While pedigree is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to a thoroughbred’s ability, it is not by accident that some pedigrees prove stronger than others and as a result become commercially successful.

In the greater scheme of things there is no such thing as a badly bred thoroughbred as all can trace their ancestors back to similar roots. But pedigrees backed by correct conformation and racing ability generally prove more popular than those without a proven racetrack record but as Mike de Kock pointed out last Saturday, putting the best to the best is not always a guarantee.

However, in the case of champion Australian sire Redoute’s Choice and champion South African-bred racemare National Colour, it is a nick that has worked. It is rare that full siblings win Gr1 races on the same day on the same card but that’s what happened at Turffontein on Saturday with Mustaaqeem winning the Gr1 SA Nursery and a couple of hours later older brother Rafeef obliging in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.

One of thoroughbred breeding’s most famous stud masters, the “Wizard of Dormello” Federico Tesio who was responsible for champions sires Nearco and Ribot, said that a champion racemare may fail at stud but her daughters seldom do.”

After the Nursery, De Kock expressed a view that he hoped that Mustaaqeem would eventually stand at stud in this country. “We need blood like this,” he said. “Redoute’s Choice is a champion and National Colour was too. Some forget that she finished second in the Nunthorpe (a top Gr1 sprint in the UK). It’s not always that putting the best to the best works out but it has in this instance.”

De Kock also said he would not be surprised if he was instructed by Mustaaqeem’s owner, Sheikh Hamdan of Dubai, to ship the Nursery winner abroad but Rafeef’s victory may see him as a fitting substitute as he too boasts an exceptional racing record.

Also in the headlines over the weekend was Silvano. The Main Chance Farms stallion was responsible for the winners of both the Gr2 Wilgerboschdrift SA Oaks and the Gr1 SA Derby, Wind Chill and Al Sahem respectively and on Sunday produced the winners of the Gr2 Daisy Guineas and the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, Janoobi and Marinaresco respectively.

New kid on the block, Gimmethegreenlight was responsible fo two winners in Gimme Six, winner of the Gr2 Daisy Guineas and Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Green Plains.

By Andrew Harrison

New Turf Carriers have come on board as sponsors of the 2017 Rider Cup Interprovincial jockeys’ challenge which is due to take place at Scottsville Racecourse on Saturday, 9 July 2017.

Based on the National Jockeys and Apprentice logs as at the end of May, invitations will be sent to riders from each of the provinces with the leading jockey in each of the jurisdictions being appointed the Captain of his team. “The top three riders in each province at the end of May (based on National statistics) will qualify for automatic invitations but the fourth member of each team will be a “Captain’s pick”, which represents a change from previous years’ team selection,” said Gold Circle’s Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins. “There are sometimes unforeseen circumstances which could lead to a deserving rider not having ridden enough winners to qualify automatically and the onus will now be on the Captain to extend a personal invitation to the fourth member of each team,” he added.

The Highveld Hawks are the defending champions while the KZN Falcons won the inaugural Rider Cup in 2015. The Cape Eagles have finished second in both previous events and will be looking to set the record straight this year.

What a finish! Marinaresco wins the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes on Sunday May 7…

 

Marinaresco, written off by many after a modest Cape Summer, burst back onto the scene with a narrow but satisfying victory in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville yesterday.

“When it comes to short heads the good horses get their heads down,” may prove prophetic words from winning jockey Bernhard Fayd’Herbe come the fat end of Champions Season.

Camped at Summerveld for two months after his Met run, Marinaresco has found his feet. Robert Fayd’Herbe, Candice Bass-Robinson’s KZN assistant said, “It has taken a while to get him right. They found a few things about him and they worked on it and he’s coming good.” Ominous words for the opposition come the build-up to the Vodacom Durban July.

Victorious Jay ran out of his skin to be denied on the line along with Saratoga Dancer in third in a blanket finish that included Captain America and New Predator.

Unlucky in last year’s Vodacom Durban July behind The Conglomerate, all is seemingly on track for Marinaresco for this year’s renewal.

Janoobi wins the Daisy Guineas

Having ridden over 5000 winners, Piere Strydom did not come down with the last shower of rain; but his colleagues obviously did.

Strydom played them all on the break in the Gr1 Gauteng Guineas where he nursed home the stamina-suspect Janoobi for Mike de Kock’s 3000^th South African winner and repeated the dose in the Gr2 Daisy Guineas.

The one draw over the Greyville 1600m on the turf is always an advantage and Strydom made the most of it, jumping smartly, slowing them down, and sprinting for home. It was not all easy. Janoobi was pulling like a dentist on a sore tooth from the jump, but Strydom had enough control to slow the field up to a crawl up the hill.

He pinched a crucial break at the top of the straight and kept Janoobi rolling to the line.

Gimme Six wins the Daisy Fillies Guineas

“She’s a top, top filly. Justin is very lucky to have her,” enthused Anthony Delpech. Snaith rarely arrives for Champions Season thin on the ground when it comes to fillies and he has taken the wraps off another smart individual in Gimme Six who confirmed her form in the Umzimkulu Stakes with an emphatic victory in the Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas.

“Her turn of foot is her biggest weapon,” confirmed Snaith as Gimme Six gave them six, quickening away to win as she liked with the luckless Final Judgment second again.

Andrew Harrison

Picture: Marinaresco, with Bernard Fayd’Herbe up, led in by Robert Fayd’Herbe [Nkosi Hlophe]

Dutch Philip looks set to give the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion a miss on Saturday fortnight and stay at home for the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery on the same day despite making it three out of four with a convincing performance in the Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth on Saturday.

“We did talk about Scottsville but I’m not sure that I really want to take him there,” said Candice Bass-Robinson. “He is going in the right direction and he can only improve.”

That right direction is heading tantalising towards the Cape Guineas. True, the colt’s task was made easier by the viral infection sweeping through Joey Ramsden’s horses – Ricardo Sobotker found it in half the 14 he tested including Morning Catch and Speedpoint, but Dutch Philip was conceding weight all round and he won in good style.

There is a certain inevitability when Aldo Domeyer begins to wind up a fancied contender and it was obvious that the 14-10 shot was going to win well before he hit the front 300m from home. Certainly he looked value for a little more than the length he beat the 4kg-receiving Kasimir.

“I knew he would get there when I needed him to but I didn’t want to give them too much start with me giving them all weight,” Domeyer related. “At the 400m mark I felt I couldn’t hold him back any longer – I was interrupting his stride – and he quickened like I thought he would.

“He has quite a bit of class and a really nice turn of foot. He should get a mile in time because he switches off like a lamb.”

Magical Wonderland, who followed up for the same connections in the Perfect Promise Sprint, will also be back in action on May 27 – for the Kenilworth Fillies Nursery – and she is also by What A Winter. Little wonder that Marsh Shirtliff has already bought nine yearlings by the sire he raced with such success.

What A Winter also describes the present climate but nobody follows the weather patterns more closely than Mike Stewart and the Noordhoek trainer is convinced the rain will come – and that, when it does, he will clean up with Al Wahed. Donovan Dillon’s mount took the 1 000m handicap despite the fast ground.

“Al Wahed is going to win plenty – he has such a low rating. At one time he was running off 89 and he will only get three points for this,” Stewart explained before adding, tongue in cheek, “At the end of the winter he can retire and become a trail horse.”

Platinum Prince, who initiated Domeyer’s treble with a comfortable win in the mile handicap, is seemingly also one to put in the notebook.

“At one time Richard Fourie rated him our best two-year-old,” Jonno Snaith recalled. “He is going to be a really nice stayer and I’m just sad we didn’t put him in Saturday’s East Cape Derby. It looks particularly weak this time.”

Michael Clower

A big purchase price does not automatically ensure performance on the racetrack but record yearling buy Horizon has been giving out all the right signals of late.

After a poor debut there were concerns in some quarters that he may be a ‘lemon’ but he has improved with age and distance and victory in the Gr3 Politician Stakes during the Cape summer will have added immediate paddock value should he make it that far.

A seemingly below par performance in the Investec Derby when starting favourite gave fuel to the neighsayers but that could all be water under the bridge come the Gr2 Daisy Guineas at Greyville tomorrow and the R5.2 million forked out at the sales will have been money well spent.

Candice Bass-Robinson had the colt nicely prepped for his Champions Season opener where he finished with a wet sail to beat favourite and Derby runner-up Zodiac Ruler over the Greyville 1400m. Given that performance and his effort in the Politician Stakes, tomorrow’s ‘mile’ trip will be more to his liking.

Sean Tarry has a wealth of talent in his yard and Africa Rising turned in a similarly impressive performance in the Gr3 Bayerly Turk over the same course and distance, coming from mid-field to snaffle Copper Force close home and win going away.

What made that victory all the more emphatic was that the colt raced in brushing boots that had not been removed at the start – one coming off in the running.

Copper Force has smart Cape form to his credit but was nailed late by Africa Rising and on that showing could play second fiddle again.

Zodiac Ruler, winner of the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe back in July last year, was gelded after a string of disappointing efforts, his second to Edict Of Nantes in the Gr1 Investec Derby the final straw. His second to Horizon was his first after gelding so there may still be more to come.

Of the balance, Janoobi pulled up sort in the Gr1 SA Classic, fading badly over the final 100m, this after a fighting performance in the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas.

A mile appears to be his optimum trip and his chances will be enhanced by a pole position draw, always a major advantage over the Greyville 1600m on the turf.

Duncan Howells has been in cracking form of late and he has set his sights on the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July for the grey Secret Captain.

Given a lengthy break after a disappointing Highveld sojourn, the colt made an eye-catching debut in a competitive sprint last time out. He is highly rated by the stable and one can expect a forward showing in what is a competitive race.

The Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas is an equally difficult puzzle but Gimme Six, most impressive when winning her local debut, had many of this field behind her, including Final Judgement who started favourite on the day. On that showing she should have her measure again and also that of Sail and Dawn Calling, although the latter will much prefer this trip.

A possible dark horse is Philae out of the Andre Nel yard. She was deemed good enough to be sent to Turffontein for the G1 SA Fillies Classic but trips to the Highveld by Cape-based runners has always been tricky. She was in contention 400 m out but became the meat in the sandwich in some early scrimmaging and never recovered.

Of the balance Ektifaa should have found her last outing on the short side and will much prefer this trip. She comes from a powerful yard and it will be interesting to see how the Highveld form pans out here.

The Gr2 Independent On Saturday Dill Hall Stakes is the traditional pipe-opener for the July and as such is a tricky race with many warming up for bigger things during the season. Both Marinaresco and Captain America have not been out since the Met but are top class and effective over the trip. But they may just need it while New Predator is both course and distance suited and has been on the go since January. He should strip at the top of his game. Saratoga Dancer is versatile and ran an excellent sprint last time out. He can finish in the money at decent odds.

By Andrew Harrison

Champions Day at Turffontein is one of the highlights of the racing calendar and the Pick 6 will be worth taking as there will be a guaranteed pool of R4, 5 million and an expected pool of R5,1 million.

Legal Eagle will attempt to write himself into the record books as the first horse since the great Sea Cottage to defend three Gr 1 crowns in one season. He should dominate the R4 million Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m in his usual handy style before producing his usual winning kick. French Navy’s form looks a bit inconsistent, but that is simply due to him taking a while to reach his peak. When he is at his peak, as he will be tomorrow, he can mix it with best. Unlike last year, when runner up, he does not carry a Gr 1 penalty. On paper he could even go close to winning it, being 2kg better off with Legal Eagle for a 2,1 length beating and drawn three as opposed to eleven last year. The filly Nother Russia improves everytime she runs and comes off a good win in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes. Her dam Mother Russia was unlucky to not have won at least one J&B Met, so Nother Russia will enjoy this trip. Brazuca has proven his class in Gr 1 company often enough and last time out he proved he stay this course and distance with an easy win in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes. Master Sabina’s two Gr 1 Summer Cup wins were over this course and distance, but the latter race is a handicap and he has a tougher task here. Celtic Captain has a good draw, which is important, because when he settles well he is capable of a superb turn of foot and a strong finishing effort. He is the dark horse. Deo Juvente has not always had the best of luck and has the class to earn here too. Juxtapose finished fifth in the Summer Cup and is up against it despite her class. Stonehenge could well play an important pacemaking role for his stablemate Legal Eagle.

The Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 100m could well be the most exciting race of the day as some world class sorts square up. Trip To Heaven put up a phenomenal performance in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship when losing a lot of ground at the start and still getting with 0,2 lengths of his stablemate Carry On Alice. He can come from any draw as he can be dropped out due to his devastating turn of foot. Rafeef is undoubtedly the value in this race as he is full of class and has plenty of speed too. Carry On Alice is drawn close to the standside, as she was when winning this last year, and her speed coupled with her kick will take her close again. Rivarine has the ability to be a threat but does have to bounce back from his disappointing Cape Flying run and he hasn’t run since. Brutal Force will be spot on but the question is whether his low draw will be a disadvantage? Only the day will tell. If high draws are advantageous the like of Dollar Dazzler and Pivotal Pursuit could earn. Talktothestars was runner up last year and was named Equus Champion Sprinter but he has had a downturn in form this season.

The Gr 1 SA Derby should be won by Heavenly Blue who ran on strongly last time out to win the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m. He looks likely to enjoy this trip and Mike de Kock has a fine record in this race. The SA Classic runner up Al Sahem is by Silvano, so should be improving and should enjoy the trip so he looks the main danger, although Furiosa has always truck as a staying type and could also go close. Pagoda and Captain At Sea are others who can’t be ignored.

The Gr 1 SA Nursery could fall to Rafeef’s full-brother Mustaaqem, who obliterated the opposition on debut, although Wonderwall and Barrack Street could also win it.

In the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery Daring Diva is not the most visually impressive specimen but will attempt to remain unbeaten. Green Plains and the big striding Silver Thursday could be the biggest threats.

In the Gr 2 SA Oaks, Orchid Island won the SA Fillies Classic from the widest draw of all and now has a good draw over a trip she should enjoy. She can beat Belle Rose and Oriental Oak. Bi Pot, Smiling Blue Eyes and Wind Chill are also possible winners.

Later, Trophy Wife can defend her Gr 2 Gerald Rosenberg crown and once again emphasise how good the fillies crop she hailed from was.

The Gr 2 Camelia Stakes will see an intriguing clash between Exquisite Touch and Green Pepper and Joan Ranger could be a threat too.

By David Thiselton

Royal Air Force gelding Copper Force could land the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on the SA Champions Season opening day at Greyville on Sunday.

One clue which points to him is the booking of Anthony Delpech at the expense of his Justin Snaith-trained stablemate Zodiac Ruler as well as the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Summer Sky.

Copper Force needed his KZN debut in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m where he finished a 0,75 length second to the Visionaire colt Africa Rising. The latter pair are drawn well again, but Copper Force could reverse the form, considering he should have come on plenty for that run and he also beat Africa Rising by 3,9 lengths over this trip in the CTS Mile when finishing runner up.

Africa Rising has a fine turn of foot, but this race will be the acid test to prove whether he is as affective over 1600m as he is over 1400m.

Zodiac Ruler, winner of the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe and runner up in the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby, had his first run as a gelding recently over 1400m and was unable to catch Horizon. However, he went down by just a head, and will relish the step up in trip. He has a good draw of five and world class jockey Richard Fourie is aboard.

Horizon should also appreciate the step up in trip as the winner of the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m. He has a fine turn of foot and is suited to Greyville, as one would expect of a son of Dynasty out of a full-sister to Silvano.

Summer Sky had his first run as a gelding in a handicap against older horses at Scottsville over 1400m and quickened exceptionally well to win by five lengths. He was racing off just an 82 merit rating, but looked the part and a Listed winner has come out of the form. He is drawn in two and Gavin Lerena is aboard is another bonus.

Janoobi has the ideal pole position from which to attempt a repeat of his start to finish win of the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas. Master of pace judgement Piere Strydom will give him a good chance of doing so.

Matador Man has class and couples a relaxed running style with a fine turn of foot, so should enjoy Greyville. A wide draw is not of much concern as he usually loses a length or two at the start.

Gunner won the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over course and distance, when showing a fine turn of foot, but on this season’s form has plenty to find with a few of these.

Secret Captain is merit rated only 84 and has to prove he enjoys this trip. However, he is a dark horse as a well regarded sort who might not have showed his best yet.

Gimme The Stars has won his last four in PE including an easy win in the Listed East Cape Guineas when making up five lengths in the final 200m and winning easily. However, this will be tougher.

Gingerbread Man has won five of his last eight starts, but his last six starts have been on the poly where the standard is generally a touch weaker.

Mess ran above his 70 merit rating when second is a Graduation Plate over this trip last time, but still needs a considerable step up.

By David Thiselton

Judpot filly Final Judgement could land her second Grade 2 at Greyville on Sunday in the Gr 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas from a good draw of six.

The Gr 2 Golden Slipper winner showed a fine turn of foot from a handy position to hit the front last time out in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m. She finished a 0,75 length second but will now be 2kg better off with the winner Gimme Six. The one concern is the 1600m trip and it all depends on how well she settles as she tugged at the bit early on when finishing a 1,95 length fourth in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m.

Gimme Six was quite forward when running on strongly in the Umzimkhulu after being dropped out early from a wide draw. She has another tricky draw, but being by Gimmethegreenlight should still be improving.

Philanthropist filly Sail has always struck as one who could get better as she matured, so was a touch disappointing when once again finding two too good for her in the Umzimkhulu. However, she will now be 2kg better off with Gimme Six for a 1,25 length beating and she does have another good draw of two.

Her stablemate The High Life gave the winner 4kg in the Umzimkhulu and finished fastest of all for a 3,75 length sixth. She will relish the step up in trip, although she would ideally prefer even further and has another wide draw. Dennis Drier’s stable jockey Sean Veale sticks with Sail and Ian Sturgeon retains the ride on The High Life.

Trippi filly Dawn Calling has always been highly regarded and should have come on plenty from her 2,75 length fourth in the Umzimkhulu. She showed she needed that run by being a little bit keen early after being dropped out from a wide draw. Unfortunately, she has drawn wide again and she will also be 2kg worse off with Final Judgement and Sail and 4kg worse off with The High Life.

Her stablemate, the Var filly A Women’s Way, was having her first run beyond 1200m in the Umzimkhulu and after being dropped out to last from the widest draw of all she ran on well for a 3,5 length fifth, giving the winner 2kg. She relaxed well in the running, suggesting she will get the mile, and Piere Strydom now rides from pole position.

Lady Of The House ran on well for fifth in the Cape Fillies Guineas, beaten a short-head by Sail, but then over raced last time out in the Majorca Stakes with blinkers on. The blinkers are duly off, so she should be running on well again and being by Dynasty should be improving all the time.

Ektifaa is the highest merit rated horse in the field on 103, but there is a stamina doubt. She went up handy from a wide draw in the Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and was only found out in the final 100-150m, so she can’t be written off over this easier 1600m.

Captain Al filly Al Danza improved when stepped up to 1450m in a Graduation Plate last time and led from start to finish to beat Visuality. She has a fair draw but this is a big step up in class.

Visuality has been disappointing this season and would be a surprise winner.

Philae is the lowest merit rated contender. However, she moved up well in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m last time out before becoming a bit cramped, so was far from disgraced in finishing a 5,85 length ninth. She should be improving all the time being by Silvano and, over what should be an ideal trip, has a plum draw.

By David Thiselton