Category Archives: Champions Cup

ws seventh plain

Breeders battle down to the wire

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An interesting sideshow this week will be the race for the Breeders Championships. KZN kingpins Summerhill look set to wrest the trophy from reigning champions Klawervlei Stud and thereby land a milestone tenth national title.

On Saturday Glen Puller and Heavelon van der Hoven helped Klawervlei close the gap on Summerhill by winning the Gr 3 Final Fling Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth with Harlem Shake, who became Warm White Night’s first stakes-winning daughter.

By close of play on Saturday Klawervlei on R19,782,625 were R610,187 behind Summerhill, whose runners had earned R20,392,812 in the season up until then.

The two biggest stakes earning opportunities on Super Saturday are in the Gr 2 R1,25 million eLan Property Group Gold Cup and the Gr 1 R1 million Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup and Summerhill are the only one of the pair represented in either race.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Summerhill-bred five-year-old Kahal gelding Solar Star showed he will likely stay every inch of the Gold Cup 3200m trip when staying on for a 2,3 length fifth in the Gr 3 Gold Vase over 3000m on Vodacom Durban July day, despite having no cover the whole way. He will be better off in the weights with all four who beat him and is now drawn in pole.

The Summerhill-bred five-year-old Geoff Woodruff-trained gelding Arch Rival is by the stamina influence A P Arrow and is another with a fine chance, despite a wide draw of 14. In his last two starts he has won the Gr 2 Gold Bowl over 3200m and a Pinnacle Stakes event over 2450m, both at Turffontein. In the latter event he beat the ruling Gold Cup favourite Enaad by 0,4 lengths and is now 1,5kg better off.

No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)

No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the Champions Cup over 1800m the Gavin Van Zyl-trained Summerhill-bred six-year-old Kahal gelding No Worries bounced back to form with two fine performances over 2400m, but then proved this had little to do with a step up in trip when running on strongly off the back of a slow pace to win the KZN Breeders Million Mile. He is drawn nine on Saturday.

Klawervlei might close the gap early in the meeting with their sole representative in the Gr 2 R300,000 Debutante Stakes. Vaughan Marshall has had a fine SA Champions Season, sending out 49 runners for ten wins, a strike rate of 20,41%, and included among them are two Gr 1s and a Gr 3. His runner in the Debutante is the Klawervlei-bred Philanthropist filly Flash Fire, a long striding sort who did not find the necessary extra from a high draw in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m on the Greyville turf last time out. Her previous two runs had also been over 1400m and yielded a win at Scottsville. She now steps down to 1200m, albeit from another tricky draw of seven. If breaking well she is a dark horse as she is not without speed.

Both Summerhill and Klawervlei have a runner each in the Gr 2 R300,000 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m. The Tony Rivalland-trained Visionaire gelding Count Von Count won the Eightfold Path KZN Breeders Juvenile 1200 in eyecatching style on the poly and from a good draw of three should  be able to use his fine turn of foot to good affect again. He will also have a 2kg weight advantage over the Sean Tarry-trained Klawervlei-bred Trippi colt Flying Myth, who beat the useful Rivarine on debut before finishing third in the Gr 3 Protea Stakes and then romping home in a Juvenile Plate event over 1160m at Turffontein. Flying Myth has a fine chance, but faces a tough draw of eleven.

Summerhill have a runner in both the Gr 1 R600,000 Thekwini Stakes and the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes, both over 1600m, while Klawervlei are not represented in either race. The Mike Azzie-trained Summerhill-bred Golden Sword filly Oasis Queen won over 1450m at Turffontein with second time blinkers on and then, despite odds of 25/1, finished a two length second to Safe Harbour over 1400m. She relaxed well in front in the latter event and being by Golden Sword, who won a Gr 3 over twelve-and-a-half furlongs, out of a National Assembly mare who has produced both a 2000m and an 1800m winner, she should enjoy the step up in trip in the Thekwini. She could be the dark horse from a plum draw.

In the Premier’s Champions Stakes the Tarry-trained Summerhill-bred Visionaire colt Africa Rising could be anything having caught the eye on debut when running on strongly to win over 1200m. He was backed in from 6/1 to 2/1 and beat the hard-knocking Rock Of Africa by 0,75 lengths and there was a further 5,25 lengths back to the rest of the field. The athletic sort is out of a Braashee mare, so might enjoy the step up in trip.

In the Gr 2 R400,000 Gold Bracelet over 1800m, Klawervlei are not represented while Summerhill have the Sean Tarry-trained Kahal filly Intergalactic and the Doug Campbell-trained Visionaire filly Lala. Intergalactic is course and distance suited and is the joint second highest merit-rated horse in the weight for age event, while Lala has a tough task being the joint second lowest rated horse.

In the Listed R150,000 Umgeni Handicap over 1200m on the poly Klawervlei have the widely drawn Charles Laird-trained filly Beloved Country, who will need to improve on her last run.

Klawervlei’s slim hopes of retaining the title appear to rest on them having an exceptional week in the minor meetings and doing well with their few big race opportunities on Super Saturday, while they will also have to rely on Summerhill failing in all of their many big race opportunities.

David Thiselton

Mike Bass (Liesl King)

Bass can sign off in style

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Mike Bass can sign off on an exceptional training career at Greyville next Saturday. Although Bass will still be in the background supporting daughter Candice Robinson, Helderberg Blue and Marinaresco will be his two official sign-offs and they can put the cherry on the top of what will be an emotional day, come what may.

Helderberg Blue contests the Gr2 eLan Gold Cup and forty minutes later Marinaresco the Gr1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup, the race named in his honour.

Helderberg Blue faces a difficult task in the Gold Cup, a race where all 16 runners are in with realistic winning chances. A hot temperament has often got the better of Helderberg Blue and he may well boast a better record of just four wins if he had not been so difficult.

Just short of top class, he has calmed down as he has got older and can finally run up to his full potential as he steps out over 3200m for the first time.

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Recent signs have been good. He started his Champions Season campaign with a warm-up over a ‘mile’ and then stretched to 2400m for only the second time in his career he finished just over a length back to the blinkered No Worries in the Highland Night Cup.

Since then he has been placed in both the Lonsdale, beaten half-a-length by Balance Sheet, and the July consolation behind Punta Arenas. He will be at his very peak come next Saturday and with a favourable draw he should have every chance.

Mike de Kock has five runners including the first four past the post in the SABC Gold Vase. Writing on his website De Kock said that Gold Vase winner Enaad was perhaps the best of the five, but did suggest that Weichong Marwing’s mount, The Centenary, was one to keep an eye on.

Second to Punta Arenas in the July consolation he said of the New Zealand-bred filly: “She is out of a Montjeu mare and I believe she will get the trip. Richard Fourie got off last time when she ran second to Punta Arenas and was very impressed with her. She’s a game filly and she looks like a stayer. I’m quite confident she will run well.”

De Kock considers Enaad, who is at 10-1, as very well handicapped. He said: “Enaad put up a very good performance in the Gold Vase and the only reason I wasn’t more confident was because I did feel he was suspect over the distance.

“He is now stronger, better and more mature and I would say he is the best of the five. However, he is drawn wide and that is a problem. I know the race is over 3200m and barrier positions are less relevant but for me, a bad draw is a bad draw.

“If you are well drawn you can often get a position for nothing but off a wide draw you always have to work to get a position. But a lot can happen over two miles.” Gold Vase winning jockey S’manga Khumalo retains the ride.

Dean Kannemeyer has a good record in this race and saddles three runners, including current ante-post favourite and the progressive Cape Speed.

The three-year-old has been in exceptional form of late, winning his last three on the trot, most recently the KZN Derby at Scottsville beating Deputy Jud. He too steps out over this trip for the first time but given his pedigree there are unlikely to be any stamina limitations.

Callan Murray will be crowned Champion Apprentice two days after the meeting and start his career as a professional jockey on a high if he can get home aboard the Weiho Marwing-trained Zafira. She finished a neck behind The Centenary two runs back and comes off a recent victory in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein. She has only once finished out of the money and could be the surprise package in a race that has surprise written all over it.

VDJ slide fin2

Marinaresco [right] – Nkosi Hlophe

Marinaresco is likely to start at short odds for the Gr1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup  and Bass will be on hand to dish out the trophy, possibly to himself.

Coming from the clouds when runner-up to The Conglomerate in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, the Tekkie Town Winter Guineas and Winter Classic winner has another tricky draw to contend with but is much better off at the weights in this event and is likely to be in warm order.

In the July Marinaresco pulled one marble inside of The Conglomerate but while Piere Strydom elected to go forward, Grant van Niekerk dropped his mount in which was always the plan.

In the final analysis Strydom managed to pinch enough of a lead to hold on to the line as Marinaresco had his measure three strides past the post. Tactics are unlikely to be much different this time around and many will be looking to see Marinaresco home in time to give Bass an emotional and rousing send-off.

Marinaresco was lumbered with an eight-pound penalty for his July effort but once again meets his fellow three-year-olds that ran in the July at level weights and all things being equal he should beat them again.

Exit Here was given a cracking ride by Weichong Marwing to win the Gr3 Cup Trial but Charles Laird was of the opinion that he was not quite good enough to contest the July. Given the July result he may have been left rueing his decision but he gets an opportunity here over the same course and distance.

Saratoga Dancer’s presence in the July field was met with derision in many quarters but he proved the neigh sayers wrong, finishing fifth, beaten two short heads for third. He too came from well off the pace and given that he is over his optimum trip he could finish even closer here. Craig Zackey retains the ride for Duncan Howells.

The luckless Ice Machine was touched off by Futura in this race last year and he could be likened to golfer Sergio Garcia, the most talented runner never to win a major. Time is running out for the seven-year-old and this could be his last chance.

Andrew Harrison

Current betting on the Gr2 eLan Gold Cup to be run on Saturday July 30:

9-2 Cape Speed

8-1 Helderberg Blue, Arch Rival

9-1 Master Sabina, Ovidio

10-1 Enaad

11-1 The Centenary

12-1 Balance Sheet, Kingston Mines, Solar Star, Zafira

14-1 Coltrane, Smart Mart

18-1 Stebbins, Kinaan

33-1 Fortune Fella

Bass reflects on a great career

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There will be many racing stalwarts involved in the Super Saturday meeting at Greyville at the end of the month, but the toast of the town will be possibly the finest of them all, the great Cape Town-based trainer Mike Bass.

Bass will be officially retiring at the end of the season and the Gr 1 Champions Cup will be fittingly named in honour of him and his wife Carol.

Bass took a moment to reflect on his career yesterday and his most prominent owner of recent years, Marsh Shirtliff, also paid heartfelt tribute.

Bass said it would be the end of a long chapter, but he did not expect much to change as he would still spend plenty of time around his beloved horses down at the family’s Milnerton yard.

Officially he hands over the reins to his daughter Candice Robinson and the rest of the yard’s loyal and “tremendous” staff”, who include his son Mark (Marketing and Website) as well as Carol (Accounts and Personality).

Mike said with typical modesty, “They will probably do a better job than me.” If that does become the case it will only be due to the lessons they have learnt from one of the country’s finest horseman.

Shirtliff’s familiar blue, pink and white colours have become associated with the Bass yard. Both the colours and the yard were taken to a new level by the great Pocket Power.

Shirtliff recalled his entry into the yard. He had been at a Cape Sale and approached Mike about training a horse he had been advised on and duly bought. Shirtliff confessed he had also liked one of the horses Bass himself had bought, but explained his advisor had been of the opinion the horse would knock his hocks at full gallop. Bass dismissed the latter opinion and thus Tobe Or Nottobe became the first Shirtliff-owned runner in the Bass yard. The Caesour colt won his first seven starts, including the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championships over 1000m at Kenilworth. His first defeat was over a trip a touch too far in the Winter Guineas, when finishing third to the subsequently named Equus Horse Of The Year Winter Solstice. At stud from limited opportunity Tobe Or Nottobe produced 37 winners from 85 runners.

The advisor who had nearly cost Shirtliff the chance of owning Tobe Or Nottobe made up for it at a subsequent sale by singling out Pocket Power. Bass also loved the horse immediately and so began the career of one of the all-time greats of the South African turf.

 

Picture: Pocket Power and Mike Bass (Liesl King)

Picture: Pocket Power and Mike Bass (Liesl King)

Pocket Power was from the first crop of the late great Jet Master and could not have found his way into a more suitable yard, because as Shirtliff pointed out, “You know when you have a horse with Mike you are in for the long haul. He is the ultimate horseman, he gives them time and tends to know what they need and they don’t break down early. Even Pocket Power with all his niggles could have gone on to win more races, but we felt he deserved to retire at the age of eight.” Pocket Power’s nine Gr 1s included the Vodacom Durban July and Rising Sun Gold Challenge as well as a record four Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plates in succession and three Gr 1 J&B Mets in succession.

His Bass-trained and Shirtliff part-owned full-sister River Jetez defeated Pocket Power in his fourth Met when she was a six-year-old. She went on to win a Gr 2 in Dubai and run second in a Gr 1 in Singapore and third in a Gr 1 in the USA. Mike de Kock was in charge of her overseas and he also helped the former Bass-trained Sun Classique win a Gr 1 and two Listed races in Dubai. Sun Classique remains the highest earning South African-trained filly in history.

Bass means a lot more to Shirtliff than just being a trainer. He recalled his first impressions of the people-shy Bass being as one who was much more at home with his horses than his patrons, although he said he had “loosened up” latterly and he himself had never found him difficult to talk to.

He said, “He is only about four years older than me but has become almost like a father figure because he reminds me so much of my own father. He is a thorough gentleman, a mensch, you will never hear him swear, never has a bad word to say about anybody, and he never loses his rag.”

The press also felt at ease with Bass. Three things were usually assured when visiting his ring at either Clairwood or Milnerton; firstly you would be made to feel welcome; secondly you would come away knowing a little more about the most fascinating and complex of all animals, the horse, as he loved to share his immense knowledge; thirdly you would usually leave chortling, partly due to his dry sense of humour and also due to his inimitable quirks. He gave away his old school tutorship in the game by knowing young horses only by their pedigrees and this often extended into their racing careers. A typical interview could have gone as such: Bass: “I think the grey horse will run well, what’s his name?” Journalist, “Blue Tiger.” Bass: “Yes, that horse is doing very well.”

Bass said there were plenty of memories and outstanding horses to look back on in his 40 years as a licensed trainer and he added, “It has been great fun.”

He has to date trained 32 Gr 1 winners and between them they have won 50 Gr 1s, including three Julys and five Mets.

Bass paid tribute to his wife Carol, who is loved by all her meet her and hence her title as yard “Personality”. He said, “She has been very supportive and is always enthusiastic, I don’t think she’s missed a meeting in all my years training.”

The popular couple’s farewell at Greyville on July 30 will have sincere emotions attached from everybody in the industry and it would be most fitting if Marinaresco can convert likely favouritism.

David Thiselton

Picture: Pocket Power and Mike Bass (Bass Racing)
marinaresco

Bass’s Champions Cup

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Mike Bass will be looking to end his training career on a high when he saddles Marinaresco in the race named in his and his wife’s honour, the Gr1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup to be run at Greyville next Saturday.

Coming from the clouds when runner-up to The Conglomerate in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, the Cape Winter Guineas and Winter Classic winner has another tricky draw to contend with but is much better off at the weights in this event and is likely to be in warm order.

In the July Marinaresco pulled one marble inside of The Conglomerate but while Piere Strydom elected to go forward, Grant van Niekerk dropped his mount in which was always the plan.

In the final analysis Strydom managed to pinch enough of a lead to hold on to the line as Marinaresco had his measure three strides past the post.

Tactics are unlikely to be much different this time around and many will be looking to see Marinaresco home in time to give Bass an emotional and rousing send-off.

Marinaresco was lumbered with an eight-pound penalty for his July effort but once again meets his fellow three-year-olds that ran in the July at level weights and all things being equal he should beat them again.

Exit Here was given a cracking ride by Weichong Marwing to win the Gr3 Cup Trial but Charles Laird was of the opinion that he was not quite good enough to contest the July. Given the July result he may have been left rueing his decision but he gets an opportunity here over the same course and distance.

Saratoga Dancer’s presence in the July field was met with derision in many quarters but he proved the neigh sayers wrong, finishing fifth, beaten two short heads for third. He too came from well off the pace and given that he is over his optimum trip he could finish even closer here. Craig Zackey retains the ride for Duncan Howells.

The luckless Ice Machine was touched off by Futura in this race last year and he could be likened to golfer Sergio Garcia, the most talented runner never to win a major. Time is running out for the seven-year-old and this could be his last chance.

Mike de Kock is going all-out in the R1.25-million Gr2 eLan Gold Cup with five entries, including the foursome who filled the first four places in the Gold Vase over 3000m on July Day.

The De Kock quartet finishers were led across the line by Australian-bred gelding Enaad, who chased down the leading pair to win by a neck from Smart Mart, Kingston Mines and Kinaan. With such a strong team it is likely that the same tactics could be adopted in the 3200m marathon.

De Kock’s fifth entrant is the mare The Centenary, runner-up in the Delta Air Lines 2200 also run on July Day.

Andrew Harrison

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Marinaresco contests Champions Cup

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Cape trainer Mike Bass will bid to win the race named in his honour, the R1-million, Grade 1 Mike & Carol Bass Champions Cup at Greyville Racecourse on Super Saturday with his smart three-year-old Silvano gelding Marinaresco that came close to winning Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the Vodacom Durban July, three weeks ago.

Bass, whose mobility has been compromised as a result of illness, will head his famous Mike Bass Racing stable for the last time at the meeting on July 30 before handing over the reins to his daughter Candice.

Marinaresco won both the Winter Guineas and Winter Classic in the Cape before being shipped to Durban for the Vodacom Durban July where he was one of the fancied runners and ran a fantastic race to take second place behind The Conglomerate.

He will be one of the favourites to win the 1 800m race under stable jockey Grant van Niekerk but has some formidable opposition to contend with including the Joey Ramsden-trained Silvano gelding St Tropez that finished second to Solid Speed in the Betting World 1900. The four-year-old, along with other runners, found problems in the July and his near last finish is best ignored.

Saratoga Dancer, that surprised racing experts with his fifth place in the July, will be out to improve on that performance and his third place in the Cup Trial and Punta Arenas from the Dennis Drier yard will have his followers after his gutsy win in the Delta Air Lines 2200 at Greyville on July day.

Rocketball from the Gavin van Zyl stable will be fancied on his near defeat of Abashiri in the SA Derby and fourth place in the Daily News 2000 and Charles Laird will be looking for another top run from Exit Here that won the Cup Trial.

Sean Tarry has not declared jockeys for his two runners, Gold Onyx and Malak El Moolook, stable jockey S’manga Khumalo will be waiting for his boss’ decision of which, if either, he will ride.

 

Red Ray set for stud

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Red Ray looks set to be retired to stud at Klawervlei following his inspired return to form in the Mercury Sprint at Greyville last Saturday.

Owner Markus Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman said yesterday that he is having discussions with the stud’s directors and that he might not know for sure until the end of the week.

But he added: “Red Ray is a brilliant horse and he has achieved everything we set out for him. With his pedigree, winning a Group 1 was all he needed on his CV to make a top stallion.

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

“It is a bit late in the season to send him to stud but we can make a plan to make it work for all the breeders who support him.”

The Sean Tarry-trained Legal Eagle, who many thought would go for the Champions Cup after side-stepping the Vodacom Durban July, is to have a rest before having another crack at the top Cape Town races. The four-year-old won the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in January before beating all except Smart Call in the Met.

Brugman explained: “Legal Eagle raced in two different provinces [he also won the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut and the Premier’s Champions Challenge] and, while I would have expected him to win a race of the calibre of the Champions Cup, I didn’t think it was prudent to put that pressure on the horse.

“I discussed it with Sean and we have decided to give him a break and bring him back for the feature season in Cape Town.  He would probably then go back to Jo’burg for the Horse Chestnut and Premier’s Champions Challenge.”

Durban July hero The Conglomerate also misses the Champions Cup and the Joey Ramsden-trained four-year-old is to be aimed at the Sansui Summer Cup that Markus and Ingrid Jooste won with Wagner in 2012. They were also part-owners of the 2013 winner Yorker.

Brugman said: “I know it’s sacrilege to give the Champions Cup a miss when the horse is in such good form but we would like to be able to go for the Summer Cup off his present rating.”

Michael Clower

Gavin Lerena (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lerena on ‘Stars’ and Hong Kong

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Reigning South African champion jockey Gavin Lerena said all was well with his Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contender Talktothestars and he also revealed he will not be returning to Hong Kong next season, but will instead be chasing another SA Championship.

Trainer Coenie de Beer was travelling Talktothestars down from the Vaal to Durban yesterday (Wednesday) and the horse will have a canter around Greyville before the big race on Saturday. The four-year-old Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winner has a tough draw to overcome, but De Beer pointed out wide draws have a good record at Greyville statistically.

Lerena only arrived back from Hong Kong on Monday, so has not been riding the Overlord gelding in work. However, he said De Beer had reported him to be fit and well. Talktothestars is a versatile type. He can use his speed to be up with them, but has a devastating turn of foot, so can also come from off the pace.

The rags-to-riches fairytale horse has been declared to run without shoes as usual and as the probable most travelled horse in the country will not have been affected by yesterday’s journey.

Lerena said about his stint in Hong Kong, “It was a fantastic experience, but it was very tough to break in. All the holes are plugged and the trainers have got their jockeys. But I would love to go back in a year or two’s time when I will know what to expect.”

Lerena said current Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira was so in demand he was effectively controlling the market.

Most Hong Kong races are “class” defined and there are five classes from one to five.

Lerena said in each of these class races there were usually about four horses capable of winning and Moreira would often be offered the ride on all four. After choosing one he apparently often advises the owners of the other three of his willingness to ride their charges in forthcoming races. The owners of these three then often scratch due to this commitment. When this scenario plays out, Moreira’s mount now effectively has what would have been the fifth favourite as the main danger. The competition is thus being taken out of the racing.

Lerena clarified, “I am not saying it happens every race, but I would say about 60% of the time.”

Lerena pointed out even thirteen-times champion jockey Douglas Whyte had been battling to get good rides lately. Other jockeys who are in demand are Zac Purton and apprentice female Kei Chiong and Lerena pointed out the latter was allowed a ten pound claim, despite having previously ridden 43 winners in New Zealand.

Lerena rode five winners in his stint in Hong Kong, which began in late February, and was proud of his place strike rate of 33% considering his lack of opportunities.

He said, “You have to up your game in Hong Kong.” This is due to the level of competition and improvement in many areas is a natural consequence. He pointed out judgement of pace became almost an automatic skill for a jockey who had ridden for a period in Hong Kong.

Lerena is looking forward to partnering Master Sabina in either the eLan Gold Cup or Champions Cup. “I love riding this horse,” he admitted.

He said he had been forced to take Master Sabina back early in the Vodacom Durban July, so was considerably further back than he had wanted to be, but said the Jet Master six-year-old, on whom he landed his second career Sansui Summer Cup, had run on really well in the straight to finish a 3,35 length ninth.

Lerena will head to the UK for the Shergar Cup in August and is hoping to land a few rides in France before coming home to chase the championships.

David Thiselton

The Conglomerate doing fine

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Vodacom Durban July hero The Conglomerate may return to Greyville on July 30 for the Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup.

Joey Ramsden said yesterday: “He seems to be fine after the race and yes, he could run.”

The Conglomerate has again drawn wide in the 1 800m Grade 1 – 15 out of 20, compared with 18 out of 18 in the July. No horse has won the July and the Champions Cup in the same season since El Picha 16 years ago and in the last five seasons the July winner has not even run in the other race.

Ramsden has cleared up the mystery of why his better fancied runner St Tropez faded badly to finish last but one and said: “He pulled up with a sore back.”

Michael Clower

Fly By Night (Liesl King)

Bass trio for Mercury Sprint

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Mike Bass will be three-handed in his bid to win the Mercury Sprint for the third time in five seasons at Greyville on Saturday.

With stable jockey Grant van Niekerk sitting out a ten-day interference suspension – when winning the Garden Province on Inara – Brandon Lerena gets the call for 2014 winner Fly By Night while Stuart Randolph will be on Lanner Falcon and Callan Murray rides Night Trip.

Brett Crawford is expecting a much-improved performance from his Cape Flying Championship winner Gulf Storm who ran below his best under second top weight in last month’s Tsogo Sun Sprint.

He explained: “I put blinkers on for the five furlong Cape Flying and I made the mistake of leaving them on over six at Scottsville and as a result he pulled too hard. He will race without them on Saturday and I am sure he will run a much better race.”

Justin Snaith will return his three-year-old stars It’s My Turn, Bela-Bela and Black Arthur to Cape Town this week after the trio finished fourth, sixth and seventh in the Vodacom Durban July.

He said: “They are top horses so we are saving them for next season but Dynamic may stay for the Champions Cup (July 30). He is an older horse who has been there and done that.

“Golden Horseshoe winner Zodiac Ruler will run in the Premiers Champion on the same card assuming all goes well and there are no hiccups. He is drawn one but a bad draw would have meant him coming home.”

July runner-up Marinaresco is among the 20 nominations for the Champions Cup but he is unlikely to line up. “He came out of the July fine but he is drawn 18 in the Champions so I don’t think he will run,” said Candice Robinson. “Next season he will be aimed at the Queen’s Plate and the Met.”

Michael Clower

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed retired

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The talented five-year-old bay gelding – one of the best-fancied runners – cantered home with a bloody nose in last Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July. After the race Kannemeyer, owner Lady Christine Laidlaw and Jehan Malherbe, racing manager for her Khaya Stables, discussed the matter and decided to retire Solid Speed.

Said Kannemeyer: “He ruptured blood vessels in both nostrils. He was travelling exceptionally well at the 1200m but was suddenly off the bit. Jockey Stuart Randolph started pushing but finally just put his hands down.

“Lady Laidlaw is absolutely passionate about her horses and, given Solid Speed has had issues before, we all felt strongly he had done enough. He has been very good to us.

“We fancied him in the Durban July, but unfortunately these things do happen.”

Solid Speed (left) & Mambo Mime at the VDJ Gallops (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed (left) & Mambo Mime at the VDJ Gallops (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed will be staying with Kannemeyer to become schoolmaster to his babies and in the paddock. “I love all my horses, but he’s a stable favourite,” said the Cape-based trainer. “I don’t think he knows how to kick or bite – but he certainly knows how to run. He’s a magnificent, big, beautiful horse. He’s a special one.”

Solid Speed, a gelded son of Dynasty, ran only 15 times in his career for eight wins from 1600m to 2400m, including the Grade 2 Betting World 1900 in May. His four places include a third in last year’s Grade 2 Gold Vase and a fourth in the stayers’ race on Met Day.

Kannemeyer also saddled Mambo Mime in the Durban July. He is happy enough with the colt’s 3.85-length 10th behind The Conglomerate. “It was a very good run, given the grey filly rolled on to him in the final 100m. Jockey Keagan de Melo said he thought Mambo Mime was coming through to win the race. Without the interference, he would have been closer.”

Mambo Mime might have one more run this season, in the Grade 1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville on Saturday 30 July.

The Champions Cup is run on Gold Cup Day and Kannemeyer has two horses lined up for the country’s biggest marathon – Balance Sheet and Solar Star, who both ran in last Saturday’s 3000m Gold Vase.

Balance Sheet started favourite for the Gold Vase but finished second last, while Solar Star ran a “great race” in fifth behind the Mike de Kock-trained Quartet: Enaad, Smart Mart, Kingston Mines and Kinaan.

Kannemeyer said punters should “put a line” through Balance Sheet’s Gold Vase run. “He stopped to nothing but knocked himself and was a bit swollen the next day. He’s back to normal now.”

So, he could well recoup losses in the R1.25-million eLAN Gold Cup (Grade 2) over 3200m at Greyville at the end of the month.

TABnews (Nicci Garner)