Billy Jacobson made the most of his opportunities in the “Levelling the Playing Fields Series” and heads the standings after Sunday’s second leg at Scottsville.
Jacobson, successful aboard the Chris Erasmus-trained Puchini in the first leg, was drawn to partner Mark Dixon’s runner, The Poet, and rode the perfect race to get his mount home ahead of Puchini in a thrilling finish.
Allocation of jockeys is done on a random draw basis and Jacobson knew what he was up against in Puchini. “He’s a horse that never gives in. I was a bit worried because I thought I’d gone to soon. I know Pucini would come back at me.” There was only a nose in it at the line.
Former commentator Eric Denman was complimentary of Jacobson’s ride and was on hand to lead in The Poet who races in the colours of his brother Trevor and his wife Robin. “Billy did his homework. He worked out the race beforehand and knew exactly what he was up against. I thought he rode a great race.”
Morne Winaar was fortunate enough to re-draw the mount on Brave And Bold on which he finished second in the first leg. This time he went one better on Wendy Whitehead’s mare and made all to hold The King Of Random with first leg winner Royal Agree back in fourth. Jacobson and Winaar now lead the jockey standings.
A feature of the “Levelling the Playing Fields Series”, is that jockeys’ mounts are balloted and each trainer was invited to enter only one horse from their yard to compete in all three legs with the 14 highest point earners qualifying for the final at the end of June. While all horses entered for the series will compete again in the third round, the make-up of the fields for the two heats will change, as a fresh draw will take place to decide upon the two fields for the 1600m contests.
The third round takes place on Saturday, 27 May with the final being held over 1400 metres at Greyville on Sunday, 25 June.
Prize money for each race in rounds 1, 2 and 3 is R100 000 but the final will be contested for R200 000. In addition the Owner, Breeder and Trainer of the horse that accumulates most points, including the final, will each receive an additional R50 000 and the Jockey who accumulates the most points over the series will receive a bonus of R50 000.
Andrew Harrison
Picture: The Poet and Billy Jacobson (Nkosi Hlophe)
The South African Tote plans to offer minimum-amount guaranteed Pick 6 pools on major racedays in future and kicks off with a R4.5-million guaranteed pool on the Champions Day race meeting at Turffontein this Saturday.
Champions Day is one of the “Big 4” race meetings on the SA calendar – it’s Joburg’s richest raceday and features Jozi’s richest race in the R4-million Premier’s Champions Challenge. The Pick 6 pool on the meeting starts with a R1.1-million carryover and should soar way over the R5-million mark (TAB’s official estimate is R5.1 million).
But to heighten interest and awareness, and to satisfy the requests of many customers, TAB is guaranteeing a total net pool of R4.5 million up front. “Many of our customers have said that only knowing the approximate pool a few minutes before the off hampers their play,” said TAB boss Vee Moodley.
“These customers tend to base the amount they spend on the Pick 6 on the actual pool size, not our estimates, and to encourage them to spend more we will guarantee minimum pool levels for major race meetings.”
Should a pool fail to reach the guaranteed amount, TAB will make up the difference subject to the condition that all commingling partners are able to bet into the pool as scheduled.
“Obviously if a local or international commingling partner is prevented from betting into the pool for whatever reason, for example a loss of connectivity, the guarantee will fall away. Once the pool exceeds the guaranteed amount, the actual pool total will be displayed and paid out as normal,” said Moodley.
TAB is also guaranteeing a minimum R2.7-million Pick 6 pool for the Daisy Guineas meeting at Greyville this Sunday, when the pool will start with a R750,000 carryover.
There’s a bumper TAB betting menu for Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday May 6 with carryovers into several pools in addition to the Pick 6:
Race 2: BiPot ONE Leg 1 – R25,246 caarryover, likely pool R550,000
Race 3: PA Leg 1 – likely pool R1,250,000
Race 4: Pick 6 MEGAPOOL Leg 1 – R1,100,000 carryover, GUARANTEED pool R4,500,000 (estimated pool R5.1 million plus)
Race 5: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 – likely pool R1,000,000
Race 6: PA Blitz Leg 1 – likely pool R100,000
Race 7: BiPot TWO Leg 1 – likely pool R150,000
Race 8: Normal range of TAB bets
Race 9: Premier’s Champions Challenge – Jackpot TWO Leg 1 – R40,000 carryover, likely pool R750,000. Also M6 for Soccer GG
Race 10: Normal range of TAB bets
Race 11: Jackpot Quickmix Leg 1 – R22,950 carryover, likely pool R200,000
Race 12: Normal range of TAB bets
* Tote betting on the meeting opens Wednesday 3 May.
South Africa’s Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal will kick off in fine style at Greyville on Sunday, May 7, when some of the top horses in the country meet in the R500 000, Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1 400m.
The final field for the race and those for the R600 000, Grade 2 Daisy Guineas and the R500 000, Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas have been announced and all three events include exciting runners from around the country.
The super stars Marinaresco, Captain America and Sail South, head the 14-horse field under weight-for-age conditions in the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes that traditionally opens the season and while they could well need the outing, they have the class to play major roles in the outcome.
The three followed the champion Legal Eagle home in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at the beginning of the year and being from the top Cape stables, they are sure to be in very competitive form for this race.
Among the opposition are the likes of Champagne Haze, New Predator and Bulleting Home from Gauteng and the Cape four-year-old Black Arthur that was one of the country’s leading three-year-olds last season.
The Gauteng Guineas winner Janoobi heads the 12-horse field in the Daisy Guineas and meets the Investec Cape Derby runner-up Zodiac Ruler for the first time along with the exciting East Cape Guineas winner Gimme The Stars and the first two past the post in the Byerley Turk, Africa Rising and Copper Force.
Gimme Six, Final Judgement, Sail and Dawn Calling filled the first four places in the Umzimkhulu over 1 400m at Greyville a month ago and will renew their battle in the Daisy Fillies Guineas with the extra 200m adding a new dimension to their clash.
The three races promise very competitive and exciting battles to set the standard for a thrilling winter season.
The annual Charity Turf Challenge now sponsored by Track And Ball always adds spice to the SA Champions Season and is open for entries.
This is a competition that is a must for racing fans to enter as it generates huge excitement and is highly rewarding for astute studiers of form.
The competition requires patrons to choose a list, or lists, of ten horses which accumulate points throughout the Champions Season for winning or being placed in certain races.
Previous renewals of this competition showed that finding the Vodacom Durban July winner is one of the keys to winning the competition. The July is one of four races alongside the Tsogo Sun Sprint, the Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the eLan Gold Cup where the winning horse earns a five point bonus for CTC entrants.
Horses capable of winning or being placed in Gr 1 races are the ones to find, because these races carry more points. Therefore, it should be noted staying races have generally been downgraded this year and horses will not earn as many points as they did in previous years for winning or being placed in them.
It is always wise to include a top three-year-old filly as horses in this category have plenty of opportunities.
The entries must be submitted before the opening Champions Season meeting on May 7. The submitter of the winning list will win R100,000 and there is a R20,000 prize for second and R10,000 for third.
Furthermore, there is a R20,000 stand-alone prize for the list which generates the most points on Vodacom Durban July day. Spot prizes will also be drawn randomly throughout the competition.
Entries are R50 per list and as many lists as desired can be submitted. Online entries (visit www.charityturfchallenge.co.za) are offered a free bonus entry for every five lists they enter.
Furthermore, if you open a Track And Ball account (www.trackandball.co.za) you will receive free betting vouchers to the value of your entries up to a limit of R200 per person. Entries van be done online at http://www.charityturfchallenge.co.za.
Manual entry lists can be found at participating Totes, Track And Ball outlets, and Independent Bookmaking Outlets, or On course at specified KZN race meetings, including the May 7 meeting.
Samsara appeals at 2-1 for the Andrews family in the Racing Association Maiden at Kenilworth today after running so well on debut.
Bred and part-owned by Terry and Annabel Andrews and ridden by their son Anthony, she was a totally unfancied 35-1 over this trip three weeks ago but kept on take third, only a neck behind second-placed Emerald Gal who re-opposes and is 17-10 favourite with World Sports Betting.
“I hadn’t expected that and it was her first time on grass,” recalls Greg Ennion who has a share in the filly and adds significantly: “She has improved since then.”
Irish import Emerald Gal started favourite last time but ran as if she needs further –indeed as her pedigree suggested she would – but apparently it is not as straightforward as that.
“She gives you that impression but we tried her over further and she didn’t get it,” says Darryl Hodgson. “Her problem is that she wants some give in the ground and at the moment the going is on top. She will be OK when there is a bit of rain.”
However it would be unwise to dismiss her chance – Kenilworth maidens are littered with horses with a string of placed runs to their name finally coming good against better fancied lightly-raced opposition – and Grant van Niekerk now knows her like the back of his hand. She certainly rates the danger.
Interestingly Joey Ramsden introduces the Western Winter two-year-old Fresnaye and this one opened at 28-10. She could well go close but it is worth noting that she meets the three-year-olds on terms 5.5kg (more than four lengths) worse than weight-for-age.
Rings And Things, at R380 000 the highest-priced of the five sold at auction, has been backed for the first and is now even money. She looks hard to oppose. She had stable companion Hopeful (5-1 here and drawn on the outside) nearly two lengths behind when second to Favola despite racing green on the bend. She had had two good runs up the straight previously.
Richard Fourie gets off Ostinato (supported from 8-1 to 11-2) to ride 25-1 newcomer Gold Kind but explains this is because of owner-retainer obligations. However he adds that he thinks the 1 400m could be a bit far for his former mount.
Varside, backed from 5-2 to 16-10 for race two, has slightly better form than Captain Ram (6-1) and is preferred although it’s worth bearing in mind that the Brett Crawford runner lost valuable ground at the start on debut. But watch out for Querari’s Secret as he was well backed yesterday morning.
The build up to the 2017 Vodacom Durban July has begun and among the 58 entries, who will either be preparing for battle or fighting for a place in the field on July 1, are no fewer than 14 individual Gr 1 winners.
There is unlikely to be a repeat of last year’s weights anomaly, which saw all but five of the eventual 18 runners competing under sufferance.
The Joey Ramsden-trained The Conglomerate will thus have an outstanding chance of defending his crown. If the race was run tomorrow he would carry the same weight as last year, 55,5kg.
The nominations are headed by the Brett Crawford-trained Sun Met third-placed Captain America, who has developed into a highly effective front runner. Captain America’s 116 merit rating is one higher than the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Marinaresco’s. The latter finished a flying second last year before winning the Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville.
National champion trainer Sean Tarry has the most entries, 16, and among them is last year’s topweight French Navy. This five-year-old is now merit rated 113 and can match it with the best when at his absolute peak. Tarry has nine three-year-olds among his entries and the best candidate could well be Al Sahem, an inexperienced Silvano colt who was runner up in both the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas and Gr 1 SA Classic.
Bela-Bela with Anthony Delpech up (Nkosi Hlophe)
Justin Snaith’s nine entries include the dual Gr 1-winning champion filly Bela-Bela as well as last year’s July fourth-placed It’s My Turn and also the talented Black Arthur. His four-year-old Dynasty gelding Prince Of Wales has been especially laid out for this KZN campaign and is one who could emerge from the blue.
Bass-Robinson has two Gr 1-winning fillies among her four entries, Nightingale and Silver Mountain, and the former makes more appeal over this trip. Her expensively bought three-year-old Horizon could also develop into a July horse.
Brett Crawford’s three entries include the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby winner Edict Of Nantes.
Mike de Kock has five entrants and it would be no surprise to see him win his fifth July with the progressive Gr 1 SA Classic winner, Heavenly Blue. His Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island could also make her presence felt.
Geoff Woodruff has a strong entry of five. They include the twice Gr 1 Gauteng Sansui Summer Cup winner Master Sabina and the promising three-year-old gelding Pagoda. His other three entries Deo Juvente, Master Switch and Bi Pot have all been Gr 1 placed.
Former KZN champion trainer Duncan Howells’ four entries include last year’s fifth-placed Saratoga Dancer as well as Ten Gun Salute, who is a dark horse as he has reportedly been a different horse since gelding.
There are only two other KZN horses, the talented Gareth van Zyl-trained Celtic Captain, and the Gavin van Zyl-trained Gr 1 SA Derby runner up Rocketball, who continues to disappoint considering his massive stride.
Johan Janse van Vuuren has entered Brazuca, who was an impressive winner of the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein last time out.
Stanley Ferreira has entered the classy Gr 1-winning filly Juxtapose, who won two legs of last season’s SA Triple Tiara.
Weiho Marwing has entered last year’s July third-placed Mac De Lago. However, this Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner has had a disappointing season.
The first supplementary stage is on May 9.
It was also announced on Thursday that Gold Circle have joined forces with Prosport International to stage a “festival of racing” on the last weekend of the SA Champions Season. This extravaganza will have nine races on the Saturday, including the Gr 1 Champions Cup, and ten races on the Sunday, including the e Lan Gold Cup.
Sean Tarry, Mathew De Kock, Geoff Woodruff, Paul Matchett, Alson Ndzilana and Robbie Sage share their views on Classic Day runners – Turffontein Apr 1 – by Andrew Bon
SA CLASSIC Sean Tarry
Every run has got to help Al Sahem with regards to experience. He seems to have come on from a greenness aspect and fitness aspect. The distance is right up his alley. Ignore Furiosa‘s last run. It’s safe to say he ran below par. I’ve put a tongue tie on which did help. The way Tilbury Fort ran his last race he could now looking for further. The Standside track seems to suit him better and he could improve a bit.
Mathew de Kock (for Mike de Kock)
Heavenly Blue’s preparation has gone 100% flawlessly. He’s now very close to his best and the 1800m is probably the minimum of his best distance. Janoobi was at a peak that day and is still doing just as well. I’m not saying he won’t stay, I just think Heavenly Blue will be more effective over the 1800m. Alaadel is in to set a true-run, honest pace. That will help my other two horses, Heavenly Blue and Janoobi. In this small field Randall Simons will have more control pace-wise.
Andre Nel
Kampala Campari is a very nice horse. We’ve been planning this raid for a while and have brought horses up to Joburg twice in preparation for this trip north.
Gary Alexander
Unagi is working well so I am hoping he earns a cheque.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
Crowd Pleaser is very outclassed here. With the work this horse shows at home, you’d be happy to take on any horse, any day and feel you have a chance. He’s thriving right now but I’d be happy with a minor stake.
WILGERBOSDRIFT SA FILLIES CLASSIC Sean Tarry
Smiling Blue Eyes’ Guineas win was very good. She came into that race fresh following a rest and won so she should have come on since then. Improvement is expected. She will prefer this distance and should have no problem with the SA Oaks trip of 2450m. If anybody thinks Safe Harbour’s last run was an indication of her ability they are in for a surprise. I knew she would need it and has come on and I’m expecting her to run closer to her best. The two fillies have worked together and before the Guineas Smiling Blue Eyes would beat her easily. Now there is not a lot in it.
Mathew de Kock
Al Hawraa was a bit in-and-out earlier in her career but she’s doing well now she’s older and stronger. She’s showing us more at home, giving us confidence. It’s all positive for her. She’s at a peak and has a good draw. I expect her to be right there at the finish. Orchid Island has a hard task from draw No 13. Don’t get me wrong, she’s classy but it’s hard to give other classy fillies start. Belle Rose won the Oaks Trial last weekend and she’s come out of the race sound and happy. She should have a top-five chance.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
The decision to run Being Fabulous in the Fillies Guineas was probably not my finest moment as a trainer as she was severely underdone. She has improved a lot from that race, but I still feel she is only around 80% fit right now.
Andre Nel
Philae is a very nice filly, a bit of a late maturer which is why she didn’t get to run in the features during the Cape season. But I think her three starts to date have been good.
Ormond Ferraris
Babbling Brooke did not run badly in the Fillies Guineas and was running on at the finish. This longer distance will suit her and she has a bit of a chance.
Joey Ramsden
Captain Gambler is in a tough race but I am hopeful.
Robbie Sage
Oriental Oak is in a difficult race and might place. She did win a nice race last time out.
Lucky Houdalakis
My Friend Lee is taking a big jump in class and first time over 1800m so I am looking to see how she goes against this class.
Geoff Woodruff
Bi Pot takes a steep jump in class. She is working very well so I am hopeful of a good run.
HF OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES Sean Tarry
Legal Eagle is the right horse in the race and everything is on track. The Champions Challenge is his main mission and there is still a bit to work with but I’m not saying he is not fit enough to win this race. This race is similar to last year’s Horse Chestnut and the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth. He needed that run in the Cape but he still won. French Navy is doing very well, moving better than ever. I think he moved a little too early last week and got cleaned up. The mile is a bit short of his best, but I’m expecting a big run.
Mathew de Kock
Rafeef’s preparation has gone very well and I feel he’s made more improvement. Of course, it’ll be hard to beat Legal Eagle, but he’ll give it his best. Fareeq is in there as a pacemaker.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
New Predator is showing some of his best ever work at the moment, although it is a tough race.
Gary Alexander
Kangaroo Jack is doing well at home. It will be hard to beat Legal Eagle but I am hoping for a place or perhaps better.
Weiho Marwing
Mac De Lago is being prepared for the Presidents Champion Challenge later this season and this run will bring him on.
Ormond Ferraris
Romany Prince is in a tough field.
Paul Peter
Fort Ember has come through her prep very well and looking good. I feel she has a strong place chance.
PRETTY POLLY STAKES Sean Tarry
Celestina – I’m hoping the tongue tie helps. She has shown us a lot more at home but I would be happy with a place. Desert Rhythm is doing well. I’m not sure whether up to these horses but she deserves a chance. I suppose the race depends on whether the right Kissable turns up. Green Plains is not out of it based on her run to Delightful Diva. We’ve been waiting for this race. Her previous run was over 1000m and this is over 1100m and she could prove to be a runner.
Paul Matchett
Kissable is working well. She got her tongue over the bit last time but we’ve used a different bit and it seems to be working well. She did slip coming out of the stalls last time and made up ground quickly but she choked up in the running and that is why she ran badly.
Mike Azzie
Spring Breeze won well last time out and Piere Strydom retains the ride. She’s stepping up in class and I’m hoping for a good run. This filly is doing well at home and I’ll be happy if she runs in the money.
Corne Spies
Outlander did well last time behind Daring Diva and should run well but has Kissable to beat. Star Profile ran on nicely last time. This extra distance will be better for her but she is looking for further.
PROTEA STAKES Sean Tarry
Barrack Street is now carrying a bit of pudding, He’s doing well but he’s got so much speed, even with his pedigree not sure he will get six furlongs (1200m). This 1100m should be fine. The question is how much he had in hand last time. Silver God is doing very well and I’m not sure if Barrack Street can give him 5kg. It might be enough to sway the result.
Mathew de Kock
Alfolk should be right there, getting 2kg from Barrack Street.
Corne Spies
Laurent Du Var was full of running when winning last time and I give him a helluva chance. Obviously I do respect the opposition. Quinlan ran well enough behind Barrack Street and is better off at the weights so is not out of it.
Robbie Sage
Boatswain is having his first run and is against winners. This is an educational run but I do hope to see him doing his best work late and he could earn some money.
MAN O’ WAR SPRINT Sean Tarry
Exquisite Touch was very impressive last time and she’s back on right track. This is a very strong race but I’m confident of a good run.
Mathew de Kock
I’m also looking for good runs from Raasmaal and Ektifaa.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
Green Pepper was one of the horses more severely affected by the virus, but we fortunately had a lot of time to get her over it. We’ve got two decent gallops in and she’s working really well. I’m expecting a big run from her. It’s a tough race for British Royale at the weights. He is working very well, but this race was not my first choice for him. He’s here because his owner Ian Levitan wanted him to run.
Mike Azzie
Aussie Austin once again is taking a step up in class and is in the company of a lot stronger on this occasion. He’s consistent, he’s working well at home however this asking for a win could be a little too much of an ask. I am expecting a decent run and will be happy if he too runs in the money.
Robbie Hill
Red Chestnut Road has come over his injury but is underdone for this race and his main targets are later this season.
Joey Ramsden
Pillar Of Hercules is a good sort and I am hopeful.
Stephen Moffatt
Clever Guy is very well. It is a competitive field but I am expecting a bold showing.
Corne Spies
Seattle Singer bounced back and showed us the ability we knew she had. Hopefully she repeats that run. No 11 Favour’s Pride has a tough task but she has a light weight and hopefully she can earn a cheque.
JACARANDA HANDICAP Sean Tarry
We took a chance last time by running Inaninstant over 2450m last time based on pedigree but it was a bridge too far. She’s doing well at home and I would not be surprised if she gets a place. I think Redberry Lane has the class to win. The question mark is the distance. I’m not sure if she finished it off last time over 2000m. She’s very effective over 1600m but this 1800m could be her limit.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
I’ve been battling to get Negroamaro’s red cell count where I want it – it’s been tough due to the constant loss of blood. She is still super-talented and on this merit rating, must always be competitive. But there’s no telling, with her condition.
Ormond Ferraris
Patchit Up Baby stays well enough so she must have a chance.
Lucky Houdalakis
Banking April is in a tough race but is a gutsy filly.
Candice Dawson
Polly Wolly Doodle is out at the weights but deserves a shot at getting Black Type behind her name.
CARADOC GOLD CUP Sean Tarry
Supertube stays well so we will take our chances in staying races.
Paul Matchett
Royal Honour ran a good race last time and I expect him to be in the money again. He will enjoy the extra 400m.
Mathew de Kock
Smart Mart has reached his mark in the handicap.
Ormond Ferraris
Save The Rhino is a good horse and stays well so must have a chance.
Weiho Marwing
Zafira is running against the colts but stays well and I am hoping for a decent run. Let It Rain is trying this longer distance for the first time but has been running on well over shorter. Frikkie is a genuine stayer and is fit and well.
Gary Alexander
Coby always gives of her best and has a good Eachway chance
Jurgen van Heerden
Ilitshe is doing well and is fit. It is his first time this far but I am hoping for a good run.
Just nine horses will line up for the R2-million SA Classic at Turffontein on Saturday and quite a few experts will be keeping in mind the racing adage, the smaller the field, the bigger the upset when making their selections.
Assistant trainer Mathew de Kock, in charge of Mike’s powerful string until his dad returns from Dubai, says, “Small fields equal exciting finishes” – and he’s hoping for just that, only in his favour, on Saturday. Upset results in small fields are often due to a muddling or slow pace, but De Kock junior is taking no chances and has put Alaadel in to set “a true-run, honest pace”.
“That will help my other two horses, Heavenly Blue and Janoobi. In this small field Randall Simons will have more control pace-wise,” he said. Alaadel should have no problems carrying out his task. He’s certainly fit enough, having raced last weekend at Turffontein in the Derby Trial where he finished fourth behind Pagoda.
Janoobi and Heavenly Blue finished first and third respectively in the Betting World Gauteng Guineas a month ago. They were separated by Sean Tarry-trained Al Sahem, Betting World’s even-money favourite for the SA Classic. Heavenly Blue is second favourite at 18-10, with Janoobi next on offer at 5-1.
Said De Kock: “Heavenly Blue’s preparation has gone 100% flawlessly. He’s now very close to his best and the 1800m is probably the minimum of his best distance.”
In the Gauteng Guineas Heavenly Blue was returning from a rest following a quick trip to Cape Town in December and De Kock admitted beforehand that he was slightly shy of peak fitness.
Janoobi, he said, “Was at a peak that day and is still doing just as well”. However, Janoobi would need to learn to settle before he’d put much faith in his chances over further than 1600m. “I’m not saying he won’t stay, I just think Heavenly Blue will be more effective over the 1800m,” he confirmed.
Al Hawraa, Orchid Island and Belle Rose run for the stable in the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m. Al Hawraa and Orchid Island finished second and third behind Smiling Blue Eyes in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas with Belle Rose fifth.
“Al Hawraa was a bit in-and-out earlier in her career but she’s doing well now she’s older and stronger. She’s showing us more at home, giving us confidence.
“It’s all positive for her. She’s at a peak and has a good draw. I expect her to be right there at the finish.”
Orchid Island, the 11-2 second favourite behind Smiling Blue Eyes, has enjoyed a smooth preparation and is much fitter than in the Fillies Guineas, but De Kock said she’d have a “hard task from draw No 13. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s classy but it’s hard to give other classy fillies start.”
Belle Rose won the Oaks Trial last weekend, with De Kock confirming he’d had utmost faith in her that day. He said afterwards he would see how she took the race before making a decision on her participation in the SA Fillies Classic. At this point she is a definite runner. “She’s come out of the race sound and happy and she should have a top-five chance in the SA Fillies Classic,” he said.
The R1-million HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m is the third Grade 1 race on the programme and De Kock fields two horses – Fareeq, “who is in there as a pacemaker, to keep them honest”, and Rafeef, a classy individual whose biggest win to date came in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m this month.
“His preparation has gone very well and I feel he’s made more improvement. Of course, it’ll be hard to beat Legal Eagle, but he’ll give it his best,” said De Kock.
Of his other runners at the meeting, he said: “I’ve got a nice card.” He rates Like A Panther in Race 1 over 1400m, while another of the stable’s two-year-olds, Alfolk, “should be right there, getting 2kg from Barrack Street” in the R200,000 Grade 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m.
De Kock is also looking for good runs from Raasmaal and Ektifaa in the Man O’ War Sprint but says Smart Mart, who runs in the R250,000 Grade 3 Caradoc Gold Cup, “has reached his mark in the handicap”.
The other horse he will saddle is Jubilee Line, who he expects to also do well in Race 12. His return to action after a slight fracture of his pelvis in September will be watched with interest, particularly given his supplementation into the Premier’s Champions Challenge in a month’s time. – TABNews
Trainer Bob Baffert described Arrogate as “the greatest we’ve seen since Secretariat” following last night’s dramatic win in the Dubai World Cup. A strong statement? Perhaps. But only if you have yet to witness the “grey machine’s” amazing performance on a memorable night at Meydan.
Arrogate was sliced up and left for last at the jump but they don’t call jockey Mike Smith ‘Big Money Mike’ for nothing and it was his patience and experience that helped guide the amazing son of Unbridled’s Song to a memorable win. Fellow US raiders Gun Runner and Neolithic finished second and third with Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij bravely holding on for fourth.
Arrogate has only been racing for a year but is now the highest stakes earner in the history of the sport. Last night he added the $10million Gr1 Dubai World Cup to his resume following wins in wins in the Travers Stakes (G1), Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the $12million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in his last three outings.
Arrogate wins the 2017 Dubai World Cup [Liesl King]
When it was over, even his trainer couldn’t believe what Arrogate had done. “I was thinking, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have brought him. Maybe he’s getting tired.’ … I thought, ‘If he can’t win, Mike [Smith] will take care of him and not abuse him.'”
But as Arrogate worked his way into contention, the Hall of Fame trainer’s mood shifted. “I thought then, ‘If he wins this race, he’s the most incredible horse I’ve ever seen,'” he said.
Baffert said he was glad he brought Arrogate to the desert, even beyond the prestige and purse money.
“Everybody who was here tonight is going to say, ‘I’m glad I was here to see that,'” he said. “If anybody wasn’t super impressed with that, they just don’t like horse racing. I still can’t believe he won the race.”
Racing Tools
Calendar, stats, racing videos, it's all here!
Get all the latest race stats on your favourite filly, watch racing videos from your couch or find out who's running where!
![Arrogate wins the 2017 Dubai World Cup [Liesl King]](http://www.goldcircle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Arrogate-Mike-Smith-1-LK-22-site.jpg)
