Brett Crawford landed his sixth Grade 1 win of the season on Saturday, the first day of the Gold Cup Festival Of Racing at Greyville,  when Sail South won the Champions Cup over 1800m under Richard Fourie.

National Champion trainer Sean Tarry has landed seven Grade 1s this season, but has had only four individual Grade 1 winners, while Crawford has had five individual Grade 1 winners, Edict Of Nantes, who won two Grade 1s, Whisky Baron, Captain America, Lady Of The House and Sail South. Mike de Kock has had five Grade 1 winners courtesy of five individual Grade 1 winners.

Sail South, a six-year-old gelding, became his late sire Sail From Seattle’s third Grade 1 winner and remarkably the other two, Elusive Gold and Gulf Storm, were also trained by Crawford.

Sail South has always had a lot of class, but has had a tendency to over race.

The key to his victory on Saturday was the good pace of the race set by his stabalemate Captain America. Captain America jumped quite well, but was momentarily squeezed between Bela-Bela and Marinaresco, having jumped from the second widest draw of all in the ten horse field. He found himself out wide as they reached the first turn. Meanwhile, Sail South, who had jumped from draw seven, had gone around them and was in the lead quite soon into the turn. However, he then began over racing a touch as he waited for Captain America to slot in front of him. Once Captain America had found the rail he was given a breather, but then began stretching out with his big stride. The fast fractions suited Sail South down to the ground as he was also able to use his stride. Captain America kicked away at the top of the straight and made a bold bid to hold on. However, his early exertions soon took their toll and Sail South draw level at the 200m mark and was still full of running. He went on to beat him by 1,25 lengths and returned odds of 17/1 compared to Captain America’s 4/1 price.

The relatively unexposed Tarry-trained three-year-old gelding Matador Man showed how good he was by storming home from second last in the running to finish a 2,25 length third at odds of 15/1.

Bela-Bela started 26/10 favourite, but was held up on the false rail behind her stablemate It’s My Turn. By the time she began her chase down the inside it was clear she was going to battle to make up the leeway against the superbly conditioned Crawford pair, who both had the advantage of coming into the race relatively fresh. However, in her swansong she still managed a respectable 2,75 length fourth.

The July winner Marinaresco understandably found the race a bridge too far after a tough season and made little impact from last place before being nursed home to finish second last.

Ten Gun Salute, from third in the running, held on for the fifth place cheque ahead of Table Bay.

It was another magnificent training feat by Crawford and the time said it all. The 108,28 seconds was more than four seconds faster than last year’s renewal and close to three second faster than the previous year’s. However, it was not as quick as the 107,38 seconds of 2014 and there is little coincidence that the winner of that race, Futura, was also trained by Crawford. Crawford also won the race in 2013 with Jackson.

Sail South began showing his true class when getting a fast pace over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day last year in the Listed Daisy Business Solutions Handicap. He destroyed them by five lengths that day despite carrying topweight of 61kg off a 104 merit rating.

He got another good pace in his second run of the season over 1400m in a Pinnacle Stakes race and he cruised in by 3,5 lengths. That race was also the beginiing of his successful partnership with Richard Fourie.

However, his transformation into a genuine Grade 1 performer came when he was held up for the first time by Fourie in the LÓrmarin’s Queen’s Plate. He over raced at the back yet still managed to fly up for third behind Legal Eagle and Captain America.

The same tactic was used in the Grade 1 Rising un Gold Challenge and after over racing again, he flew from a hopeless position for fourth.

Saturday was the first time he had gone beyond a mile and the remarkable bay proved his class again. His Northfields dam did win over 2400m. Sail South was bred by Mr and Mrs GN Potts and is part-owned by them together with GJ Dempsey.

by David Thiselton

It was reported on Thursday that Igugu, Mike de Kock’s star mare and winner of the Durban July and J&B Met, had died in Australia.

Facebook-based TSA News, doing a story on Igugu’s stakes-placed half-sister Ngaga (trained by Andre Nel), came across the shocking information that South Africa’s once darling mare had died on 24 November, 2016. It was reported in the Australian Stud Book.

“It was devastating to read that the four-time Gr1 winner had in fact died – were we the only one to miss this?” queried TSA and the answer is, they weren’t!

“This is simply bizarre,” said Mike de Kock when informed of Igugu’s death on Thursday evening. “It boggles my mind that it took the best part of a year for us to get to know about Igugu’s death when she’s the type of mare who’d deserve a state funeral!

“All of us at the stable are taken by this and sad, but we won’t dwell on the fact that the info came to us so terribly late. Igugu was a wonderful champion in all respects, a top mare with vast amounts of courage and a big favourite to all in the yard. We salute her with fond memories!”

As for the rest of the report, further credit to TSA, who wrote:

Foaled in Australia, the Kia Ora Stud-bred Igugu was the second named foal of the unraced Zarinia (IRE). Purchased at the 2009 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Livestock Traders for A$65,000, the filly was sent to South Africa where she was then sold as part of the Summerhill Stud draft at the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale in 2009 when secured by Andre Macdonald for R1 million.

With part of the filly purchased privately to race in the silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum after her first few starts, the Mike de Kock-trained Igugu went on to claim the Gr1 South African Fillies Classic and the Gr1 Woolavington on her way to a stunning victory over Pierre Jourdan (SAF) in the 2011 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, her eighth win from just 10 starts.

After a break, she resumed with a win in Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge before capturing the Gr1 J&B Met over Bravura (SAF) and Gimmthegreenlight (AUS).

Set to take on the world, Igugu raced in Dubai, Hong Kong and in the UK, but another victory eluded the Champion mare, and retirement beckoned.

Having produced her first foal on February 1, 2015, the now two-year-old filly has been named Atlaal (GB) (Dansili (GB)) and is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum in the stable of Hugo Palmer, while her second, a colt by the very same sire was foaled on February 18.

Covered by Invincible Spirit (IRE), the Australian Stud Book reports Igugu died on November 24, 2016.

Igugu’s Race Record: Horse of the Year in South Africa in 2010-11. Champion 3YO Filly & Middle Distance Horse in South Africa in 2010-11. Champion Older Female in South Africa in 2011-12. 10 wins from 1200m to 2450m, £7,955, R5,684,375, 645,920Dhs, Greyville Woolavington S., Gr.1, Durban July H., Gr.1, Kenilworth J&B Metropolitan H., Gr.1, Turffontein South African Fillies Classic, Gr.1, South African Oaks, Gr.2, Ipi Tombe Challenge, Gr.2, Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Gr.2, Johannesburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge, Gr.3, 2d Kenilworth Cape Fillies Guineas, Gr.1, Newmarket Rosemary S., L, Turffontein Emperors Palace Ready to Run Cup, 3d Meydan Balanchine S., Gr.2.

Mikedekockracing.com

Three useful runners from the Mike de Kock stable will travel to Durban on Friday for this weekend’s Gold Cup Festival of Racing at Greyville.

Kinaan (AUS), third in the Gr3 eLAN Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m last year, comes into this year’s race off a similarly good preparation and Mathew de Kock commented: “He’s well weighted and nicely drawn, he’s a horse with a chance.”

Mujallad (AUS), is an improving young horse and one his rivals will have to contend with in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m. “Mujallad is starting to put things together, he has improved more since his most recent win and he also has the benefit of a good draw. I think he will run well.”

Trip To Rio is not the easiest of customers around, but the stable found what looks like an ideal race for him, a MR77 Polytrack Handicap over 1900m. He posted a good win in a stronger race when last taken to the Polytrack a year ago so is in with an obvious chance of fighting out the finish.

Callan Murray will partner the trio, keen to get back among the winners after his spell in Hong Kong.

Mikedekockracing.com

Justin Snaith is optimistic that there will be no repeat of the start problems that cost Star Express all chance last time when the four-year-old lines up for the Gold Bracelet at Greyville on Saturday week.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount became fractious, in the words of the stipes report, when leaving the pens in the Garden Province and in no time she was four lengths last. She finished with only one behind her.

Snaith said yesterday: “I hope she doesn’t do that again because she is a huge runner in the Gold Bracelet but sometimes the biggest problem comes at the starting stalls. You get the horse spot on, it’s a big day and the horse is super-excited and you can’t control what happens at the pens.”

Star Express has long been held in high regard by the Snaith stable and in the Klawervlei Majorca on Met day she was only beaten half a length by Nightingale. She was also fifth in the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes, beaten little more than two lengths.

Michael Clower

A post on social media this morning got it just about right at Greyville yesterday. “A Roy Moodley benefit,” it read. KZN’s leading owner was in the winner’s enclosure five times and to make it more exciting, three of them look to have a bright future.

Moodley’s winners were shared between Alyson Wright and Duncan Howells with champion jockey elect Anthony Delpech aboard four of and Keagan de Melo plucking one plum.

Three of Moodley’s winners were saddled by Howells who has pinched what is beginning to look like an unassailable lead in the KZN trainer’s championship. He was four clear of reigning champion Dennis Drier going into the meeting and is now seven clear with four meetings to go before the end of the current season.

Moodley’s run started in the third where the talented but often temperamental Roy’s Hollyhock was extricated from a seemingly precarious position at the top of the straight by Delpech. “She blew the start but I knew that if I gave her a clear run in the straight she would win.” Even that did not go quite according to plan as Delpech had to extricate himself from behind a tiring runner. But once clear, Roy’s Hollyhock motored home to win as she liked.

A race later it was the turn of Roy’s Zara, a second for the Howells, Delpech combination. The daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown made light of her wide draw and put three lengths over her rivals at the wire. It was not the strongest field but the lightly raced Roy’s Zara won well enough to suggest that over a bit of ground she can be really useful.

The Wright-trained Roy Is Second made light of her name to go one better in the sixth. A home-bred by Horse Chestnut, this was her second win from 15 starts and she finished well to catch long-time leader Dundrum, who for once was relatively well behaved at the gate.

Roy’s Regis has taken to the poly and made it two from two on the surface with a commanding win in the seventh. Always handy under De Melo, the Australian-bred son of Choisir led early in the straight and was never in trouble.

The last hurrah was left to Delpech and Wright. Veteran Roy Royale stormed home in the last to catch long-time leader The Lion Guard on the line to end a memorable day for Moodley.

The day was marred by three horses coming down in the fourth but thankfully all three riders and their mounts appear to have escaped with minor injuries.

Honeymoon Cove, who was over racing, clipped the heels of Roy’s Zara approaching the 600m mark and falling with apprentice Khanya Sakayi. Fonteyn then made contact with the fallen Honeymoon Cove and lost her footing dislodging MJ Byleveld. Warren Kennedy aboard Liberty Market was unable to avoid the pile-up and also came down.

The horses escaped unscathed but all three jockeys we taken to hospital for precautionary check-ups but appeared to be only shaken

Chairman of the stipendiary board, Shaun Parker, said that no-one was to blame and it was an “unfortunate racing incident.”

Andrew Harrison

The battle for the KZN Champion Trainer’s title offers punters an opportunity to cash in with two trainers locked neck-and-neck for the championship.

It’s down to the wire and with just five meetings left to the end of the current season it is still touch-and-go between Duncan Howells and defending champion Dennis Drier. The title is decided by number of wins in the province and Howells currently leads on 68 with Drier a close second on 64. Third on 56 wins is Dean Kannemeyer.

With both trainers all-out to increase their winning tally punters can be assured that each of their runners will be revving at maximum for the next fortnight.

The pair saddle eight runners each at Greyville today, including a couple of reserves, which adds some needle to the afternoon’s events.

Howells does not have a runner in the card opener but the rumour mill has been grinding that Drier has a smart first timer in Bad Attitude that will be ridden by Anton Marcus for Mayfair Speculators.

However, the gelding will need to be all of what is expected as he faces a few form runners in the likes of Paul Gadsby’s colt Lucius Fox, Northern Rebel from Mark Dixon’s yard and two first timers from strong stables in Twister Vortex and Bobby Shafto from Sean Tarry and Johan Janse van Vuuren respectively.

Both have runners in the second where Drier saddles Blazing Heart who has been showing signs of coming to hand and races in pacifiers for the first time.

The Howells-trained Steve Rubell found some market support on debut but it was over a year before he made another racecourse appearance. It was a modest effort on the poly but there may be big improvement to come. He could pay to follow in the betting.

However, Kannemeyer’s colt Badawee has more obvious credentials and could upstage them both although he has drawn one outside of Steve Rubell in Marriott Road.

The Big Chill does duty for Drier in the third and Roy’s Hollyhock for Howells and with the scratching of the likely short-priced favourite, Torrey Pines (coughing), the contest between the two becomes that much more relevant.

Roy’s Zara and Victory Cross will do duty for Howells in the fourth, both in with chances as is Queens Chapel for Drier whose two best recent efforts have been on the poly.

Howells has a bye in the fifth but Drier sends out Delirious Nomad, a winner of his last start and improved in blinkers. He takes on stronger here where Master Of Mischief is over his favourite course and distance and could make it home for Wendy Whitehead in what is an open affair.

Hallowed Spring (Drier) and Mythical Magic (Howells) are a possible exacta proposition in the sixth, the two drawn alongside each other with two lengths separating them when last they met, Hallowed Spring going the better. However, Roy Is Second could upset this prediction. She is re-united with Anthony Delpech after contesting the KZN Breeders Levelling the Playing fields series and although a little up in class she goes very well over course and distance for Delpech and Alyson Wright.

Roy’s Regis rounds off the day’s contest for the two championship rivals and could add to a possible good day for owner Roy Moodley who has a number of runners in with strong winning chances. The Australian import won really well first up on the poly track and may have too much fire power for his older rivals who are a fairly average bunch. Roy’s Regis along with Torrey Pines could prove a lucrative double on the day.

Andrew Harrison

Sean Tarry’s coupling of Trip To Heaven and Bull Valley have been priced up at 7-2 and 4-1 respectively to win Saturday’s Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Greyville.

Trip To Heaven, arguably the best performer not to have a Grade 1 victory in his CV, looks a worthy favourite as he is by far the best handicapped runner, 2.5kg better weighted than stable companion Bull Valley. He has run four times at Greyville, twice over 1600m in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, and twice in this race. Trip To Heaven was first past the post in the 2016 Gold Challenge but was relegated to second in the boardroom for causing interference to Mac De Lago. This year he ran on well to run a 1.50-length second behind Captain America.

His two 1200m races have resulted in his finishing unplaced but according to Tarry there were excuses. “Two years he got a very poor ride and should have finished a lot closer. Last year, as far as I remember, it was a slow-run race and I was happy with the run,” said Tarry yesterday.

It was also his first run after having been gelded but, as Tarry points out, Trip To Heaven has done little wrong since he was gelded.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

He’s drawn at No 7 but that is not a concern for Tarry. “He loses ground at the start so it’s really irrelevant where he’s drawn. Obviously, the faster they go the better. We know the weights are never his problem, just the gates.

“I really believe this horse deserves a Grade 1 win.”

S’manga Khumalo takes the ride on Trip To Heaven while Karl Zechner rides Bull Valley.

Bull Valley will be looking for his second successive Grade 1 win after coming out on top in the Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville in May. “It was a big win,” said Tarry. “He was primed for that race and he stole it from a long way out.”

Third favourite at 6-1 is Search Party, who finished a 1.50-length second to Bull Valley at Scottsville and then won the Post Merchants over this course and distance in June. In that race he beat Talktothestars (at 9-1 along with Kangaroo Jack) by a neck but the pair will have to overcome draws No 14 and No 13 respectively.

Opening betting on the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Greyville on Saturday:
7-2 Trip To Heaven; 4-1 Bull Valley; 6-1 Search Party; 9-1 Talktothestars, Kangaroo Jack; 10-1 New Predator; 11-1 Brutal Force; 12-1 Attenborough; 14-1 London Call, Sergeant Hardy; 16-1 Champagne Haze, Rivarine; 20-1 Victorious Jay, Gulf Storm

– TABNews

Candice Bass-Robinson became the first woman to win the Vodacom Durban July in its 120-year history when top weight Marinaresco (17-1) powered home under Bernhard Fayd-Herbe at Greyville yesterday. Few gave the diminutive gelding much of a chance under 60kg but he laid the ghost of last year’s race to rest where he finished second to The Conglomerate who was unplaced yesterday.

A blanket covered the first nine horses home, all finishing within four lengths of the winner with favourite Al Sahem beaten a head and Edict Of Nantes a further neck back in third. Rank outsider Krambambuli finished fourth.

Bass-Robinson is in her first season as a fully-fledged trainer after taking over the reins from her father, maestro Mike Bass, at the beginning of the season, August 1 last year.

Bass signed off his career with Marinaresco’s victory in the Grade 1 Champions Cup, that year the race named in his honour, and this was a fitting victory for both Bass-Robinson and Marinaresco.

Marinaresco is not the biggest individual but possesses an electric turn of foot and that is what carried him to victory. “I had a lovely race,” said Fayd’Herbe. “I followed Warren Kennedy (Mr Winsome) but he got into trouble and was pushed into the rail a few times. When we turned for home I had so much horse under me. I just waited for a gap to open. This win was for Mr Bass.”

Bass-Robinson explained that Marinaresco’s modest effort in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge was a tactical mistake. “We tried a change of tactics and had him up handy to chase Captain America but his usual finish was just not there. It was a tactical error. You need to allow him to run his race and he will produce his finish like he did today.”

Bass-Robinson was quick to heap praise on her KZN assistant Robert Fayd-Herbe, brother to the winning jockey. “He did a fantastic job. He really had this horse looking well.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe is one of the top heavy weight jockeys around but there was still debate in the stable as to whether current stable rider Aldo Domeyer should get the ride. “I put up a case for Bernard,” said his brother. “I thought with top weight he (Marinaresco) would not be carrying any dead-weight if Bernard rode him.”

Marinaresco raced in the colours of part owner Marsh Shirtliff, whose silks were also carried to a shared victory by Pocket Power who dead-heated with the filly Dancer’s Daughter back in 2008. Pocket Power was also ridden by Fayd-Herbe. An emotional Shirtliff said, “I’ve won in Dubai, but this is something else. This is the race we all want to win.”

Anton Marcus, who finished third on Edict Of Nantes said it was a form result. “I had a great run. I was perfectly happy with where I was placed and was happy with my horse. The form worked out. Half a kilo over 2200m,” referring to the Daily News 2000 where Edict Of Nantes finished ahead of Al Sahem.

Confirmed stayer Krambambuli was the surprise package in the race and at one stage looked set to cause a major upset. “I knew they would out-sprint me so I tried to get away at the top of the straight. He did everything right. The horse ran out of his skin but just got caught that last bit.”

Callan Murray, riding in his first July and due back in Hong Kong on Tuesday, said The Conglomerate had the run of the race. “I was just not his day.”

Piere Strydom aboard the fancied It’s My Turn also had no complaints. “They went slow so at the 1700m mark I decided to go around them. I did it easily so didn’t take anything out of my horse and I was happy to lead. But the going was a bit firm. Some of the horses felt it – mine was one of them.”

Bass-Robinson will also be encouraged by the report from Richard Fourie. Horizon, in the race as first reserve after the scratching of Elusive Silva , can a cracker in sixth. “It was a great run from a bad draw,” said Fourie. He’s on the road to becoming a champion. He will be a big horse next year.”

Bass-Robinson was unsure of future plans for Marinaresco. “He was going to go overseas, but because of an out-break of African Horse Sickness, he won’t be going now. I’m not sure about the Champions Cup. We’ll see how he comes out for this race and take it from there.”

For most of the riders it was plain sailing but both of Duncan Howell’s runners found trouble. The stipendiary stewards reported that Saratoga Dancer became camped for galloping room at the 1800 m mark while Ten Gun Salute was never out of trouble as he was hampered at the 1600m mark and again in the straight by fourth-placed Krambambuli, Aldo Domeyer copping a week’s suspension for his troubles.

Bela-Bela wins the 2017 Gr1 Garden Province

The decision by Justin Snaith to skip the Vodacom Durban July with his top filly Bela-Bela paid dividends as the grey spread-eagled her field in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes.

Racing comfortably in mid-field under Anthony Delpech, Bela-Bela quickened away from her rivals at the top of the straight and put plenty of daylight between herself and her rivals. Her official winning margin being nearly four lengths from She’s A Giver and Bella Sonata.

The expected challenge from the year younger Just Sensual failed to materialise. However, she had a nightmare passage through the early fractions as Marcus battled to get her settled into a position on the heels of her chief rival. Just Sensual was on the heels of Bela-Bela turning for home but her race was run a long way out and she faded tamely in the straight.

“She is a phenomenal filly,” said Delpech “and this was the best I’ve ever felt her.”

Earlier, Sean Tarry added further to his spectacular season, landing both the Grade 2 Golden Slipper and Golden Horseshoe with Desert Rhythm and Purple Diamond respectively.

Andrew Harrison

The weights given to the three-year-olds in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July – in particular to Edict Of Nantes – have been the subject of almost as much controversy as the historic treaty after which the favourite was named.

Many racing professionals are adamant that the classic generation has got off lightly and is going to throw up the winner for the first time since Legislate three seasons ago.

Edict Of Nantes #VDJ2017 Gallops

So, have the handicappers got it wrong? Durban-based Lennon Maharaj, who works in conjunction with colleagues Matthew Lips and Roger Smith, doesn’t think so.

He said: “We try to look at things as objectively as we can but the problem we have with the three-year-olds is that not enough of them run against older horses before the July, so they are rated almost as a separate crop and when that happens it is hard to compare.

“But I wouldn’t say that we have done anything differently this season and I would think it (their treatment) is pretty much in line with last year.”

Edict Of Nantes is rated 107 and last year’s Daily News winner Rabada was on 106 when he was scratched. The three-year-olds who ran were Abashiri  (13^th) 117, Black Arthur (7^th) 106, Samurai Blade (16^th) 106, It’s My Turn (4^th) 105, Rocketball (15^th) 105, Mambo Mime (10^th) 103, Ten Gun Salute (8th) 102, Marinaresco (2^nd) 101, Bela-Bela (6^th) 107.

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

There are fewer of them this time. In addition to Edict Of Nantes they are: Al Sahem (106), Pagoda (101), Tilbury Fort (100), Safe Harbour (103) and Horizon (100).

Maharaj said: “Abashiri won the SA Classic by nearly four lengths and, although he didn’t achieve his rating subsequently, we weren’t going to drop him for winning the SA Derby. This season Gold Standard ran to 114 when fourth in the Met but he and William Longsword beat the rest of the field by three and three-quarter lengths in the Cape Guineas. To say the three-year-olds are under-rated using Gold Standard to compare with is probably a bit unfair.”

Interestingly Maharaj believes that It’s My Turn could be the dark horse in the race. “I personally have always felt he was a bit under-rated on his Cape Derby win. He has only gone up a point since last year’s July and he is a year older.”

Michael Clower

Visit www.trackandball.co.za for the latest #vdj2017 betting