Not many 60 year old jockeys are still giving it a full go in the saddle but Port Elizabeth based Shannon Devoy isn’t thinking of retirement just yet.

He said he is still enjoying riding in races and doesn’t shy away from early morning work riding.

Devoy is very much involved with the stable of Fairview trainer Jacques Strydom.

“I have been with Jacques’s stable for a number of years now. We have a good understanding which helps to manage my workload.

“I don’t ride a full card of races at a meeting, about four races is fine for me. That way I still enjoy my racing and I know the horses that I am riding,” he explained.

“When the lock down due to Covid-19 started I sat out with the work riding for a while. My fitness suffered, so I resumed work riding again.”

Devoy says a good system is in place at Fairview to continue with racing behind closed doors according to the Covid-19 regulations.

“It is different and a learning curve for all of us. We will progress as we continue.”

One of the East Cape’s feature races that fell away this season when racing was suspended for a while due to Covid-19, is the Glenair Trophy stayers race, denying Devoy a chance on the 6yo mare Onesie.

“I am now looking forward to riding her in the PE Gold Cup (on 17th July). I lost some rides last season when I had a hip operation.

“Onesie was one of the horses I missed out on. I would love to win the PE Gold Cup for my brother David (that owns the horse in partnership with the trainer) who is a successful businessman in Perth, Australia.

“Jacques has a knack with stayers. He is a stayers specialist and gets the best out of the horses,” Devoy said.

Devoy won the PE Gold Cup in 2012 with the Corne Spies trained Campo De Santana.

“I am disappointed that the distance of the race has been cut back from 3600m to 3200m. It was a tradition that this was the longest race in the country.”

When asked what has been the highlight of his career, Devoy declares Fighting Beat (East Cape horse of the year 1997) as the best PE horse he has ridden.

“I was Hekkie Strydom’s stable jockey in those years and rode many winners for Hekkie. The highlight was winning three in a row with Fighting Beat.”

To still be going strong at 60 years of age the injuries must have stayed away and Devoy agrees that he has been blessed in this regard.

“I have always had trouble with my lower back and had a successful shoulder operation, but yes, blessed with not many injuries.”

So no retirement plans as yet?

“No, as long as I ride the right horses and still enjoy it I will continue.

“It is wonderful to still be involved and be part of the strong bond and camaraderie that exists in the jockey room.”

By Henk Steenkamp

Rising star Katak is only third highest-rated in the Legal Eagle Stakes – the new name for the Winter Classic – at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

The handicappers raised the unbeaten Piet Steyn-trained colt 7.5kg for his impressive performance in last week’s Kuda Variety Club Mile (formerly the Winter Guineas) but that still puts him 1.5kg behind Silver Host and Super Silvano who were beaten nearly six lengths and nine lengths in the Kuda.

The Justin Snaith-trained Politician winner Silver Host has already been declared for the Legal Eagle and will again be ridden by Richard Fourie while Robert Khathi will be on stable companion Bayberry.  Snaith has won four of the last 12 runnings of the Winter Classic while Fourie will be bidding for his fourth win in the race following Alvaro in 2008, Why Worry (2012) and Rainbow Bridge two years ago.

Snaith has also declared four for the Ladies Mile on the same card – Esteemal (Fourie), Duchess Of Bourbon (Khathi), Dynamic Diana and Fortune Flies – as well as three for the Stormsvlei Stakes, the second leg of the fillies winter series – Flatware (Fourie), Honey Pie (Khathi) and Double Reward – and three for the Olympic Duel: Queen Of Quiet (Fourie), Casino Queen (Khathi) and Fleeced.

By Michael Clower

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Mike de Kock looks set to have a fine day at Turffontein and has been tipped to win the first four races and finish second in the eighth.

De Kock kicks off with the first-timer Regent in a 1450m maiden. He is a full-brother to Grade 1 winner Eyes Wide Open and would not have to be a superstar to win this race. The hard-knocking Dark Tide and the progressive Dogliotti, who both went close in their first runs after lockdown over 1200m and 1450m respectively, look to be the chief dangers.

In the second race over 1450m De Kock’s charge Integrity has a tricky draw but will relish the step up in trip being by Flower Alley and having finished strongly for a close second over 1200m. 

In the third over 1450m Peaceontherocks has four seconds and one third in her last five starts and should finally get it right here in this uninspiring field, although the improving Nu Bell will make a bold bid to keep her in the second box. 

In the fourth race over 2000m Barak is drawn in pole and on pedigree this promising sort should relish the step up in trip being by Master Of My Fate out of a Captain Al mare who won over this trip. 

De Kock should also go close in the eighth with Flaming Duchess who is by Duke Of Marmalade so should be improving all the time. She is going for a hattrick in 1600m event.  

By David Thiselton

Eden Roc, in contention for Champion Two-year-old last season, had been winless this term but that all changed today (Saturday) when Stuart Randolph produced him with a telling late effort to land the Grade 2 Post Merchants. It was a triumphant return to Hollywoodbets Scottsville, the scene of his Grade 1 Gold Medallion victory.

With Sean Tarry’s first-choice riders, Lyle Hewitson, successful on Eden Roc last year, and Luke Ferraris still holed up in Gauteng, locally based Randolph picked up the mount and delivered a copybook ride.

Sitting mid-field for the early exchanges he asked Eden Roc to start picking it up with about 400 m to run. At this stage Invidia appeared to be travelling best of all and a likely winner 200m out, but the red light was flashing empty when Eden Roc swept past to score comfortably with Cartel Captain third and Warrior’s Rest making it a memorable afternoon for winning owner Chris van Niekerk.

The Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint on July 4 is an obvious next target.

Vernichey, who zipped home in a 900m scurry on debut, took a steep rise in class in her stride when she out-gunned the more fancied pair of Slalom Queen and hot favourite Delta Queen in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes.

Showing signs of ring-rust after a nearly six-month break since her debut win, Warren Kenney had the devil’s own task of keeping his mount straight and hard to her task when he asked for an effort. Fortunately, he managed to clear the runners on his inside before allowing his mount to shift in towards Slalom Queen and Delta Queen who were battling it out on the inside rail. Slalom Queen kept Delta Queen at bay all the way to the line but was not able to hold off the late effort from Vernichey.

Trained by Gareth van Zyl for Kestorm Investments with Kenneth Pillay as nominee, Vernichey is now two-from-two and primed for a crack at the Grade 1 Allan Robertson to be run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, July 4.

Dennis Drier is a master at preparing his two-year-olds for the Grade 1 Gold Medallion, a race that he has won eight times, and he served notice that his runners will again be a force to be reckoned with on the fourth of July, saddling the first two past the post in the Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes. Tempting Fate came in for some strong market support and it proved to be money on the button as Sean Veale put in a typically powerful ride to get Tempting Fate home ahead of stable companion Pray For Rain who gave the starter a few grey hairs as he played up in the gate before being re-loaded and jumping on terms.

Ante-post favourite Joseph Barry, proved friendless in the market which proved prophetic. Although handy for much of the race, he was just not able to go on with his effort when it counted. Obviously a little short of peak fitness, he is likely to come on lengths from this race.

Pretty Young thing gave her older rivals a galloping lesson in the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes and was the easiest feature race winner on the afternoon. Anton Marcus had Brett Crawford’s filly on the bridle for much of the race and when given her head, the daughter of Jackson accelerated away from her rivals, leaving them like corks bobbing in her wake with Master Keys, mostly ignored up the inside fence rattling him for second and edge out pacemaker Captain’s Girl. Owned by Ridgemont, nominee Wayne Kieswetter and bred at the Kieswetter-owner Highlands Farm Stud, Pretty Young Thing was recording her fifth win from ten outings and could well have the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint on her agenda.

By Andrew Harrison

Anthony Andrews expects to be out action for the best part of three months as a result of the injuries he suffered in the pens when Cape Town racing resumed at Kenilworth last week.

His mount in race three, the Glen Kotzen newcomer Magical Midlands, somehow got his leg stuck over the foot barrier and Andrews’ right leg was painfully crushed between the horse and the framework. He also dislocated his left thumb.

Finding out exactly what was damaged proved a long process – “Because of Covid-19 everything has to be sterilised and so they only do a certain amount of MRI scans at the Mediclinic,” he reports.

The scans revealed a partial tear of a ligament in his right knee and a Grade 1 sprain of the main ligament. “They put me into a knee brace as any side movement could tear the ligament. That would mean an operation and eight months off.

“I have been doing physiotherapy and the specialist said that in 12 weeks I will be able to be back on a horse but I am hoping to be race-riding then. It’s extremely tough as I had some nice horses that I was looking forward to but at least I don’t have to have an op this time so there is that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Andrews, 31, was referring to his previous bad pens accident in April 2018 when his right foot was similarly squeezed and ligaments damaged while his right shoulder required an operation. He was out for months.

Magical Midlands, scratched by the starter, will now make his debut in the valuable Klawervlei Farm Sale Graduate Race at Kenilworth on Tuesday but the runner Andrews will be watching even more closely is stable companion Tanzanite Queen. He rode her on debut last week, she finished a highly encouraging second and will be one of the favourites on Tuesday.e

Bernard Fayd’Herbe hopes to be back in action by the end of the month. He has been undergoing rehab as a result of the freak lower back spasm he suffered when going down to the start at Kenilworth in February. He recovered sufficiently to win the SA Classic on Got The Greenlight in early March but then heeded his specialist’s advice to take a break.

By Michael Clower

Hat-trick seeking Do It Again tops the initial log for the 2020 Vodacom Durban July which will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 25 July 2020. Apart from Do It Again, all of Rainbow Bridge, Vardy, Soqrat and Hawwaam boast an official rating of 130+ and these occupy the next four positions on the log which was issued by Gold Circle today. A total of 52 entries were received at the first stage and the log identifies the top 20 with the next five listed in alphabetical order. With a number of critically important features due to be run over the next few weeks, the log could be subject to significant change and will be updated during the first week of July.

Three year olds Golden Ducat and Gotthegreenlight have cemented their places in the Vodacom Durban July line-up courtesy of their respective victories in the Cape Derby and SA Classic.

Ends

Belgarion, third favourite for the Vodacom Durban July with most bookmakers and already backed from 9-1 to 7.5-1 this week with Track And Ball, runs next in the World Sports Betting 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday week. The four-year-old is hot favourite, 13-10 with the sponsors and 1.35-1 with Track And Ball.

Belgarion, son of the 2003 July winner Dynasty, has been laid out for the July since his last run when he won the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap at Kenilworth five months ago – and in all probability for a great deal longer than that.

Justin Snaith, now bidding for his fifth July win, has been guarding the gelding’s merit rating as if it is part of the stable’s crown jewels – and in a way it is. Snaith told me after the Peninsula victory: “Belgarion has a huge future come the Natal season. The previous time I ran him – when he won the Settlers at Durbanville in September- he got a sharp rise in the weights and I had to put him away. Had I not done so he would have gone up the ratings too quickly.

“That’s why I am not going to run him again in Cape Town this season. He is a horse who will run well in the July but not if he is at level weights with the best ones.”

Belgarion, only beaten twice in seven starts, pleased his trainer in that racecourse gallop with Do It Again at Greyville last Sunday: “I was very happy- I thought both of them galloped nicely.”

Do It Again runs in the Gold Challenge on June 28 and, if all goes well, he could attempt to become the first horse in history to win the July three times. Belgarion, though, is the one of more immediate interest.

Furthermore the 1900 has often proved significant in the build-up to the July. Last year’s winner Eyes Wide Open went on to finish fourth in the big one and the 2018 victor Elusive Silva was third. The 2015 and 2016 July winners both ran in the 1900, Power King finishing second and The Conglomerate fourth.

By Michael Clower

Mike and Adam Azzie will be targeting the Grade 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m on Champions Day for their promising filly Wylie Wench and are looking forward to the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint too after Rivarine bounced back to his best at the Vaal yesterday.

Wylie Wench, who has only had four starts, made it three 1450m wins in a row last week with a comfortable victory in a MR 92 handicap for fillies and mares at the Vaal.

The Azzies gave her a test of speed recently by working her with Rivarine and Mike said, “She did exceptionally well.”

She has also shown speed in her 1450m races and is of course from the family of Azzie’s great sprinter National Currency.

Azzie scratched her from the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, run at Greyville on Sunday, because she drew wide but she might still appear in Durban this season as he would like to see her in a race at the Vodacom Durban July meeting.

That race might be the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.

Azzie said, “The Garden Province will be a big ask right now but she is getting better and better. Next year it will definitely be the right race for her.”

Six-year-old Var gelding Rivarine, who is out of Pocket Power’s J&B Met-winning full-sister River Jetez, has on occasion threatened to become a top class sprinter but has largely been disappointing. A Grade 3 and a Listed win are his best achievements.

However, on Monday he beat some good horses, including Grade 1 winners Chimichuri Run and Might High, when finishing a 2,5 length second to Mr Flood over 1000m.

Azzie said, “He enjoyed the break and we have now got on top of a few niggles he had.”

He added, “But Mr Flood is going to be a tough nut to crack in the Computaform Sprint.”

Indeed, Lucky Houdalakis looks to possibly have another rags-to-riches superstar on his hands.

By David Thiselton

Out Of Your League lived up to his name on Saturday when causing a 45/1 upset in the Grade 1 SA Derby and although the win gives him an automatic entry into the Vodacom Durban July trainer Fabian Habib did not entertain any thought of an entry.

He confirmed the July would be too sharp for him and added, “He will even go 3200m. He is a young horse so the Gold Cup this season might be too early in his career but we will make a decision closer to the time.”

Habib knew Out Of Your League would fight back on Saturday when appearing to have been swamped close to home after setting the pace.

He said, “He is the sort of horse who looks for company. In an earlier race over 2400m he was overtaken and fought back to be beaten a short-head. He is an out and out stayer.”

Habib was brought up in racing and at the National Two-year-old Sale one day went and watched the horses having their afternoon walks. He spotted Out Of Your League and recalled, “He just had this presence about him.”

He secured him for R130,000.

Out Of Your League has a fine staying pedigree being by SA Derby and Daily News 2000 winner Elusive Fort out of an unraced mare (by stamina influence Del Sarto) who was a half-sister to the useful Listed winner Buscador.

By David Thiselton

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

12 TRICKSTER   8 MRS PLAYER   5 QUEEN ISABELLA   9 SCENTED MISTRESS
Preview: Mostly first timers but Cape visitor TRICKSTER (12) can improve on her Kenilworth debut effort. MRS PLAYER (8) was a touch disappointing on debut but did find some market support. QUEEN ISABELLA (5) has been rested since her smart barrier trial and should come on from that. SCENTED MISTRESS (9) is a nicely bred visitor and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 12-8-5-9).

Race 2

10 KEEP THE LIGHTS ON   6 MY LADY   9 SHADES OF RED   3 EYE CATCHING.
Preview: KEEP THE LIGHTS ON (10) was well supported on debut and was narrowly beaten. That experience should tell. MY LADY (6) made a fair debut over coursed and distance and can improve on that showing. SHADES OF RED (9) improv3ed nicely at her second barrier trial. EYE CATCHING (3) made a modest Cape debut but should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-9-3).

Race 3                      

6 SAN ANDREAS   8 VAR’S ELUSION   10 HARDWIRED   11 CAPTAIN OUPIE
Preview: SAN ANDREAS (6) showed up well in his barrier trial and is likely to come on well from that. VAR’S ELUSION (8) has put in two smart efforts on this course and should run another bold race. HARDWIRED (10) showed up well in his first run back from a break and has done well on this course. CAPTAIN OUPIE (11) showed up well at long odds in his Cape debut and has a chance on that showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-10-11).

Race 4

1 ASTUTE VISION   2 TWICEASFAST   8 TO DO RON RON   12 CHANEL ALLURE
Preview: ASTUTE VISION (1) has shown promise and has improved in blinkers. She should go well again. TWICEASFAST (2) showed up well in her barrier trial and is one to watch in the betting. TO DO RON RON (8) failed narrowly last time out. She has improved in blinkers. CHANEL ALLURE (12) looks held by To Do Ron Ron on their last meeting but has gone close over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-12).

Race 5

4 RED ROCK CANYON   1 DONALD MCDONALD   6 LORD OF THE MANOR   11 POWER TO COMMAND
Preview: RED ROCK CANYON (4) shows some useful Cape form over the trip. He has improved in blinkers and should go close. DONALD MCDONALD (1) showed up well on debut. He should much prefer this trip and has the best of the draw. LORD OF THE MANOR (6) caught the eye when running on well in a recent sprint. He should prefer this trip. POWER TO COMMAND (11) has been trying further but can run fresh over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-6-11).

Race 6

9 ON THE DOUBLE   5 PERFECT AIR   6 ELECTRIC SURGE   2 DOWN TO EARTH
Preview: ON THE DOUBLE (9) goes well over course and distance. She has drawn a little wide but should go well again. PERFECT AIR (5) won her last start in the Cape. She may prefer it a bit further but can race fresh over this shorter trip. ELECTRIC SURGE (6) is much better than her last run when taking on males. She had smart form in useful company before that. DOWN TO EARTH (2) won well first up out of the maidens. She has jumped in the ratings but does show some promise. (Andrew Harrison: 9-5-6-2).

Race 7

5 TWIST OF FATE   10 AZORES   8 BORN TO PERFORM   6 GG’S DYNASTY
Preview: TWIST OF FATE (5) has smart form in top company. He is well weighted here and at best should be hard to beat. AZORES (10) has promising Cape form. He jumps in class here but has a light weight. BORN TO PERFORM (8) is always game and won well last time out. GG’S DYNASTY (9) has smart form at this course and should be close-up. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-8-9).

Race 8

3 SKIDOO   1 WINTER BLUES   11 YESSIRICANBOOGIE   10 CANDY GALORE
Preview: Open. SKIDOO (3) has smart Cape form over the trip. He must have a strong chance. WINTER BLUES (1) is always game and goes well on this course. YESSIRICANBOOGIE (11) showed top class potential as a juvenile. She was narrowly beaten last run but does have a big weight. CANDY GALORE (10) was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. She meets stronger here but is smart on her day. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-11-10).

Race 9

8 KINGSTON ROCK   4 SPEED OF NIGHT   5 MAI TAI   12 LETABA
Preview: KINGSTON ROCK (6) has been knocking at the door for some time now but he goes well over this trip and with a claiming apprentice up should go close. SPEED OF NIGHT (4) shed his maiden last run but has shown potential. The blinkers go on. MAI TAI (5) is a useful filly. She has improved in cheek pieces and goes well this trip. LETABA (12) tried further last run but seems best over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-12).

Race 10

3 ROCKCLIFFE   5 JUSTAGUYTHING   2 STORMY MISS   7 RETAIL THERAPY
Preview: ROCKCLIFFE (3) is way better than his last start. He has done well to stronger and at best should go close. JUSTAGUYTHING (5) is back over his preferred trip and a repeat of his last run can see him into the money. STORMY MISS (2) took on a strong field first up out of the maidens. She is lightly raced and can still improve. RETAIL THERAPY (7) shed her maiden last run but has made steady recent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-2-7).

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