Category Archives: Daily News

Inara (Liesl King)

Inara has plenty in her favour

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Cape trainer Mike Bass and KZN’s Paul Lafferty both have chances of Gr 1 glory at Greyville on Saturday and their respective contenders Inara and Run Rhino Run are in fine shape ahead of their runs in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 respectively.

Bass’s assistant Robert Fayd’Herbe is looking after the yard’s Champions Season string at Summerveld and said about the Trippi filly Inara, “She has come on nicely from the KRA Fillies Guineas and has a good draw.”

Inara ran second in the best form race of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, and has 2,5 lengths to find on Majmu from that run. However, her subsequent wins in both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m showed that she had improved.

She didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running in the Paddock Stakes before running on well and holding on late, so she should stay the 2000m trip. On pedigree her dam Trippi was a twice Gr 1 winner over 1400m, but Inara herself is a half-sister to Mountain Master, a middle distance to staying gelding by Jet Master who runs in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m on Saturday. Inara showed a fine turn of foot in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas last time out and weaved her way through, but had no reply to Alexis on her outside and could only stay on for  a two length second, which suggested she needed the run.

Fayd’Herbe said Mountain Master had improved from his good effort in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 two weeks ago when running from the front and staying on nicely for a 2,65 length fifth. He reckoned he was looking for this 2400m trip and off a 96 merit rating the yard will be hoping for a big run in order to book his place in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup, although it is not a certainty he will stay that arduous 3200m journey.

Meanwhile, Lafferty recently said about the talented Silvano gelding Run Rhino Run, “He has only been running over his minimum trip (1400-1600m) and all he wants is a bit of ground. Wait until he gets that because he is a really good horse.”

Lafferty’s assistant Roy Waugh was pleased with Run Rhino Run’s gallop over a mile at Greyville last Wednesday in which he was given a lead and “left his companion for dust” in the straight. He had his final serious workout yesterday and did well. Waugh said, “It is just a matter of getting him over from that draw (15). I think they will go in this race and he has a bit of tactical speed (meaning jockey Keagan de Melo will be able to have him handy or drop him out according to how it pans out).

By David Thiselton

Picture: Inara (Liesl King)

the conglomerate strydom lk site

Marcus happy with The Conglomerate

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Top jockeys Anton Marcus and Greg Cheyne are looking forward to their rides in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 on Saturday aboard The Conglomerate and Light The Lights respectively.

Marcus said about the Joey Ramsden-trained Australian-bred colt by Lonhro, The Conglomerate, “He doesn’t give much away at work, but I’m happy with where he’s at.”

Marcus rode The Conglomerate for the first time in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas at Greyville at the beginning of this month and the colt surprised Ramsden, who believed a mile would be his bare minimum, by winning impressively by two lengths. However, he did benefit form a good pace and should relish the step up to 2000m. Marcus is not convinced about the strength of the KRA Guineas form and mentioned the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby winner Ertijaal as a horse that could be the one to beat, having noticed how well he had quickened in the Investec SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein last time out before the soft ground and the distance got to him.

Marcus has also been happy with his Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup ride Disco Al’s work at Summerveld.

Cheyne was looking forward to seeing how Light The Lights would do over the 2000m trip and confirmed trainer Glen Kotzen’s view on the Western Winter colt’s stamina range. He said, “He had some speed when he was younger but has lost that now and this is the trip he is now looking for.” Cheyne believed the colt only had to repeat his run in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas, where he finished third, to have a good chance on Saturday. Kotzen confirmed that the colt had come on nicely from that last run.

Light The Lights has landed another good draw of three, while The Conglomerate is in seven.

Kotzen was also happy with his Lonsdale Stirrup Cup contender Gone Baby Gone and said, “We fancied him last time, but he has in fact been working even better this time.” .

By David Thiselton

Picture: The Conglomerate (Liesl King)

 

Siren's Call (JC Photo)

Prep runs for Tarry’s young guns

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National Champion Trainer elect Sean Tarry has a strong hand in both the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday.

He is running his top class filly Siren’s Call in the Daily News and this makes good senses as not only has this season’s three-year-old fillies crop been seen as exceptional compared to the dubious reputation of the three-year-old males but the race carries a total stake of R2 million compared to the R1 million of the Woolavington. Furthermore, with a merit rating of 109 and a 2,5kg female allowance she will need to win the Daily News by a street to attain a merit rated raise, while she could risk a merit rated raise in the Woolavington by merely running close to the 114 merit rated Majmu.

However Tarry did add that the Daily News is part of the Vodacom July preparation for both her and stablemate French Navy. He said, “There will still be a little bit to come from both of them, but they should still run well. We have left a little bit to work with for all of our July horses.”

Both Siren’s Call and French Navy will love the 2000m distance, having won the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 1 SA Classic respectively in very soft going over the tough Turffontein Standside 1800m. Interestingly, Siren’s Call’s time was 0,11 seconds quicker than French Navy’s that day, despite her having to make her finish on the inside of horses, which was the inferior going on the day. Both horses have won in fast going before so clearly go on any ground and both are known for their strong finishes from off the pace, so they should enjoy Greyville.

Tarry has two Woolavington contenders, Tamanee and Trophy Wife, and he said, “Tamanee is very well, but there could be slight improvement after this run. Trophy Wife is probably at her best.”

Tamaanee ran a cracker last time out when stepped up to this distance for the first time in the Gr 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes and her time was actually 0,43 seconds quicker than Woolavington favourite Majmu’s on the same day, despite the fact that she was carrying 2,5kg more. That was a brilliant performance and this improving type could well finish in the first three on Saturday.

Trophy Wife, the perennial bridesmaid to Siren’s Call, has also continued to improve throughout the season and appears to be ultra-tough. She was doing her best work late last time out in the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip.

Tarry said an improvement could be expected from his stayer Kolkata, who runs in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m, although he could still come on further for the run. He said, “There are one or two things we have got on top of with him.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Siren’s Call (JC Photo)

majmu jc site

Majmu sets the standard

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Mike de Kock’s Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 fancies Majmu and Pine Princess and his Gr 1 Daily News 2000 contender Ertijaal arrived at Summerveld last week and have all been doing well.

Meanwhile, he will try Jayyed in blinkers in the Daily News 2000, after his disappointing unplaced run in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900.

The champion Majmu will be hard to beat in the Woolavington and her exceptional turn of foot coupled with her powerful, sustained finishing run should see her taking well to the tight Greyville track. She was beaten over this 2000m distance last time out in the Gr 1 President’s Champions Challenge against older males at Turffontein but was carrying a Gr 1 penalty, so on paper she put up at least as good a performance as the winner Wylie Hall, who was only carrying a Gr 2 penalty. Furthermore, that was her second race after a layoff and might have been a slightly flat run.

Majmu’s world class performance in the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, which she won with contemptuous ease by 2,5 lengths, remains the best form race of the season. Runner up Inara, who subsequently won both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m, will likely be Majmu’s chief rival on Saturday and has the advantage of a pole position draw, course experience and she should also relish the trip, but she still has a bit to do to reverse the form.

De Kock’s Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess has also been doing “very well” and De Kock said she had improved. She is a courageous sort who showed a fine turn of foot in the Oaks to make up the leeway quickly at the top of the straight and she later fought back when headed to deny Siren’s Call the Triple Tiara. It would be no surprise to see her going handy from a wide draw and making a bold bid down the straight, although over this sharper than ideal trip she will probably be vulnerable to the closers like Majmu.

De Kock confirmed that Ertijaal would appreciate the likely firmer ground and, having watched him quicken very well in the Gr 1 SA Derby before “falling in a hole”, he believed the 2000m trip was his optimum. He is versatile in running style, but hasn’t run on firm ground since his impressive pillar-to-post win in the Investec Cape Derby over 2000m. His draw of ten hasn’t done him any favours, but jockey Anthony Delpech knows the course well and will be riding him for the third time.

De Kock said that Jayyed had to be “pushed along” for most of the journey in the Betting World 1900. He also appeared to show little interest in the straight. This Jet Master colt has had a successful breathing operation and before that had advertised his talent with a narrow second in last season’s Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m. Hopefully the blinkers will reignite him and if it does he will be a contender in an open race from pole position with champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo up.

De Kock also runs Kingston Mines and Raees in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. Both of them won their last respective starts over this trip. Kingston Mines, as the winner of the Gr 2 J&B Urban Honey Stayers and the Gr 3 Caradoc Gold Cup, has likely booked his place in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup already, so is likely to be viewing this as a preparation run, while Raees will need to go all out for victory off his lowly 86 merit rating, which sees him 0,5kg under sufferance.

By David Thiselton

Glen Kotzen

Kotzen upbeat

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Glen Kotzen is bullish about the chances of his charge Light The Lights in Saturday’s Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and champion trainer Justin Snaith expects a much better showing from his talented sort Ultimate Dollar.

Kotzen said, “Light the Lights is doing great, I am really pleased, he is fit and well and drawn well and is going over his right trip for the first time. His grass gallop for this race was the KRA Guineas and he has come on for it. This will be his test to see whether he can make it into the July field and he will need to be in the first three to do so.”

Kotzen was confident that the Western Winter colt could achieve the latter goal and spoke of how well this horse had filled out lately. Kotzen has always viewed him as a sort that would only come into his own in the latter part of this season and the Vodacom Durban July has been this target from a long time ago.

Light The Lights has followed the identical route into the big race that Kotzen’s 2009 July winner Big City Life did, although he has a long way to go to fill the latter’s boots. The current three-year-old males are not being viewed as a vintage crop and Light The Lights’ task of making the first three on Saturday have been made harder by the entry of the filly Siren’s Call, who is one of the best of an outstanding three-year-old filly’s crop.

Furthermore, the Gr 1 SA Classic one-two-three, French Navy, Amsterdam and Deputy Jud, as well as the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby winner Ertijaal, have all entered the fray. Light The Lights’ great sire Western Winter is usually viewed as a speed influence, but his Northern Guest dam First Arrival won a Gr 3 over 2000m, so he should relish the trip. He found the rail from a plum draw in the KRA Guineas and stayed on well for third. However, on that form he has 2,75 lengths to make up on The Conglomerate and 0,75 lengths to make up on Mac De Lago. He has landed another fine draw of three and regular rider Greg Cheyne will be aboard.

Ultimate Dollar, a gelding by Jet Master, has always struck as one who will relish this trip. His run in the KRA Guineas, when finishing a 5,95 length twelfth, can’t be taken literally as he is sort who takes a while to wind up into his big action and on that occasion he got stuck behind the pacemaker Riff Raff, who was going backwards before the turn. It badly affected his momentum. He is drawn perfectly in five on Saturday with Richard Fourie up and Snaith said, “I’m not saying he would have won the Guineas but he would have finished three lengths back instead of five lengths and I have been waiting to put him over 2000m for a long time.”

Ultimate Dollar’s dam Mkushi Gold by Western Winter was stakes-placed and won from 1200-1600m and she is a half-sister to both a stakes-winning sprinter and a stakes-winning stayer.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Glen Kotzen

Weiho Marwing

Marwing trio not to be ignored

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The Weiho Marwing-trained pair Mac De Lago and Rampant Ice were the surprise packages of the Gr 2 KRA Guineas at Greyville on the opening day of Champions Season, finishing second and fifth respectively, and the never to be under-estimated Ashburton-based trainer is predicting good performances from both of them in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville this Saturday.

He also believes his reserve runner Illuminati will run well if he gets in.

Mac De Lago was backed in from 33/1 to 20/1 in the Guineas while Rampant Ice started at 75/1, but their runs didn’t surprise Marwing, who said, “Mac De Lago is a good horse and has come on nicely, although he hasn’t got the best draw. He will stay and Illuminati and Rampant Ice will also run well.”

All three horses had previously run in the Gr 1 SA Classic. Mac De Lago finished 13th, beaten 15,75 lengths, and Rampant Ice finished 10th , beaten 11,5 lengths. However, that did not tell the story that they had both moved up quite well but had unfortunately been caught on the inside of horses where the going was palpably inferior than the outside strip from which the winner and all of the placed horses came. Illuminati began his run from well back on the favourable outside but had to switch to the inside to get a clear run, so he also ended in the unfavourable going. He finished 9,75 lengths back in seventh place.

Many were of the opinion that Mac De Lago’s run in the KRA Guineas was a fluke due to his merit rating of 86. However, after winning his maiden over 1160m on debut, backed in from 33/1 to 12/1, he then achieved the rare feat of beating older horses in a handicap in just his second career outing. He ran off a 78 merit rating and thrashed them by 4,25 after producing a resolute finish from the near the back of the field under Marco van Rensburg.

Among the vanquished was the twice Gr 1-placed Daily News contender Deputy Jud, whom he beat by 4,3 lengths, although he was receiving 4kg. In his next start in the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel over 1450m, Mac de Lago was backed in from 12/1 to 7/2 but was found to be striding short in both front legs after running below par. Two runs later he was actually a touch unlucky in the Guineas because, after relaxing well on the rail from a pole position draw, he had to be eased for a stride or two at the top of the straight due to the compounding pacemaker Riff Raff.

However, he still managed to run on strongly for a two length second to the comfortable winner The Conglomerate. Australian-breds have been achieving fantastic results in South Africa this season and Mac De Lago could be one of the most under-estimated members of a non-vintage three-year-old male crop. His sire Encosta Delago was a twice leading sire in Australia and has produced horses ranging from sprinters to Oaks winers, so Mac Delago should stay the 200m trip, especially when considering that his Gr 1-winning dam Macavelli Miss (won a Gr 1 over 1600m) is by stamina influence Vettori.

Rampant Ice couldn’t initially go with them in the straight in the KRA Guineas but then began to run on strongly and was doing his best work late to finish 3,15 lengths back. He is by Go Deputy so should relish the extra trip and progeny of this sire also improve noticeably as late three-year-olds. His full sister out of the KRA Fillies Guineas runner up Strawberry Ice won impressively on debut over 1400m at Scottsville on Saturday, so he is a well-bred sort.

Illuminati came from last in the KRA Guineas and followed his stablemate Mac De Lago. He kept up with him until the final few strides and finished 3,6 lengths behind the winner. He is by the miler Lateral out of a dam by Fasliyev, who was a sprinter. This dam has tended to produce sprint-milers, so on pedigree there could be a slight stamina doubt. However,  Illuminati has raced over 2000m before, in a MR 89 Handicap on Turffontein Standside in December, and he was finishing well despite being caught three wide and running off a 96 Handicap to finish four lengths behind Vodacom Durban July entry Henry Higgins, who was only running off an 86 that day.

Mac de Lago is drawn 18 out of 18 with Weichong Marwing up, Rampant Ice has drawn well in six with Bernard Fayd’Herbe aboard and Illuminati is drawn 16 and Ian Sturgeon will likely ride if he gets in. However, it should be remembered that in the recent Gr 2 Betting World 1900 at this course the first five finishers came from double figure draws.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Weiho Marwing

Blinkers to get MLJet flying again

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One of the season’s most disappointing three-year-olds MLJet has joined the Summerveld yard of Gavin van Zyl, and will continue to run in the colours of owner Michael Leaf.

MLJet is not a Vodacom Durban July entry, but Van Zyl hinted that the big race could still be a consideration when saying that he would “see how it goes with him”.

Van Zyl also spoke about his July log top 20 incumbent No Worries and added that in his belief the country’s premier race would benefit from the added pressure for places now that the field had been reduced from the 20 strong of a couple of years ago.

MLJet was due to run at Greyville on Friday night in an Allowance Plate, but unfortunately the race has been scrapped due to only five horses accepting.

The Varsfontein Stud-bred Jet Master gelding put up a good gallop on the Summerveld grass with first-time blinkers yesterday (Monday) and will run in the headgear in his next race, which is likely to be the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 on May 30.

He looked set for big things after two impressive wins in Juvenile Plates at Clairwood last year were followed by an unlucky 0,25 length third to Equus Champion colt Harry’s Son in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville.

He has not lived up to expectations, although some of his runs, such as his 0,5 second to The Conglomerate in the Gr 3 Julius Baer Politician Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth when giving the latter 3kg, now look good on paper.

He joined Van Zyl’s yard after a disappointing run in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein on March 28, although the very soft ground did probably go against him in that race.

Van Zyl’s five-year-old Kahal gelding No Worries is in position 16 on the July log. No Worries can still be considered a borderline case, despite the size of the field being increased from 16 last year to 18.

He was not concerned about “unqualifying” him by running him in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and said, “There are three ways of getting into the July, through the front door (the top qualifiers like Futura, Legislate and Majmu), the side door (the mid-log incumbents who are relatively safe) and through the back door (the last minute feature race winners and placed horses who stake a late claim) and if you don’t make it you don’t deserve to be there.”

Van Zyl believed the current qualifying system would lead to the July developing into a truly great race packed with deserving participants. He added that the days of “moderates” qualifying could be over.

No Worries finished third in the Gr 1 President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m in his last start and Van Zyl said the strapping chestnut would be “ready” for both the Gold Challenge and the July.

He will continue to race in blinkers and Keagan de Melo will keep the ride for both races.

No Worries has become known as a handy to front-running type, oddly, because his two best runs, a short-head second to the top class Vercingetorix in the Daily News 2000 and a fourth place finish in the July, both came when producing flying finishes from way back in the running. He subsequently developed a bit of a headstrong habit down in his Cape Town campaign last season. However, he has settled nicely in the running since De Melo took over the reins and Van Zyl hoped that in his next two races the draw and factors like the pace would allow the versatile horse to employ the hold up tactics which brought his best results.

Van Zyl was pleased with his Horse Chestnut filly Banbury’s runner up finish over 1400m at Greyville on Sunday, which heralded a return to form, and said her next start would likely be in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

By David Thiselton

legislate nh

All about the race

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DATE: Saturday, 30 May 2015

AGE/ CONDITION: 3 Year Olds at Level Weights over 2000m

ENTRIES: 11:00am Friday, 15 May 2015 – Fee: R 4560

SUPP ENTRIES: 11:00am Friday, 22 May 2015 – Fee R 18240

WEIGHTS: Friday, 15 May 2015
Colts & Geldings – 60,0kg Fillies – 57,5kg
Northern Hemisphere allowance applies

DECLARATIONS: 11:00am Monday, 25 May 2015 – Fee R 18240

2014 DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1)

Horse: Legislate

Jockey: Richard Fourie

Trainer: Justin Snaith

Owners: Mr W J C Mitchell, Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) & Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D E Evans)

Breeder: Cheveley Stud

ROLL OF HONOUR:

2014

It was touted as the first big clash of the season, as the Cape Derby winner Legislate faced off against the racing royalty and triple crown holder Louis The King. However the Justin Snaith-trained Dynasty colt Legislate proved himself top class in giving fellow three year olds stars of 2014 a galloping lesson in Gr 1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville under Richard Fourie.

*Legislate went on to stamp his authority on the Champions Season by winning Africa’s greatest race the Vodacom Durban July just over a month later.

2013

Vercingetorix was perfectly placed by Anthony Delpech from a wide draw, and showed his hand early by taking the lead. Once in front his inexperience told as he began to loaf in front and appeared to give his biggest rival Capetown Noir the opportunity to steal the glory. But then the champion instinct kicked in and he fought back to win the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. Now with a record of four from four, Vercingetorix became the first three-year-old colt to go into the Vodacom Durban July unbeaten since 1987.

*Unfortunately Vercingetorix never took his place in the Vodacom Durban July, but did compete successfully internationally winning the Group One Jebel Hatta in 2014 and Group 2 Al Rashidiya in 2015 in Dubai and is now on his way back to South Africa to stand amongst the best stallions in the country at Maine Chance Stud.

2012

The pressure was certainly on the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby-winner Jackson as he was sent out at short odds for the 2012 running of the Gr1 Daily News 2000. Under the calm hands of young Karis Teetan, Jackson was perfectly settled behind the early pace. Once in the straight Teetan switched him out for a run and he was quickly eyeballing the leaders. At the 200m mark the son of Dynasty kicked clear of the pack to secure his second Grade 1 title, significantly slashing his odds for the upcoming Vodacom Durban July.

* Jacksons third Gr 1 victory came in the Champions Cup a year later and he is now doing stud duties at the picturesque Highlands Stud. His regular pilot Karis Teetan is now successfully riding in Hong Kong.