Author Archives: Brendan Pather

Risks too high for Schlechter

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Gerrit Schlechter is unlikely to ride again but he cannot say he is going to be forced to retire until his insurance company gives its blessing.

He said: “I am still on medication and the osteoporosis and arthritis is so bad that my doctor has said that I could end up in a wheelchair if I have another fall.”

Schlechter, 51, is one of a select group to have won both the Vodacom Durban July (Eyeofthetiger in 2006) and the J & B Met (Past Master in 2011) but he has not ridden since last September when the problem was thought to be a prolapsed disc.

Noordhoek trainer Mike Stewart is also in the wars and he came close to losing his left eye in a freak accident a week ago.

He said: “I was leading a horse into the pens at Philippi. I don’t know exactly what happened, whether I was kicked or what, but I managed to drive myself home. I went to the optometrist and I was operated on the next day. I have torn the retina but I hope to get back most of my sight.”

– Michael Clower

Tabgold site on the right track

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The site has been specifically designed to be mobile friendly as official Google Analytics show that 50% of visitors to the site use their mobile devices and this figure will grow in the future.

There have been teething problems, most notably last week when the system was unable to handle unexpected volumes and punters had difficulty logging on. This has been remedied and the site upgraded to handle the bigger volumes.

The interactive racecard, where punters can access statistics and make notes, is designed to be used on-line and is not printer friendly. There are two other printer friendly options for racecards, namely the TabForm sheet or the Racecard Summary.

By request, fixed odds betting for future meetings will be loaded onto the site as soon as it becomes available instead of only on-day display. Horse, trainers and jockey indexes will become an added feature.

It is important to note that one is required to register before you can access the full menu. All of the content that was on the old website is available to registered users. Registration is free and the site currently has over 23 000 unique users.

“We are trying to be proactive,” says Gold Circle Commercial Executive, Patrick Loker. “We are noting complaints and suggestions and where possible will try and embrace these where we think they will add value. The site has been developed with extensive input from different punters, but satisfying everyone in such a diverse population group is a massive problem but one that we want to overcome using our best efforts.”

For suggestions or complaints e-mail support@goldcircle.co.za or call one of the following telephone numbers for assistance:

+27 31 314 1869

+27 31 314 1870

+27 31 314 1482

+27 31 314 1588

Black Arthur new July favourite

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Black Arthur and stable companion Bela-Bela had bookmakers scrambling to change their odds display for the Vodacom Durban July after Justin Snaith’s charges turned in superb performances in the Gr2 Canon Guineas and G2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and Friday evening at Greyville could prove a defining meeting in Africa’s Champion Season. All three features provided plenty of fodder for the formbook and any intrepid punters sitting with 12-1 about Black Arthur and 45-1 about Bela-Bela, may not be in the league of those who got the 5000-1 about Leicester City, but are entitled to be smug.

After stunning displays in the two Classics, Black Arthur displaced Legal Eagle (4-1) as anti-post favourite for the July – 3-1 on some boards but 7-2 still available – while Bela-Bela is now 14-1. Of Black Arthur Delpech said, “He’s the type of horse I would like to ride in the July,” the four-time July winning jockey confirming what all had just witnessed.

Black Arthur, home-bred by Alec and Gillian Foster, was beaten favourite in the Investec Derby at the end of the Cape summer but arrived in KZN with a mighty reputation. Delpech has the pick of the Snaith rides for the Western Cape Champion trainer during his KZN campaign and it took a single gallop for Delpech to decide between Baritone, Derby winner It’s My Turn and Black Arthur.

Seemingly out-paced from the gate as Sylvester The Cat set a suicidal gallop in overcoming his wide draw, Delpech slotted him in on the rail behind a charging pack. “I thought it might be a touch short for him but they went very, very fast which was in his favour,” Delpech confirmed.

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up - Nkosi Hlophe

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up – Nkosi Hlophe

Aimed for home, Delpech threaded his mount through the traffic and once in space the son of Silvano sailed through to win as he liked in spite of the winning margin being less than a length.

Race favourite Rabada settled in behind Sylvester The Cat and looked destine to keep his clean sheet at Greyville in tact before Black Arthur mowed him down with the line in sight while third and fourth placed Mambo Mime and Ten Gun Salute also had their July odds trimmed after promising performances.

All four look destined to meet in the Daily News 2000 that at this stage is brewing into one of the races of the season.

If Delpech needed a dress rehearsal for Black Arthur he got it in on the grey Bela-Bela who turned in a similar display of galloping in the Daisy Fillies Guineas to give trainer and jockey a Classic double. Nearer last than first turning for home, Delpech also had to pick his way through traffic before accelerating away to win in commanding fashion. It was a display out of the top draw.

“I rode two very good horses tonight,” was Delpech’s parting shot.

Race favourite Silver Mountain never got going and it was left to stable companion Nightingale to carry the stable flag although Bela-Bela went past her like she was looking for parking.

Johan Janse van Vuuren commented before the race that Negroamaro was off her best form but it was not by far. “I think she’s still a bit soft. We skipped the Oaks to go for the Woolavington.” The grey was in contention half a furlong out but was run down by Bela-Bela and Nightingale.

But if Negroamara was underdone, Van Vuuren’s New Predator was “gaar” as they say in Afrikaans. The three-year-old blew away his rivals in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in a display that will have sent a chilled down Sean Tarry’s spine if indeed Legal Eagle has the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge on his agenda.

New Predator

New Predator

Although beaten four lengths by Legal Eagle in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, New Predator was given a puzzling ride that afternoon as he was sent for home nearly 800m out, but he did show an exceptional turn of foot albeit off a slow pace.

The Greyville ‘mile’ with its short straight is right up New Predator’s alley and the switch in course could extend Tarry’s champion a tad more.

Disappointment was race favourite Legislate but Snaith was quick with an explanation. “Legislate didn’t saddle well. He walked around the ring with his head down and I know we were in trouble. But what can you do.”

Snaith will no doubt have the puzzled solved by this morning and have Legislate back on track to defend his Gold Challenge crown.

Triptique ran a cracker in second in his first venture beyond 1200m and could now be a candidate for the Gold Challenge while Ice Machine ran his usual game race, coming from last to third.

By Andrew Harrison

Betting on the R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, July 2:

7-2 Black Arthur, 4-1 Legal Eagle, 11-2 Abashiri, 14-1 French Navy, Bela-Bela, The Conglomerate, 16-1 Brazuca, New Predator, 20-1 Rabada, Nightingale, 22-1 Mac De Lago, 25-1 Samurai Blade, Marinaresco, 33-1 Silver Mountain, Master Sabina, Deo Juvente, It’s My Turn, 40-1 Negroamaro, 50-1 Baritone, 55-1 Trophy Wife, 66-1 Inara, Dynastic Power, Ten Gun Salute, Mambo Mime, Saratoga Dancer, 7-1 Paterfamilias, 80-1 Olma, Prospect Strike, Punta Arenas, Romany Prince, Cape Speed, Master Switch, 100-1 and upwards others.

power king

Vodacom Durban July Log

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Vodacom Durban July Log – as at 4 May 2016

South Africa’s highest rated horse, Legal Eagle, heads the 2016 Vodacom Durban July Log as issued by Gold Circle today. Triple Crown hero Abashiri occupies 2nd spot with French Navy in third. 
18 runners will face the starter for the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, 2 July 2016, and the log reflects the composition of the field as if the race were to be run at this point in time.
 
NO
HORSE
TRAINER
M/R
1
LEGAL EAGLE
Sean
Tarry
120
2
ABASHIRI
Mike
Azzie
117
3
FRENCH NAVY
Sean
Tarry
115
4
BRAZUCA (AUS)
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
109
5
INARA
Mike
Bass
111
6
IT’S MY TURN
Justin
Snaith
101
7
MASTER SABINA
Geoff
Woodruff
108
8
RABADA
Mike
Azzie
109
9
SILVER MOUNTAIN
Mike
Bass
110
10
SAMURAI BLADE (AUS)
Sean
Tarry
108
11
NEW PREDATOR (AUS)
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
107
12
PATERFAMILIAS
Mike
Bass
110
13
DEO JUVENTE
Geoff
Woodruff
106
14
MAC DE LAGO (AUS)
Weiho
Marwing
107
15
BELA-BELA
Justin
Snaith
106
16
NEGROAMARO
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
102
17
OLMA
Frank
Robinson
107
18
PUNTA ARENAS
Dennis
Drier
107
19
STONEHENGE
Sean
Tarry
108
20
SOLID SPEED
Dean
Kannemeyer
103
21
TROPHY WIFE
Sean
Tarry
101
22
THE CONGLOMERATE (AUS)
Joey
Ramsden
101
23
ROMANY PRINCE
Ormond
Ferraris
102
24
MASTER’S EYE
Justin
Snaith
103
25
DYNASTIC POWER
Vaughan
Marshall
101
DEPUTY JUD
Mike
Azzie
95
GOLD ONYX (NZ)
Sean
Tarry
107
PROSPECT STRIKE
Sean
Tarry
107
EXIT HERE
Charles
Laird
105
HALVE THE DEFICIT
Sean
Tarry
102
AFRIKABURN
Gavin
van Zyl
100
TEN GUN SALUTE (AUS)
Duncan
Howells
101
DISCO AL
Joey
Ramsden
101
BALANCE SHEET
Dean
Kannemeyer
98
ULTIMATE DOLLAR
Justin
Snaith
99
ST TROPEZ
Joey
Ramsden
99
BARITONE
Justin
Snaith
104
CELTIC CAPTAIN
Gavin
van Zyl
96
SYLVESTER THE CAT
Duncan
Howells
98
DYNAMIC
Justin
Snaith
98
DIESEL JET
Erico
Verdonese
97
MAMBO MIME
Dean
Kannemeyer
97
TRADING PROFIT
Mike
Azzie
96
MARINARESCO
Mike
Bass
97
CAPE SPEED
Dean
Kannemeyer
96
BLACK ARTHUR
Justin
Snaith
96
JUBILEE LINE
Mike
de Kock
92
SARATOGA DANCER
Duncan
Howells
95
STORMY ECLIPSE
Charles
Laird
94
DEPUTY RYDER
Neil
Bruss
94
PERSIAN RUG
Mike
de Kock
93
UNBELIEVABLE CHAD
Paul
Lafferty
92
SILVER SPRING
Gavin
van Zyl
92
MASTER SWITCH
Geoff
Woodruff
98
BANKABLE TEDDY
Brian
Wiid
89
OLE GUNNAR
Paul
Lafferty
88
NIGHTINGALE
Mike
Bass
87
RAINY DAY BLUES
Joe
Soma
87
ELUSIVE SILVA
Justin
Snaith
86
NIGHT SHADOW
Gavin
van Zyl
86
MILLA’S WORLD
Sean
Tarry
85
KINAAN (AUS)
Mike
de Kock
84
FORT MEYERS
Sean
Tarry
84
WARGAMES
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
78
 
The next log will be issued on Monday, 30 May 2016.

Big test for Red Chesnut

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The exciting Robbie Hill-trained two-year-old colt Red Chesnut Road faces his first big test in the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m at Scottsville on Sunday.

The Pathfork colt faced a number of talked about first-timers on debut over 1200m at Scottsville but after showing good early pace he kicked clear effortlessly and destroyed them by 7,75 lengths under Brandon Lerena.

The only detracting point was the winning time of the following race contested by two-year-old fillies which was only 0,5 seconds slower and the winner, Princess Analia, then finished only fifth in a polytrack handicap against older horses next time out off a merit rating of 82.

However, on visual impressions the blinkered Red Chesnut Road looked something special.

Shannon Hill said the impressively built chestnut has improved a lot since then and looks likely to get better and better. He wears blinkers simply due to his naughtiness.

The horse which makes most appeal as the danger is the shrewd Corne Spies-trained entry Timedtoperfection. As a maiden filly this daughter of Judpot will receive 4,5kg from Red Chesnut Road. Furthermore, she is a full-sister to the useful sprinter Aurum Pot and caught the eye on debut over 1000m at the Vaal when running on strongly from some way off the pace and only just failing to get there.

The inside rail will remain 5 metres out on Sunday, which is good news as this appears to have given horses a fair chance no matter where they have been drawn.

David Thiselton
Picture: Nkosi Hlophe

 

 

Para-dressage squad eyeing Rio

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Gold Circle Racing in Durban has taken the South African ladies’ para-dressage squad under its wing as it bids to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Rio later this year.

Under the sponsorship of Gold Circle, the team is competing in three international events in Europe and has already shown a high standard of competency in the first qualifying event in Deauville, France.

Tamsin Mbatsha-Bouwer

Tamsin Mbatsha-Bouwer

Unfortunately, one of the leading riders in the team, Wendy Moller, was unable to make the trip to Europe through illness but Shani de Beer and Tamsin Mbatsha-Bouwer who made the trip and Philippa Johnson who is based in Belgium, gave good accounts of themselves in France and will be looking to the next competition in Waregem in Belgium at the end of next week.

According to Ingeborg Sanne who runs the international portfolio for Dressage SA, Philippa Johnson did extremely well – at medal level – scoring 75.6% for freestyle and 71.27% in the individual and 71.29% in the team categories. Shani de Beer scored 66.25% in freestyle, 64.94% in individual and 63.97% in team while Tamsin Mbatsha-Bouwer got 64.82% for individual and 55.52% for team in which she was competing for the first time. She did not

Shani De Beer

Shani De Beer

qualify for the freestyle category.

The sponsorship of the para-dressage team, while not within the parameters of horseracing and thoroughbreds, is in keeping with the Gold Circle’s policy of support for worthy causes and involvement with projects aligned with the equine industry.

In addition to operating racecourses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg it also runs the world-famous Summerveld training establishment at Shongweni and a similar centre at Ashburton. It supports the Coastal Horse Care Unit in KwaZulu-Natal that cares for horses of all types that have been neglected.

The unit travels to rural areas assisting horse owners with medication and equipment and teaches them on the special care their animals require.

Pictures courtesy of www.e-questrianfocus.com and www.philippajohnson.com

marinaresco

Marinaresco, big shoes to fill

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Can Marinaresco become the first since Pocket Power a decade ago to win all three legs of the Winter Series?

He certainly set about it the right way at Kenilworth on Saturday, outpointing the Winter Guineas field with a spectacular turn of foot and appropriately carrying the Marsh Shirtliff colours that his predecessor made famous. Furthermore, unlike most of those who have tried and failed in the intervening nine years, he almost certainly has the stamina for the final leg.

Mind you, he could yet be diverted to Durban. “I’m tossing a coin between the Series R250 000 bonus and the R2 million of the Daily News,” said Mike Bass, his tone of voice suggesting the money made it a no-brainer. But he added, almost in the same breath: “He will probably stay here – he will be a better horse next year that way.”

This was Bass’s eighth Winter Guineas and the first for Aldo Domeyer but many of those who plunged on the favourite from 9-2 to 2-1 thought he had blown it when he decided to cross over from his midfield draw and tuck in with only three behind him. It wasn’t just the punters either (Candice Robinson: “I thought ‘Oh gosh, it’s not going to be our day.’”) while a collective groan came from the stands when the commentator announced that Marinaresco was 15 lengths behind the leader.

Marinaresco 1

Marinaresco winning the Winter Guineas (Liesl King)

Domeyer, though, partnering his 75th winner of the season, kept his cool. “I was riding by instinct – there were a million instructions and even in the pens I wasn’t sure what I was going to do – but Grant van Niekerk had told me that he has a turn of foot.

“This is a good horse. I’ve never seen one with his acceleration. It was just a matter of choosing a gap and then he quickened instantly. After that he was only loafing in front. Since they gelded him he is showing himself to be the horse the stable thought he was going to become, and he is now one for the public to follow.”

However Brett Crawford, whose Grant Thornton Handicap winner Orion Quest is clearly going places, had no hesitation in naming the Winter Classic (May 21) as the next stop for Whisky Baron and Vilakazi who finished a close second and third. There will be another day too for Eighth Wonder who dropped out as if he had been shot. “I couldn’t understand why he didn’t go on in the straight but he returned with a severe nasal discharge,” reported Greg Ennion.

Always In Charge could be Durban bound after running out a hugely impressive winner of the Shopfit National Maiden under a confident MJ Byleveld. “Vaughan Marshall wanted to take him but I said that I don’t like horses going there that haven’t won,” Derek Brugman related. “Now we will sit down and discuss it.”

The Stormsvlei Mile on May 21 is next on the agenda for Captain’s Flame who belied her 10-1 price by romping away in the final furlong of the RTT Sweet Chestnut while third-placed Anglet will take her on again in that after failing to get a completely clear run. “We will then decide about Durban. This 1 400m was a little sharp for her and it got a bit tight,” said Paddy Kruyer.

The 14-10 favourite Qing finished with only one behind her. Anthony Delpech said he felt something was not right and, while the course vet could find nothing wrong, Chris Snaith was asked to report on the filly’s condition back home.

Andre Nel reckons a virus that affected his string earlier in the month was the reason for Dark Chocolate’s expensive flop when favourite three weeks earlier. She came good in the FNB Maiden to launch a stable double and Domeyer’s treble.

Glen Kotzen is now allowed to run horses from his Woodhill stables once more and, after celebrating with all-the-way Anthony Andrews-ridden Shizam in the Old Mutual Maiden, he said: “They asked us to do the responsible thing and we did it for the industry. Let’s just hope there are no more deaths.”

Eric Sands, who used to dominate the work rider races with Bizz Njokwa following orders to the letter, may have found another in the same mould. Storm Front was Siyamdumisa Tshaka’s first ride and the 23-year-old handled him in competent style.

Richard Fourie served notice that he intends to resume normal service after making most on Saint Roch for Adam Marcus in the last, saying: “I’ve not been taking many rides but I’m now getting back into things.”

By Michael Clower

Inara (Liesl King)

Challenge for Inara

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Inara will on Saturday attempt to become only the second of her sex to win the Premier’s Champions Challenge since Ilha Da Vitoria ten years ago and, for the second time in a fortnight, she will make the six-hour journey from Summerveld on the day before the race.

Candice Robinson said: “We are taking a bit of a long shot but it was either the Turffontein race or go for the Tibouchina which is a Group 2 and Drakenstein were keen to run in the Premier’s.

“She will have come on from her Empress Club win although it’s not going to be easy taking on the colts and over the 2 000m at Turffontein.”

Europa Point in 2012 was the other mare to win but the bookies have a healthy respect for Grant van Niekerk’s mount and Betting World makes her 7-1 second favourite. Legal Eagle heads the market at 6-10 while Captain America and French Navy are both 15-2 chances. Brazuca is next on 10-1.

Captain America was beaten three and a half lengths by Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut and was a length adrift in the J& B Met but Brett Crawford has not given up hope.

He said: “What I liked was that each time we were the only one coming back at him at the end, and he is doing very well.”

Justin Snaith, successful with Solo Traveller in 2011 and Legislate three years later, is making a determined assault on the Canon Guineas at Greyville on May 6 with Politician scorer Black Arthur (Anthony Delpech), Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn (Grant van Niekerk) and Baritone (Bernard Fayd’Herbe).

Delpech has also been booked for the stable’s Paddock Stakes third Bela-Bela in the Daisy Fillies Guineas while Vaughan Marshall has supplemented CTS Million Dollar third Victorious Jay for the Canon Guineas.

By Michael Clower