Category Archives: 2000

Uncertainty with Black Arthur

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Black Arthur, 14-10 favourite with World Sports Betting for Saturday’s Daily News, is not certain to run.

Justin Snaith said on Saturday: “It’s 50:50 and it’s a tough decision, one that Alec Foster has to make. Obviously I have my opinion – and I want to protect the horse.

“When Legislate won the Daily News two years ago he then had to carry 56k in the July and that is a big weight for a three-year-old. It also takes a lot out of a horse.”

Black Arthur has been favourite for the July since winning the Canon Guineas earlier this month. Snaith confirmed that his Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn is definite runner in Saturday’s Greyville Grade 1, adding: “He is doing very well.”

By Michael Clower

sky grand prix

Grand Prix Aerobatics & Daily News 2000

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A spectacular aerobatic display over Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Saturday, May 28, including two performances by the famous South African Air Force Silver Falcons, will be part of an exhilarating day of air and ground entertainment that also features two of the most important horse races on the South African calendar, the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the R1-million, Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics featuring 10 of the world’s best aerobatic pilots will be the biggest and best air display ever over the central Durban area which, in addition to the thrilling aerobatic manoeuvres, will include two fly pasts by Boeing 737-800 airliners, a model aircraft display and skydivers in a combined presentation by Gold Circle, the Daily News and the South African Aerobatic Club.

The air display will get underway at 9am with the gates to Greyville opening at 7.30am. Entrance to Greyville in the morning will cost R220 for adults and R50 for children under 12 and tickets can be obtained from Computicket or at the gate. There will be live commentary and big-screen coverage of the daring air manoeuvres which will be first for the city.

From 1pm, entrance to Greyville will be FREE for the racing fans attending the Daily News Racemeeting which takes place in the afternoon.  Those patrons will also be able to catch the tail end of the high-flying extravaganza with the awards and podium ceremony taking place at the course after the running of the first race.

The pilots will be in attendance at the course to meet the crowd and after the running of the second race the skydivers will make their final drop to close off the pageant.

It is important that the public are aware that due to health and safety regulations there will be no parking in the Greyville Racecourse in-field area and some of the roads in the vicinity of Greyville will be closed.

For those attending, the famous Galloping Gourmet Beer & Braai Festival situated near the Braai Zone will be in action throughout the day but the popular KidZone will be closed.

Entry forms for the fabulous Daily News competition worth R64 000 that offers a two-night stay for four people, inclusive of breakfast, in the magnificent Penthouse Suite at Fairmont Zimbali Resort can be deposited in the competition boxes at Greyville before the running of the 5th race.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY

TIME EVENT
08:25-08:30 Welcome, Flag raising and FAI Anthem
08:30-09:00 Sky Grand Prix Known Sequence Pilots 1-5
09:00-09:10 Airline Boeing 737-800 Flypast subject to schedule
09:10-09:40 Sky Grand Prix Known Sequence Pilots 6-10
09:40-10:00 Silver Falcons Team Display
10:00-10:05 Results Known Sequence and Unknown Intro
10:05-10:35 Sky Grand Prix Unknown Sequence Pilots 1-5
10:35-10:50 Raptors RV Team Display
10:50-11:20 Sky Grand Prix Unknown Sequence Pilots 6-10
11:20-11:30 Skydivers
11:30-11:35 Results Unknown Sequence and Freestyle Intro
11:35-11:40 Airline Boeing 737-800 Flypast subject to schedule
11:40-12:10 Sky Grand Prix Freestyle Sequence Pilots 1-5
12:10-12:20 Model Aircraft Display
12:20-12:45 Sky Grand Prix Freestyle Sequence Pilots 6-9
12:45-13:00 Silver Falcons Team Closing Display
13:00 FREE Entrance for Racegoers
13:15-13:50 Pilot Meet and Greet
13:55 Race 1
14:05-14:20 Awards and Podium at Greyville after Horse Race 1
14:40 Race 2
14:50-15:00 Skydivers
15:20 Race 3
15:55 Race 4
16:30 Race 5 – Woolavington 2000
17:10 Race 6 – Lonsdale Stirrup Cup
17:45 Race 7
18:25 Race 8
19:00 Race 9

 

Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

Will Abashiri run?

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Public hero Abashiri is “getting better everyday” in the aftermath of his ultra tough SA Derby run, which saw him hard driven to win narrowly, thus becoming the third horse in history to land the SA Triple Crown.

However, trainer Mike Azzie said it was still too early to say whether the Go Deputy gelding would participate in the Vodacom Durban July.

He added, “If he gets topweight I don’t think he will run.”

A condition of the July is three-year-old males being limited at the publications of the weights to carry a maximum of 57kg.

However, if the current highest rated horse among the entries, Legal Eagle, is scratched after the publications of the weights, the weights will then be dragged upward.

In that case French Navy would be dragged up from 57,5kg to 60kg and Abashiri would go from 56,5kg up to 59kg, which would be the highest weight a three-year-old has ever been asked to carry in the July.

Azzie has a good back up horse in Gr 1-winner Rabada.

He felt this Brave Tin Soldier colt was unlucky in Friday night’s Gr 2 Canon Guineas. He pointed out Rabada had to be used up to find a handy position from a wide draw and the pace up front had then been a blistering one. He added Black Arthur had consequently had the run of the race coming from a good draw. Black Arthur was soon relaxed at the back on the rail and was able to stride out throughout, due to the fast pace. In fact he had to be scrubbed along by Anthony Delpech to keep up.

Azzie said, “He only beat us by half-a-length, but I think it could be a different story in the Daily News, provided we get a good draw.”

Azzie has a high regard for the four-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding Greek Legend, who won a good race over 1600m at Turffontein in his second run after a layoff for a suspensory injury, prevailing over the previously unbeaten Chepardo. He added Greek Legend had been doing “very, very well” at Summerveld. He has drawn well in seven among the long list of Gr 2 Betting World 1900 nominations, although off just a 91 merit rating it remains to be seen whether he will get into the race or not.

Azzie will aim former SA Derby runner up and Supreme Cup winner Deputy Jud at the Gr 3 Track And Ball Derby at Scottsville on June 19. He said his last run could have a line drawn through it, because this horse needed cover to be affective.

He reckoned his sprinter Splendid Garden, who finished a fine fifth in the Gr 1 WSB Computafirm Sprint considering he jumped from an unfavourable low draw, would be in the “shake up” in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville on June 4 and added he would appreciate the step up to 1200m.

Azzie also has three nice two-year-old campaigners in colts Rivarine and Aussie Austin and filly Announcing Rain.

Meanwhile, Shatoosh, who finished 7,25 lengths back in the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on Friday night will be put away until next season as Azzie believes time given for her to mature will be beneficial.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

image nevillefzu tntlowres

Sky Grand Prix comes to Greyville

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There will be exhilarating high-speed action at and above Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Saturday, May 28, with aerobatic aircraft tumbling, twisting and flashing across the heavens prior to the start of one of the country’s iconic racemeetings featuring the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the R1-million, Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

Gold Circle, the South African Aerobatic Club and the Daily News are collaborating in the two presentations with the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics taking place over the grassy expanse of the Royal Durban Golf Course during the morning and the horseracing getting underway in the afternoon.

Greyville Racecourse will be the perfect vantage point to view the aerobatic manoeuvres performed by five world class South African and five leading international pilots from 9am on the day with the gates to the course opening an hour earlier.  The live expert commentary and big screen coverage of the Sky Grand Prix will be unique to those attending the event at Greyville Racecourse.

Entrance tickets to Greyville for the air show, at a cost of R220 per person and R50 for children under 12, can be obtained through Computicket.

The public attending both events should note, however, that due to the health and safety regulations related to air shows, there will be no parking at the Greyville in-field area and certain roads around the area will be closed.

However, from 13:00 entrance to Greyville for the Daily News 2000 racemeeting will be FREE and the main action will be on the racetrack where the focus will be on the many horses fighting to establish their authority as the best three-year-olds in the country and to secure places in the 18-horse field to face the starter in the R4.25-million, Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July a few weeks later.

The classic three-year-old level weights race was first run in 1961 and came under the banner of The Daily News in 1987. With runners from all parts of South Africa it is rated as the ultimate test of the young horses and in its 55-year history seven winners of the event have gone on to win the Vodacom Durban July in the same year.

Daily News 2000 raceday is a highly entertaining meeting and one of the popular features at the Theatre of Champions, as it is now known, is the Galloping Gourmet Beer & Braai Festival next to the Braai Zone area at the course. The Festival will be in action throughout the day including during the aerobatic display, and will feature live music, food stalls offering a variety of casual dishes, and popular brews. The popular Kids Zone will not be in operation on the day.

The Daily News is also running a fabulous competition for the public that offers a two night stay for four people, inclusive of breakfast, worth R64 000 in the magnificent Penthouse Suite at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort.

The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics will have viewers searching the skies but when the racetrack action begins they will be brought back to ground for some of the most exciting thoroughbred racing they will ever see.

Kennedy has tough choice

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Gavin Van Zyl stable jockey Warren Kennedy faces a difficult choice of ride for the forthcoming Gr 1 Daily News 2000, an always vital Vodacom Durban July pointer which is to be run at Greyville on May 28.

Meanwhile, Anton Marcus was impressed by Rabada’s run in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas on Friday night and Geoff Woodruff revealed the respective routes his Vodacom Durban July entries Deo Juvente and Master Sabina would be taking.

Kennedy always knew the Van Zyl-trained Rocketball would stay the 2450m trip of the Gr 1 SA Derby and also knew the field would come back to him due to the furious pace up front. However, he was surprised by how easily the horse had made up the ground under a tight hold. Abashiri then went tearing past and opened up a two length lead at which point Kennedy thought he would be running for second.

However, in the end he nearly caught the Triple Crown hero. With both of their heads down all the way to the line neither jockey knew who had won and Kennedy answered Karl Zechner’s question in the pull up by saying, “I think I might have got it.” Zechner had been under enormous pressure throughout the day and his relief moments later was palpable.

However, Kennedy did question the strength of the Derby field beyond the first three finishers.

The Van Zyl-trained Celtic Captain, on the other hand, faced a strong field on Friday night in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas and finished a decent 2,3 length sixth.

Kennedy said, “He moved through beautifully and struck the front comfortably, but just as he did so he lifted his head and wanted to move outward. I think he might have seen the big TV screen.”

Stablemate Redcarpet Captain bounced back to form and stayed on well for a 2,65 length eighth. Jockey Keagan de Melo believes he will stay the 2000m trip of the Daily News. However, Kennedy felt it would not be wise to opt for Redcarpet Captain for the Daily News as a horse with a stamina question mark.

He concluded by saying he would likely be asked to ride Rocketball again, although he could not separate him from Celtic Captain, whose dam won over 2400m and who should still be improving after recent gelding.

Marcus was impressed Rabada had stayed on for second on Friday night, despite having to be used early to overcome his draw and find a handy position. He pointed out the two horses ahead of him in the running of the fast paced race had finished close to last. However, he felt Black Arthur would be tough to beat in the Daily News.

Woodruff said Deo Juvente’s only preparation race into the July would be the Gr 3 Jubilee at Turffontein on June 12, which significantly takes place after the publication of the July weights. Sansui Summer Cup winner Master Sabina will race in a Pinnacle Stakes event as his July preparation.

David Thiselton

Picture: Warren Kennedy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Mountain run a mystery

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Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe said WSB Cape Guineas winner Silver Mountain “didn’t raise a gallop” in the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on Friday night.

His brother Robert, who is taking care of Mike Bass’s SA Champions Season string at Summerveld, has also been left mystified as the star filly has pulled up 100% fine.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The diminutive Silvano filly lacked her normal zip and might not have enjoyed the going on the night, which appeared to be soft.

She finished a 5,5 length fifth having turned for home perfectly placed to pounce from a midfield position on the rail.

The stablemate from the Mike Bass yard Nightingale ran a cracker to finish second and will relish the extra trip of the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

Bernard was also aboard a fancied disappointment in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas, the Justin Snaith-trained Baritone, who was moving up well before running out of steam.

However, he reported to the stipendiary stewards the colt had “choked up in the latter stages.”

Meanwhile, some anomalies have already surfaced out of the new handicapping guidelines, which the handicappers had forced upon them despite being strongly opposed to some of the new restrictive measures.

For example, Nightingale could only be raised to a 92 merit rating due to the rule a Gr 2 runner up can only be raised a maximum of five points.

This means she would receive 3kg from Daisy Guineas fourth-placed Flying Ice in a handicap, despite having beaten her on Friday night by 3,5 lengths.

Another example is the Joey Soma-trained Fortissima, who is currently merit rated 82, despite having finished second in the Gr 2 R1 million SA Oaks.

By David Thiselton

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Black Arthur or Bela-Bela

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Anthony Delpech was asked shortly after landing the Canon and Daisy Guineas double at Greyville on Friday night which of the two Justin Snaith-trained winners he would prefer to partner for the Vodacom Durban July.

Black Arthur was the answer, the main reason being the horse’s stamina reserves. He waxed lyrical about the classy colt and could not quite believe how far out of his ground he had come from. Later, Snaith said the answer to the aforementioned question lay in the betting. Black Arthur’s July odds were slashed from 50/1 to 12/1 last week and following his Guineas win he is now 33/10 favourite with Betting World.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Delpech had earlier called Bela-Bela a “special” filly, but was not sure she would get the 2200m July trip, although he felt against her own gender she would “get away” with the 2000m of the Gr 1 Woolavington.

Both horses have come out of their respective races superbly, according to Snaith.

He confirmed Bela-Bela would be going for the Woolavington, which has always been her aim.

However, Black Arthur is a typically immature son of Silvano and Snaith said, “He is high quality and we want to still have a horse for next season, so must be careful which route we take with him.”

It was the first time both Delpech and Snaith had achieved the Guineas double at the same meeting. However, Delpech had been confident of doing it. He had told his family in the morning how badly he had wanted to add this accolade to his CV and felt this could be the year.

Snaith went close to the Guineas double two years ago. In The Fast Lane was beaten in the fillies race at odds of 15/10, before Legislate won the Guineas at odds of 11/2.

This year it was Legislate who let the side down, running no sort of race in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, despite starting at odds of 11/10.

Snaith said the former Equus Horse a Of The Year had been far too “quiet” in the parade ring for his liking and the yard were still monitoring him yesterday, but nothing obvious had yet been detected.

By David Thiselton