David Thiselton

At this time ten years ago The Geoff Woodruff-trained sales reject Louis The King had become only the second horse in history after the great Horse Chestnut to land the SA Triple Crown and he was being prepared for the Summer Cup, which he also went on to win.

He won the Triple Crown races under Robbie Fradd and the Summer Cup under Piere Strydom.

Louis The King failed to elicit a single bid at the sales and was then purchased for a mere R60,000 in a deal that was done and dusted in the car park.

He went on to win seven races in all, including three Gr 1s, and earned in excess of R5 million.

The story behind the smart colt began on May 12, 2010 at Durbanville, when George Kahan of The Alchemy Stud bought the unraced Rich Man’s Gold mare Pamushana, consigned by Drakenstein Stud and in foal to Black Minnaloushe, for R20,000. The colt was born on 28 August 2010.

George’s son Phillip Kahan said about ten years ago, “He was an early foal, so we thought we would have a big strong colt that could be sold at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 or Book 2, but he just wasn’t ready in time. We have always sent quality stock to the Durban (KZN Yearling) Sale as it is one of our ambitions to win the R1 million breeders race.

“I always rated him and he was our nicest horse on that sale. I thought he would easily get between R120,000 and R180,000. However, he didn’t get a single bid and we had to buy him back for R55,000. The buyers just didn’t fancy the mating.

He continued, “The mare was unraced and the only thing he had going for him was that he was by Black Minnaloushe. But, the market at that stage had gone off Black Minnaloushe. They wrote him off too early.”

Kahan was obviously disappointed, but fate then played its hand.

He continued, “I later bumped into Geoff Woodruff walking in with his son and daughter.

“He told me that he had just moved from the Vaal to Randjesfontein, so joked that the best he could do was buy me a drink. He was actually just there to drop off some tickets for the July.”

The deal that could become part of racing folklore was then made in the car park.

“I told Geoff that I had been unable to sell our best lot. He asked about the colt and how much I wanted for him. I said a minimum of R60,000. He agreed there and then to the price and said ‘send him up’. I insisted that he come and have a look at him first, but he said ‘Phillip, I’ve known you for 20 years, you say it’s your best lot, I trust you.’

“The price was in fact less than the service fee of Black Minnaloushe (The first season fee set by Maine Chance Farms in the 2007/2008 season for the Irish 2000 Guineas winner and leading first crop sire in New Zealand was R90,000).

“I insisted again that he have a look at him and he went over and had a look over the stable door. Geoff is an absolute gentleman and deserves every success he has.”

Woodruff recounted, “I hadn’t even got back to Johannesburg yet when Tiaan van der Vyver (a racehorse owner) phoned. He had gone over to have a look at another horse at my pre-trainer Sharon Patterson’s Bayshore Barn centre. I asked him to have look at the Black Minnaloushe colt too.”

Van der Vyver liked what he saw and bought him. He then named the colt after his son Louis, in whose name he also raced.

The colt was the first racehorse that Louis had ever owned.

It turned into one of SA racing’s all time fairytale stories.

Louis The King stood at Sorrento Stud and produced the Gr 3 winner Montien and the Listed winner Pamushana’s Pride.

1

2 MC DAZZLER   4 REAL WAR   8 MR HOTSTEPPER   5 TICKALOX

Summary: Dean Kannemeyer saddles MC DAZZLER (2) who has been costly to follow having been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions. He tends not to finish off his races but he should get it right sooner rather than later.  Stable companion REAL WAR (4) could be his biggest danger. Lightly raced, he was close-up on the turf from a wide draw last time out. He makes his poly debut but should put in a strong showing. MR HOTSTEPPER (8) made a promising debut behind Cat’s Pajamas but has not been out since April. He may need it but is one to watch in the betting. TIKALOX (5) made sudden improvement last run and a repeat can see him involved again. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-8-5).

2

2 ART NOUVEAU   1 PERFECTLY PICKED   9 YELLOW JACKET   3 SASCHA’S DREAM

Summary: ART NOUVEAU (2) improved nicely second time out for Mike Miller. Although well beaten by the runaway winner she was running on stoutly and could well show further improvement over this trip. Wendy Whitehead sends out PERFECTLY PICKED (1) who has been knocking at the door of late. She goes well this trip and meets a modest line-up. YELLOW JACKET (9) has consistent form over shorter. She like to race handy and with a 4kg claimer aboard she could go all the way for Kom Naidoo. SASCHA’S DREAM (3) was not far back in her debut sprint and could much prefer this distance. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-9-3).

3

5 OFF LIMITS   2 CANFORD QUEEN   7 ENGLISH PRIMROSE   6 ELUSIVE BELLE

Summary: OFF LIMITES (5) has been racing against much stronger recently and her merit rating has dropped 12 points in five starts. The drop in rating and class can see Louis Goosen’s filly home. ENGLISH PRIMROSE (7) has not missed a cheque since Gary Rich declared cheek pieces. She is course and distance suited and in good form but did get a three-point raise in the handicap.  Garth Puller had a three-timer last Wednesday and gives 4kg claimer Damyan Pillay a chance on CANFORD QUEEN (2) who is now 5kg better off in the handicap for a three length beating.  Goosen has a second string to his bow in ELUSIVE BELLE (6) who also has a 4kg claimer aboard and can feature on her best effort. (Andrew Harrison: 5-2-7-6).

4

7 RASTIGNAC   6 KING BAVARIAN   2 ALLAROUNDTHEWORLD   3 BLAZING LIGHT

Summary: RASTIGNAC (7) had shown little leading up to his poly debut but he blossomed on the synthetic surface and although only shedding his maiden Robyn Klaasen’s gelding appears to have found himself. KING BAVARIAN (6) was staying on nicely when runner-up last time out. He takes a big step up in class but only has 52kg to shoulder. ALLAROUNDTHEWORLD (2) was a little disappointing last run but the 2300m may have been a little out of his compass. Calvin Habib stays with the ride for Gary Rich and can do better over this shorter trip. BLAZING LIGHT (3) is seldom too far back and goes well over course and distance. On his best form he will go close. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-2-3).

5

3 ZOOM BOMBER   4 KHANYISA INDLELA   2 LANDSEER   9 TOM’S ACT

Summary: In a competitive handicap, Corne Spies makes the trip from the Highveld with ZOOMBOMBER (3) who was a beaten favourite at the Vaal last time out. He is struggling for his second win but comes in off a light weight and he has done well on the poly. KHANYISA INDLELA (4) has found form as a six-year-old and his last win was over course and distance. He has a fair weight but is over his best distance. LANDSEER (2) was a recent maiden winner and although the form has not panned out quite as expected Andre Nel’s runner is lightly raced and still improving. TOM’S ACT (9) is way better than his last effort on the turf and is back on his preferred surface. Doug Campbell has replaced the cheek pieces with blinkers which could make the difference. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-2-9).

6 

6 POLICY OF THRUTH   8 BURNING MAN   5 INGQWELE   2 GUARDIA REGINE

Summary: POLICY OF TRUTH (6) came on well from a sprint to finish a smart second when sent over ground on the poly. He obviously enjoyed the surface and can go one better for Tienie Prinsloo. BURNING MAN (8) disappointed in the same race after shedding his maiden in style. The form of those maiden races has been franked and one can expect an improved effort. INGQWELE (5) has shown up well in both starts since beating Burning Man in the maidens He shows some promise and the switch to the poly could suit. GUARDIA REGINE (2) has shown some consistent Highveld form. He makes the trip to make his poly debut and any market support should be taken seriously. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-5-2).

7

2 MILLION VOICES   7 AVERNIAN GODDESS   4 PRINCESS HANNAH   6 HEIRLOOM

Summary: Mike Miller has a progressive filly in MILLION VOICES (2) who was just in need of her last two. She makes her poly debut and with a brace of runs under her girth she should prove difficult to beat. AVERNIAN GODDESS (7) was outpaced late behind She’s A Machine over 1400m last time out. That form has been franked but she shed her maiden over course and distance and has yet to finish out of the money in six starts. PRINCESS HANNAH (4) made major improvement when winning over course and distance last time out and trainer Paul Gadsby was confident of a big effort in spite of the long price. The runner-up has since put in a good showing to frank that form. Visiting HEIRLOOM (6) has not been far back at her last two over the Turffontein inner track and the switch to the poly could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-4-6).

8

2 IRISH LUCK   8 STARS IN HEAVEN   1 HIPPOCRATES   4 PROFESSOR LUPIN

Summary: IRISH LUCK (2) has been coming down in the ratings and Duncan Howells appears to have picked the right race with Muzi Yeni taking over in the saddle from apprentice James Lihaba. STARS IN HEAVEN (8) has shown up well in two starts since returning from the Cape. This is his third run after a break so he should strip close to his peak. HIPPOCRATES (1) took advantage of a drop in class to win comfortably last time out. He got a four-point raise in the handicap but from the best of the draw he can go in again. PROFESSOR LUPIN (4) shed his maiden over course and distance and won well in yielding going on the turf last run. He has a big weight but he can benefit from the switch in surface. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-1-4).

Andrew Harrison

Small fields are the order of the day on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today but that does not necessarily mean punters will have an easy ride. The card is littered with a number of competitive handicaps to keep the noses of committed form studiers burning the candles at both ends.

The card starts with a poser in the first. Dean Kannemeyer saddles McDazzler who has been costly to follow having been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions. He tends not to finish off his races but he should get it right sooner rather than later.  

 Stable companion Real War could be his biggest threat. Lightly raced, he was close-up on the turf from a wide draw last time out. He makes his poly debut but should put in a strong showing while Mr Hotstepper made a promising debut behind Cats Pajamas but has not been out since April and may need it, but is one to watch in the betting. 

In the second, Art Nouveau improved nicely second time out for Mike Miller and although well beaten by the runaway winner she was running on stoutly and could well show further improvement over this trip. 

Wendy Whitehead sends out Perfectly Picked who has been knocking at the door of late. She goes well this trip and meets a modest line-up. Yellow Jacket has consistent form over shorter. She likes to race handy and with a 4kg claimer aboard she could go all the way for Kom Naidoo while Sascha’s Dream was not far back in her debut sprint and could much prefer this distance. 

At first glance, English Primrose looks the right one in the first leg of the Pick 6 but the form could be a little deeper.

Off Limits has been racing against much stronger recently and her merit rating has dropped 12 points in five starts. The drop in rating and class can see Louis Goosen’s filly home. 

English Primrose has not missed a cheque since Gary Rich declared cheek pieces. She is course and distance suited and in good form but did get a three-point raise in the handicap which could open the way for Canford Queen. Garth Puller had a three-timer last Wednesday and gives 4kg claimer Damyan Pillay a chance on Canford Queen who is now 5kg better off in the handicap for a three length beating with English Primrose.  

Robyn Klaasen made a successful raid on the poly the last time she was in KZN and she has a number in with chances. Rastignac had shown little leading up to his poly debut but he blossomed on the synthetic surface and although only shedding his maiden the gelding appears to have found himself. King Bavarian was staying on nicely when runner-up last time out. He takes a big step up in class but only has 52kg to shoulder. 

Allaroundtheworld was disappointing last run according to Gary Rich but the 2300m may have been out of his compass. Calvin Habib stays with the ride and can do better over this shorter trip. Blazing Light is seldom too far back and goes well over course and distance. On his best form he will go close. 

 The fifth is a competitive handicap. Corne Spies makes the trip from the Highveld with Zoombomber, his only runner on the day. The gelding was a beaten favourite at the Vaal last time out but is struggling for his second win. However, he comes in off a light weight and he has done well on the poly. Khanyisa Indlela has found form as a six-year-old and his last win was over course and distance. He has a fair weight but is over his best distance. Landseer was a recent maiden winner and although the form has not panned out quite as expected Andre Nel’s runner is lightly raced and still improving. Tom’s Act is way better than his last effort on the turf and is back on his preferred surface. Doug Campbell has replaced the cheek pieces with blinkers on Tom’s Act which could make a difference. Policy Of Truth came on well from a sprint to finish a smart second when sent over ground on the poly. He obviously enjoyed the surface and can go one better for Tienie Prinsloo in the sixth. Burning Man disappointed in the same race after shedding his maiden in style. The form of his previous maiden runs has been franked and one can expect an improved effort. Mike de Kock has set up a stall in Summerveld and saddles Ingqwele who has shown up well in both starts since beating Burning Man in the maidens. He shows some promise and the switch to the poly could suit. 

One of the better bets on the card could be Mike Miller’s filly Million Voices who was just in need of her last two. She makes her poly debut but with a brace of runs under her girth she should prove difficult to beat. Avernian Goddess was outpaced late behind She’s A Machine over 1400m last time out and that form has been franked. She shed her maiden over course and distance and has yet to finish out of the money in six starts. Princess Hannah made major improvement when winning over course and distance last time out and trainer Paul Gadsby was confident of a big effort in spite of the long price. The runner-up has since put in a good showing to frank that form. 

Visiting Heirloom has not been far back at her last two over the Turffontein inner track and the switch to the poly could bring out her best. 

Irish Luck can round off the afternoon. He has been coming down in the ratings and Duncan Howells appears to have picked the right race with Muzi Yeni taking over in the saddle from apprentice James Lihaba. Stars In Heaven has shown up well in two starts since returning from the Cape. This is his third run after a break so he should strip close to his peak. Hippocrates took advantage of a drop in class to win comfortably last time out. He got a four-point raise in the handicap but from the best of the draw he can go in again.

David Thiselton

The Frank Robinson-trained Mambo In Seattle Madison Valley’s victory in the Non-Black Type Pinkdrive Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m on Sunday has shades of déjà vu.

Last year Royal Victory won this race, beating third-placed Cape Eagle by 0,20 lengths, and this year Madison Valley’s victory by 0,25 lengths was also at the expense of Cape Eagle. 

Cape Eagle did in fact cross the line in third place once again, but he successfully objected against second-placed Natyam, who had squeezed him out when shifting in at the 300m mark.

Royal Victory was merit rated 108 when winning the Michaelmas and Madison Valley was also merit rated 108. 

In Royal Victory’s next start after his win in the Michaelmas he won the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup, despite having remained at long odds after the Michaelmas.

In fact he was still available at 80/1 with one firm even after the announcement of the final field.

Today Madison Valley is still out at 66/1 with the Summer Cup sponsor.

Another way in which history could repeat itself is Robinson does not envision Madison Valley having another run before the Summer Cup.

He believes he will get into the field considering his win in the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m together with his Michaelmas win.

Royal Victory carried joint bottom weight of 54kg to victory in the Summer Cup off a merit rating of 111 and Madison Valley will also carry 54kg as things stand.

However, when Royal Victory won the Michaelmas he was carrying 61.5kg and giving Cape Eagle 3kg, whereas Madison Valley was carrying 59.5kg and receiving 2kg from Cape Eagle.

Madison Valley also had to face only three opponents.

Robinson, in retrospect, felt it had been beneficial that he had to scratch Mexican Pete with a high temperature as he had rated the latter’s chances and felt he might have got in Madison Valley’s way.

Madison Valley was given a fine ride by Gavin Lerena.

He settled him beautifully in last position, but with the pace not on Lerena produced him coming up the hill at about the 650m mark.

He used Madison Valley’s long stride to sweep around the field and entered the straight in the lead.

Lerena showed his professionalism in that move because Robinson had said to him before the race, “I don’t want to tell you how to ride him, but what I can tell you is he is a bit of a staying type and takes a bit of time to get going.”

Lerena had thus given his mount plenty of time to find top gear and timed it to perfection. 

Madison Valley’s long stride and ability to stay on strongly that make him suited to Turffontein Standside.

Another aspect of his make up that would have impressed his supporters is his dogged determination.

After hitting the front the other three were quickly on top of him and a lesser horses would have felt swamped and perhaps thrown in the towel. However, he fought off the attentions of Officer In Command on his inside and then fought off Natyam, despite being carried in significantly by the latter in the last 300m.

Robinson said Madison Valley had not been a hundred percent for the run too as he would need to have been brought on a little with the Summer Cup in mind and that was not to mention the small field, which was against him due to a likely lack of pace for a long-striding staying type who needed as strong a pace as possible.

The Clifton Stud-bred gelding looks to be good ante-post value for the Summer Cup and hopefully he will be included in the final field.

Cape Eagle was unlucky in the Michaelmas for the second season in succession. 

Last season he looked to have the race won but hung awkwardly and was somehow beaten and it actually led to a three month suspension for the jockey, which was later negated after a successful appeal.

Cape Eagle is also a Summer Cup entry and is 50/1 with the sponsor.

Meanwhile down in Cape Town the most talked about three-year-old colt of the season, the Vaughan Marshall-trained twice Gr 3 winner One Stripe, put in a fine trial run for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

It was the Vercingetorix colt’s first start beyond sprints and he had to give 1kg to last season’s Cape Guineas winner, Snow Pilot, which meant he faced the latter on 7,5kg terms worse than weight for age.

Snow Pilot was taken to the lead by Richard Fourie from the widest draw and had opened up a six length lead by the top of the straight.

The Lancaster Bomber colt was running over his probable best trip and kept on strongly all the way to the line.

However, One Stripe did manage to close the gap to just one length under Gavin Lerena, which augurs well for his chances in his next race and his chances in the Cape Guineas. 

The pair could feasibly clash in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on January 4, which is three weeks after the Cape Guineas.

Andrew Harrison

It seems unbelievable that with only four horses in a race, things can still get messy. But so it did in the Pink Drive Michaelmas Handicap on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

The early withdrawal of Golden Peace and Mexican Pete cut the field to five, and then Trois Trois Quarte did a spinner, dislodging Rachel Venniker and galloped himself out of the race.

But the drama continued. With Muzi Yeni giving Officer In Command a breather coming through the 800m marker, he had Cape Eagle fighting for his head before Gavin Lerena released the brake for an early move on salted stayer Madison Valley. Once in front, Frank Robinson’s colt kept finding stoutly to hold off hard-chasing Natyam who drifted across the course carrying Madison Valley off a straight course.

That was not the end of it. Up to that point Craig Zackey had had a good afternoon with three winners but he allowed Natyam to drift off a straight course hampering favourite Cape Eagle at a crucial stage of the race with Serino Moodley standing up in the irons. Andre Nel’s runner rallied gamely under a punishing ride from Moodley as he regather his stride and was a decidedly unlucky loser. A subsequent objection against Natyam was a foregone conclusion.

Both Madison Valley and Cape Eagle are headed for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup in November and their preparation would appear to be on point.

The unkindest cut of all appears to have brought the best out of Paul Lafferty’s charge Dapper as he made all the running to win the first. Muzi Yeni had no hesitation in taking his mount to lead and was never threatened with Lafferty’s second runner, Top Gun, getting going late to snatch second. Lafferty was mystified on Dapper’s poor effort first up after gelding but with that problem solved, he is now faced with the question of does he sprint or does he stay a mile?

Michael Roberts’s filly Ladyofdistinction was supported off the boards in the second and although she duly landed the odds, it was ‘squeaky bum’ time for her supporters. Rachel Venniker was at her for most of the race and turning for home it looked as if the gamble had gone astray as Gavin Lerena went for broke on One Path. However, Venniker kept asking and Ladyofdistinction finally got her act together to get up two jumps from the post with the balance well beaten.

Wonderful built on her last demolition of the opposition to again make all in the third for her third win and first on the turf. The field cut up to just five runners with the grey Miss Platina taking an aversion to the stalls and being left behind but Gath Puller’s filly was always in command and won comfortably.

Three of the first four races were won from the front as Amigo made all the running under Sean Veale for Louis Goosen. It was a confident ride with the only instruction being, “the horse pulls, why do you want to fight with the him, small field so I left it to Sean.”

Favourite Freddy Slater hardly raised a gallop which could soon see him two stones lighter.

That trend continued as Craig Zackey sent Peter Muscutt’s gelding Neitherherenorther to the front from his inside draw and was not for the catching to score by the best part of five lengths in the fifth. A horse that has had plenty of issues, hence only having eleven runs in his career, persistent has paid off and he looks capable of another win or two depending on how the handicappers view this win.

Givers Grace took advantage of a merit rating drop, some kinder going and a strong pace to run out a comfortable winner of the sixth to give Zackey his third winner of the afternoon. With most of the riders in the field swinging on in a pedestrian early gallop Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Yeni released the handbrake coming through the mile and went well clear of the chasing pack. Zackey sat patiently just off the early gallop before making up ground steadily in the straight to win going away.

Shanta’s Pride rounded off the meeting with a bloodless victory as Lerena drove Muscutt’s filly home to a comfortable win, the filly named after commentator Sheldon Peter’s two daughters who dedicated the win to his hospitalized father Craig.