moment.

Skye will be returning to the U.K in about two weeks time in preparation for the British Flat season.

By David Thiselton

London Call has never been an easy horse to train but Mark Dixon and wife Hailey have persevered and the Kahal gelding posted the seventh win of his career in only eleven outings when winning the Marula Sprint (Non-Black Type) at Scottsville yesterday.

London Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

The seven wins have been punctuated by some lengthy breaks and yesterday’s victory came off a three-month spell as Brandon Lerena kept his mount running strongly to the line to easily hold off fellow top weight Barbosa and Sea Fever, a whisker separating the two stable companions.

With very little rain over the past few weeks, Scottsville was riding fast and Lerena had London Call up with the pace throughout, but it was only inside the final furlong that he really got to work with London Call responding gamely to his urgings.

It was a quick double for Dixon who had earlier saddled the consistent Caribbean Day for his fourth victory for owners Blake and Cathy Richard. Although this was only his fifth win from 38 starts, Caribbean Day has been a soldier, placing 18 times for a return of over R400k.

Yesterday’s win came at the expense of some useful younger rivals as Keagan de Melo took the shortest way home off the false rail to easily held off the attentions of the late-charging Capel Top with favourite Monte Christo a well-beaten third.

Mr O’Neill, back in blinkers after his narrow previous victory, notched the third win of his career when comfortably seeing off the opposition in the Soccer 6 Handicap. It took time and gelding for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge to realise the promise he had shown early in his career – at his second start being touched off by Saturday’s Gr 1 Investec Derby runner-up Zodiac Ruler in a race that he could easily have won had he had his mind on the job.

With Champions Season looming, Mr O’Neill may well be a name for the notebook.

By Andrew Harrison

Brett Crawford is planning a dual Grade 1 assault on the Vodacom Durban July following Saturday’s fabulous four-timer.

Whisky Baron (Liesl King)

“I will discuss things with Derek Brugman and we will decide whether Edict Of Nantes goes the Daily News route, or stays in Cape Town for the first two legs of the winter series like Marinaresco last year and then runs in the July,” said Crawford for whom Whisky Baron’s triumph in the Sun Met was his third in the great race. “The way the horse had kept winning since being gelded meant I thought he had the potential to win again on Saturday.”

The 2 min 2.71 sec clocked by Whisky Baron made it the fastest Met for 16 years bar the first of Pocket Power’s three wins in 2007.  Fourth-placed Gold Standard lost a front shoe, quite possibly when hampered by Captain America, while Mambo Mime (last) returned not striding out.

Frankie Dettori has ridden in enough countries not to be surprised by the stipes having him in for waving his whip in triumph as he neared the line in the Investec Cape Derby. But in Europe there is no rule against this. Here he was fined R1 500.

Carry On Alice (Nkosi Hlophe)

S’Manga Khumalo, whose usual flying dismount is more of a hop off the horse, gave it the full Dettori treatment after winning the Betting World Cape Flying Championship on Carry On Alice – “She is so special.”

Sean Tarry, who won this race with Mythical Flight ten years ago, said: “It’s not too often that I get a horse who wins Grade 1s at two, three, four and five but we did things a bit differently with her this time, bringing her to Cape Town with something to work on. The Computaform Sprint (April 29) is now her target but 1 000m is a bit short for Trip To Heaven.”

The runner-up took his reputation for starting slowly to new heights. After dawdling the first 100m he was ten lengths behind the leaders but he made up four in the last 100 alone and went under by only a fast-diminishing neck.

Red Ray was promptly retired after finishing a gallant third. “This was his swansong and Anton Marcus said he would have won had the race been over six furlongs but he still covered himself in glory,” declared Derek Brugman. “He has every chance of doing the same as a stallion at Klawervlei.”

William Longsword (Liesl King)

William Longsword, on whom Marcus led 400m out to take the $500 000 CTS Mile for Vaughan Marshall, might also go there without racing again. “It’s a distinct possibility with the emphasis on the word possibility,” said Brugman. “But we will discuss it within the next fortnight.”

Tarry hinted that Cloth Of Cloud’s next stop could also be the breeding sheds after she trailed in a long way last in the CTS Sprint. “We have to weigh up our options but I don’t think there is anything I can do that I have not already done,” he said.

Live Life confirmed Candice Bass-Robinson’s tentative belief that Piet du Toit’s Trippi filly should be kept up the straight when Grant van Niekerk’s mount headed Always In Charge just inside the last 100m of the CTS Sprint. “I was a bit hesitant because I wasn’t sure whether the Sceptre was just a flash in the pan,” she admitted.

Durban is an option as it is for the Anthony Delpech-ridden Nightingale who finished fast in Mary Slack’s famous colours to give her trainer her first Grade 1 in the Klawervlei Majorca. “Candice is going to be a better trainer than me,” said a proud Mike Bass who won half the last ten Majorcas.

Justin Snaith, eight winners last year, had to be content with three this time but the Gavin Lerena-ridden Gimme Six in the last was his 100^th success of the season.

By Michael Clower

It all points to Legal Eagle. The form book, the handicappers and the bookmakers say the 2-1 favourite is the best horse in the race, he won the Queen’s Plate convincingly and his stable is on fire.

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Yet the recent history of tomorrow’s Sun Met says he will probably get beaten. Since Pocket Power won for the third time eight years ago every favourite bar one has met with defeat, only one Queen’s Plate winner has completed the double and he himself was beaten 12 months ago.

The two biggest  dangers  are 28-10 shot Marinaresco and 9-2 chance Whisky Baron. Both are four-year-olds -an age group that has won four of the last six Mets – and Marinaresco was less than half a length off Legal Eagle in the Green Point here in December even though the trip was too short for him. It could be his turn this time.

Whisky Baron, narrowly but comfortably beaten by Marinaresco in last season’s Winter Guineas and Classic, is a different proposition since being gelded and has been busy working his way through the ranks. He looks a major threat.

Gold Standard has been heavily backed in the last week – from 12-1 to half that price – and will race in new colours (Drakenstein has bought an interest) but you have to go right back to Badger’s Coast at the turn of the century to find a three-year-old Met winner.

Captain America, only a length behind Legal Eagle 12 months ago, was second to him in the Queen’s Plate and is a huge price at 18-1. Almost certainly the best of the outsiders.

Two of the last five winners were fillies and Bela-Bela could well make the frame at 11-1. She wasn’t quite ready when she only just got home in her last two starts. But good enough to win? Questionnable.

Table Bay (Liesl King)

The Conglomerate’s name would resonate round the world if Frankie Dettori  was in a position to do his famous flying dismount but this is another that is more of a place prospect. The same with fellow 18-1 shot French Navy and It’s My Turn (15-1).

Table Bay at 9-2 makes a lot more appeal than Horizon at 12-10 in the Investec Cape Derby. If the former’s stamina – or lack of it – proves to be his Achilles heel then this could be Dettori’s chance. Edict Of Nantes races as if this trip is what he wants.

Trip To Heaven was super-impressive when winning the Diadem by almost four lengths. Disturbingly – particularly as the Betting World Cape Flying Championship is over a furlong shorter – he again gave away ground at the start. S’Manga Khumalo has preferred Carry On Alice but the 28-10 favourite looks the one they all have to beat – including Red Ray (11-2)  and last year’s winner Gulf Storm who is much better than his 25-1 price would suggest.

Sean Tarry may also win the CTS Sprint with Cloth Of Cloud while William Longsword stands out in the Mile. Silver Mountain’s coffin-box draw has surely killed her Klawervlei Majorca chance. Maybe Star Express  or Lady Of The House.

By Michael Clower

The first Pick 6 at Saturday’s big Sun Met meeting is expected to have a pool of R8 million and there are some potential bankers.

William Longsword (Liesl King)

Sergeant Hardy is an imposing, long-striding Captain Al gelding, who has the ability to dominate his races, and is a banker possibility in the first leg. However, the brilliant Cloth Of Cloud is unbeaten and her form has worked out well, so she must be considered despite returning from a layoff.  Wider Pick 6s could include Always In Charge and Live Life, and beyond them Elusive Path, Exquisite Touch and Red Light Girl can be considered.

William Longsword is a possible banker in the second leg in what could be his last race before going to stud. The main dangers are Just Sensual and Safe Harbour, while the dark horses are African Night Sky, Epona and Tilbury Fort.

Trip To Heaven could mow them down late in the third leg, but Carry On Alice also has a big shout in suitably fast conditions. Rivarine is unexposed and could be a threat. Wider perms could consider Red Ray, Talktothestars, Gulf Storm, Search Party, Brutal Force, Seventh Plain, Tar Heel and Tevez.

In the next leg the progressive Lady Of The House must be included alongside Silver Mountain and Nightingale. Others to consider are Sail, Star Express, Final Judgement, Real Princess and Olma.

In the next leg Horizon looks to have plenty to come and is a banker consideration. Beyond him Elevated, Newlands, Table Bay, Edict Of Nantes and even Winter Is Coming have to be considered.

Legal Eagle will be bankered by many in the Met, but the unexposed Gold Standard is worth including. Marinaresco, It’s My Turn and Whisky Baron are next in line and beyond them Captain America, Bela-Bela and French Navy are worth considering.

By David Thiselton

Millennials, those aged between 18 and 34, surprisingly proved to be the all-consuming topic at yesterday’s first international Tote conference to be held in South Africa.

“This age group is by far the largest on the planet, it comprises your future customers, punters and racegoers – and they are spoilt for choice,” said Mark Steinhobel, chairman of leading market group VWV, speaking to his Kenilworth audience.

“So what can you do?” he added before answering his own question. “For a start you can stop taking yourselves so seriously. I know the traditions of racing go back a long way and, while you may alienate some of the older racegoers, the alternative is a long slow slide into obscurity.”

Steinhobel referred to a recent survey asking millennials what would persuade them to go racing at the Cape Town course. The top answers were a party, free booze and the Met. “What I can also tell you is that if they do go, and find it a compelling experience, thousands and thousands will hear about it.”

He also proposed the use of jockey cams for live pictures of the racing, this to be relayed on people’s phones as well as on TV. His other suggestion of using Kenilworth for drone-racing didn’t seem to go down quite so well!

Tellytrack chief Rob Scott called for the industry to employ more people of the millennial age group and for those in the industry to embrace what these people want.

Phumelela boss Riaan du Plessis also called for change to attract, and cater for, the younger racegoers, saying: “We have got to reach them but, if we can only offer them the same, that is no good – and if we keep doing what we did in the past we will fail.”

However Paul Cross of Australian wagering company Tabcorp made the point that racing is still hugely popular, just that the way of watching it has changed.

He explained: “Many people argue that racing is in the doldrums with less and less people going but in fact there are more eyeballs watching racing today than there have ever been.”

He also emphasised the importance of the millennials and said that Australian harness racing has recently banned the use of the whip – partly in response to complaints from the younger audience.

Ten minutes later a worried-looking Neil Andrews, who was master of ceremonies, got to his feet and said: “I am very perturbed. My girlfriend has just phoned to say she has heard that they are  banning whips and how do I feel about this?”

By Michael Clower

Justin Snaith has entries in every one of the 13 races at Saturday’s big Sun Met meeting and asked whether he could go close to the world record eight winners he scored on this day last year, he replied, “You never know.”

He kindly commented on every one of his runners:

Race 1 (MR 96 Handicap over 1200m): “Cuban Emerald was unlucky last time, he had to come from a long way back, and I expect a better race this time. Captain Swarovski has a big weight, but is down in class, blinkers were a bad idea last time and he should run a better race. Fire Master ran a flat race last time, but will be competitive on best form in what is a very competitive race.”

Justin Snaith(Left) Bela-Bela(Right)- Tracy Robertson Photography

Race 2 (Listed Princess Charlene Of Monaco Foundation SA Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m): “Kasimir by Captain Al makes his debut and is very nice two-year-old, I think he has Dutch Phillip to beat and should be in the firing line.”

Race 3 (R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m): “Sir Frenchie could well fight out the finish, he will be very good at 1200m and I think he is one of the horses to beat. He was very green on debut, but has put up a good gallop and will run a big race. I think the Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock runners are the ones to beat. Lacerta has a small chance, but it is very competitive. Henry Tudor will be much better over this 1200m and could be in the money. Varside could place.”

Race 4 (US$500,000 CTS Sprint over 1200m): “Sergeant Hardy is very well and is the horse to beat. Red Light Girl will be better suited to this 1200m (dropping down in trip) and is a nice horse for a place. Le Havre plays up in the stalls, but if he gets it right he could run a big race and could be the dark horse.”

Race 5 (US$500,000 CTS Mile): “African Night Sky is my value bet on the day. He would have won last time if he had not been taken out. Copper Force is doing well at home, but it is a big ask from that draw.”

Race 6 (Gr 1 R1 million Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m): “Jo’s Bond has been saved for this race, she may be outgunned, but she won a good race last time (beating Carry On Alice by 0,5 lengths on 2kg better terms than here) and we are taking our chances. Captain Alfredo has a bit to do, this is a very strong field.”

Race 7 (Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m): “A lot of horses who would normally run here are in other races, so it has opened it up. Star Express is having her third run after a rest and is primed and ready. A Time To Dream needs a bit of luck from the draw, it’s a very hard race and we would just be hoping for a place for her.”

Zodiac Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)

Race 8 (Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby over 2000m): Zodiac Ruler is an out and out stayer, we have been waiting to send him over this 2000m trip. He disappointed in his last start and might be heading for gelding soon, but he could be the dark horse.”

Race 9 (Gr 1 R5 million Sun Met over 2000m): Bela-Bela put up the gallop of the day. She is doing very well and will be in the firing line. It’s My Turn is a very big runner, we have prepped him for this race. He did not have a gallop into the Politician and we have galloped him into this race. He had a late start to the season and is getting better and better with every run. Baritone, we are just hoping for a half-decent run.”

Race 10 (Gr 2 The Blue Label Cape Stayers over 2800m): “Ovidio is doing very well and I think 4/1 is a crazy price (he is now 13/10 with Betting World). If anything can give Ovidio a go it will be Krambambuli, he has never tried this trip but I don’t think it will be a problem, you don’t need to stay to win these sort of races in South Africa, our staying races are relatively weak. Captain Splendid disappointed last time, he had gone quiet on me, and I have changed his training to wake him up and hope he improves.”

Race 11 (MR 95 Handicap over 1600m): “Richard (Fourie) had the choice of ride here and chose Lineker. He has been very consistent lately and was unlucky last time in a slow run race and he was a little bit strong. He will go close, it’s just whether he is good enough on the day. Fifty Cents had a good run in the Queen’s Plate, he was not disgraced, and I am expecting a nice run, he will fight it out, he has a good chance, this race will be about who is best on the day. Overshadow was very disappointing last time, the jockey said he was not moving well (reported ‘felt amiss’) but I couldn’t find a lot wrong. His work has been good and with Anton up he has got to be a runner, I am expecting a good run. Star Chestnut is consistent and it was a bit far last time, back to a mile he could win, although it’s one of the most competitive races on the day.”

Richard Fourie (Liesl King)

Race 12 (MR  90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m): “Nima is the one to beat if running anything like she did last time. Fear Not is doing well and if running to best form could easily surprise. Evoke Emotion needed her last run and could run into the money. Northern Ballet stays well and has a place chance. Katies Joy had a good run last time and should run a similar race so has a place chance.”

Race 13 (MR Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m): I am very strong in this race. Twinkle Toes has a good chance if she runs to form, they changed it to the last race and Piere Strydom has to get a flight home, which is the only reason there is no rider declared yet. Gimme Six had a very good gallop and could be the filly to beat. Secret Seven also had a very good gallop and could also be in the shake up. Fortissimus disappointed last time and will need luck in running. Miss Hyde is very competitive and is tough and consistent, but it’s a tough race. She has a small each-way chance and could be a nice horse for the PA.”

Conclusion: “My best bets on the day are Sergeant Hardy and Ovidio and my sneaker is African Night Sky.”

By David Thiselton

In the build-up to The Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm there was a chance for a trio of Miss South Africa semifinalists to get up close and personal with a few of the thoroughbred stars involved in the R5-million spectacle at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday.

Callie-Jo Bouman and Chante Holloway, two semifinalists in this year’s Miss SA, pose with Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm hopeful Captain America on the beach.

As part of the promotional efforts that have gone into this, Africa’s richest raceday, Ade van Heerden, Chante Holloway and Callie-Jo Bouman all spent time with Whisky Baron and Captain America, the two entrants from the Brett Crawford stable for the 2000m Grade One race at the beach in Muizenberg.

“It was really cool to be that close to the horses and watch them during the morning. They were calm and relaxed the whole time and it was a really great experience,” Bouman said of the morning.

It’s not unusual for a number of the Cape Town-based trainers to take their horses out to the beach for some time in the sun, work on the sand and the icy cool waters of the Atlantic is great for the legs. And after their workouts the horses enjoy nothing more than a roll in the sand, something that caught the models off guard.

“I’ve seen dogs roll like that but never a horse! It’s amazing to watch them and see how happy they were. It was really good to see this side of them,” added Bouman.

Given the short time left until raceday it’s only natural that excitement levels are ramped up and Bouman, who will attend the races for the first time, is eager to see what the day, and the sport of horseracing, has to offer.

Whisky Baron and Captain America, two of the runners in The Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm, take time out to pose with Miss SA semifinalists.

“I’m excited. I’ve never been racing before, so just to share in this experience is going to be amazing. Seeing all the horses and the fashions is also going to be great. I’m really excited to be part of this and of course with Sun International involved it’s going to be really special.

And the Belville resident found that picking a horse for the big day was relatively simple given that’s she is currently pursuing a law degree.

“I had a look at the names of the horses and Legal Eagle definitely stood out for me,” says Bouman.

Tickets for The Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm start from just R150 for general access and can be purchased from Ticketpro and the official after-party presented by GUESS includes some of the biggest names in South African music including Mi Casa, Euphonik, Sketchy Bongo, Goodluck, Kyle Deutsch and Shekhinah.

Racing. It’s a Rush