Sun Met-winning trainer Brett Crawford is still waiting to hear how many boxes he will be granted for the South African Champions Season, but has a good idea of which of his best horses will be on the float from Cape Town. They will include the Sun Met winner and third-placed horses respectively, Whisky Baron and Captain America.

Captain America did not travel to Durban last year and his unsuitability to Greyville was cited as the reason. The big six-year-old Captain Al gelding does not have that instant turn of foot normally associated with Vodacom Durban July winners. However, he is these days a thorough professional and there is no longer any sign of the headstrong antics which once affected his performance. He has since become an effective front runner.

Considering last year’s July was won from a handy position by The Conglomerate, who hardly ever looked in danger of defeat in the straight, Captain America is likely to have a shout in this year’s race if he is able to reproduce his front-running performance in the Met. He stayed on resolutely in the Met to finish third, despite it being the strongest field seen in this race for some time. The Conglomerate himself could not live with Captain America in the charge for home in the Met and faded out to finish 13,35 lengths behind the big horse, although he did admittedly have a tough task at the weights.

Captain America was used as the line horse in the Met, quite an accolade as it underlines his consistency. He remains on a 116 merit rating. However, with Legal Eagle now still in the country and merit rated 123, there is a good chance many of the runners in the July will end up under sufferance, like they were last year. This will further enhance the July credentials of Captain America.

Crawford said Whisky Baron, due to his new merit rating of 120, is not a certainty to line up in the July and might well go the weight-for-age route instead. If that is the case, the Gr 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m and the Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m will likely be on his agenda.

Crawford’s Investec Cape Derby winner Edict Of Nantes will “definitely be nominated” for the July, although it is a long way to go before a decision is made whether he will run. The options are to keep him in Cape Town for the winter series, with a possible raid of the July, or bring him to KZN for the SA Champions Season classic races like the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas and the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. Crawford said about the Count Du Bois colt, “Off just a 102 merit rating, he still has a few pounds on the other three-year-olds.”

Another big three-year-old in the yard, Craven, will not be coming to Durban as he might be off to Hong Kong soon.

One interesting horse on the float to Durban will be Bold Respect, a big an impressive two-year-old colt by Bold Silvano who won the R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m on Met day despite being one of only five horses carrying a 2kg penalty. The Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville will be his initial target. An assessment will then be made on his stamina before participation in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and the Gr 1 Premiers Champions Stakes over 1600m is decided. His full-brother Boldly Respectable, also trained by Crawford, has already won over 1400m.

The five-year-old mare Alexis will have been one of the first names on the Durban list as she absolutely loves Greyville. She will likely defend her crown in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m and will thereafter hopefully have more luck than she did in last year’s Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.

Gr 1-winning sprinter Gulf Storm will also be coming to Durban. Off a 108 merit rating, the conditions of the Gr 2 Post Merchants will suit him. The Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, in which he was runner up two seasons ago, and the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint are other options.

Chevauchee will also be on the float and the yard have now decided to keep this talented Australian-bred daughter of High Chaparral to sprints. The Gr 1 South African Fillies Sprint will be her chief target.

The four-year-old Silvano gelding Nebula, winner of Port Elizabeth’s biggest race, the Gr 3 Algoa Cup over 2000m, will also be coming to Durban.

Crawford said there would likely be a couple of relatively unexposed three-year-olds on the float too.

Crawford cited Met day as likely the pinnacle of his career. He not only won both of Cape Town’s two probable biggest races, the Met and the Derby, but also won two other races. Crawford did the Gold Cup/ Champions Cup double three seasons ago with Wavin’ Flag and Futura and he said that was probably his previous best day.

He added about his new highlight, “It was great as a Capetonian to win the Met for the third time.”

Wayne and Belinda Kieswetter’s Ridgemont Stud, a family racing operation, are now big supporters of the Crawford yard. Wayne and Belinda’s sons, Ross and Craig, who are official owners of Whisky Baron, are now passionately involved in the Sport Of Kings and this is a particularly exciting reality for both Crawford and for SA racing.

David Thiselton
Picture: Whisky Baron (Liesl King)

There are chances of good runs from several of Mike de Kock’s Blue Stable representatives at this weekend’s two meetings at Meydan – eight go to post on Thursday evening, five on Saturday afternoon.

Daqeeq (Race 2, Meydan Classic Trail on Turf over 1400m, Jim Crowley) is one of the most interesting runners. Sheikh Hamdan’s Australian-bred by former Dubai World Cup winner Medaglia D’Oro won his 1200m debut on turf in May 2016 in the fashion of a decent horse and has been brought to the desert with sand racing as his ultimate objective.

De Kock commented: “Daqeeq is a nice horse, he has a US sand pedigree so we’re expecting him to do well in Dubai, but of course he’s had to do some travelling to get here. The competition is strong, so we’re starting him off in this turf race to see how he goes, to get some confidence. After this, we’ll look at the Listed Al Bastikiya over 1800m on sand. Megnaas (Christophe Soumillon) ran a poor race first time out on sand, but we’ve drawn a line through that. We’re switching him to turf and a much better run is likely.”

Mastermind (Bernard Fayd’Herbe), is one of the joint highest-rated runners in Race 4 over 1200m on turf. He has fair form over the course and distance and is well exposed, and De Kock said: “Mastermind’s 105 rating is a bit high, that will need to drop before he’ll be fully competitive again, he has a place chance.

Another Australian-bred, former South African racer with excellent form is three-year-old Fursa (Soumillon), who will have her first run on sand on her Dubai debut, The UAE 1000 Guineas over 1600m on dirt. “Fursa is smart, we know that, but one can never be certain on this surface. They either deal with the sand here, or they hate it.  Fursa is by Hard Spun, who is a predominant stallion on dirt, but there are no guarantees. Godolphin have a smart filly in the race, it looks a tough first call for our filly after her travels,” De Kock said.

Nine-year-old Anaerobio is still doing fine in his work and he has a chance to earn another stake for the stable in the Range Rover Handicap over 1400m on turf.  Pat Cosgrave gets the ride. The stable choice of three in the race is Tahanee, who was fancied to go close to winning both her Meydan runs to date and will go to the start well fancied, again. “She is extremely well and we’re hoping for a big run,” De Kock said.  Johan Strauss, the problematic six-year-old entire, is expected to be in need of his first outing in almost a year. He’s talented, but will improve for the run.

Mike feels that Whistle Stop (Jim Crowley) is a horse that can yet win a race in the desert, despite having been a hard one to train. He’s having another run in Race 7, a handicap over 1800m on turf, and De Kock said: “If we can get him Whistle Stop to relax and race handier, he can definitely finish in the money. We’re going to use pacifiers to this end and I’m expecting him to be thereabouts.”

COMMENTS FOR MEYDAN, SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY:

Race 3: Gr3 Firebreak Stakes, 1600m on dirt
Lindo Amor (Soumillon)
“Having drawn at Number 1 is a huge plus for us. Lindo Amor very much likes being drawn near the rail as opposed to away from it, we’ve seen it on the work track too when he runs with others. A tough field here, but he should run a good race.”

Race 4: Handicap over 1200m on turf
Dream Dubai (Cosgrave)
“This little horse is coming along steadily, he has improved and can run into the money somewhere.”

Race 6: Zabeel Feedmill over 1600m on turf
Suyoof (Crowley) and Muwaary (Antonio Fresu)
“Suyoof is the more talented of the pair, but Muwaary is fitter and coming to hand. I think both will run well, Jim Crowley picked Suyoof, he has been showing some good work after his travels.

Race 7: The Meydan Hotel over 2435m on turf
Saltarin Dubai (Soumillon)
“Saltarin Dubai has been our most disappointing runner this year, he doesn’t reproduce his work. We’ve tried just about everything, now we’re going over ground with him and we’re hoping for better.”

Mikedekockracing.com

Arrogate, officially recognised as the world’s best racehorse of 2016, has been nominated for the Saturday March 25 Dubai World Cup, along with a host of other global stars of racing.

The Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old, who was the runaway winner of the Pegasus World Cup, produced his star performance to date when beating the 2016 Dubai World Cup winner, California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year. Arrogate was crowned Longines World’s Best Racehorse at a ceremony in London.

Also nominated to the Group 1 $10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline at the free nominations stage, is the Art Sherman-trained Dortmund, winner of the 2015 Santa Anita Derby when trained by previous handler, Baffert.

Hoppertunity, the third-placed runner in the 2016 Dubai World Cup field and winner of the Group 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont in the US in October 2016 has also been nominated by Baffert.

Baffert will be bidding for a third Dubai World Cup having tasted victory in 1998 with Silver Charm and 2001 with Captain Steve, whose distinctive orange and yellow colours are also carried by Hoppertunity.

Songbird, the mighty US filly trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, also carries a nomination to the Dubai World Cup. A seven-time Grade 1 winner and unbeaten in 11 starts she was heartbreakingly pipped by a nose into second by Beholder in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November.

The 2016 Dubai World Cup runner-up, Mubtaahij, now back in the care of South African trainer, Mike de Kock has been nominated once again for the big race. The highly consistent 2015 UAE Derby winner returned to the US for a repeat campaign during the summer, claiming second by a head in the Group 1 Woodward Stakes to Shaman Ghost.

Attempting to achieve a feat that Mubtaahij could not in 2016 is the Mikio Matsunaga-trained Lani, last year’s UAE Derby winner, who, if successful in the Dubai World Cup, will become the first horse to win the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup in consecutive years.

Four previous de Kock-trained UAE Derby winners have returned the following year for the Dubai World Cup but none have been successful; Victory Moon (3rd in 2004), Asiatic Boy (2nd in 2008), Musir (7th in 2011) and Mubtaahij (2nd in 2016).

Nominated to the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World field is the Mark Casse-trained race mare, Tepin. The US-based six-time Group/Grade 1 winner traveled to Royal Ascot in the summer to land the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. She is being campaigned for the $6m Dubai Turf and will return to action in the Grade 3 Endeavor Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February.

Postponed, the Roger Varian-trained winner of the 2016 Dubai Sheema Classic has been nominated for a defense of his title.

Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering Ballydoyle has nominated a strong team including Group 1-winning filly, Seventh Heaven for the Dubai Sheema Classic. The globetrotting Highland Reel, winner of the Breeders Cup Turf and runner-up in the Hong Kong Vase in November and December respectively, holds a nomination for both the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai World Cup.

In the sprinting divisions Limato, the Henry Candy trained Group 1 star, Hong Kong’s perennial flag bearer, Peniaphobia and compatriot, Lucky Bubbles have been nominated for the Al Quoz Sprint, which is now held at 1200m. Australian speedballs, Darley Classic victor, Malaguerra and Signs of Blessing, winner of the Group 1 Prix Maurice du Gheest trained by Phil Damato also hold nominations.

The 1200m dirt sprint, the Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News has seen the Chad Summers-trained Mind Your Biscuits, winner of the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes and Baffert’s Defrong the unbeaten 2016 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner from the USA nominated to its ranks. Also in the running are Japanese runner, Nero and Hong Kong based, Dundonnell trained by Caspar Fownes.

Dubai Racing Club received 1,549 nominations for 779 horses from 22 countries for the 2017 Dubai World Cup day. The 2016 renewal of the event received 1,572 nominations from 709 horses from 20 countries at the same stage.

The first supplementary stage for all races on Dubai World Cup day will close on Wednesday February 8, 2017 when connections can nominate their horse for 0.1 per cent of the prize money of their chosen race.

The second supplement is on Monday March 6, 2017 and horses can be supplemented for 1.0 per cent of the prize money. Declarations and the final, third supplementary stage for Dubai World Cup day 2017 take place on Monday March 20, 2017, five days before the event is staged at Meydan Racecourse. At this point horses can be supplemented into the race for 10 per cent of the prize money.

Malih Al Basti, Meydan Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Meydan Racing Committee said: “With 22 countries represented among the 2017 Dubai World Cup nominations we once again look forward to hosting a truly global day of racing on Saturday March 25.

“The Dubai World Cup is not only the world’s richest day of racing but also a day when racing communities from all corners of the globe come together before the eyes of the world on Meydan Racecourse’s purpose-built stage in the spirit of competition.

“We are gratified that our support for international racing in the form of subsidies and prize money continues to attract such a strong response from the world’s biggest names.

“Yet we are just as pleased to welcome to the Dubai World Cup the relative newcomers to the world stage from countries such as South Korea. Our wish, and that of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he founded the Dubai World Cup in 1996 was to create a truly global event and it is rewarding to see that vision fulfilled year after year.”

2017 Dubai World Cup Nominations by Numbers:
Total Horses: 779
Total Nominations: 1549
$10m Dubai World Cup, Group 1 2000m (dirt): 168
$6m Dubai Sheema Classic, Group 1, 2410m (turf): 181
$6m Dubai Turf, Group 1 1800m (turf): 248
$2m Dubai Golden Shaheen Group 1 1200m (dirt): 167
$1m Al Quoz Sprint, Group 1, 1200m (turf): 192
$2m UAE Derby, Group 2, 1900m (dirt): 155
$1m Dubai Gold Cup, Group 2, 3200m (turf): 115
$1m Godolphin Mile, Group 2, 1600m (dirt): 264
$1m Dubai Kahayla Classic, Group 1 (PA) 2000m (dirt): 59

www.emiratesracing.com

 

Former Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner and stallion, Noordhoek Flyer, has died. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift, the chestnut was the fifth top lot sold at the 2008 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.

Sold under the name White Hills, he fetched R2.5 million. Subsequently renamed Noordhoek Flyer, he was second in both his outings as a two-year-old and showed good improvement at three, winning his seasonal debut by more than three lengths.

Second to subsequent Grade 1 Met and Equus Champion Past Master in the Grade 2 Selangor Cup, he then ran out a one-length winner of the 2009 Grade 1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas. His beaten rivals that day included subsequent Gold Cup winner Ancestral Fore, July champion Bold Silvano and Singapore champion Lizarre.

Noordhoek Flyer was game when second to Bravura next time out in the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby, when he appeared to find the 2000m beyond him, but bounced back to win his next two in a row – including the Grade 2 KRA Guineas at Greyville.

He ended his career having won or placed in 10 of 11 outings and earned R1,274,500. At the time of his death, Noordhoek Flyer who spent his stud career at the Gary Player Stud Farm had left behind 25 winners who had earned over R3,384,000.

In other sad news Carolina Cherry, dam of Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top, died recently at Mauritzfontein Stud.

Bred and owned by Mauritzfontein, Carolina Cherry was one of two major winners to emerge from the third crop of her champion sire Fort Wood, with the other being subsequent Horse Of The Year Celtic Grove.

Carolina Cherry won first time out over 1000m as a two-year-old, but came into her own as a three-year-old. Trained by Mike De Kock, she won three times, with her biggest victory coming in the Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks, where her victims included SA Oaks winner Idle Fancy.

Carolina Cherry won from 1000m to 2400m and retired to stud having won or placed in 14 of 20 outings. She left behind just five foals with her four winning foals including Cherry On The Top and Cherry On The Cake.

Cherry On The Top, a daughter of Wilgerbosdrift’s ill-fated sire Tiger Ridge, made history when joining Horse Of The Year Igugu as a winner of South Africa’s Triple Tiara. She was later named 2013 Equus Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and retired to stud having won or placed in 14 of 19 outings.

Cherry On The Cake, by Strike Smartly, was also a high-class racer whose victories included the Grade 3 Jacaranda Handicap.

–  Cape Breeders Club/TABNews

Video clip courtesy of Andrew Bon

Whisky Baron, one of the gambles of the race, powered home to a famous victory in the Sun Met at Kenilworth yesterday.

Greg Cheyne set him alight halfway up the straight and struck the front 100m out, drawing clear to beat 2-1 favourite Legal Eagle by a length and a half with long-time leader Captain America third at 22-1.

Richard Fourie, fourth on Gold Standard, promptly lodged an objection to Captain America for interference but this was over-ruled by the stipes.

Cheyne said: “I tried to get into a good position early on but unfortunately I couldn’t maintain it. Luckily Anthony Delpech on Bela-Bela found the fence and I was able to get in and tack on the back of Legal Eagle. When I asked him for his effort he turned it on superbly.”

This was the third Met success for trainer Brett Crawford who confessed to a few anxious moments: “I was very worried at the back turn because he couldn’t get cover and early in the straight I thought he was labouring. But it has been a fairytale. Since we gelded him in July he has won all his five races.”

The four-year-old is owned by Ross Kieswetter and his brother Craig who played cricket for England. They named him after their father Wayne whose whisky interests include a distillery in Scotland.

The brothers now have their sights set on the Vodacom Durban July with the family’s racing manager Craig Carey saying: “Brett must decide but the obvious route is Durban and head for the July.”

Just under an hour earlier Frankie Dettori thrilled the crowd by winning the Investec Cape Derby on Edict Of Nantes, raising his arms in triumph as he entered the winner’s circle and leaping into the air in trademark fashion.

His mount was only an 11-2 chance but the colt strode clear a furlong out to beat Zodiac Ruler by nearly two lengths with 100-1 chance Captain Gambler third.

Dettori said: “I got in a good position and played my cards at the 500m mark. I kicked really hard and soon got the field in trouble.

“I’ve won a lot of Derbies and after winning at Epsom on Golden Horn in 2015 Bernard Kantor asked me to come out for the Cape one so this was a very touching win for me.”

This was another major triumph for Crawford and the colt also has the July on his shopping list.

Candice Bass-Robinson had her first Grade 1 winner when Delpech and Nightingale finished fast to get up almost on the line in the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes.

Michael Clower

Miss Frankel’s eagerly-awaited and much-touted debut proved an expensive anti-climax at Kenilworth yesterday.

Seldom has a horse in this country attracted so much attention before even seeing a racecourse. Indeed the interest in this one – the first progeny of the unbeaten wonder horse to run in South Africa – captivated racing’s attention far and wide. “Frankel fever grips South Africa,” headlined Britain’s Racing Post.

The minute she appeared in the parade ring for the Welcome To Kenilworth Maiden photographers descended on her like a film star at the Oscars. The chestnut with two white stockings and unusual – if not unique – markings on her white face was totally unfazed.

Unfortunately she adopted the same casual approach for much of the race and Sean Veale was niggling at her from the word go. A furlong out he asked her in earnest and, to the horror of those who had made her 5-10 favourite, he found the response to be completely negative. She weakened rather than quickened and faded to finish seventh of the 12 runners.

The stipes, seemingly equally stunned, promptly ordered a veterinary examination but the racecourse vet pronounced nothing apparently wrong.

“She was shell-shocked – and I am even more shell-shocked than she was,” declared Dennis Drier who reckoned the filly’s lack of experience meant she didn’t know what was required of her.

“I didn’t expect that but at this stage I have no excuses,” he added. “However, on what she has shown me at home this was not her run. She will be back.”

Veale said that he was not unduly disappointed, adding: “I thought she would be more forward than that but she was green. She will improve – Mr Drier’s horses always come on from their first run.”

But maybe we all went for the wrong horse because fellow newcomer Magical Wonderland came away in the final 200m under and a hands and heels ride to score in most impressive fashion at 9-2.

“I rate her highly and I would have been very confident had it not been for all the hype about Miss Frankel,” said trainer Candice Bass-Robinson. Grant van Niekerk, who went on to win half the eight races, added: “This filly won very well and she really impressed me.”

Michael Clower

 

The draws for the country’s richest Grade 1 race were done on Thursday after the horses galloped publicly.

Most of the unwanted wide berths were taken by outsiders. Dean Kannemeyer, still looking for his first Met win, fared particularly badly with Cape Speed drawing widest of all at No 15 and Mambo Mime only two places better.

Hassen Adams, owner of Mac de Lago, recalled that his 2011 winner Past Master started from gate No 15 and his horse in this year’s Met fared only marginally better at No 14.

The one who really benefitted was Marinaresco who was drawn wide when second in the Durban July last year and when disappointing in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. Grant van Niekerk picked pen No 2. “I’m glad Mr Shirtliff is not doing the draw because he only gets bad ones”, the jockey joked.

The Conglomerate, whose long run of bad draws included the July which he won, the Summer Cup and the Queen’s Plate, fared much better this time, drawing at No 7. He also worked well when he went with stable companion Macduff (Donovan Dillon). The Conglomerate was ridden by retired jockey Jannie Bekker, who got off and announced: “If Frankie Dettori decides he doesn’t want the horse I will be happy to take the ride!”

For once the gallops took place in a light drizzle, ideal for the horses but not for the sizeable crowd of onlookers, and Legal Eagle (Anton Marcus) was the first to work alongside French Navy (Weichong Marwing). They were not asked to do that much – and with the big race only nine days away nor were most of the others – but Marcus expressed himself satisfied with the favourite. “That was more for the well-being of the public but Legal Eagle is in a good place,” said the four-time champion.

Marwing, who won this race on legendary Horse Chestnut in 1999, was every bit as pleased with French Navy and said: “French Navy is not the most impressive worker but I was happy with him. He has definitely come on since the Queen’s Plate and he will be better over the Met trip. I think he can finish in the money.”

Marinaresco impressed when worked over 1600m with stable companion Horizon (Belinda Haytread) and Van Niekerk said: “I was pleased with him. It was a good gallop and he is doing very well.”

Heavily backed Whisky Baron worked on his own over 1400m and rider Greg Cheyne said: “All good – I couldn’t be happier with that. He is maintaining his form beautifully.”

Bela-Bela (Anthony Delpech) was the other runner high up in the betting to go well, working on her own over 1600m with her tongue lolling out. “That was a proper gallop and she was very impressive,”said Justin Snaith.

Gold Standard did not gallop after being jarred up on firm ground when worked at Kenilworth 10 days ago. “I will have him fit and fresh on raceday,” vowed Glen Kotzen.

The field for the R5-million Sun Met celebrated with Mumm (Grade 1) over 2000m in order of saddlecloth number, draw, horse, trainer, jockey, weight and merit rating:

1	9	Legal Eagle	Sean Tarry	A Marcus	60.0	123
2	14	Mac De Lago (AUS)	Weiho Marwing	A Domeyer	60.0	112
3	7	The Conglomerate (AUS)	Joey Ramsden	L Dettori	60.0	107
4	2	Marinaresco	Candice Bass-Robinson	G van Niekerk	59.5	115
5	6	It’s My Turn	Justin Snaith	P Strydom	59.5	106
6	10	Captain America	Brett Crawford	C Orffer	58.0	116
7	1	French Navy	Sean Tarry	W Marwing	58.0	113
8	8	Whisky Baron (AUS)	Brett Crawford	G Cheyne	57.5	110
9	12	Brazuca (AUS)	Johan Janse van Vuuren	G Lerena	57.5	109
10	3	Baritone	Justin Snaith	A Fortune	57.5	105
11	15	Cape Speed	Dean Kannemeyer	K de Melo	57.5	101
12	13	Mambo Mime	Dean Kannemeyer	G Behr	57.5	99
13	11	Macduff (AUS)	Joey Ramsden	D Dillon	57.5	90
14	5	Bela-Bela	Justin Snaith	A Delpech	57.0	109
15	4	Gold Standard	Glen Kotzen	R Fourie	52.0	108

Same trainer: (1,7) (3,13) (5,10,14) (6,8) (11,12)

 

Vodacom Durban July winner The Conglomerate has been eased from 16-1 to 20-1 for Saturday week’s Sun Met despite being ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Betting World has made surprisingly few changes to its prices considering it had a book of 23 horses on Monday morning and there are now just 15 runners. There were 14 in each of the last two years and in 2007 when Pocket Power chalked up the first of his three wins. Other than that 15 is the smallest for a Met field in the last 25 years.

Legal Eagle remains 6-4 favourite and Whisky Baron is also unchanged at 9-2 but Marinaresco has been cut from 7-2 to 5-2. That said, fourth favourite  Bela-Bela has taken a walk from 13-2 to 9-1. Other prices are 11-1 Gold Standard, 14-1 It’s My Turn,20-1 Captain America, 40-1 Mac De Lago, French Navy, Brazuca, 66-1 Baritone, 100-1 Cape Speed, Mambo Mime and Macduff.

The eight who were not declared were the Mike De Kock trio Bold Rex, Heavenly Blue and Al Fahad, the Geoff Woodruff pair Master Sabina and Deo Juvente, St Tropez (Joey Ramsden), Nebula (Brett Crawford) and Rocketball (Gavin van Zyl).

Michael Clower

Glen Kotzen has taken the bold step of running his top three-year-old Gold Standard in the R5 million Sun Met, thus forgoing the chance of winning the Gr I Investec Cape Derby where the big bay would likely have been hard to beat. There is sound reasoning to his decision despite the race having not been won by a three-year-old since Mike de Kock did it twice successively with Horse Chestnut and Badger’s Coast in the years 1999 and 2000.

Kotzen has no doubt the Trippi colt will stay the 2000m trip and said, “People say Trippi’s don’t stay 2000m, but this one will stay every inch of it. We gave him a hard gallop over 2000m at Kenilworth recently and he put up an excellent performance. He has a very stout female line too. His second dam is the champion Olympic Duel, who won the Met herself (and her foals include Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Flying Duel as well as a number of other 2000m horses and stayers). We train his half-sister All Mine and she has won over 1600m and placed over 2000m despite being by Var.”

Gold Standard won his maiden third time out over 1600m at Durbanville by a comfortable 3,25 lengths. There was a lot of clamour about Craven’s win over the same distance on the same day and in spite of Kotzen pointing out that his horse had run a quicker time it fell on deaf ears. However, he is now able to say I told you so in no uncertain terms.

Gold Standard first travelled down to win the Listed RA Stakes over 1600m, a race which has produced two Vodacom Durban July winners, including the Kotzen-trained Big City Life. He then won the Gr 2 Selangor Cup over 1600m at Kenilworth at odds of 28/1, relegating the deemed unbeatable Table Bay to third, beaten 2,65 lengths. Then in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas he finished a 0,5 length second to the impressive William Longsword. This pair had a dominant look about them as they drew clear,  beating the rest of the field, headed by Table Bay, by 3,25 lengths.

Kotzen said, “Had they gone a decent pace I think he would have won it. However, if he had won it he would have had to carry a 2kg Gr 1 penalty in the Met and we would then have likely gone for the Derby instead. Looking at the Met, Legal Eagle has beaten the same horses, he has never been challenged by a younger horse and I think the current three-year-old crop is quite strong.

If you look at Bold Rex, who was beaten 7,65 lengths in the Queen’s Plate, Gold Standard is actually eight lengths better than him on collateral form through Heavenly Blue. Plus we have the further 2kg pull because Legal Eagle has to carry a Gr 1 penalty. If you look back in history, Gimmethegreenlight won the Cape Guineas and without the ensuing Gr 1 penalty he guaranteed wins the Met, because he was beaten into third by just 1,15 lengths. So I am very excited about next Saturday’s race. He is really well. It would be nice to crack a good draw, but it’s not too important as he came from last to win the Selangor.”

Richard Fourie is in top form and rides him for the third time in succession.

Gold Standard will not be galloping at the Met Gallops this morning (Thursday), although he will be on course for patrons to view in the parade ring. He had the recent hard workout over 2000m and another grass gallop would not fit into his preparation program.

Kotzen has a strong team of horses on the lucrative day and his comments on the rest of his runners will appear in the Racegoer next week.

David Thiselton

Frankie Dettori will be at Kenilworth for South Africa’s richest-ever race day on Saturday, January 28, when the legendary jockey will ride Durban July-winner The Conglomerate for trainer Joey Ramsden and owners Mayfair Speculators in the R5-million Sun Met celebrated with Mumm.

Dettori, famous for his flying dismounts, will also partner the highly regarded Table Bay for Ramsden in the Investec Cape Derby and Cape Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual for the same trainer in the $500,000 CTS Mile as well as the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain in the Betting World Cape Flying Championship.

Ramsden has gone close in the Sun Met on more than one occasion and The Conglomerate has an obvious chance although he will have to respond positively to Dettori’s brilliance if he is to topple warm favourite Legal Eagle who also carries the colours of Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators.

Justin Snaith has the biggest hand with three runners – last year’s Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn, Baritone and exceptionally high-class filly Bela-Bela. Other notable runners include heavily backed Whisky Baron and Marinaresco, who went so close in the Durban July.

The draws will be decided after the 15 runners gallop at Kenilworth on Thursday morning (7am Tellytrack DSTV 239).

– TABNews

Final field for the Grade 1 Sun Met Celebrated With Mumm over 2000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 0 LEGAL EAGLE (S G Tarry) A Marcus 60.0 – 123

2 – 0 MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing) A Domeyer 60.0 – 112

3 – 0 THE CONGLOMERATE (J Ramsden) L Dettori 60.0 – 107

4 – 0 MARINARESCO (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 59.5 – 115

5 – 0 IT’S MY TURN (S J Snaith) P Strydom 59.5 – 106

6 – 0 CAPTAIN AMERICA (B Crawford) C Orffer 58.0 – 116

7 – 0 FRENCH NAVY (S G Tarry) W Marwing 58.0 – 113

8 – 0 WHISKY BARON (B Crawford) G Cheyne 57.5 – 110

9 – 0 BRAZUCA (J A Janse van Vuuren) G Lerena 57.5 – 109

10 – 0 BARITONE (S J Snaith) A Fortune 57.5 – 105

11 – 0 CAPE SPEED (D Kannemeyer) K de Melo 57.5 – 101

12 – 0 MAMBO MIME (D Kannemeyer) G Behr 57.5 – 99

13 – 0 MACDUFF (J Ramsden) D Dillon 57.5 – 90

14 – 0 BELA-BELA (S J Snaith) A Delpech 57.0 – 109

15 – 0 GOLD STANDARD (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 52.0 – 108

Same Trainer: (1,7) (3,13) (5,10,14) (6,8) (11,12)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 2 TRIP TO HEAVEN (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 120

2 – 1 RED RAY (J Ramsden) A Marcus 60.0 – 117

3 – 17 TALKTOTHESTARS (F C De Beer) S Pasquier 60.0 – 116

4 – 5 BRUTAL FORCE (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 112

5 – 11 TEVEZ (C L Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer 60.0 – 112

6 – 8 GULF STORM (B Crawford) G Cheyne 60.0 – 108

7 – 14 CAPTAIN ALFREDO (S J Snaith) W Marwing 60.0 – 107

8 – 16 GENERALISSIMO (D R Drier) A Delpech 60.0 – 107

9 – 9 SEARCH PARTY (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 106

10 – 15 ASSTAR (G R Puller) …………… 60.0 – 104

11 – 6 TAR HEEL (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 104

12 – 18 SEVENTH PLAIN (D R Drier) L Dettori 60.0 – 100

13 – 10 DARING DAVE (D R Hodgson) A Fortune 60.0 – 98

14 – 7 CARRY ON ALICE (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 57.5 – 114

15 – 3 JO’S BOND (S J Snaith) R Fourie 57.5 – 102

16 – 4 RIVARINE (M G Azzie) G Lerena 56.5 – 105

Reserve Runners

17 – 13 PERCIVAL (W A Nel) Reserve 1 60.0 – 94

18 – 12 LINE BREAK (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 2 60.0 – 93

Same Trainer: (1,14) (2,4,11) (5,18) (6,9) (7,15) (8,12)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth:

1 – 5 REAL PRINCESS (D Kannemeyer) K de Melo 60.0 – 106

2 – 20 SILVER MOUNTAIN (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 60.0 – 105

3 – 16 NIGHTINGALE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Delpech 60.0 – 104

4 – 19 ALEXIS (B Crawford) G Cheyne 60.0 – 103

5 – 9 OLMA (F Robinson) I Sturgeon 60.0 – 103

6 – 18 A TIME TO DREAM (S J Snaith) A Fortune 60.0 – 102

7 – 13 STAR EXPRESS (S J Snaith) P Strydom 60.0 – 102

8 – 6 CAPTAIN’S FLAME (W A Nel) A Domeyer 60.0 – 100

9 – 4 BEACH GODDESS (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 99

10 – 3 GOODTIME GAL (M J Robinson) G Lerena 60.0 – 99

11 – 10 TAHINI (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 97

12 – 12 MOONLIGHT ‘N ROSES (C L Bass-Robinson) M Byleveld 60.0 – 96

13 – 17 NEALA (S W Humby) D Dillon 60.0 – 90

14 – 11 SAIL (D R Drier) S Veale 55.0 – 102

15 – 1 LADY OF THE HOUSE (B Crawford) A Marcus 55.0 – 100

16 – 2 FINAL JUDGEMENT (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 55.0 – 99

17 – 15 CHESTNUTS N PEARLS (D R Drier) Reserve 1 60.0 – 97

18 – 14 QUINE (W A Nel) Reserve 2 60.0 – 90

19 – 7 MISS MARKER (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 3 60.0 – 87

20 – 8 PARTY CRASHER (G S Kotzen) Reserve 4 55.0 – 83

Same Trainer: (2,3,12,19) (4,9,15) (6,7) (8,18) (14,17) (16,20)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 2 TABLE BAY (J Ramsden) L Dettori 60.0 – 106

2 – 3 EDICT OF NANTES (B Crawford) A Marcus 60.0 – 99

3 – 4 ELEVATED (C/R Burger/van Reenen) G Cheyne 60.0 – 99

4 – 1 HORIZON (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 60.0 – 98

5 – 5 ZODIAC RULER (S J Snaith) …………… 60.0 – 97

6 – 6 NEWLANDS (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 94

7 – 9 WINTER IS COMING (F Robinson) I Sturgeon 60.0 – 90

8 – 10 OLLIVANDER (C L Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer 60.0 – 85

9 – 7 OMAHA TRIBE (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 80

10 – 8 CAPTAIN GAMBLER (J Ramsden) R Fourie 57.5 – 90

Same Trainer: (1,6,10) (4,8)

Final field and draws for the $500,000 CTS Mile over 1600m at Kenilworth:

1 – 12 WILLIAM LONGSWORD (V H Marshall) A Marcus 60.0 – 109

2 – 16 JANOOBI (M F De Kock) P Strydom 60.0 – 100

3 – 1 SINGAPORE SLING (G V Woodruff) C Maujean 60.0 – 98

4 – 5 AFRICAN NIGHT SKY (S J Snaith) R Fourie 60.0 – 91

5 – 6 I TRAVEL LIGHT (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 87

6 – 2 DANCER (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 86

7 – 9 A NEW DAWN (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 85

8 – 17 COPPER FORCE (S J Snaith) A Delpech 60

9 – 15 TILBURY FORT (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 84

10 – 11 KENNY TRIX (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 83

11 – 18 JUST SENSUAL (J Ramsden) L Dettori 57.5 – 109

12 – 7 SAFE HARBOUR (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 108

13 – 4 SHE’S A GIVER (J A Janse van Vuuren) G Lerena 57.5 – 104

14 – 3 EPONA (J Ramsden) S Pasquier 57.5 – 98

15 – 8 WHOSE THAT GIRL (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 57.5 – 90

16 – 14 PRIMROSE LANE (D R Hodgson) A Fortune 57.5 – 88

17 – 10 BIG BANG THEORY (B Crawford) Reserve 1 57.5 – 78

18 – 13 CANDID (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 2 60.0 – 82

Same Trainer: (1,10) (4,8) (5,6,7,11,14) (9,12) (15,18)

Final field and draws for the $500,000 CTS Sprint over 1200m at Kenilworth:

1 – 17 SERGEANT HARDY (S J Snaith) R Fourie 60.0 – 110

2 – 8 ALWAYS IN CHARGE (V H Marshall) A Marcus 60.0 – 108

3 – 4 ATTENBOROUGH (J Ramsden) P Strydom 60.0 – 101

4 – 16 ELUSIVE PATH (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 96

5 – 6 BUFFALO SOLDIER (C Laird) A Fortune 60.0 – 95

6 – 3 STARFLASH (V H Marshall) G Cheyne 60.0 – 90

7 – 18 LE HARVE (S J Snaith) A Andrews 60.0 – 86

8 – 7 LIVE LIFE (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 57.5 – 101

9 – 11 CLOTH OF CLOUD (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 57.5 – 99

10 – 20 MYFUNNYVALENTINE (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 97

11 – 15 EXQUISITE TOUCH (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 96

12 – 13 BLAZE OF MYSTERY (D C Howells) K de Melo 57.5 – 92

13 – 9 A WOMENS WAY (D C Howells) I Sturgeon 57.5 – 91

14 – 10 RED LIGHT GIRL (S J Snaith) A Domeyer 57.5 – 90

15 – 19 AL DANZA (G V Woodruff) G Lerena 57.5 – 89

16 – 5 HASHTAG STRAT (L W Goosen) J Sampson 57.5 – 89

17 – 12 EXTRADITE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Delpech 57.5 – 88

18 – 14 WAKE UP MAGGIE (C L Bass-Robinson) D Dillon 57.5 – 88

19 – 1 CLIFTON SUNSET (B Crawford) C Orffer 57.5 – 84

20 – 2 FRENCH LEGEND (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 83

Same Trainer: (1,7,14) (2,4,6) (8,17,18) (9,10,11,20) (12,13)

Final fields for the R1-million Kuda Sprint (Non-Black Type) over 1200m

1 – 2 BARRACK STREET (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 83

2 – 8 BOLD RESPECT (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 84

3 – 10 PUGET SOUND (M F De Kock) G Lerena 60.0 – 80

4 – 18 SIR FRENCHIE (S J Snaith) P Strydom 60.0 – 79

5 – 3 APOLLO STAR (J Ramsden) D Dillon 58.0 – 75

6 – 16 BERNIE (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 58.0 – 75

7 – 14 BIG MISTAKE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Marcus 58.0 – 77

8 – 20 CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN (M F De Kock) A Delpech 58.0 – 85

9 – 17 HENRY TUDOR (S J Snaith) A Domeyer 58.0 – 76

10 – 12 RIKERS ISLAND (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 58.0 – 0

11 – 11 SNOW BOARDING (A Nassif) C Zackey 58.0 – 74

12 – 1 SUNDAY FALLS (V H Marshall) …………… 58.0 – 64

13 – 13 VARSIDE (S J Snaith) A Fortune 58.0 – 75

14 – 9 VOLCANIC SUNSET (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 79

15 – 15 VORTEX STAR (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 74

16 – 6 WALL STREET TRADER (C L Bass-Robinson) S Veale 58.0 – 64

17 – 19 WARRIOR’S REST (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 73

18 – 4 WONDERWALL (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 86

19 – 7 GOLD IMAGE (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 57.5 – 84

20 – 5 LACERTA (S J Snaith) …………… 55.5 – 76

Same Trainer: (1,14,15,17,18) (3,8) (4,9,13,20) (6,7,16) (10,12)