David Thiselton

The annual debate on how good the three-year-old crop is and how the best of them compare to the best of the past starts intensifying around now, but after One Stripe’s impressive performance in the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday the signs are good.

Luck plays a big part in horseracing and only the really good ones can extract themselves from bad luck in running.

The way the Vaughan Marshall-trained colt finished his race off on Saturday, somebody who had just tuned in would have believed he must have had the run of the race.

However, that was far from the truth and in fact he raced without cover throughout.

He jumped from draw five and as his stablemate All Out For Six ensured a good pace out in front Gavin Lerena found himself one out and one back with no cover.

This would have been a concern for some, but Marshall would likely not have been one of them as he would have remembered One Stripe’s father One World enjoying being in front and always finding a good kick.

Gavin Lerena is a top professional and was not concerned either as he did not waste any time and energy looking for cover but accepted his fate and allowed One Stripe to settle into a rhythm.

One Stripe still had a lot to do at the top of the straight to catch All Out For Six, who is also by One World.

By the 300m mark he had crept up but time was running out.

However, nobody needed have worried as he then took off and caught his stablemate readily and won easing up 1,75 lengths.

His time was only 0,31 seconds slower than Double Grand Slam’s time earlier in the Summer Bowl. Double Grand Slam was admittedly carrying 62kg, 2kg more than One Stripe, but she is a year older and is not only the probable best older female in the country but was in a highly competitive field of nine. One Stripe was in a decent field of five, but none of them were proven top class in the same vein as the like of Red Palace and Rascova that Double Grand Slam was up against, so there is the feeling that One Stripe can lift his game. 

However, nobody is getting carried away.

Renowned racing analyst of vast experience, Karel Miedema, only gave One Stripe an ability rating of 101 for the performance. He gave him a higher rating of 103 for his previous start when giving the year older Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot 1kg and losing by only a length. Snow Pilot went on to prove that to be a fine performance by One Stripe because in his next start he won in dominating style and looks to have improved as a four-year-old.

One World’s progeny ran first, second and fourth in the Punters Cup and he had the first three home in the other stakes race at the meeting, the Listed WSB Sophomore Sprint, with the Marshall-trained Lion Rampart, the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Kai Boy and the Greg Ennion-trained Miss World.

A One World also won a class 4 event on the day to give Marshall and One World a treble together on the day.

Drakenstein Stud bred both One Stripe and All Out For Six and they bred World Of Pleasure too.

Marshall-trained One World’s father Captain Al, whom nobody expected to become a champion sire.

One World has also outstripped expectations and is rapidly becoming a sire phenomenon.

He smashed his father’s freshman sire record of number of winners and equalled his father’s overall record for number of winning two-year-olds in a season. He could have done even better if there had not been so much rain in the Cape at the end of last season.

One World’ progeny are now training on to be fine three-year-olds.

The great Vincent O’Brien made a prediction that was to set up Coolmore as the best stud operation in the world. He predicted great things as a stallion for Northern Dancer and his theory was a horse cannot pass on freakiness but can pass on courage. Northern Dancer’s courage was emphasised by the fact that his Kentucky Derby win, like many of his other wins, was by a narrow margin. He was also a small horse. What he lacked in size he made up for with heart. O’Briens predictions were correct as Northern Dancer became the most important thoroughbred sire of the 20^th century and saturates the breed today. He and his descendants have also helped Coolmore become possibly the best breeding operation in thoroughbred history. 

Captain Al won the Cape Guineas from draw 16 of 16, despite being a sprint-miler type, and One World was able to keep the opposition at bay time and time again after leading or being handy.

They both clearly possessed courage and it is being passed on.  

One Stripe’s next step is to prove himself better than the best from the Highveld and KZN.

This year’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas is thus full on interest with the like of Heather’s Boy, Greaterix, Fire Attack, Bjorn Ironside, The Specialist and Artist’s Model still among the out of province entries who are standing their ground.

Graeme Hawkins

Gimmelightning makes plenty of appeal in this afternoon’s highest-rated event, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m, billed as the ninth race on a 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Gimmelightning ran on strongly to finish second behind Dance Variety over 1000m in a much higher-grade last time and is equally at home over this track and trip. On the evidence of that last run he should again have the measure of the Andre Nel-trained Nordic Chief but there is every chance that Nordic Chief will strip fitter this afternoon and get a lot closer. Gimmelightning represents the in-form combination of Justin Snaith and JP van der Merwe and he looks good value for the win today.

Oliver is in the form of his life and has climbed the ratings from a modest 77 in June to a current high of 98. He has won his last three starts over 1400m and it may not be in his favour that he now steps back in trip. Escarpment is holding form well but faces a more competitive line-up here and he may just come up a little short. Dumbledore was a good winner at Hollywoodbets Durbanville recently but the 4yo son of William Longsword looks held by Gimmelightning on past form. In summary, Gimmelightnng ticks all the right boxes, and I expect him to score at the expense of Nordic Chief and Oliver.

Call Me Jane made an auspicious debut when runner-up at Durbanville last month and with expected further improvement can take out the opening event, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m, which is due to jump at 12:05. She finished marginally ahead of Heritage Ridge on that occasion and there should not be much to choose between the pair. Lhasa showed good speed last time out and the penny seems to be dropping. She is a half-sister to Night Tiger who won at the course ten days and Lhasa is worthy of respect here.

The third race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1200m, looks a toss-up between the two Drakenstein Stud-owned fillies, Frida Kahlo and Winter Gamble. They are drawn on opposite sides of the track, but I harbour a slight preference for Winter Gamble.

Major Master was an impressive 1400m maiden winner over Rich Folks Hoax a month ago and the latter came out to frank the form in his subsequent start. The Candice-Bass trained 3yo son of Master Of My Fate looks progressive and he can follow up in the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. He probably has most to fear from fellow 3yo’s Mente Et Manu and Pinot Grigio but an upset from one of their older hard-knocking rivals cannot be ruled out.

Let It Be Said looks to be an above average horse in the making and he seems worth following in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m. Richard Fourie takes the ride for the Justin Snaith stable and the power combo could prove too good for Golden Destiny and smart debut winner Elizabedi Gold.

The promising Roccapina returns in the tenth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, but must concede weight all round and will need to be at her very best to take the honours. The Snaith pair, Dafnes Daughter and Champagne Kisses, who are in receipt of 7kgs and 5,5kgs respectively rate obvious dangers on current form, and one can expect better from Sweetie Darling who was badly in need of her recent comeback run.

RACE 1

3 CALL ME JANE ran a lovely race on debut behind Priscilla Maisey when finishing second, she looks to be a decent filly that will improve with every start, include her into all bets. 4 HERITAGE RIDGE was very unlucky in her most recent start when staying on strongly for third, she was very green and should appreciate racing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, watch her closely. 12 LOVE STORY ran a fair race last time behind a very nice sort, on her best form, she can sneak into the places. 1 LHASA drops in trip to 1000m, her recent run behind Miraculous was good, with a similar performance, she must have a nice Quartet chance. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 12 – 1)

RACE 2

16 MASTEROFTHEDESERT comes back to the races from gelding, he ran a cracker over 1400m last time behind Water Dragon, he drops back in trip, and this looks a nice race for him to exit the maidens, he will be hard to beat. 15 UNSUNG HERO never runs a bad race, he ran a terrific second behind a nice horse in his last start, he will be competitive again. 7 VICTOR HUGO made up good ground late on debut, there is no doubt that he will improve, include him into all bets. 11 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT has been rested for 73 days, he had no luck in running from a wide draw on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with a similar performance, he can go very close. (Brandon Bailey: 16 – 15 – 7 – 11)

RACE 3

11 WINTER GAMBLE enjoyed the drop back in trip to 1200m in her last start, the winner of that race looks way above average, she is still very much improving and will be hard to beat here. 5 BENEATH THE CLOUDS was well supported on debut when running just under five lengths behind the winner, the yard think highly of this filly, include her into all bets. 1 FRIDA KAHLO improved nicely from her first start to her second start, she will appreciate the extra 200m, watch her closely late. 6 LITTLE LEXI moved up like she would fight out the finish in her most recent run, on her best form she could earn again. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 5 – 1 – 6)

RACE 4

5 KING’S QUEST was gelded on the 7th of October, he is a magnificent looking sort that should be very hard to beat in this race, from a good draw he will have no excuses. 8 HONOR OF KINGS stayed on powerfully late behind stable companion Regulation last time, he will need some luck in running from a tricky draw, but his form is good and he will be right there in the finish. 7 RIVER HAWK ran a much better race last time, it was his first run over some ground, he is clearly improving with every start, watch him closely. 6 ARIOVISTUS will love the step up in trip, include him into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 7 – 6)

RACE 5

3 MAJOR MASTER quickened up very smartly to win his maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the yard think highly of this three-year-old, from a good draw and stepping up in trip to 1600m, he could easily win again. 1 PINOT GRIGIO loved the step up in trip to 1400m last time, he won well beating Major Master by just under one length, he looks progressive and must have a nice each way chance from a good draw. 10 AZZURRI ran on strongly from a long way back to be beaten just over three lengths in a competitive Class 4, he will need lots of luck in running from a wide draw, include him. 2 TOUCHDOWN ran a great race from a wide draw in his last start, he gets a further rating drop and a good draw this time, he will be competitive at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 10 – 2)

RACE 6

1 AMONG THE CLOUDS looked like she was going to lead them from start to finish in her last start, she just got tired towards the end of the race and finished a very creditable third, in hope that she can get some cover early this time, she will go very close to winning. 5 HELIOTROPE hit the line full of running to win going away in her last start, if she can bring that form to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday afternoon, she will earn again. 3 LADY SPRINGFIELD must have a huge winning chance, her form is good, and she is better off at the weights with Heliotrope, champion jockey Richard Fourie knows her well, include her into all bets. 2 FORGOTTEN SONG was given a great ride by Sean Veale last time, she enjoyed the step up in trip and the blinkers fitted, she could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 3 – 2)

RACE 7

8 JAPANESE ROSE bounced back to form in her last start when finishing a great second behind Be Merry, the form of that race has been franked, off this rating she will be very competitive again. 3 SIDDELEY has run some great races through her career, her last run over 1200m was back on the 27th of January where she absolutely took off to run a super second behind Ripple Effect in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes, she has dropped in ratings which will help her chances in a big way. 5 SHE’S MY CAPTAIN is probably one of the most consistent mares to race in Cape Town, she will run her usual honest race again. 1 KYALAMI GIRL has been very frustrating to follow, on her day she can win a race like this quite easily, hopefully now that she is back at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, we will see the improvement needed for her to go close. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 3 – 5 – 1)

RACE 8

10 GOLDEN DESTINY won his maiden very impressively on the 5th of November, early in his career he was highly tried against some very smart two-year-olds, now that he has his confidence, he should go very close in this tricky looking Class 4 event. 2 ELIZABEDI GOLD was still very green when winning his debut well, he looks to be a nice big gelding that will improve tremendously with every start, include him into the play. 12 PARATROOPER finished his race off beautifully behind Arctic Wizard, he needs a particular ride and then runs on powerfully late, he should be able to earn again for the connections. 6 LET IT BE SAID has a great action, he ran a super race out the maidens in his last start, with a similar performance he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 2 – 12 – 6)

RACE 9

6 OLIVER continues to impress, he has won his last three starts with absolute ease, he drops back in trip to 1200m, he will come with a storming finish late and will be hard to beat again despite his rating going up five points for his last win. 2 DUMBLEDORE fought hard to the line to win well last time, he loves the 1200m trip and will be competitive. 4 ESCARPMENT stayed on really well from a small break on the 9th of November, although he was well beaten for second behind Tenango, he needed that run and should improve a good few lengths on Saturday. 8 GIMMELIGHTNING rattled home over 1000m last time behind Dance Variety, with the right run in transit, he will be there again in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 4 – 8)

RACE 10          

12 PINK PIGEON was desperately unlucky in her most recent start behind Scarlet Macaw, she was badly taken up for running at approximately the 300m mark, she is a beautiful athletic filly that should have no problems with the drop in trip to 1000m, include her into all bets. 9 ROCCAPINA has been rested for 87 days, the yard think highly of this filly, she will love the fact that she is racing up the straight again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will take lots of beating. 11 CHAMPAGNE KISSES ran a terrific race out the maidens last time, she is still improving and can earn again with a similar performance. 6 SWEETIE DARLING needed her last start, she is way above average and will improve lengths, include her into all bet types. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 9 – 11 – 6)

Andrew Harrison

Tienie Prinsloo is the sole survivor of the Flamingo Park shutdown who has hung in and stayed in KZN. It has been a tough ask with owners departing and Prinsloo has basically started from scratch in a testing environment, but he has hung in, confident in his ability, and his tenacity is paying dividends.

He had a double at a hot, humid and uncomfortable Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday, both with greys. Miss Platina is not the easiest of fillies and horse behavioralist Glyn Redgrave paraded her around the paddock beforehand and kept her calm at the start.

His ‘whispering’  obviously did the trick as Miss Platina behaved and fought off all comers in a tight finish ahead of African Beat and Broadway Girl.

In his post-race interview, Prinsloo expressed confidence of a big effort from Global Movement in the next and the gelding duly obliged, finishing off his race in fine style to win going away.

Best bet on the card was Major Tommie in the card opener who had solid form to back his claims and he duly obliged under Serino Moodley. Up with the pace throughout, he drew off in the final furlong to win comfortably.

There was drama in the second as the hot tempered and hot favourite Sun In My Pocket went over backwards in the gate, dislodging Calvin Habib, and was duly withdrawn by the course vet. This left Littleblackgem as tote favourite but she too had proved to be a reluctant loader in the first line with Michael Roberts, frustrated from a kilometer away, calling for the hood. However, a hood did the trick at the second call. Littleblackgem loaded perfectly and duly saved many PA punters their money although second-placed Dressedtothenines could have done with a little more help from the saddle.

Gavin Lerena is not leading the jockey championship for nothing as he showed when getting strongly fancied Woza Nawe home in the opening leg of the Pick 6 in spite of trainer Peter Muscutt and Hollywood Syndicate nominee Anthony Delpech chewing on their pens as the field turned for home. Woza Nawe looked to have blown her chances on the turn as she dropped the bit on Lerena and was a long way back as Dee Day lead the field for home. However, Lerena got Woza Nawe into a good rhythm and she motored down the outside of the tack to catch Dee Day who was run out of it for third by La Vida Loca who was full of running at the death. 

Frikkie Greyling only has a handful of horses in his yard, mostly for Tinus Gerrike of Blue Sky Thoroughbreds, but they have been firing of late and Deryl Daniels rode a super confident race on Go Grayson Go, a son of Potala Palace. Runner-up at his last two, Daniels hunted the lead from the jump, gave his mount a breather on the turn, before accelerating away in the straight to win as he liked with the luckless Lou The Legend out-pointed again

There were a lot of ‘no-hopers’ in the field so it remains to be seen how the handicappers rate this performance.

David Thiselton

Saturday racing was focused on Cape Town and the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 1600m, although there was a meeting at Turffontein Standside too and one or two horses made it into the notebook. 

At Hollywood Kenilworth the One World colt One Stripe not only won the Punters Cup as expected but looks to be the most exciting three-year-old for some time… more on that after the Turffontein report. 

Rachel Venniker rode a treble at Turffontein and will be looking forward to the Betway Summer Cup meeting where she has eight rides. 

Her first win on Saturday was aboard the Paul Matchett-trained Karate Kid over 1000m.

It was a notable win because this three-year-old Erupt gelding defied the weights in the Drakenstein Stud Graduation Plate event. He was 6kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair in the race according to official merit ratings. However, he has a progressive profile and the 1,5kg claim Venniker is allowed also helped as he galloped home full of running to win by 2,50 lengths, beating Rondebosch who was having his second rum after layoff and looks to have scope for improvement. The best weighted pair Master Casper and French Bolt needed their runs after layoffs. It was left to the decent Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Lead The Charge to run on for third. 

In the next race the form of the Johan Jansen van Vuuren-trained Happy Mo’s win last time had been franked and the Royal Mo filly duly followed up with a good win under Venniker off an 86 merit rating in the 1600m handicap. 

Venniker scored her treble in the last when the Fabian Habib-trained six-year-old Pathfork gelding Passage Of Power made it a fifth career win in the 1160m handicap. 

In the first race over 1600m the Alec Laird-trained Futura filly Tuscan Star is a big horse who won readily under Calvin Habib and Laird has hopes she could become an Oaks candidate. 

In the second the Crusade mare Tried and True had shown notable resolve when winning over 1400m last time and this time over 1600m under Diego Degouveia nobody was going to carch her from the front and she ran out a 3,25 length winner. The mare has had two wins from three starts since joining Robyn Klaasen as a five-year-old.

In the fifth race over 2000m it was another master class by Piere Strydom. He had outfoxed the opposition on the Lorenzo Karriem-trained The United States mare Indian Ocean last time by going to the front despite carrying 64.5kg and running out an easy winner. This time when coming back from a three month layoff he did the opposite and dropped her out to last. She used her big stride to eat up the ground down the inside rail in the straight and made it three-in-row by two lengths. Strydom has ridden her three times for three successive wins.

In the sixth over 1400m the Grant Maroun-trained Just Var made it two wins in a row despite stepping up from 1000m. The Var gelding gets on well with 2.5kg claimer Trent Mayhew and he brought him home again.

In the seventh over 1160m Serino Moodley has a fine record on the Sean Tarry-trained Silver Tudor (Lance) and he got him up despite him returning from a five-and-a-half month layoff.    

Meanwhile, One Stripe looks to be a special horse as it did not pan out well for him in the Punters Cup, as he was caught wide without cover throughout in the small six horse field, and yet he still won easing up under Gavin Lerena. 

The Vaughan Marshall-trained One World colt looks to be a particularly exciting prospect.

Marshall believes him at this stage to be a sprint-miler so his two immediate goals are the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on December 14 and the CRS R5 million Big Cap over 1400m on March 16.

However, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate might be in the offing too as there is three weeks between that and the Cape Guineas and then a full two months to recover for the Big Cap.