There is little doubt that National Key is a tough customer. Five seasons and 59 races under his girth, Brian Wiid’s runner is still going strong and can put a seventh victory behind his name when he lines up in the Kas Govender Memorial Handicap that headlines the Greyville poly meeting today.

The seven-year-old is no stranger to Greyville or the surface, having already raced on it six times for a win and a string of places, and it is also a surface that appears to bring out the best in older horses with mileage on the clock. National Key fits nicely into that category.

The gelding has been up against some strong company in his Highveld home and comes into the race off a warm-up and should strip close to his peak. Muzi Yeni, who has relocated to Jo’Burg, rode him in that race and will be back aboard today.

But although National Key ticks most of the boxes he does face some smart younger opposition, mostly in the form of Alistair Gordon’s pair of My Pal Al and Marshall That, both likely candidates for the big three-year-old features during Champions Season.

My Pal Al is definitely on the way up and will be a threat to the top weight. He was deemed good enough to take his chances in Gr2 The Dingaans at Turffontein but ran way below form in the soft ground.

That may not have been his only problem as Gordon declared him in blinkers for his next start and the results were immediate as he barrelled home five lengths clear of the opposition. Anton Marcus has stayed with the ride but the only concern is that the 1200m trip may be on the sharp side which could give National Key the edge.

Marshall That gave notice of his ability with a runaway maiden win with apprentice Eric Ngwane admitting that he had been a mere passenger. The gelding is obviously not an easy ride so his recent showing when a beaten favourite is probably best ignored. Sean Veale is one of the strongest riders around so Marshall That is not likely to get away with much today.

Of the balance, Wynkelder was strongly fancied to back up on his maiden win but soft ground and the seven furlongs may have been his undoing. Given his pedigree his poly debut should not be a problem and a win here will see him rocket up the handicap.

Andrew Harrison

 

National Champion trainer Sean Tarry has a strong hand in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas, but bookmakers have not necessarily got his four charges, Furiosa, Al Sahem, Matador Man and Tilbury Fort, in the right order.

The Toreador gelding Matador Man is only rated third of the Tarry runners by Betting World at odds of 5/1, but makes most appeal. He comes out better than Furiosa on formlines through both Misty Roller and Al Fahad. Matador Man had to come from an impossible position last time out in the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m, but ran on in eye-catching style to be beaten only 0,6 lengths by the classy filly Ektifaa. However, he was receiving 1,5kg from the latter. On the other hand he looks likely to relish the return to the Standside track with its long straight.

He was an impressive winner of the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track in his penultimate start. He looks likely to stay the 1600m trip, despite his sire Toreador and dam Sahara (Mogok) both being sprinter-to-1400m types. Matador Man relaxes beautifully in the running and has a fine turn of foot. His wide draw is of little concern as he invariably loses a length or two at the start and slots in behind the field. Lyle Hewitson rides.

The most fancied of Tarry’s runners in the betting is the Australian-bred colt by Fastnet Rock, Furiosa, who is second favourite with the sponsors at 3.75/1. S’Manga Khumalo will be aboard. This rangy sort has always given the impression that he would both improve with age and be best suited to a galloping track like Turffontein Standside. He was possibly a reluctant leader last time in a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m in very soft going on the Turffontein Inside track. However, he relaxed well and being in front enabled him to use his big action. He then stayed on resolutely under a typically strong ride by Khumalo and won by two lengths from the useful

older horse Amsterdam, from whom he was receiving only 2,5kg. So, it will no surprise to see him going to the front again from a good draw of four, especially as it is a small field, a scenario which often favours front runners.

Furiosa’s distance is not easy to predict on pedigree. On the one hand his sire Fastnet Rock was a twice Gr 1-winning sprinter, and furthermore Furiosa is a full-brother to a Listed winner over 1100m. However, Furiosa’s dam is by stamina influence Woodman and is a half-sister to a Gr 2 winner over 2040m. Visually, Furiosa strikes as one who is looking for 1800m and beyond. However, if the ground remains on the soft side on Saturday, it will favour him.

The unbeaten Tarry-trained Silvano colt Al Sahem is out of Alderry, who finished a narrow third in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas in 2010 and went on to win the Gr 2 November Handicap over 1600m. Both of Al Sahem’s eye-catching wins have been over the Gauteng Guineas course and distance. He is another who relaxes well in the running and has a superb turn of foot. On a line through Amsterdam there is not much between him and Furiosa. He will be improving being by Silvano. Anthony Delpech up and a plum draw of three are two further pluses. However, against him is he has had an interrupted preparation. He is 4/1 with Betting World.

Tilbury Fort, a colt by Horse Chestnut, has a touch of class and is a gallant sort, who keeps finding extra when challenged. He is distance suited too. In his last Highveld start he received 4kg from Guineas contender Chili Con Carne and gave him a 3,9 length beating, so his odds of 25/1 are more attractive than the latter’s 10/1. Raymond Danielson will be aboard Tilbury Fort.

Chili Con Carne has done better since the aforementioned race, but is well held by Matador Man on their last meeting. Tilbury Fort is also well held by Matador Man, having been given 3,5kg and a 1,75 length beating by him in the Secretariat. Therefore, it is interesting to note that on Cape Town 1600m form there is only 1,75 lengths between Saturday’s favourite Heavenly Blue and Tilbury Fort on a line through William Longsword.

All in all it points to Matador Man being the one to side with in Saturday’s Gauteng Guineas, which constitutes the joint first leg of the SA Triple Crown.           

David Thiselton

Doosra has been beaten by Matador Man, Chili Con Carne and Heavenly Blue in the past and has become a difficult customer before the start of his races. But he has plenty of talent and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner will have his supporters in the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

He is an 8-1 shot with the race sponsor, Betting World, and his trainer seems to believe his price is fair because both the Gauteng Guineas and the Wigerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas “look like tough races”.

Doosra showed his ability in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m in November when beating top-rated weak favourite Heavenly Blue by a head.

His feisty character then started to develop and he was stubborn going into the pens when fourth behind Singapore Sling, Heavenly Blue and Bold Rex in the Dingaans, his only previous race over 1600m. He was again unruly before a Graduation Plate next time out but won anyway, beating Daffiq by 1.60 lengths with Furiosa (renews rivalry) 4.10 lengths away in fourth place. His next two starts were over shorter and yielded thirds behind Chili Con Carne and Ektifaa respectively.

Janse van Vuuren will saddle Being Fabulous in the Fillies Guineas. This two-time winner is a classy individual who likes to be in control in her races nowadays.

Her second career win came in handicap company where she beat Eloquence by five lengths, which saw her merit rating upped eight points. She then started favourite but might have hit the front a bit too soon when third behind Belle Rose and Babbling Brooke, both of who renew rivalry.

One horse Janse van Vuuren is much more keen on is New Predator in the Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2) over 1400m. “New Predator is very well,” he confirmed. This is a preparatory run for the New Approach four-year-old, who will be bidding to win the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m later this autumn. That is a race in which he finished third to Legal Eagle last year.

He has had one preparatory run already, when beating Kings Archer over 1400m at this track last month. Bulleting Home (3kg better off), Kangaroo Jack (6kg better off) and Will Pays (6kg better off) were behind him that day. He is drawn at No 1 and looks likely to start favourite.

TABnews

Connections of Arrogate, the highest-rated Flat performer in the world, have confirmed his next target is the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 25.

The Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old won the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November and kicked off 2017 with a comfortable four-and-three-quarter-length victory in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month.

Following Arrogate’s victory in the US$12million contest, Baffert expressed some doubts about Arrogate travelling to Dubai but after pleasing in a mile workout at Santa Anita on Monday, connections confirmed Meydan is now the target.

Baffert said: “I just got the call and we’ve got the green light to send him to Dubai as long as he’s doing well. [The decision] came down from [owner] Prince Khalid [Abdullah].

“He looked great. I’m really happy the way he’s come out of that race [the Pegasus].

“He hasn’t regressed or anything, he looked fantastic. He’s enjoying himself, and he did it the right way. I’m really happy with the way he’s going. He’s just holding his form very well,” Baffert told www.bloodhorse.com

Meanwhile, Racingpost.com report that the Dubai World Cup meeting has lost one of its potential stars following a surprising change of heart by connections of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther.

Last weekend the five-year-old won the very valuable Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin and it seemed a trip to Meydan for next month’s Dubai Turf was the next target.

However, it emerged on Tuesday that Werther, who was around 8-1 for the race with British bookmakers, would not be going to Dubai.

The South China Morning Post reported that trainer John Moore was informed of the change of plans via a text from owner Johnson Chen. Moore was dismayed at the news, not just for himself, but also for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, whose officials the SCMP reported had suffered a ‘loss of face’.

Hong Kong’s presence at this year’s meeting will be reduced further as sprinters Lucky Bubbles and Peniaphobia will also not be making the trip, with domestic campaigns preferred.

 

Grant van Niekerk has been appointed first jockey to the powerful Plattner Racing team handled by Andre Nel.

Nel said on Tuesday: “Grant is a natural choice. He is very talented, he can ride all the weights and he has already done well for us. We will have first claim on him.”

Nel has 30 horses to race in Cape Town during the coming winter season and, in addition, he is sending ten of his best ones to join his Durban string. Van Niekerk will fly up to partner those that run in Group races. The stable also has 26 two-year-olds.

Van Niekerk said: “I am very happy to get the job. Andre is a gentleman to ride for and he has some good horses. I went up there to work this morning and I rode a couple of nice ones. I think we will do well together.”

Van Niekerk, 25, replaces his great friend Aldo Domeyer who took over his job as first jockey to Candice Bass-Robinson. He has been sidelined since Met day by accumulated suspensions but says he will be back in action on March 11.

Michael Clower

At least nine horses sold so far at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Australia could be coming to race in South Africa, having been sold to South African interests.

The two bought early at the sale by Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators are likely to remain in Australia, having been co-signed by Victoria-based Heywood Bloodstock.

They spent Aus$280,000 on a Camelot colt and another $260,000 on a Fastnet Rock filly.

Jehan Malherbe’s Form bloodstock has secured seven horses already at the sale, which has been running since Sunday.

His most expensive purchase was a Smart Missile filly secured for $180,000. He bought a Shamus Award filly, who is related to Alboran Sea, for $90,000, a Fiorente filly for $70,000, a Choisir colt for $60,000 and a filly by Black Caviar’s four-time winning half-brother All Too Hard filly for $30,000.

Paul Guy’s Heritage Bloodstock has bought two fillies, paying $210,000 for a daughter of Snitzel and R100,000 for a filly by Camelot.

Andy Williams, manager of World Wide Bloodstock, has spent $175,000 on two yearlings, a Sebring colt ($120,000) and a Declaration Of War filly.

The sale ends on Wednesday [Mar 1].

– TABNews; Picture: Racing.com

Heavenly Blue and Furiosa are vying for favouritism at the top of the sponsor’s boards for the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

The Gauteng Guineas is the joint first leg of the SA Triple Crown, which is worth R2 million to a horse who can win the Cape Guineas or Gauteng Guineas, the SA Classic over 1800m a month later and the SA Derby another four weeks later.

Heavenly Blue, one of three runners from the Mike de Kock stable, is currently board topper at 7-2. The Australian-bred grey is the joint top-rated runner in the 10-horse field alongside stablemate Janoobi but has drawn widest of all.

Another Australian-bred runner, Furiosa is to be ridden by the Sean Tarry stable’s first choice S’manga Khumalo. He was always in control last time out, when beating Amsterdam by two lengths over 1800m on the Inside track last time out.

His stable companion, unbeaten Al Sahem, is third favourite. He has not raced for 79 days but is an unknown factor in this class of field and must have lots of room for improvement.

De Kock and Tarry also saddle the fourth and fifth favourites, Janoobi and Matador Man respectively.

Betting World Gauteng Guineas betting: 7-2 Heavenly Blue, 15-4 Furiosa, 4-1 Al Sahem, 9-2 Janoobi, 5-1 Matador Man, 8-1 Doosra, Unagi, 10-1 Chili Con Carne, 25-1 Daffiq, Tilbury Fort.

– TABNews

Enthusiastic racing mother-and-son combination Delma and Lance Sherrell are Cape Town based but their roots are in KZN and their black and white colours will be flying the “Sharks” flag boldly during the SA Champions Season.

Lance was selected as one of the flyhalves for the 1994 Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand and he had earlier followed in the footsteps of both his late father Reg and grandfather Reg Evelyn by playing for Natal. Initially, racing For Delma and Lance was merely a continuation of Reg’s involvement, but Lance admits, “It has now got me hooked”.

This winter the adrenalin will run faster than ever, because not only will Captain America be providing the Sherrell family with another shot at the Vodacom Durban July, but a home-bred of theirs, Bold Respect, will be fancied to land a two-year-old Gr 1.

Lance views racing very much as a sport and it provides a fitting replacement for his active days in the arena.

“Syndicate involvement is more fun,” he said. “There is the build up to the race where you can all talk rubbish and joust with other owners for a pie and a coke. It is like a team sport, you take the pain together and celebrate together if you win. You’re not in to make money, but just to enjoy it, and it’s a good excuse to get out of the house. A race like the Met starts with golf on the Friday and the camaraderie throughout the weekend is unbelievable. But in racing it doesn’t really matter who wins, rivals are very supportive of each other’s successes.”

Lance said after family horse Alexis had won the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas two years ago, “”It is more exhilarating than lining up a kick in a big game!”

However, watching the home-bred Boldly Respectable win at Kenilworth about a year later was a whole new ball game. Lance said, “It is a completely different vibe and deeply satisfying, as you have been involved with this horse for its whole life.”

Reg Sherrell was a work associate of Robert Maingard’s in the days the family lived in Durban. Reg and Robert raced horses together and Ricky Maingard was their trainer. Lance used to tag along with his father to the Tote on a Saturday and developed an interest in the sport.

Among the horses Reg had shares in were the 1985 Cape Derby winner Impressive Style and the filly Respectable, who won the Gr 1 Natalia Stakes and she finished fourth in the 1990 July.

Reg, who passed away just 12 days after Alexis’ KRA Fillies Guineas win, had a couple of horses with Basil Marcus when the latter moved to Singapore in 2010. Stud farm manager Craig Carey then recommended Brett Crawford as a trainer to Lance.  Shortly after joining the Crawford yard, Reg passed his colours over to Delma.

Lance does have his own colours, but prefers to race with the black and white family colours, particularly due to their association with Sharks rugby.

When Crawford offered the Sherrells a share in a Captain Al colt, which he had gone over budget to secure, they jumped at it. They had once lived next door to Captain Al’s original owners, the Dos Santos’s, and Delma had always wanted a horse by the great sire. They thus landed a share in Captain America, whose first big win was in the R2 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes and he later won a Gr 1 in Johannesburg.

Lance quipped, “My friends are always surprised when I say Captain America has been very costly. You see he was the one who prompted us to keep on buying! A winning culture becomes infectious in any sport.”

The Sherrells decided to breed with Respectable Lady, one of the horses transfered to Crawford from Basil Marcus, for sentimental reasons. She was the granddaughter of Respectable and Reg and Robert Maingard had also raced her mother Respectable Model.

Respectable’s great-grandson, Bold Respect, won the R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m on Sun Met day.

The Sherrell’s stand Respectable Lady at Dr Ashley, Dr Bev and Rose Parker’s top class Port Elizabeth-based stud farm, Ascot Stud.

A July win would mean a tremendous amount to the Sherrells. They are hoping this will be the race in which Captain America finally sheds his bridesmaid tag.

Gulf Storm is another of the Sherrells’ Gr 1-winners. The Gr 1 Tsogo Sprint, where he was runner up two years ago, will be on his agenda again. Search Party, winner of the Gr 2 WSB Merchants, will also likely carry the Sherrells colours in the Tsogo Sprint. Both Gulf Storm and Search Party were bred by Ascot Stud. Alexis will defend her Gr 2 Tibouchina crown before likely making her swansong in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes.

Lance recently attended the funeral of his Springbok tour room mate and “Dirt Trackers” half-back companion, the legendary Joost van der Westhuizen. It was a sad occasion but also a happy one. Joost’s passing had brought together rugby playing contemporaries who had not seen each other for twenty odd years. There was much reminiscing and laughter. It is this camaraderie which sportsmen thrive on.

Considering Crawford sent out the first and third for this year’s Met, owned by an England cricketer and a Bok rugby player respectively, his yard could not be in a better place. Lance shares his racing successes with his former rugby colleagues. It can only be good for the Sport Of Kings if his enthusiasm one day rubs off on some of them.

David Thiselton

 

“We have two nice runners in a strong race,” Mike de Kock said about South African breds, Light The Lights (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) and Noah From Goa (Christophe Soumillon), leading contenders in Thursday’s Gr2 Zabeel Mile over 1600m on turf in Dubai.

“Both ours have enjoyed good preparations, they both have chances but there is a case to be made for every runner in this small field.  I think Championship is the horse to beat.”

“Noah From Goa has done everything right, it’s his second run back and he’s got 4.25-lengths to find with Championship on their encounter in the District One Trophy. I said after that race that Noa would improve by the distance he was beaten and I’ll stick to that. There is no weight swing in Noah From Goa’s favour but he has made the desired progress to get significantly closer this time.

“Light The Lights is going for the Jebel Hatta in a fortnight, this is slightly short for him, he drops in distance but he is very fresh and this race will be to his benefit.”

Alareef and Sanshaawes are two other Blue Stable runners to face the starter at the meeting.

Alareef goes back up in trip to 1400m on the dirt in Race 1, where Jim Crowley faces a stiff task from a wide draw. “Alareef received a penalty for his win last time out, but his draw is worse than the penalty. He will need a miracle to win from there,” De Kock said.

The consistent Sanshaawes (Pat Cosgrave) takes on a talented field in Race 7, the Gr3 Dubai Millennium Stakes over 2000m on turf. “There are two top horses here against us in Zarak and Promising Run.  We’d be delighted with a third or a fourth place,” De Kock concluded.

Mikedekockracing.com