Category Archives: Woolavington

Daily News 2000 final fields

Posted on by

Final field and draws for the Gr1 Daily News 2000 to be run over 2000m at Greyville on Saturday May 28: 

SC DR HORSE              WGT  M/R     JOCKEY            TRAINER

1  5 NEW PREDATOR (AUS) 60.0 110   A  W Marwing         Johan Janse van Vuuren

2 16 SAMURAI BLADE (AUS 60.0 108 T A  S Khumalo         Sean Tarry

3  8 RABADA             60.0 106   A  A Marcus          Mike Azzie

4  1 ROCKETBALL         60.0 105 T A  W Kennedy         Gavin van Zyl

5 15 PROSPECT STRIKE    60.0 104 T A  G van Niekerk     Sean Tarry

6 11 IT’S MY TURN       60.0 101   A  A Delpech         Justin Snaith

7  7 TEN GUN SALUTE (AU 60.0 101 T A  B Lerena          Duncan Howell

8  6 CELTIC CAPTAIN     60.0 100  BA  K de Melo         Gavin van Zyl

9 13 MAMBO MIME         60.0 100   A  S Randolph        Dean Kannemeyer

10 12 REDCARPET CAPTAIN  60.0 100   A  R Danielson       Gavin van Zyl

11  2 STEBBINS           60.0  98 TBA  Wes Marwing       Weiho Marwing

12 14 SYLVESTER THE CAT  60.0  98   A  C Zackey          Duncan Howell

13  3 TRADING PROFIT     60.0  96   A *C Murray          Mike Azzie

14  9 LIEGE              60.0  93 T A  K Zechner         Sean Tarry

15 10 BROOKLYN BRAWLER   60.0  92   A *L Hewitson        Justin Snaith

16  4 BANKABLE TEDDY     60.0  89  BA  M Yeni            Brian Wiid

 

Final field and draws for the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 to be run over 2000m at Greyville on Saturday May 28: 

SC DR HORSE              WGT  M/R      JOCKEY            TRAINER

.1  7 BELA-BELA          60.0 107   A  A Delpech         Justin Snaith

2 10 HEAPS OF FUN       60.0 104 T A  S Khumalo         Sean Tarry

3  5 NEGROAMARO         60.0 102   A  W Marwing         Johan Janse van Vuuren

4  8 FLYING ICE         60.0  98  BA  R Danielson       Neil Bruss

5  6 WITCHCRAFT         60.0  94 T A  B Lerena          Sean Tarry

6  4 NIGHTINGALE        60.0  92   A  G van Niekerk     Mike Bass

7  1 POLYPHONIC         60.0  90   A  J P v’d Merwe     Alec Laird

8 12 ADORADA            60.0  86   A  M Byleveld        Vaughan Marshall

9 11 CHRISTMAS CAROL    60.0  83   A  C Maujean         Geoff Woodruff

10  9 FORTISSIMA         60.0  82 T A  A Marcus          Joe Soma

11  2 RULER OF THE SKY   60.0  76 T A  M Yeni            Luiz Cunha

12  3 ALL MINE           60.0  75   A  S Randolph        Glen Kotzen

13 13 TIDE IS TURNING    60.0  71  BA *C Habib           James Goodman

sky grand prix

Grand Prix Aerobatics & Daily News 2000

Posted on by

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

 

image nevillefzu tntlowres

Sky Grand Prix comes to Greyville

Posted on by

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.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Mountain run a mystery

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Black Arthur new July favourite

Posted on by

Black Arthur and stable companion Bela-Bela had bookmakers scrambling to change their odds display for the Vodacom Durban July after Justin Snaith’s charges turned in superb performances in the Gr2 Canon Guineas and G2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and Friday evening at Greyville could prove a defining meeting in Africa’s Champion Season. All three features provided plenty of fodder for the formbook and any intrepid punters sitting with 12-1 about Black Arthur and 45-1 about Bela-Bela, may not be in the league of those who got the 5000-1 about Leicester City, but are entitled to be smug.

After stunning displays in the two Classics, Black Arthur displaced Legal Eagle (4-1) as anti-post favourite for the July – 3-1 on some boards but 7-2 still available – while Bela-Bela is now 14-1. Of Black Arthur Delpech said, “He’s the type of horse I would like to ride in the July,” the four-time July winning jockey confirming what all had just witnessed.

Black Arthur, home-bred by Alec and Gillian Foster, was beaten favourite in the Investec Derby at the end of the Cape summer but arrived in KZN with a mighty reputation. Delpech has the pick of the Snaith rides for the Western Cape Champion trainer during his KZN campaign and it took a single gallop for Delpech to decide between Baritone, Derby winner It’s My Turn and Black Arthur.

Seemingly out-paced from the gate as Sylvester The Cat set a suicidal gallop in overcoming his wide draw, Delpech slotted him in on the rail behind a charging pack. “I thought it might be a touch short for him but they went very, very fast which was in his favour,” Delpech confirmed.

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up - Nkosi Hlophe

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up – Nkosi Hlophe

Aimed for home, Delpech threaded his mount through the traffic and once in space the son of Silvano sailed through to win as he liked in spite of the winning margin being less than a length.

Race favourite Rabada settled in behind Sylvester The Cat and looked destine to keep his clean sheet at Greyville in tact before Black Arthur mowed him down with the line in sight while third and fourth placed Mambo Mime and Ten Gun Salute also had their July odds trimmed after promising performances.

All four look destined to meet in the Daily News 2000 that at this stage is brewing into one of the races of the season.

If Delpech needed a dress rehearsal for Black Arthur he got it in on the grey Bela-Bela who turned in a similar display of galloping in the Daisy Fillies Guineas to give trainer and jockey a Classic double. Nearer last than first turning for home, Delpech also had to pick his way through traffic before accelerating away to win in commanding fashion. It was a display out of the top draw.

“I rode two very good horses tonight,” was Delpech’s parting shot.

Race favourite Silver Mountain never got going and it was left to stable companion Nightingale to carry the stable flag although Bela-Bela went past her like she was looking for parking.

Johan Janse van Vuuren commented before the race that Negroamaro was off her best form but it was not by far. “I think she’s still a bit soft. We skipped the Oaks to go for the Woolavington.” The grey was in contention half a furlong out but was run down by Bela-Bela and Nightingale.

But if Negroamara was underdone, Van Vuuren’s New Predator was “gaar” as they say in Afrikaans. The three-year-old blew away his rivals in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in a display that will have sent a chilled down Sean Tarry’s spine if indeed Legal Eagle has the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge on his agenda.

New Predator

New Predator

Although beaten four lengths by Legal Eagle in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, New Predator was given a puzzling ride that afternoon as he was sent for home nearly 800m out, but he did show an exceptional turn of foot albeit off a slow pace.

The Greyville ‘mile’ with its short straight is right up New Predator’s alley and the switch in course could extend Tarry’s champion a tad more.

Disappointment was race favourite Legislate but Snaith was quick with an explanation. “Legislate didn’t saddle well. He walked around the ring with his head down and I know we were in trouble. But what can you do.”

Snaith will no doubt have the puzzled solved by this morning and have Legislate back on track to defend his Gold Challenge crown.

Triptique ran a cracker in second in his first venture beyond 1200m and could now be a candidate for the Gold Challenge while Ice Machine ran his usual game race, coming from last to third.

By Andrew Harrison

Betting on the R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, July 2:

7-2 Black Arthur, 4-1 Legal Eagle, 11-2 Abashiri, 14-1 French Navy, Bela-Bela, The Conglomerate, 16-1 Brazuca, New Predator, 20-1 Rabada, Nightingale, 22-1 Mac De Lago, 25-1 Samurai Blade, Marinaresco, 33-1 Silver Mountain, Master Sabina, Deo Juvente, It’s My Turn, 40-1 Negroamaro, 50-1 Baritone, 55-1 Trophy Wife, 66-1 Inara, Dynastic Power, Ten Gun Salute, Mambo Mime, Saratoga Dancer, 7-1 Paterfamilias, 80-1 Olma, Prospect Strike, Punta Arenas, Romany Prince, Cape Speed, Master Switch, 100-1 and upwards others.

Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

Baritone to step up

Posted on by
Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

The SA Champions Season kicks off with three Gr 2s at Greyville tonight and Justin Snaith should go close to landing a feature race treble.

In the Canon Guineas Baritone has to overcome a tricky draw. However, he looks to be an ever improving sort and should have come on from his Byerley Turk run, where he ran on strongly and only just failed. He came from a wide draw that night and was carrying 4kg more than the winner Mambo Mime. He should appreciate the 200m step up in trip.

His stable companion Black Arthur is highly regarded and the form of his Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes win has worked out well. Before that he beat Mambo Mime by 0,5 lengths over 1600m and the latter is now 5kg better off with him. This puts Baritone’s Byerley Turk effort into a good light on strict formlines. Mambo Mime is learning all the time and improving so could earn a cheque.

Rabada won a Gr 1 over course and distance as a two-year-old and has come on in leaps and bounds from his recent

victorious comeback from injury. His SA Triple Crown-winning yard is on a high and he is a big runner, despite a wide draw.

Prospect Strike finished just 0,75 lengths behind Rabada in the aforementioned Gr 1 and is coming off a 1,2 length defeat by the latter over 1400m. He should now be cherry ripe and will relish the step up to this trip. The downside is the very wide draw.

Muwaary was disappointing in the Gr 1 SA Classic, but the maestro trainer Mike de Kock is likely to have got to the bottom of it and this classy sort could bounce back.

Redcarpet Captain has had excuses for his last couple of starts, including over racing, and from a good draw with the blinkers off he could use his telling turn of foot from off the pace to run a good race.

It’s My Turn won the Investec Cape Derby in good style and should be staying on after being dropped out from a wide draw.

Exit Here’s last run can be ignored, as he hated the sloppy conditions on the poly after a torrential downpour, and he will relish the step up to 1600m from the 1400m of the Million Dollar where he ran a fine fifth considering the slow pace didn’t suit him.

Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute both have plenty of class and it would be no surprise to see them involved in the finish, although the former has a tough draw.

It's My Turn (Liesl King)

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

Victorious Jay is better than his last start and could bounce back.

Malak Al Moolook could earn if repeating his Gauteng Guineas third place.

Royal Armour has to prove he is as good on turf as he is on the poly.

The selection is Baritone to beat Rabada and Black Arthur, with Mambo Mime and Redcarpet Captain next best.

The Daisy Guineas sees a much anticipated clash between Silver Mountain and Bela-Bela, who are both packed with class. Silver Mountain should be perfectly suited to Greyville with her zippiness and fine turn of foot.  Bela-Bela is much better than her Cape Fillies Guineas run, when well beaten by Silver Mountain. Her subsequent Paddock Stakes third proved how good she is and the best has probably not been seen of her yet, so a victory over Silver Mountain would not be a great surprise. Trainer Neil Bruss is bullish about the chances of Flying Ice, who will relish the step up in trip and who has been unlucky in her last two starts when finishing second in both. The Bella Sonata yard believe she is better than her form suggests and she has enjoyed a fine preparation. Shatoosh has a long stride and a fine turn of foot. She could be the dark horse. Intergalactic has a chance on her Empress Club Stakes run when a 1,4 length third to Inara. Fromafar raced wide when winning a feature here over 1400m last time, so can’t be written off.  Nightingale and Negroamara both have class but would both prefer a touch further. Alexa has a good draw for a change and is an interesting runner as one who made up a lot of ground from hopeless positions in the Gauteng Guineas and SA Fillies Classic. Our Destiny over raced with blinkers on and they are now off so she could earn if repeating her Cape Fillies Guineas runner up finish. Taffety Tart and Lala have the ability to earn but have tough draws. Killer Woman looks to have some class but will have to put her last poor run behind her.

The selection is Silver Mountain to beat Bela-Bela and Flying Ice with Shatoosh and Bella Sonata next best.

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

The IOS Drill Hall Stakes could be won by Ice Machine if things pan out right for him.

There does not look to be much hope of the good pace he will prefer and Legislate could in that case dictate from the front.

However,  Ice Machine is still tipped to fly up and touch off Legislate, with Night Trip, who seems to love Greyville, staying on for third. The dark horses are Saratoga Dancer, who has plenty of class and the best has not yet been of him, and Triptique, who has been doing very well but there is a question mark over the trip. New Predator also has to be given a lot of respect on his best form.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

Smart Call (Liesl King)

Smart Call raised to 121

Posted on by

The handicappers have raised J&B Met winner Smart Call’s merit rating nine points to 121 after she put in officially the best performance by a filly in South Africa since the merit rating system was introduced here just before the turn of the century.

Smart Call is a member of one of the strongest female crops in South African history, if not the strongest in terms of depth, and she didn’t just beat the best males in the land on Saturday, she annihilated them and appeared to do it effortlessly.

If Legal Eagle had been used as the line horse she would have been accorded a 122, but the handicappers observed a number of horses had run exactly to their ratings, including the like of Punta Arenas and Gold Onyx, when compared to the performances of Captain America and Paterfamilias, so the latter pair were used as the measure.

Legal Eagle was said by the handicappers to have run to his 120 merit rating in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and in the Met he confirmed form with all of the horses he had beaten in the former race, including Captain America, the disappointing pair Legislate and Futura, Gold Onyx, King Of Pain and Master Sabina.

Smart Call (Liesl King)

Smart Call (Liesl King)

The only horse who could possibly detract from Smart Call’s win on Saturday would be the 4,8 length fourth-placed Light The Lights, who ran way above his 101 merit rating. However, he has always been talented and gelding has seen him realising his potential. The handicappers have duly raised him 10 points to 111.

Futura has been dropped two points to 117 after two disappointing runs in succession and the stallion paddock might be calling for him as he has little left to prove.

Smart Call was receiving a 2,5kg female allowance and 0,5kg four-year-old allowance on Saturday but also had to carry the 2kg Gr 1 penalty which all of Legal Eagle, Captain America, Legislate, Futura and Master Sabina had to carry, and she won by 3,5 lengths.

The filly Igugu’s J&B Met (2012) and Vodacom Durban July (2011)-winning performances were not as good as Smart Call’s on paper and neither was River Jetez’s 2010 Met win.

Ipi Tombe, like Igugu, won the July as a three-year-old but it was in a blanket finish, so she would not have been accorded a very high performance rating, although she did then go on to prove herself on the world stage.

The filly sprinters Val De Ra and Alboran Sea both had weight for age Gr 1 victories over horses who went on to be rated 121 and 120 respectively i.e. What A Winter and Captain Of All, but those victories came before the latter pair had reached those heights.

The great Empress Club destroyed the boys on a number of occasions in Gr 1 races, including beating July winner Flaming Rock in both the Queen’s Plate and the Met, and Smart Call likely has some way to go to be put alongside her, but the former ran in the days before merit ratings existed.

Smart Call is now on her way to the Breeders Cup and that stage will be the ultimate test of whether the handicappers have rated the cream of South African racing correctly.

By David Thiselton

smart call gallop lk site

Smart Call aimed at Breeders’ Cup

Posted on by

Alec Laird said: “We plan to get her to England in June when she will stay at Mary Slack’s Abington Place stables in Newmarket with me as the trainer.

“We haven’t yet decided whether she should have her prep races in England. France would also be a possibility although America might offer a softer option.

“On the other hand it might make more sense to travel to America with the other UK horses going for the Breeders’ Cup. But we now know that we have the best horse in South Africa to send there.”

True. The daughter of Ideal World didn’t just beat her male opponents, she absolutely slaughtered them, coming right away in the final furlong to put three and a half lengths between herself and Queen’s Plate winner Legal Eagle. The 8-1 chance’s time of 2 min 3.17 sec has been bettered only three times in the last 15 Mets – by Pocket Power in 2007, River Jetez three years later and Martial Eagle in 2013.

Even Laird (also successful with London News 19 years earlier) admitted: “This was beyond my expectations. I was hoping to win but not at as well as that.”

Owner-breeder Jessica Slack added: “I’m blown away. It’s like a fairytale. Grandma (Bridget Oppenheimer) would be really happy.”

JP van der Merwe,25, repeatedly saluting as he began to pull up, did not finally know the ride was his until he landed at Cape Town airport just after 9.00am. Weichong Marwing’s bad back had also cost the sidelined jockey a bonanza pay day in the CTS Million Dollar.

Captain America, who ran on well to take third, is to be aimed at the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (April 2) that he won last year. Brett Crawford said: “He won’t go to Durban because the tracks there don’t suit him.”

Fourth-placed Light The Lights will go there, though, with Glen Kotzen saying: “This horse is progressively getting better and our main mission will probably be the Durban July.”

Crawford will, however, send Delma Sherrell’s Gulf Storm who benefitted from first time blinkers to get the best of a blanket finish for the Betting World Cape Flying Championship and give Corne Orffer, 35, his first Grade 1 success.

The Philippi trainer, who also won this with Laisserfaire in 2002, said: “I didn’t put them on before because he used to over-race but, coming back to 1 000m, I felt I had to. I tried them last week and he put up a superb gallop. He will run again at Scottsville where he was second in the Tsogo Sun Horse Sprint last season.”

Brutal Force was beaten only a head and Donovan Dillon reported: “I thought I was going to do it. He ran a hell of a race.” Joey Ramsden added that the four-year-old is likely to stick to sprints.

Carry On Alice (third) led until about 30m out and S’Manga Khumalo said: “She just got tired.” Tevez made up a fair bit of ground to take a close-up fourth – the first four were covered by less than half a length – and Aldo Domeyer reported: “He was comfy most of the way and for a while I thought I might get there but at the end he just stayed on.”

Anton Marcus, last but one on the heavily-backed and disappointing Guiness, was fined R 1 000 for failing to keep straight for the first 200m. The vet could find nothing wrong with Trip Tease (last) but Piere Strydom said his mount coughed.

> Phumelela boss Clyde Basel reported the crowd 15% up on last year.

By Michael Clower
Picture (Liesl King): Smart Call (Anton Marcus up) at the J&B Met gallops