Author Archives: Brendan Pather

Red Ray (Liesl King)

Ramsden has faith in Red Ray

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Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Joey Ramsden has no doubt Red Ray is as good as he was before leaving for overseas two years ago and is happy with his work ahead of Saturday’s Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

However, Ramsden does have a little doubt whether running the five-year-old Western Winter entire in first-time blinkers from a tricky draw is the right thing to do for obvious reasons (he could end up caught wide.) However, it is difficult to tell where the pace will come from in the race and it could pay to have him handier than he was in the Gr 2 Post Merchants.

Red Ray ran a good fourth in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, despite likely needing it in his first run since his only disappointing run overseas a year-and-a-half before. That run is one reason Ramsden believes he still retains his ability.

In the Post Merchants he had traffic problems in the straight and could have got closer. Anton Marcus stays aboard from a draw of nine.

David Thiselton

 

Snaith’s dark horse

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Trainer Justin Snaith said his Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contender Heartland had been doing very well at home since gelding and he made him the dark horse in Saturday’s weight-for-age 1200m race.

He said, “He won very well last time at Scottsville over 1400m. He is a brilliant 1400m horse so this is a bit on the sharp side. But there is a slight hill at Greyville which makes it more testing. It is certainly a lot harder than the Scottsville 1200m. He is drawn well and it was very important to have a good jockey, so we are very happy to have Weichong Marwing aboard. I think the pace will be quite fast and he will come from just off them.”

The four-year-old Dynasty gelding displayed his liking for Greyville when winning the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville last year. He was handy in a slow run race there and won the sprint for home, which augurs well for his chances on Saturday. He then disappointed in the KRA Guineas and was laid off for the rest of the season.

He finished second to Act Of War in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville in his reappearance last October and then won the Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth in December two runs later. However, he disappointed in both the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and Calulo Mile, so the gelding was clearly necessary. This always highly regarded sort is indeed an intriguing runner, despite having a lot to do on paper off an official merit rating of 106. He jumps from draw two.

Snaith has one other runner on the day, three-year-old Dynasty gelding Shenyang, who runs in the eighth over 1000m on the poly. He said this horse had been doing “better” at home. He pointed out the horse had “run away” down to the start last time so that run could be ignored.

Shenyang has speed and finished just 1,5 lengths behind Captain Swarovski over 1200m at Kenilworth in January with Piere Strydom up, albeit when receiving 2,5kg. Now off a four point lower merit rating, pole position draw and Strydom back aboard, he can’t be ignored despite having finished last in both of his KZN outings to date.

David Thiselton

Gavin Lerena (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lerena on ‘Stars’ and Hong Kong

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Reigning South African champion jockey Gavin Lerena said all was well with his Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contender Talktothestars and he also revealed he will not be returning to Hong Kong next season, but will instead be chasing another SA Championship.

Trainer Coenie de Beer was travelling Talktothestars down from the Vaal to Durban yesterday (Wednesday) and the horse will have a canter around Greyville before the big race on Saturday. The four-year-old Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winner has a tough draw to overcome, but De Beer pointed out wide draws have a good record at Greyville statistically.

Lerena only arrived back from Hong Kong on Monday, so has not been riding the Overlord gelding in work. However, he said De Beer had reported him to be fit and well. Talktothestars is a versatile type. He can use his speed to be up with them, but has a devastating turn of foot, so can also come from off the pace.

The rags-to-riches fairytale horse has been declared to run without shoes as usual and as the probable most travelled horse in the country will not have been affected by yesterday’s journey.

Lerena said about his stint in Hong Kong, “It was a fantastic experience, but it was very tough to break in. All the holes are plugged and the trainers have got their jockeys. But I would love to go back in a year or two’s time when I will know what to expect.”

Lerena said current Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira was so in demand he was effectively controlling the market.

Most Hong Kong races are “class” defined and there are five classes from one to five.

Lerena said in each of these class races there were usually about four horses capable of winning and Moreira would often be offered the ride on all four. After choosing one he apparently often advises the owners of the other three of his willingness to ride their charges in forthcoming races. The owners of these three then often scratch due to this commitment. When this scenario plays out, Moreira’s mount now effectively has what would have been the fifth favourite as the main danger. The competition is thus being taken out of the racing.

Lerena clarified, “I am not saying it happens every race, but I would say about 60% of the time.”

Lerena pointed out even thirteen-times champion jockey Douglas Whyte had been battling to get good rides lately. Other jockeys who are in demand are Zac Purton and apprentice female Kei Chiong and Lerena pointed out the latter was allowed a ten pound claim, despite having previously ridden 43 winners in New Zealand.

Lerena rode five winners in his stint in Hong Kong, which began in late February, and was proud of his place strike rate of 33% considering his lack of opportunities.

He said, “You have to up your game in Hong Kong.” This is due to the level of competition and improvement in many areas is a natural consequence. He pointed out judgement of pace became almost an automatic skill for a jockey who had ridden for a period in Hong Kong.

Lerena is looking forward to partnering Master Sabina in either the eLan Gold Cup or Champions Cup. “I love riding this horse,” he admitted.

He said he had been forced to take Master Sabina back early in the Vodacom Durban July, so was considerably further back than he had wanted to be, but said the Jet Master six-year-old, on whom he landed his second career Sansui Summer Cup, had run on really well in the straight to finish a 3,35 length ninth.

Lerena will head to the UK for the Shergar Cup in August and is hoping to land a few rides in France before coming home to chase the championships.

David Thiselton

Trip to suit Heaven

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National champion trainer Sean Tarry is pleased with his Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contender Trip To Heaven at Summerveld and revealed the scratching of Carry On Alice was the result of a decision not to “gamble” from a wide draw.

Tarry said the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge had proved Trip To Heaven was probably best at 1200-1400m, but could get away with a mile at Greyville. The four-year-old Trippi gelding showed an exceptional turn of foot in the Gold Challenge, coming around them from last to hit the front in a matter of strides. However, he lost the race on objection after carrying Mac De Lago across the course.

Tarry said coming down in trip to 1200m five weeks after the Gold Challenge would not pose a problem for a horse who possessed so much speed.

He said the key obstacle would be the start, as the horse had tended to jump tardily lately. However, he was not overly concerned.

Tarry felt the horse could lead if jumping well, but if losing a length could sit off them and use that turn of foot to make up the leeway in the straight.

Last year Trip To Heaven fought for his head in a handy position, but Tarry was not at all enamoured with the ride. He said the plan had definitely not been to “break his jaw” and added the race had been gifted to Captain Of All as Trip To Heaven’s natural pace should have been used.

He is happy with the riding arrangement this year and said, “S’manga (Khumalo) knows the horse well.”

Khumalo has ridden the Highlands Farm Stud-bred speedster in eleven of his thirteen starts and has been aboard for all four of his career wins, which includes Grade 2s over 1160m and 1450m respectively. Trip To Heaven has been at Summerveld since the Gold Challenge.

Tarry said Carry On Alice was fit and well and he planned to keep her in training, although this had not been discussed yet with the connections.

He also runs five horses in the Listed Off To Stud Stakes on Saturday over 1600m. He was reluctant to single any of them out as he said all of them had things in their favour as well as question marks against them.

However, he pointed out, contrary to assumptions made in the press and by the public, Khumalo does not have an automatic choice of ride for his yard’s runners. He said rather the method was for himself to allocate rides to the jockeys and he usually did this based on the suitability of rider to horse as well as familiarity and also the success a rider had had with a horse in the past.

Tarry runs Aventurine, who won at Greyville yesterday (Wednesday), in the Non-Black Type Queen Palm Stakes. He said this horse was able to run close up after a previous run and he was “taking a chance” with her in a race where she had a tough task at the weights.

David Thiselton

 

Drier’s duo can upset

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The Dennis Drier yard said the respective last runs of their Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contenders, Barbosa and Triptique, could be ignored and they had both been doing well at Summerveld.

Barbosa did not raise a gallop in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, having come off an excellent third in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint. Triptique was tried over 1600m in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and plodded in the straight, having run on well for an excellent second before that in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

Triptique closeup LK (1 of 1)-siteTriptique, who won the Gr 2 Cape Merchants over this trip at Kenilworth back in November, jumps from a tricky draw of eight.  However, stable jockey Sean Veale said, “He does not have a draw to overcome, because he comes from off them.”

Drier has always held this four-year-old Trippi gelding in high regard. The Drill Hall Stakes proved his suitability to Greyville and he could be the dark horse, although he does have a tough task at the weights off an official 106 merit rating.

Assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie believed Barbosa had the turn of foot necessary to overcome a tough draw of 16. Ian Sturgeon, who rode him in the Computaform Sprint, is back aboard.

The six-year-old Captain Al gelding has four wins, a second and a third from seven races contested this season. He has clearly come into his own. He is merit rated 108 and is another dark horse.

David Thiselton
Picture: Triptique (Liesl King)

Promising Prospect to deliver

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The Vaal has an eight race card tomorrow on the outside track where outside draws tend to be favourable, although punters will have to do their homework as most races are competitive.

In the first over 1000m Pippi Shortsock could score for an in form stable having shown some zip with first time blinkers on last time. Lily Love will attempt to confirm form from that race, although the draw was probably more in her favour last time. Scarlet Lady and Golden Memories make most appeal of the rest and Imperial Topaz can earn with Strydom back aboard having done well on her in her first two starts.

In the second over 1600m the well drawn Promising Prospect picked up when a horse came alongside her over 1450m last time and she ten ran on well, so she should relish the step up in trip and should have benefitted from the experience of two runs. Northern Chorus ran well from a tough draw last time and should go close here from a good draw. Tennessee Red should enjoy the step up in trip. Eversilver is course and distance suited. Capricious could earn but has a tough draw. Vul Indlela is an interesting French bred by New Approach. Goflyakite is by Royal Air Force and is a half-sister to the fair sort Moggytwoshoes.

In the third over 1600m the promising two-year-old The Last Outlaw is the one to beat from a good high draw having run on well over 1450m on debut after being slowly away. Uposeupay has been knocking on the door over 1600m, but has a low draw. Mr. Joe Black has run two fair races over 1600m and has scope for further improvement.

In the fourth over 1600m Roving Jet should be involved from a favourable draw. Mr Balboa is holding form well, but has a low  draw over this suitable trip and he does have to overcome a two point merit rated raise. Pachucho ran a fair race first time out the maidens, but also has a low draw. Klondike River will enjoy the step down in trip having pulled over 1800m last time and if settling well could be a runner here off an attractive merit rating.  Champions Cup can earn from a good draw if repeating his last run.

In the fifth over 1000m Rafa should be running on well from a probably favourable high draw and is now down to a competitive merit rating. Jade Bay could overcome his draw with his speed and off a five point lowered merit rating could go close considering he did quite well last time despite stumbling and being bumped at the start, although the breathing noises he has been making are a concern. Magic should also be right there from a plum draw. Wisaam is talented and over this trip might get away with a six month layoff. Greasepaint has come class but must overcome a tricky draw. None of the field can be ignored in an open race.

In the sixth over 1000m Night Editor is still off a mark two points lower than his last winning mark and the race should pan out well for him with a top class 1,5kg claimer up from a likely good draw. The distance suited Chief Sioux has dropped to a competitive merit rating. Turbo Tom was unlucky the last time he went this course and distance, failing by a short-head after losing three lengths so has a chance.

In the seventh over 1200m the improving Shivering Sea, who has been knocking on the door over this course and distance, looks to be drawn on the right side and Khumalo is now up. Shepard One runs off the same mark as her last win and goes well for Andrew Fortune, so should go close over a suitable course and distance. Bally Swiss is talented and is better than her last run but she might have another tricky draw here.

In the eight race La Manga has good pace and might keep them at bay under Andrew Fortune after their good performance together over course and distance last time. Riverine Forest might be favoured by a high draw according to recent trends and will appreciate the step up to 1200m. S’way is interestingly being ridden by Piere Strydom, who rode the horse who beat it last time out. Captured Quality is improving and has been accorded a reasonable merit rating so could surprise although the low draw might pose a problem. Raring To Go has a form chance and Lakahal should be thereabouts if low draws prove to not be unfavourable on the day.

David Thiselton

 

Strydom stays loyal to Trip Tease

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Vodacom Durban July-winning jockey Piere Strydom admitted he had jumped off Talktothestars for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, to be run this Saturday at Greyville, only because of loyalty to the connections of Trip Tease.

He said, “I have been riding for Louis (Goosen) and Mr Ferreira for so long and don’t want to mess it up for just one ride. But, if that was not the case I would have chosen to ride Talktothestars without a doubt. “

Trip Tease has only ever raced beyond 1000m once, but Strydom said the speedster had been settling a bit better lately, so was hopeful he would stay the 1200m trip. The five-year-old Trippi gelding, who has won 15 of his 25 races, has only been around the turn once on turf, and that was when winning over 1000m early in his career on the Turffontein Inside track. Strydom felt only Saturday’s race would tell how he handled the Greyville turn.

Strydom makes Talktothestars, whom he won the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint on, as well as Trip To Heaven the pair to beat on Saturday. He said the only thing in Trip Tease’s favour over that pair was his pole position draw.

Meanwhile, Trip To Heaven and Talktothestars are drawn 5 and 15 respectively. Strydom concluded, “Hopefully from the draw we have a chance.”

The Joey Ramsden-trained The Conglomerate provided Strydom with a record-equalling fourth July victory two weekends ago. The brilliant rider joined the great Harold “Tiger” Wright as well as Anton Marcus and Anthony Delpech on that mark.

Piere Strydom poster: Gold Circle Publishing

Piere Strydom poster: Gold Circle Publishing

Strydom compared his first July winner London News (1996) to The Conglomerate, “London News was made for the July, he had natural gatespeed, he travelled well and he had great acceleration. But The Conglomerate didn’t have much in his favour and everything had to come right on the day.”

He had committed to ride for owner Markus Jooste after one of his many original options Black Arthur had initially been set to carry 53kg. However, he admitted asking to be released from this commitment after winning the Rising Sun Gold Challenge on Mac De Lago. The answer was no and he then still had to wait for Anton Marcus to make his choice too.

He said, “I was only on The Conglomerate at the last minute and we then drew 20. But on the day everything just worked out extremely well from the point of view of soundness, the way he behaved at the start, the way he started, then there wasn’t much pace, so he got there for nothing and then he quickened well. You don’t always get all of that.”

In the back of his mind had been the strangeness of the weight structure, with most of the field including all bar one of the three-year-olds being under sufferance.

However, in his analysis “nothing stood out” and ”form-wise there was about 2,5 lengths from first to last, everything had a small chance.” Therefore, when getting into his handy position for nothing he was confident he had a chance, especially with the going being quick on the day.

His confidence proved well founded as the four-year-old Australian-bred Lonhro gelding quickened well and had the race won before the flying Marinaresco arrived on the scene to be beaten just 0,25 lengths.

Strydom’s milestone 5000th winner was also achieved in the Jooste colours on a Ramsden-trained horse when winning the Gr 2 Selangor Cup on November 22, 2014, on Act Of War.

The peerless jockey has already ridden three Gr 1 winners since coming back from a three-and-half-month layoff for a broken collar bone on May 24 and will be hoping to add another one on Saturday.

David Thiselton

Lyle Hewitson

Hewitson loses his claim

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Apprentice Lyle Hewitson lost his weight claim at The Vaal racecourse yesterday after riding his 60th winner in the professional ranks aboard the Sean Tarry-trained A Greater Power, a two-year-old National Emblem colt who started 9/20 favourite in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1600m.

Hewitson achieved this feat in record-breaking time, having had his first professional ride on March 6 this year, and A Greater Power was only his 460th ride. He said, “It is all down to the support I have been given.”

However, that was a typically modest assessment. He rode 22 winners as an amateur workrider, but few would have foreseen him setting the stage alight as much has he has done since matriculating with 6 A’s at Kearsney College at the end of last year before joining the South African Jockey’s Academy (SAJA).

He already has one ride in the Vodacom Durban July under the belt, as well as a Gr 3 and a Listed victory, and has ridden at a strike rate of  just over 13%.

He is lying in second place in the national apprentice championships, despite having only ridden for a third of the season, and is only thirteen behind Callan Murray’s 74 winners.

Murray rode a winner at the meeting yesterday, but Hewitson completed a double in the last race on the Mike Azzie-trained Awesome Adam to go to 61 winners and close the gap again.

Unfortunately, there are just under two-and-a-half weeks of the season remaining so he is unlikely to catch Murray, who is also a shining beacon to the important role SAJA plays in the industry.

David Thiselton

Executive Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Executive has the Power

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Greyville has a nine race meeting on the polytrack tomorrow and there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

In the first over 1000m Rebel Rose has a lot of pace and is the one to beat having been unlucky last time against a good sort and having gone too fast before that also against a good field, both on the tough Scottsville track. Royal Rose is well regarded and is interesting dropped back to this trip from pole position. Aphrodeity’s Rain by Argonaut is interesting on debut for the often on the mark Wright/Delpech combination.

In the second over 1200m Soldier’s Bride was baulked late last time and can reverse course and distance form with Ichkeria from similar respective draws. The frustrating Burfi has a good draw over a suitable trip with a top class 1,5kg claimer up and the blinkers have come off.

In the third over 1400m Qeyaadah will relish the step down to this trip from pole position, having pulled over 1600m last time when just failing at Scottsville. Mr O’Neill will go close if settling better than he did last time from a wide draw over this course and distance. Without A Doubt has a good chance if able to find cover from a wide draw as the form of this talented long-striding sort’s last race has worked out well.

In the fourth over 1400m Black Hall Bar should enjoy the step down in trip and could win from start to finish under a top class 1,5kg claimer. Joy To Joy is well drawn and will be running on but strikes as one who would prefer further so might not catch Black Hall Bar like she did last time over 1600m. Film Star is by Black Minnaloushe out of a Galileo mare who won a Listed race at Fairview over 1600m and from a pole position draw must be considered.

Executive Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Executive Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fifth over 1400m Executive Power has a good chance if able to get to the front from a tough draw. Purple Mountains finished fourth in the Gr 3 Cape Classic over this trip and has now come down to a competitive merit rating so has a chance with Marcus up from pole position. He should have come on from his last run when a bit keen over this trip at Scottsville. Never Settle is well regarded and course and distance suited. Kiss Me Hardy is in fine form and should be running on. Sabadell was caught wide last time and with better luck could earn.

In the sixth over 1400m Arctica returns from a three month layoff, but he won well last time in his first run after gelding over this trip at the Vaal. The pole position draw will suit his handy style perfectly. Delpech is an eyecatching booking. Hyaku took well to poly last time when winning over 1600m and enjoys this trip, so should be right there despite a six point raise. Nineteen Fourteen is an honest sort who jumps from a good draw over a suitable trip with a 4kg claimer up. Tipo Tinto is better than his last run and should be running on after being dropped out from a wide draw over an ideal trip. Do Be Snappy should earn over an ideal trip if overcoming the draw.

In the seventh over 1900m Overly Impressed has always struck as one who would improve with age as well as a step up in trip. Anton Marcus remains aboard after the horse was given a mere 60 merit rating for her running on win over 1600m last time following a slow start. Lady Linda won hands and heels when sent to the front over this trip in a maiden last time. It would be no surprise to see her following up off a lenient merit rating of 64. Fashion Secret runs off a mark 28 points lower than her sand rating and strikes as one who would enjoy the step  up in trip from pole position.

The eighth over 1900m is open. Zilla got going too late last time over this sort of trip at Scottsville and the strong jockey Sean Veale should suit her down to the ground. Ruby Gem gets first time blinkers on and proved she enjoys this trip last time when baulked in the straight at Scottsville. She is a galloping type who enjoys the poly and Anthony Delpech will help her overcome the draw. Jet Turbine is the one to beat if reproducing her poly form, but has to bounce back from a poor run on the turf. Aventurine set a slow pace when running a cracker in a KZN Breeders event over this trip when way out at the weights and a will go close with a repeat, but she is now drawn wide as opposed to pole in that last race. Sword Storm is capable of a strong finish from off the pace, so is likely to be dropped out from a wide draw. Tigeress Dance is bred to appreciate this trip and has a big chance if settling better than she did last time, but the concern in that regard is the tricky draw. King’s Lady can’t be ignored as one who stayed on over 2000m here in her penultimate start.

In the ninth, a maiden over 1950m, Sambora should win if repeating his last run over course and distance when way out at the weights against winners in a KZN Breeders event. The faster pace of a non-maiden race favoured him, but such is the strength of his finish he should be able to mow this field down in the straight even behind slow fractions. His good draw will help his cause. Mighty Mississippi could pose a threat as he looks likely to relish the step up in trip and as a galloping type he could lead from pole position and stay on. For Ever is widely drawn but can do better than last time when not finding the clearest of runs in the straight over 2000m on the poly and finishing 2,5 lengths behind Sambora.

David Thiselton

The Conglomerate doing fine

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Vodacom Durban July hero The Conglomerate may return to Greyville on July 30 for the Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup.

Joey Ramsden said yesterday: “He seems to be fine after the race and yes, he could run.”

The Conglomerate has again drawn wide in the 1 800m Grade 1 – 15 out of 20, compared with 18 out of 18 in the July. No horse has won the July and the Champions Cup in the same season since El Picha 16 years ago and in the last five seasons the July winner has not even run in the other race.

Ramsden has cleared up the mystery of why his better fancied runner St Tropez faded badly to finish last but one and said: “He pulled up with a sore back.”

Michael Clower