The second running of the Klawervlei Farm Sale Graduate Race at Kenilworth next Tuesday accounts for R225 000 (over 40%) of the day’s R545 000 stakes.
The feature race’s prize money is that stated in the catalogue for the Klawervlei Farm Sale 12 months ago but breeders have taken such a hammering (and many are fearing more of the same at the coming sales) that nobody would have blamed the stud for slashing the stakes.
John Koster, whose big breeding operation has topped the national log in four of the last six seasons, is to be admired for sticking to Plan A and the stud has been rewarded with a field of 14.
The Glen Kotzen-trained Tanzanite Queen, beaten only a neck on debut when Cape Town racing resumed last week, could well start favourite. She will be ridden by Aldo Domeyer who won last year’s race on the Sean Tarry-trained Rock The Globe.
The Vaal Classic track stages a competitive nine race meeting today with the highlight being a Mr 102 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m.Paul Peter is still on cloud nine after Summer Pudding landed the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara on Saturday and another three-year-old filly, Fly Away, can put him back in the winner’s enclosure in the aforementioned race.
The Mike de Kock-trained Battleoftrafalgar has a chance in the last race of the day.
This filly has speed and a good action and loves it when the ground is on top, which was not the case in her last start after some seasonal rain. She will get the fast ground she is looking for today and can beat Green Plains, who has recently bounced back to something close to the classy speedster she once was. Mademoiselle is in good form and has a sustained finish so should be in the shake up too.
Those three have been chosen to get punters through the Pick 6 and Jackpot and Fly Away has been made a Place Accumulator banker. However, the risk averse could also consider including three others who are capable of winning on their day in both the Pick 6 and Jackpot. They are All Of Me, Nawaasi and Winter Watch.
FORMGUIDES
R1 Preview: SINGLE RED ROSE (3) has plenty of pace and has been knocking on the door. INCOGNITO (1) improved to finish a narrow second to a fair sort last time over 1200m and showed pace. TIME HAS COME (8) was not disgraced last time over this trip and can improve again. (David Thiselton 3-1-8) R2 Preview: THUMBS UP (12) finished just 2,40 lengths behind the classy Erik The Red in the last of three good runs in Cape Town. ACCOMPLISHED (1) showed speed in both starts over 800m late last year. VALYRIAN KING (10) was disappointing last time but went too fast and with a more conservative ride will be right there. (David Thiselton 12-1-10)
R3 Preview: ABERDARE (1) is a full sister to the Grade 1 winner as a Juvenile, Forest Indigo. FEAROFMISSINGOUT (5) is a full sister to the twice Grade 1 third-placed Like A Panther. CELESTIAL LOVE (2) is by What A Winter out of a half sister to the Grade 3-winning stayer Balance Sheet. (David Thiselton 1-5-2) R4 Preview: PACIFIC WINTER (7) showed good pace when just failing over this trip last November. ABIA (9) returns to the trip of her promising debut after disappointing over 1200m. WOODLAND MAGIC (1) is also dropping back to the trip of his two best runs. (David Thiselton 7-9-1)
R5 Preview: THEREVADA (7) showed promise early in his career and now off a merit rating which has dropped to competitive 69 he has Lerena up from pole position over a suitable trip. WAQAAS (6) is ideally distance suited but has a tricky draw to overcome. STRADA STATALE (8) will be dangerous if able to get to the front from a wide draw under a 1,5kg claimer. (David Thiselton 7-6-8)
R6 Preview: KAPAMA (9) has come into her own and can make it two wins from her last three starts over this suitable trip. TYRUS EXPRESS (4) has been in good form and will run well fresh over this trip. WHIPPING BOY (2) is distance suited and well drawn with a 4kg claimer up off a merit rating which has dropped to a competitive level. (David Thiselton 9-4-2)
R7 Preview: FLY AWAY (1) will relish the fast ground after having to contend with ground that was not on top last time. GREEN PLAINS (2) has bounced back to form and should be right there. MADEMOISELLE (8) is also in good form and this speedster should be staying on strongly. (David Thiselton 1-2-8)
R8 Preview: RAINBOW HAZE (3) has struck as one with plenty of scope and could have benefited from the layoff. OCEAN CITY (4) has plenty of pace and will be a threat on the expected fast ground. HERSTEL (8) ran well in his only start after his debut win and can improve again. (David Thiselton 3-4-8)
R9 Preview: GALACTIC WARRIOR (9) is speedy and consistent. BATTLEOFTRAFALGAR (8) has the ability to go close. ICE EATER (11) also has a form chance. (David Thiselton 9-8-11)
Place Accumulator: (R108) Leg 1: 1,5,2 Leg 2: 7 Leg 3: 7,6 Leg 4: 9,4,2 Leg 5: 1 Leg 6: 3,4 Leg 7: 9,8,11
Pick 6: (R2835) Leg 1: 7,9,1 Leg 2: 7,6,8,1,9,11,5 Leg 3: 9,4,2,8,1 Leg 4: 1,2,8 Leg 5: 3,4,8 Leg 6: 9,8,11
Jackpot: (R315) Leg 1: 7,6,8,1,9,11,5 Leg 2: 9,4,2,8,1 Leg 3: 1,2,8 Leg 4: 3,4,8
Apprentice Kyle Strydom, nephew of champion jockey Piere Strydom, continued in the family tradition when winning on only his second ride in the professional ranks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
Riding the gelding Transonic for Dennis Bosch in the last race of the day, Strydom got home comfortably to make a cracking start to his career in the saddle.
A ‘long drink of water’ as the English would say, the tall and thin 18-year-old has a racing pedigree with multiple SA champion jockey, Piere and trainer uncle Jacques Strydom sons of veteran Port Elizabeth trainer Hekkie Strydom.
Erik The Red could be Durban bound after making it four off the reel with a devastating turn of foot in the Kuda Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth on Tuesday.
Varsfontein’s homebred Captain Al colt was giving away more weight than a sumo wrestler yet he started almost unbackable at 3-7 and, when Richard Fourie pressed the button, he accelerated like a Ferrari to storm home four and a half lengths clear of the smart Matthew The King.
Erik The Red (Candiese Lenferna)
“He could end up in the Cape Guineas at the end of the year but the question now is whether we go to KZN for the Group I races,” said Jono Snaith, adding diplomatically: ”That will be up to Susan Rowett and John Kalmanson.” Seemingly, though, the owners are not going to be left in any doubt about what the Snaiths feel because Jono said, almost in the same breath: “The way he won, it will be hard not to – and I think he is good enough.”
Fourie shares much the same view, saying: “He’s a racehorse and I wake up in the mornings to ride horses like him. He is definitely capable of winning a Group 1.”
Of course, unless the regulations change, Fourie won’t be able to ride him or any of the other Snaith-trained KZN stars. How does he view this, Fee Ramsden asked him. “I’ve put a line through the Durban season,” he admitted. “I am just focussing on earning a living and what racing needs to do is to keep focussing on keeping the show going.”
Amazingly this was the first Somerset success for Justin Snaith since Gimmethegreenlight nine years ago. The dual champion trainer also won the Kudex Pinnacle with last year’s Winter Derby second Nexus and the Kudex Perfect Promise with Captain’s Ransom who fairly flew up the rails in Suzette Viljoen’s colours to lead just over 50m out.
Fourie was on both these and Jono Snaith sees Captain’s Ransom as a classic filly – “She is a very exciting prospect and she will end up in the Cape Fillies Guineas. She should stay every inch of the mile too.”
Piet Steyn has had to wait a long time for a horse good enough to take him back to the glory days of his early training career but in Katak he appears to have found it. So have the punters who backed the colt from 5-1 to 23-10 favourite in the Kuda Variety Club Mile – and Aldo Domeyer made sure they never had a moment’s anxiety. Indeed when he pressed the button it was race over.
The jockey was mightily impressed, saying:” Mr Steyn told me that he thinks he has one of the best horses in the country and I don’t feel that sentiment is out of place. Indeed I can’t wait for the summer season because that is when you are going to see the best of him – and he has everything he needs to go to the top.”
The Winter Series looks like being on the agenda and Steyn, who owns the colt 50:50 with Marsh Shirtliff, said: “I am thankful to Marsh (for coming in with me). He is a great man and it’s nice to be in partnership with him.”
Hassen Adams’ What A Flirt goes for the second and third legs of the fillies winter series after delighting Paddy Kruyer and Greg Cheyne in the Kuda Fillies Maiden while Anecdote showed the benefit of first time blinkers for Geoff Woodruff and Mj Byleveld in the mile maiden. Woodruff, to move to Cape Town later in the year, also won the last for Mike Fullard and James Drew with Worlds Your Oyster (Corne Orffer).
Brett Crawford and Orffer doubled up with impressive newcomer Invincabelle in the opener and Sing Out Loud in the Kuda Sweet Chestnut. This Ridgemont filly was plumb last for much of the way after fly-jumping as the gates opened but, as her jockey related, “When I gave her the bit she just took off.”
Bunker Hunt gave early notice that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the next three months of South Africa’s Champion Season with a stunning display in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.
L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy was a short-priced favourite and looked to have most in his favour, but Bunker Hunt put the race to bed in a matter of strides as Keagan de Melo let him loose at the top of the straight.
Wild Coast (Candiese Lenferna)
Vardy challenged pacemaker Kasimir all the way up the straight but was just not able to get to terms, but the pair were no match for Bunker Hunt who swept past up their inside to win as he liked.
Given his previous form, this was a distance that looked short of his best but he showed plenty of class in victory. Much was expected of Bunker Hunt last winter but he met with many hiccups and this could be his year.
His name is sure to be among the first nominations for the Vodacom Durban July that are due tomorrow.
Trained by Justin Snaith, Bunker Hunt races in the familiar silks of Sabine Plattner and was bred at Varsfontein Stud.
There’s not much of her but what she lacks in stature she makes up for in courage. The diminutive but feisty Mississippi Burning scored back-to-back Fillies Guineas victories with a last gasp triumph in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, the favourite edging home ahead of rank outsider Mary O with Labyrinth some way back in third.
The race was hardly run to suit as Lady Legend set a modest pace but Craig Zackey had his mount in the box seat, one off the fence as the pace quickened up approaching the final turn.
Hunting daylight, Zackey angled his mount up the inside fence and gradually wore down Mary O who was game in defeat.
Trained by Adam Marcus, Mississippi Burning races in the familiar silks of Mario Ferreira and was bred at Mike and Tanya McHardy’s Rathmor Stud.
Star filly Beach Beauty was nigh unbeatable at Hollywoodbets Greyville and her aptly named son, Wild Coast, scored a narrow, upset victory in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas at the same venue. In a nail-biting finish, Donovan Dillon got the colt home in the shadow of the post, edging out pacemaker Padre Pio with Cape Derby winner Golden Ducat putting a storming late effort for third, a showing that augurs well for the Grade1 Dily News 2000.
Wild Coast was the outsider of Justin Snaith’s pair with Sachdev starting favourite but Wild Coast will not be denied his place in the sun. Captain Demonami was an early casualty as he refused to jump and it was Craig Zackey, hunting back-to-back Guineas triumphs, who set the pace on Padre Pio. As in the filly’s equivalent, the field was barely out of an early canter and Frosted Gold the next casualty. He was forced to check and switch off the heels of the pack, losing valuable ground.
Dillon had Wild Coast settled midfield and once in the straight set out after Padre Pio who had pinched a lead and was showing no signs of stopping. Sachdev loomed dangerous for a few strides but didn’t go on with his effort as Wild Coast gradually ate into Padre Pio’s lead and nailed him on the line.
Trained by Justin Snaith, Wild Coast is owned by Anyaasec (Pty) Ltd and Miss Caroline Rupert and was bred at the Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud.
Horse racing fans can take heart that the 2020 Vodacom Durban July will take place this year, but as a broadcast-only event behind closed doors.
Vodacom and Gold Circle have confirmed a joint commitment to run Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, but under the strictest adherence to all government health protocols surrounding COVID-19.
“Gold Circle, together with the ongoing support of the company’s valued sponsor Vodacom, is fully committed to running the 2020 Vodacom Durban July. Sadly, given the reality of the present circumstances, the race meeting will be staged behind closed doors and without spectators,” said Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac. “The VDJ has enjoyed an uninterrupted history since first being run in 1897 – not even two world wars prevented the race from being run – and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that 2020 is not the exception,” he added.
The proposed date for the race is Saturday 25 July, but the extremely fluid nature of the current pandemic means this could change as circumstances so dictate.
“Any decision we make around the Vodacom Durban July this year will be made as a responsible company committed to the safety of all who are involved. As a sponsor, we will work together with all relevant stakeholders and be guided by the horseracing fraternity and the experts in this industry, as well as in government, as we all work towards making this year’s race a reality,” said Michelle van Eyden, the Executive Head of Sponsorship at Vodacom.
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) have just received feedback on the submissions that were made to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as the Horseracing Industry covers multiple sectors, to ensure the ongoing viability of the horseracing and breeding industry.
Our submissions thus far demonstrate our commitment and alignment to Government’s interventions in an attempt to preserve lives, flatten the curve, protect jobs and also stimulate the racing economy. Subsequently, our submissions were forwarded to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and thereafter the National Coronavirus Command Council (Command Council).
The Command Council having reviewed the submissions of the NHA and aligning it with the regulations and guidelines related to essential business/service, racing was deemed not to be an essential service. An addendum to our submissions was then submitted to the Command Council to support our assertions that racing is a low risk, a non-contact event with high economic value as the racing events are a critical element in the supply chain and a related Agricultural service. At this point, the Command Council having takenj into consideration our addendum, as well as other industry stakeholders’ submissions it was decided that racing could not be separated from gambling activities like casinos, and these are currently not included under Level 4.
A clarification statement was then submitted to the Command Council which framed the conditions that the Breeding (Agricultural) sectors core purpose, its risks and opportunities, business model, performance, sustainable development and the actual horse race are INSEPARABLE elements of the value creation process.
Having considered the regulations from an agricultural perspective and taking into account the weight of all other submissions from stakeholders, it was determined that racing would not be provided for under agriculture Level 4, except from an animal care perspective. Clarity is being sought from DAFF with regard to the transportation of live animals, specifically not related to food production. Upon feedback from DAFF a communication will be sent out.
It is acknowledged that the protocols for racing that have been established based on a phased return to business, demonstrate the observance of guidelines for social distancing, sanitation and hygiene, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment, like cloth face masks, as determined by the National Department of Health; and that racehorse training activities at the different training centres around the country, have been carried out in the strictest conformity with the instructions and rules of social distancing and maintaining hygiene protocols. However, Government’s priority at Level 4 is on organised projects/events that are focused on those that are related to the provision of food, water and sanitization.
Based on the above, the race meetings scheduled for Greyville on 6 May 2020 and Turffontein on 7 May 2020 have been abandoned. All entries and declarations have been suspended until further notice from the Racing Operators.
The NHA is committed to continue engagement with Government and shall send follow up submissions for racings inclusion at Lockdown Level 3 announcement. We are hopeful that the announcement to Level 3 will be announced within the next 21 days. The NHA fully comprehends the mandate from Government and the Coronavirus Command Council, in which the preservation of human life is of TOP priority, whilst trying to balance the starvation issues in townships and rural areas and the urgent resuscitation of the economy.
Following on from the NHA press release issued late on Thursday 30 April, the Racing Operators confirm the following:
The Kenilworth race meeting on Friday 1 May has been abandoned.
A decision on the Turffontein race meeting on Saturday 2 May will be made by close of business on Friday 1 May.
In the event that the Turffontein meeting is not able to take place, the three feature races (SA Derby, SA Oaks and Horse Chestnut Stakes) will be moved to Sunday 10 May in a last ditch attempt to stage them. In similar vein, a decision on the ensuing race meetings from Sunday 3 May onwards will also be taken the preceding day pending government feedback. Entries and declarations for future race meetings will proceed as scheduled pending a decision – so that we are ready to resume immediately should the green light be given to do so.
Further changes to the fixture list have been made as follows on the basis that the Kimberley racemeetings on 11 and 18 May have now officially been abandoned :
• the Fairview meeting on Friday 8 May has been moved to Monday 11 May
• the Kenilworth meeting on Saturday 9 May has been moved to Friday 8 May – leaving Greyville stand alone on Saturday 9 May
• the Scottsville meeting on Saturday 16 May has been moved to Monday 18 May – leaving Fairview (East Cape Derby day) stand alone on Saturday 16 May
Obviously all entries and declarations continue to be made for future race meetings on the basis that racing is given government approval to resume.
The National Horseracing Authority has not received any feedback from Government to date on the status of the above submission. On reading the legislated Lockdown regulations that become effective on 1 May, under Table 1 Alert Level 4, “the transport of live animals”, clarity is being sought and it is our understanding that the movement of non-producing livestock, needs further amplification.
The Chief Executive contacted the Ministers of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and was advised that the decision now resides with the Coronavirus Command Council and the Head of the Disaster Management Centre, Dr Mmaphaka Tau. The Chief Executive has made contact with the Head of the Disaster Management Centre and is now awaiting a directive. As we are aware, the Coronavirus Command Council have received in excess of 77 000 applications and from 800 businesses, and understandably they are inundated with numerous requests.
There is no definite timeline given as yet for feedback and on that basis the carded meeting for 1 May at Kenilworth Racecourse will be abandoned. The status of other carded meetings would be advised on a 24 hours’ notice timeline, in the hope that we may get a response before the next carded meeting. The Racing Operators will advise the process going forward from an administration perspective.
Until we have a response in writing, text or even verbal, the NHA is not in a position to provide the necessary feedback to the Racing Operators to recommence Racing.
In saying the above, the NHA can assure all stakeholders that we shall continue to engage such that a favourable outcome is obtained as soon as possible.
-nhra.co.za
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