Category Archives: Y-Champions Season

Alexis (Nkosi Hlophe)

Orffer bullish with Crawford duo

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Brett Crawford’s stable jockey Corné Orffer does not have a ride in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July, but was bullish about two of his mounts for the yard on Saturday.

Alexis (Nkosi Hlophe)

Alexis (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said about the recent Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes winner Alexis, “She is doing very, very well.” The small Dynasty filly loves Greyville, having won three of her five races there, but like last year has landed a tough draw of eleven for the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes. She finished a 4,4 length fifth in the race last year from draw 9.

Her optimum trip is probably 1400m, but she did win last season’s Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas in fine style over the Garden Province 1600m course and distance, albeit from a good draw of five. Alexis will be 1kg worse off in weight for age terms with both Silver Mountain and Inara from the Tibouchina for respective 0,15 length and 0,9 length beatings. However, she will be 1kg better off with Sensible Lover despite a 0,65 length beating.

Orffer was particularly bullish about the three-year-old Silvano gelding Nebula, despite him having to jump from a wide draw of 12 in the last race of the meeting, the Listed Daisy Business Solutions Handicap over 1600m on the turf.

He said, “Nebula will be hard to beat.”

Nebula found a handy position from draw eleven over course and distance last time out under Anthony Delpech and quickened well in the straight to beat Danza by 1,75 lengths. It earned him a six point merit rated raise, but being by Silvano he is likely to be improving as he matures.

By David Thiselton

Shizam on song for July Day

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Glen Kotzen only has two runners at the Vodacom Durban July meeting, but could well find himself in the winners enclosure during the day.

Seven years ago Kotzen walked away from the VDJ meeting with two Gr 1 trophies as his Equus champion Three-year-old Colt Big City Life won the July and his Equus Champion Three-year-old Filly Lady Windermere won the Garden Province.

This year he has a fine chance of landing the majority share of the KZN Yearling Sale Million stake cheque with the Kahal filly Shizam.

Shizam has some fine maiden form in Cape Town. She got off the mark last time out on April 23 over 1200m in her fifth career start, having placed before that behind some top class sorts like the Secret Is Out and The Merry Widow. She won that Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies by 0,5 lengths from subsequent winner China Pearl and had the rest of the field beaten 6,75 lengths. Two other horses have subsequently won out of the race and she beat them by 9,75 lengths and eleven lengths respectively.

Her pole position draw on Saturday is ideal as she has plenty of pace.

Kotzen said on pedigree she should stay an extra 500m, so the 100m extra of the 1300m trip will pose no problem. She has been at Summerveld for at least six weeks and is fit and well.

He described her as a forward-thinking filly who does not race green, so experiencing the course and the lights for the first time should not be a concern.

“She is a huge runner,” he concluded.

He said his runner in the Gr 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper, the Judpot filly Final Judgement, was “exceptionally well and working like a bomb.” He said she had been caught flat-footed when beaten 5,25 lengths by Maleficent in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over the same 1400m course and distance as she had raced very green in her first experience of the course. He concluded by saying there was room for “big improvement.” She is also drawn in pole.

Stuart Randolph rides both fillies.

David Thiselton

Desert Fighter (Nkosi Hlophe)

Right race for Desert Fighter

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Dennis Drier and Alistair Gordon could have winners at Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July meeting with Desert Fighter and Royal Line respectively.

Both trainers have a number of other chances at the meeting.

Desert Fighter runs in the second, the Middle Stakes over 1400m on the poly, and jumps from a plum draw of two with stable jockey Sean Veale aboard. He was a bit slow away over 1600m on the poly last time so had a lot to do in the straight and ran on well for a close second. His two wins have been over 1200m, so this trip should be ideal. The yard described this Toreador three-year-old gelding as a progressive sort and added,  “This looks to be the right race for him.”

Desert Fighter (Nkosi Hlophe)

Desert Fighter (Nkosi Hlophe)

Royal Life runs in the last, the Listed Business Solutions Handicap over 1600m on the turf. He has S’Manga Khumalo up from a good draw of six. He over raced in his penultimate start over 1400m, but still won easily and impressively. He over raced again over the Greyville turf 1600m last time, yet still ran on well and was pipped by a whisker. Gordon has now tried a new bit with him and he has consequently settled much better in his work. If he does the same in the race on Saturday, he will be a big runner as Gordon is happy with his well-being and with the draw and jockey.

The Drier yard are hoping Sail will be more settled on course than she was last time, when bouncing around a bit yet still managing to win a Juvenile Plate over 1400m. If she is this talented Philanthropist filly could be the chief threat to Maleficent in the Gr 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper over the same course and distance from a plum draw of four.

The yard run last year’s July runner up Punta Arenas in the Gr 3 Delta Air Lines 2200 and said he was fit and well. He looked well in his workout on Tuesday morning.

Gr 1-winning sprinter Guiness has “been going through the motions” so blinkers will be fitted and he has been working well in them, although he has a tough draw in the Compendium MR 103 Handicap over 1000m.

The yard are hoping blinkers will have the same affect on Eventual Angel, a talented sort capable of surprising from a plum draw in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workeear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.

Gordon could not separate Royal Life and Bunker Bill as his best runner on the day. Talented three-year-old Bunker Bill loved the step back to 1200m last time and won easily. He goes on the poly for the first time over 1200m in the tabGold Sprint and has Piere Strydom up from draw six, albeit off a merit rating which has been raised six points.

Gordon said Velvet Wind was well, but might find the 1400m of the first a touch short, although he expected her to be running on. He expected Sublime Code to be suited to a step up to 1400m in the second and said he was also fit and well.

David Thiselton

Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

Abashiri ‘a special horse’

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Mike Azzie said if Triple Crown hero Abashiri was not at his peak on Saturday for the Vodacom Durban July he would be pretty close to it. He is also expecting a good run from Oomph in an earlier feature.

Azzie said he had to put out of his head everybody saying Abashiri had too much weight to carry in the July, “because this is not a normal horse, this is a special horse.”

Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Go Deputy gelding with the giant stride carries 59kg, the biggest weight ever allotted to a three-year-old in the big race.

He has not run since winning the SA Derby on April 30, where he had to dig down deep.  However, Azzie said the big horse’s work had been very good. He said big race jockey Karl Zechner was confident.

Abashiri certainly caught the eye at the July gallops and the exceptional turn of foot he has shown in his last two races should make him suited to Greyville.

Oomph has the second run for the yard in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m.

The Tiger Ridge colt was the talk of the town in Port Elizabeth after three facile wins over 1200m and he was then purchased by Azzie’s chief clients Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren.

However, Azzie said the colt had been well in need of his run in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion, as they had backed off him in PE before he had arrived at Summerveld. He said the horse had tightened up and improved since the Medallion.

Azzie’s runner in the first over 1400m on the poly on Saturday, Peep Show, runs off an 83 merit rating compared to her 97 sand rating. However, she hasn’t run since January.

Deputy Jud (Nkosi Hlophe)

Deputy Jud (Nkosi Hlophe)

Azzie said he had seen Peep Show brighter than she currently was, and he would have liked her to be a little more crisp, but he was hoping she wouldn’t need it. He said if the four-year-old Ideal World filly reproduced her best on the sand she would be a tough nut to crack as she was capable of galloping flat out for a mile.

Azzie has July reserve runner Deputy Jud in the Gr 3 Delta Air Lines 2200m where he jumps from draw nine. His recent runner up finish in the Track And Ball Derby proved he was in a good space and his merit rating is unchanged, so he must have a shout.

Black Minnaloushe gelding Greek Legend has been a touch disappointing in three runs in KZN, but being a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag makes him an interesting runner in the Gr 3 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m.

The yard run Lazer Star in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes. She was bought out of the Ormond Ferraris yard mainly for breeding purposes and on previous evidence the 1600m trip might stretch her, although she is drawn well and it is her third run for the yard.

Splendid Garden carries topweight in the eighth, the Compendium MR 103 handicap over 1000m on the poly, and has a tough draw of nine. However, he has come a point down in the merit ratings and this talented but temperamental sort can’t be ignored coming off two Gr 1s where he was not disgraced.

By David Thiselton

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Marinaresco loves to win

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Mike Bass’s assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe is happy with the yard’s Vodacom Durban July day string at Summerveld.

He stuck his neck out and named Helderberg Blue as their best runner on the day and this in-form Gr 3 Delta Air Lines contender certainly looked a picture when putting in a slow canter on the beach sand at Summerveld yesterday (Tuesday).

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Meanwhile, the yard continue to be happy with July contestant Marinaresco. This Silvano gelding is a three-parts brother to Bulsara, who finished a 2,2 length fifth to Igugu in the 2011 July, despite carrying roundabout 1,5kg overweight.

Marinaresco, like Bulsara, has an exceptional turn of foot. Fayd’Herbe added, “He is a fighter, he likes to win.”

Jockey Grant van Niekerk has declared he is no longer worried by Marinaresco’s wide draw.

The yard run all of Inara, Silver Mountain and Lanner Falcon in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes and Fayd’Herbe was reluctant to separate them. He said, “All is well and may the best one win.”

The yard were also bullish about Gr 3 SABC Gold Vase contestant Three Balloons. Fayd’Herbe said, “He is coming to hand and 3000m is his distance.”

He said Ernie had also been doing well ahead of the tabGold Sprint over 1200m, where he has a wide draw in his first race on the poly.

David Thiselton

Kannemeyer duo spot on

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Three-times Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Dean Kannemeyer said both of his candidates for this year’s race, five-year-old Solid Speed and three-year-old Mambo Mime, were “spot on.”

Asked on which one he preferred he said, “On their home work Mambo Mime, but Solid Speed has never been a good work horse. Solid Speed is a five-year-old and Mambo Mime is a three-year-old and they carry the same weight, so that’s a different ball game.”

Jockey Keagan de Melo said he had been very happy with Mambo Mime and based on the feel the horse gave him believed he would definitely stay the 2200m trip. He is drawn in 12 and should be running on like he was in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. On Monday he worked with Dynastic on the beach sand at Summerveld and drew clear effortlessly.

Jockey Stuart Randolph is also happy with Solid Speed. The latter represents the same owner, trainer and jockey as last year’s winner, Power King, runs off the identical merit rating of 106 and is drawn in barrier 5 compared to Power King’s 6.

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

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

Balance Sheet and Solar Star both looked well in their workouts on the beach sand this week ahead of their engagements in the Gr 3 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m.

Kannemeyer has always believed Solar Star would get this sort of trip. He pointed out the latter had stayed on well in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m, where he finished fifth, only 1,65 lengths behind the winner Balance Sheet. However, Solar Star will now be only 0,5kg better off with his stable companion, so won’t find it easy to reverse form, especially considering Balance Sheet is proven over the trip, having finished second in last year’s Gold Cup over 3200m.

Kannemeyer runs Impala Lily in the first over 1400m on the poly and believes she will appreciate the step back to 1400m. It looked that way in her work out on the beach sand on Monday as she is a robust sort with big hind quarters. Her pole position draw is a further plus.

Cape Laddie ran a fine race under Anthony Delpech last time when caught wide over 1400m on the poly and still managing to stay on for a one length second to the fair sort Irish Pride.

He is now drawn well over the same course and distance in Saturday’s second race, but he does have to deal with a one point merit rated raise and Delpech was concerned about it being his second run after a long break.

David Thiselton

Lyle Hewitson

Hewitson enjoying the vibe

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Established Champions in all sports have the capacity to take success in their stride and eighteen-year-old apprentice sensation Lyle Hewitson is on the right path in this regard.

Hewitson stood by jockey Richard Fourie at Summerveld yesterday and it would have been difficult to tell who between them was on the cusp of his first Vodacom Durban July ride and who had already won the race before, such was the relaxed demeanour of both.

Hewitson said, “I am just going about life as normal at the moment as I am riding in races this week. But there is a great vibe around the July, the press have been great, it’s very exciting.”

Lyle Hewitson (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lyle Hewitson (Nkosi Hlophe)

He learnt about a month ago he would have a July ride, but did not know which horse he would be on. He added it was only when his name was revealed at the draw ceremony next to the Justin Snaith-trained contestant Dynamic it hit him and he described it as a “surreal” moment.

The reaction from his alma mata Kearsney College emphasised the feat as he received a barrage of sms’s and social media messages from pupils, Old Boys and teachers alike.

A lot of his friends attend the July every year, but are especially looking forward to Saturday’s renewal as they will have somebody to cheer home.

Hewitson admitted he had never dreamed he would be in this position just over three months ago when making his professional debut on March 6 at Scottsville.

He has already added 53 winners to the 22 he achieved as a workrider and will almost certainly lose his claim in record-breaking time. He said, “I couldn’t have mapped anything I have done so far.” Dynamic, a six-year-old gelding by Dynasty, is drawn in pole.

However, Hewitson is yet to plan his race. He said, “We have a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the race.” Dynamic has a tough task, being 3kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings, and he is rated a 33/1 chance by bookmakers. However, Hewitson has been happy with the horse’s preparation.

Dynamic finished a four length third in last season’s July  consolation race, the Gr 3 tabGold 2200, in his only attempt at the July trip. However, he was staying on strongly when runner up as a three-year-old in the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby, so looks to have the necessary stamina reserves.

Meanwhile, Fourie was quietly confident about his mount, the Snaith-trained Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn.

He was happy with the Dynasty gelding’s July gallop and said, “He was on the wrong leg but I wasn’t worried because we were going slow. When I picked it up he quickened instantly.” On his chances he said, “At Greyville if you have a Dynasty you have a big chance.”

It’s My Turn, who is coming off a possibly unlucky second in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, is officially 2,5kg under sufferance and has a tough draw of 14 to overcome. He is 13/1 with most bookmakers.

By David Thiselton

Rocketball (Left) King's Knight (Right) - Nkosi Hlophe

Rocketball’s a tough guy

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Gavin van Zyl runs three-year-old Rocketball in the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday and has a number of other runners at the meeting.

The horse the yard seem most bullish about on the day is the KZN Yearling Million contender Poster Girl, while Sunday’s KZN Million Mile winner No Worries will likely be scratched from the SABC Gold Vase.

Rocketball (Left) King's Knight (Right) - Nkosi Hlophe

Rocketball (Left) King’s Knight (Right) – Nkosi Hlophe

Jockey Warren Kennedy described Rocketball as a “very strong horse”, so was not concerned by his antics at the July gallops when keen as they set off.

He said they had gone a very slow pace, so he had not surprisingly taken a “tug”, but he added the main thing was “he did not overdo it.”

Kennedy pointed to the Judpot gelding’s recorded 22,9 second 400m to finish time at the gallops as proof he had the necessary finishing speed for the tight Greyville track.

The timing system on the day is done through a flag drop, so the accuracy has to be questioned, but Rocketball did quicken well in the Gr 1 SA Derby.

In the Gr 1 Daily News the pace had been too slow and Kennedy said, “He had too much ground to make up, but ran all the way to the line.”

He concluded, “He is in a good place, his prep has been good. I am happy with the draw (seven).”

Rocketball worked on the beach sand at Summerveld yesterday (Tuesday) and showed off his giant action. If he can come into the straight with momentum on Saturday that action could carry him close.

Kennedy’s best July finish has been third on the 100/1 shot Forest Path in 2009.

Warren Kennedy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Warren Kennedy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kennedy said about first race contender Brown Sugar, who carries topweight of  62kg minus the 2,5kg claim of Eric Saziso Ngwane, “It’s her favourite course and distance (1400m), she won well last time, and has the claimer aboard.” The form of that last race is hard to assess, but the field were well spread out which usually indicates a good performance and the handicappers gave the four-year-old a four point raise in the merit ratings.

The yard have two runners in the Middle Stakes over 1400m and Kennedy said, “Bagger Vance (drawn 14 with Brandon Lerena up) has become consistent and is in a good space at the moment. Tipo Tinto is a funny horse, he is seven-years-old, and hard to predict.” If Tipo Tinto repeats his last run over course and distance, when most unlucky, he could earn from a draw in which he should be able to drop in as there is plenty of pace on his inside.

Gavin van Zyl said about Isca, who runs in the Compendium MR 103 handicap over 1000m on the poly, “He is quick, so this could be his right trip and he drawn next to the right horse (Harry Lime).” The grey Var gelding has been dropped three points, but is 0,5kg under sufferance. He put in a flying bit of work on the beach sand yesterday (Tuesday) and is looking in tip, top shape. He jumps from draw two under Kennedy and has a chance provided he behaves in the pens. Just Ask Me runs here too and Gavin said he had been doing nicely, but would find it too short.

Redcarpet Captain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Redcarpet Captain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Poster Girl is next up and Anton Marcus rides from a plum draw of two in the lucrative 1300m event. Kennedy emphasised, “She is doing very, very well at the moment.” He pointed out she was the only horse in the field with Gr 1 form.

Assistant trainer Gareth van Zyl said about the yard’s runners in the eleventh race, the tabGold Sprint over 1200m on the polytrack, “Budapest is doing well, it might be a bit sharp, but it’s worth a shot. Redcarpet Captain has been gelded, but it is not easy from the draw (eleven).” He said Redcarpet Captain had improved in his work since gelding. The pair worked together on the beach sand yesterday (Tuesday) and Redcarpet Captain showed a lot of speed and had to be reined in by Kennedy, but it was the reverse in their grass gallop the other day, where Budapest had the better of it.

Kennedy said Celtic Captain would be alright returning to the mile in the Listed Daisy Business Solutions Handicap on the turf and did not expect him to repeat his antic of looking at the big TV screen,   which had proved costly after he had quickened into the lead in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas. He added the horse’s run in the Daily News 2000 had not panned out well, so it was not necessarily due to him not staying the trip. Gavin Lerena will be aboard Celtic Captain from draw eight, while Kennedy will ride the honest Silver Spring from draw five. The latter has dropped back to the 90 merit rated mark off which he finished a narrow second in the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap, although he is known to have a few soundness issues.

By David Thiselton

Delpech, Marcus bid for record

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Jockeys Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus will both be attempting to land a record-breaking fifth win in South Africa’s biggest horse race, the Vodacom Durban July, at Greyville on Saturday.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Delpech looks to have the better chance of achieving the milestone this year, at least as far as the betting odds go.

He is aboard the ruling favourite Bela-Bela, who was as eyecatching as usual when working on the top sand track at Summerveld yesterday morning (Monday).

The power in her stride is evident even at an easy pace.

Some say a low draw of three will make it tough for the three-year-old filly in her first ever race against males, especially as the July is renowned for being a rough race.

However, Delpech disagrees.

He said, “I would prefer to be drawn three than 20. She has good gate speed and is a simple horse to ride.”

Bela-Bela is only 0,5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings. Furthermore, trainer Justin Snaith pointed out she had not yet proved how good she was. In his opinion all three of his three-year-olds in the race will have considerably higher merit ratings in six months time.

The grey Dynasty filly is out of the amazing 20-year-old broodmare Mystic Spring, who has also produced the like of Rabiya, Secret Of Victoria, Spring Lilac and Rafiya.

Bela-Bela’s breeder Vaughan Koster of Cheveley Stud was there to see her at Summerveld yesterday morning.

Anton Marcus

Anton Marcus

Vaughan bred the Snaith-trained July winner of 2014, Legislate, who was also by the great 2002 July winner Dynasty.

Anton Marcus said he would have preferred to be closer to the fence than draw eleven, especially considering he was on a horse which he was not sure was good enough to win the race. However, he said his mount, the Joey Ramsden-trained four-year-old Silvano gelding St. Tropez, had been doing very well in his preparation.

St. Tropez is 3,5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings.

Marcus believed another Markus Jooste-owned July candidate Rabada had put in a “great run” in Sunday’s KZN Breeder’s Million Mile. The Brave Tin Soldier colt, with Marcus up, was beaten only 1,5 lengths and the top jockey pointed out he was weighted to have only run fourth.

Trainer Mike Azzie and connections were due to monitor how Rabada had pulled up out of Sunday’s race before deciding whether to run him in the July or not.

By David Thiselton