Category Archives: Y-Champions Season

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela cracks ideal draw

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The three-year-old Dynasty filly Bela-Bela is likely to become the outright favourite for the R4.25-million, Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July over 2 200m at Greyville Racecourse on July 2 after drawing an ideal three barrier draw at the official announcement of the final field and barrier draw function at the Theatre Of Champions.

The Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old, set to carry 54.5kg in the big race, had been joint favourite with stable companion Black Arthur before the draw but after the three-year-old Silvano colt drew 17 he is likely to ease out in the betting. He could, however, come in two places if the 18 horses guaranteed a run stand firm and the two reserves, Trophy Wife and Deputy Jud, drop away.

Jockey Anthony Delpech, looking for his fifth win in the country’s premier event, will have been delighted with the filly’s draw claiming that Bela-Bela is probably the second best filly he has ever ridden, the best being Igugu on which he won the race from a 10 draw under 55kg in 2011.

Looking at the field, there do not appear to be any hard luck stories among those that did not make the cut but what racegoers will be anxious to find out is which of the three Jooste runners – Rabada, The Conglomerate and St Tropez – Anton Marcus will be riding as no jockeys had been declared for any of them.

One man that will be happy, and it was reflected in the screams of joy by joint owner Rika Van Vuuren, is Mike Azzie whose three-year-old Triple Crown winner Abashiri drew barrier two. The colt has a big weight to shoulder at 59kg and the good draw will certainly make his task easier.

Stable companion Rabada drew at 12 but that is not necessarily a bad draw.

Cape trainer Joey Ramsden was clearly unimpressed when he drew 20 barrier for The Conglomerate and 11 for St Tropez but Dean Kannemeyer looked pleased when he drew the five berth for his Betting World 1900 winner Solid Speed.

Solid Speed, the five-year-old Dynasty gelding is one of only five runners in the race that are correctly weighted according to their basic ratings with the other 13 runners including the filly Bela-Bela being under sufferance, the filly by 0.5kg.

The 20 horses carded, along with horses competing in other feature races on the big day, will be on show in the July Gallops at Greyville early on Thursday morning.

Delpech big on Bela

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Anthony Delpech, hoping that Bela-Bela can give him a fifth Vodacom Durban July victory, believes that the grey filly has a big chance on Saturday week.

The former champion said yesterday: “I always had a question mark in my mind about whether she would stay because she has so much speed and then she won the Woolavington. I said then to Justin Snaith ‘If you are going to run the filly in the July I am going to ride her.’”

Immediately after the Woolavington Delpech said that his 2011 July winner Igugu was the best filly he had ever ridden but that Bela-Bela could be the second best. He confirmed that view yesterday, adding: “She is very good, really special.”

Michael Clower

rabada its my turn

Rabada tops Million Mile lineup

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The winner of the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000, Rabada, that was also just touched off by hot Vodacom Durban July fancy Black Arthur in the Canon Guineas, is among the 10 runners that will compete in the R1-million KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Million Mile at Greyville Racecourse on Sunday.

The Mike Azzie-trained Brave Tin Soldier colt, that is also among the entries for the country’s premier event on July 2, takes on some top horses in this annual event sponsored by the KZN Breeders Club and on his form is likely to start favourite for the 1 600m clash.

Topping the weights is the Garth Puller-trained Mogok gelding Way Of Light, winner of the Sledgehammer at Scottsville while Rabada will give 1.5kg to the well-performed and gutsy six-year-old gelding from the Gavin van Zyl stable No Worries.

The son of Kahal is better suited to a longer trip having won the Highland Night Cup over 2 400m and taken third place behind Balance Sheet last time out in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over the same distance. However, he is a strong galloper and will not be without a chance on Sunday.

Also taking his place is the four-year-old Western Winter gelding Roy’s Winter Patch from the Dennis Drier stable that has won his last two starts and the three-year-old Sean Tarry-trained King’s Chapel colt Malak El Moolook that is better than his recent form might suggest.

Tarry also runs the three-year-old Kahal filly Intergalactic that was only beaten 1.4 lengths by top Cape filly Inara at Turffontein.

All the races at the meeting on Sunday are confined to horses registered as being KZN-Bred and the eight other events on the card over distances from 1 200m to 1 900m will each carry a stake of R200 000.

Delpech opts for Bela

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Bela-Bela now heads the market for Saturday week’s Vodacom Durban July following Anthony Delpech’s shock decision to jump ship and get off the favourite Black Arthur in order to ride his stable companion.

World Sports Betting has cut the Woolavington winner from 15-2 to 11-2 clear favourite and Betting World has her 5-1 joint favourite with Black Arthur while Marinaresco comes next on 6-1 with French Navy a 13-2 chance.

Delpech, bidding for his fifth July win, has not got where he is today by picking the wrong one but Justin Snaith is not entirely convinced that the record-breaking former champion has made the right move.

He said: “Personally I think it’s too close to call. The weights are not in Bela-Bela’s favour and she only gets a kilo from the colts.

“But Anthony says that Bela-Bela has given him an unbelievable feel and he wants to stick with her regardless of the weights.”

When he heard that Mike Azzie had cancelled Dougie Whyte’s booking for Abashiri, and reinstated the gelding’s Triple Crown-winning partner Karl Zechner, Justin’s brother Jonathan moved quickly to secure the 13-time Hong Kong champion for Black Arthur even though Whyte will be riding at Sha Tin the night before and will not arrive in Durban until mid-morning.

Azzie, speaking at Greyville last Friday evening, explained: “We are going for the July with Abashiri and we are going to do our best to try and win it but we didn’t feel we needed the pressure of having to wait in case he doesn’t make his connecting flight. Adriaan van Vuuren has had a bit of a tense week with the press having a go at him about jocking off Dougie but it was a joint decision and this is the reason we took it.”

The Snaith camp, though, reckon the flight risk is worth taking and Justin said: “We had an opportunity to have a renowned international champion and I felt we should take it. Having him brings an extra spice to the race and I am very grateful to Alec and Gillian Foster (Black Arthur’s owner-breeders) for allowing this to happen. Without them it wouldn’t have been possible and I’m not worried about the flights – unless there is some world problem he should get to Durban on time.”

Snaith is bidding for a third July win following dead-heater Dancer’s Daughter in 2008 and the promoted Legislate two years ago (he jokes that he is the only trainer in the history of the race to have won it twice without having a horse passing the post with its head in front!) and he can hardly wait for the big day.

He said: “We have a serious chance and we have three runners – hopefully four with Dynamic – who are all doing well. We just have to get through the draws and the July gallops which are always a worry. But we are very excited and I wouldn’t swap the position I’m in with anyone.”

The final field and draws will be announced tomorrow and the July gallops are on Thursday.

Michael Clower

 

cape speed

Speed stamped with stamina

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Trainer Dean Kannemeyer, jockey Anthony Delpech and owner Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables added a fourth Graded success to their tally this SA Champions Season when the progressive Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Cape Speed won the Gr 3 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville yesterday in cosy fashion.

Delpech,

Cape Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Cape Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

who has now had an amazing seven Graded winners this Champions Season, rode an enterprising race from a tricky draw, taking his mount around runners to be handy. However, the progressive Ideal World three-year-old was still easily able to repel the challenge of runner up Deputy Jud and win by 0,25 lengths.  Three Balloons, Kitty’s Destiny and Storm Warning were next best.

This was Cape Speed’s third win in three outings since gelding.

Earlier, the Sean Tarry-trained Summerhill-bred Kahal filly Witchcraft had proved a point when winning the Gr 3 Track And Ball Oaks over 2400m by 1,5 lengths under S’Manga Khumalo from the Neil Bruss pair Flying Ice and Deputy Ryder. Witchcraft dictated in front and the odds-on favourite Nightingale was too far back but managed to finish fourth. Patchit Up Baby claimed the fifth place cheque.

The Vodacom Durban July supplementary entry The Centenary finished unplaced and her chances of making the final field look to be gone. Tarry had always regarded Witchcraft as an Oaks filly but in her chief target for the season, the Gr 1 SA Oaks, the race just did not pan out well and she finished unplaced.

David Thiselton

kangaroo jack

Kangaroo Jack still on the up

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The Gary Alexander-trained three-year-old Querari gelding Kangaroo Jack defied his 14/1 odds at Greyville on Friday night to win the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m in effortless fashion under Craig Zackey and out of the blue has become a serious Gr 1 Mercury Sprint possibility.

The Alexander team received a phone call one day from owner Joyce Wallace asking whether they would like to train this horse, who was bred by her late husband RB Wallace. It came as a nice surprise as they had never trained a horse for the Wallace family before. Kangaroo Jack duly arrived at the Alexander’s Turffontein yard as a young two-year-old having been pre-trained by Sharon Patterson.

Kangaroo Jack travelled down to Greyville on Friday morning. Assistant trainer Dean Alexander saddled him. The bay gelding glided down to the post as if he was on air and was the stand out.

He was dropped out from a wide draw and behind a strong pace showed an exceptional turn of foot in the straight. Coming from near the back he had hit the front under the hands by the 200m mark. He just required a few back handers from then onward to keep his mind on the job.

Kangaroo Jack (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kangaroo Jack (Nkosi Hlophe)

He passed the line 3,75 lengths clear of the Mike Bass-trained 10/1 shot Fly By Night, who pipped the Garth Puller-trained 25/1 shot Asstar for second. The Dennis Drier-trained second favourite, three-year-old Ferrie, completed the quartet.

Dean later described Kangaroo Jack as one who had been progressive from day one. The bay still looks to have scope for further improvement.

Kangaroo Jack was officially 2kg under sufferance with the Gr 1-winning mare Fly By Night, who was coming off a second place finish in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint just two weeks earlier. Therefore it will be no surprise to see him being given the maximum ten point merit rating raise to 110. The yard might now consider running him in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint Over the same course and distance in mid-July.

The favourite for Friday night’s race was Red Ray, who went down to post in eye-catching style. However, the long-strider’s momentum was affected by interference early in the straight and he was not persevered with after his chances of placing were gone.
The other runner coming out of the Tsogo Sun Sprint two weeks ago, Captain Alfredo, also failed to place.

David Thiselton

London Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

London Call has plenty in his favour

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The Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200, which will be run at Greyville tonight, is always one of the most exciting races of the SA Champions Season and is not a meeting to miss.

Sunday’s Track And Ball Derby and Oaks meeting will also appeal to the purist.

Watching the horses hare around the turn  in the Post Merchants, followed by the cavalry charge for home, is an exhilarating sight. However, it is never an easy race to analyse.

This year it is even more so, as it falls just two weeks after the Festival Of Speed, so a question is whether those that ran in the latter meeting have had sufficient time to recover.

London Call has only had one run over the Post Merchants course and distance and won with a bit in hand, despite carrying 61kg and giving decent types like Mr Roy and Executive Power lumps of weight. He has drawn perfectly in two, considering his natural pace coupled with his ability to find more gears, and Keagan de Melo knows him well. He will be fresher than most of the other runners and the only downside is his 101 mark falling near the bottom of one of the merit-rating bands, meaning he is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner Fly By Night.

Sean Tarry would have made Buckland his first choice in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint field, but the horse was eliminated by the selection panel. Tarry would have preferred this race to be down the straight. However, Buckland will be fresher than those who did run in the Tsogo Sprint and is an up and coming three-year-old who is going places.

Ferrie is proving to be useful and the form of his last 1000m win on the poly is working out well. However, like Buckland he is 2,5kg under sufferance with Fly By Night.

Fly By Night has become enigmatic, but showed her well-being in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint, where she showed pace throughout and stayed on well for second. She is drawn well in five and high-flying MJ Byleveld keeps the ride.

Red Ray was said to be only 80% fit for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, so did well to finish fourth. He has always been held in very high regard and Anton Marcus can help him overcome a tricky draw over his probable optimum trip, provided the race doesn’t come too soon.

The best weighted three-year-old is Kangaroo Jack, although even then he is 2kg under sufferance with the best in. He is a promising sort and immature looking, so still has plenty of scope for improvement.

Topweight Trip To Heaven will be a big runner if taking his place as he has speed, class and a fine turn of foot. Captain Alfredo has won on the Greyville poly and has a better chance at the weights than he did in the Tsogo Sun, where he showed his usual pace but could not find the necessary extra.

Consistent Aurum Pot was a close fourth in this race last year and although carrying 2kg more he is only 1kg under sufferance with Fly By Night. However, his wide draw makes it tough. Moofeed would be course and distance suited at best, but is still an entire and is coming off two poor runs. Belong To Me has a good record at Greyville, but has to bounce back and is not well weighted.

Amazing Strike has always been well regarded, but has a tough task at the weights and jumps from a wide draw. Asstar is the dark horse having beaten a good field last time despite the race not panning out well and likely needing it too. Old Em has good pace and a good draw, but is 1kg out with Fly By Night and this race is tough for a three-year-old filly.

The selection is London Call to beat Buckland and Ferrie with Fly By Night and Red Ray next best.

On Sunday Cape Speed makes appeal in the Gr 3 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m. He thrives in KZN and has won both of his starts since gelding. Now, for the first time, he tries the trip he has always looked likely to relish. He is officially a bit out at the weights, but is on the up. In form Anthony Delpech can help him negotiate a tricky draw of nine.

Kitty’s Destiny is out of a half-sister by Sportsworld to Cape Derby winner Floatyourboat, and his grandam is a half-sister to Champion Stayer Surfing Home, so he should also relish the trip and can prove himself better than his merit rating suggests. Disco Al will be defending his crown and jumps from pole position, although this is his second run after a rest.

In the Gr 3 Track And Ball Oaks, Gathering Fame flew up for second last time out in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup and will much prefer the Scottsville course, so is selected to beat the consistent Ma Choix and the classy staying type Gallica Rose, who was just touched off in this race last year.

David Thiselton

Abashiri (Liesl King)

Zechner back on Abashiri

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Karl Zechner is back aboard his SA Triple Crown-winning partner Abashiri after Hong Kong-based superstar Dougie Whyte had originally been declared for the ride.

Meanwhile, Abashiri has been allotted the heaviest weight a three-year-old has ever been asked to carry in the big race, 59kg, after the weights were dragged up 2,5kg across the board due to the scratching of Legal Eagle.

Trainer Mike Azzie said, “Dougie said initially he would be able to fly in on the Monday before the race, but the Hong Kong Jockey Club would not release him and he was then going to be able to fly out on the Thursday. However, due to some jockey suspensions he was then required to ride in Hong Kong on the Friday, meaning he would fly out that evening and then catch a connecting flight to Durban on the morning of the July. He has done this sort of thing before and when he told me the jet lag would not affect him I believed him. However, a flight delay anywhere along the line would mean we could end up without a jockey. We have enough pressure on us already to have to add more by running that risk. I am sorry for Dougie, but Karl will be based in Durban for the next two-and-a-half weeks, so will be with the horse every day until the race.”

Abashiri (Liesl King)

Abashiri (Liesl King)

Zechner has partnered Abashiri five times for five victories, including all three legs of the coveted SA Triple Crown. He copped criticism from some quarters for his ride in the last leg, the SA Derby, despite getting the job done and in some people’s opinions riding a fine race.

Abashiri’s relative weight will not be affected by the dragging up of the weights as all horses’ weights will be going up by 2,5kg and the bottom weight will now be 54,5kg.

He will in fact be the only three-year-old in the field who is not under sufferance.

However, Azzie was still concerned about him having to carry the welter burden of 59kg and pointed to horses like Jackson, whom he said was not the same horse after carrying 56kg in the race, while the great Horse Chestnut was scratched when asked to carry too much weight.

Azzie admitted “If I owned Abashiri I would not be running him. I am not saying he can’t win the race, we are going to have him fit and well enough, but he has his whole career ahead of him and personally I would have waited for him to strengthen and furnish and bring him back here as a four-year-old.”

However, he added it was owner Adriaan Van Vuuren’s life-long dream to win the July.

Van Vuuren, who dotes on all of his horses, has shown himself to be one of South African racing’s most passionate owners and it is understandable he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity of experiencing his beloved Abashiri  running in the country’s premier horseracing event.

David Thiselton

St Tropez (Nkosi Hlophe)

Relief after Eagle is withdrawn

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Many jockeys will have breathed a sigh of relief when the worst kept secret in racing was confirmed early yesterday morning with the news that Legal Eagle was scratched from the Vodacom Durban July. His scratching means that all the weights will be increased by 2,5kg.

Sean Tarry had indicated as early as April, after Legal Eagle had won the Premier’s Champions Challenge, that the July was not on the gelding’s agenda. But Tarry played a smart tactical game by leaving Legal Eagle in the mix until after the weights had been published on Tuesday and it was only a matter of when he played his trump card.

If Tarry had scratched Legal Eagle before publication of the weights his other runner, French Navy, would have been allotted top weight of 60kg but all the three-year-olds, barring Abashiri would have been set to carry 53kg.

By leaving Legal Eagle in until after publication of the weights, French Navy still goes up to 60kg but the three-year-olds copped another 2,5kg and this means that all of the three-year-old males with the exception of Abashiri will carry 55,5kg including ruling favourite Black Arthur giving those runners who match their handicap rating a big advantage over their younger rivals.

The bottom weight horses will carry 54,5kg and this includes three-year-old filly Bela-Bela.

However, even though the weights have been bumped up, of the three-year-olds only Abashiri is not under sufferance.

What the increase in weights does do is open the field for the jockeys as most of the senior riders were unlikely to make 53kg.

St Tropez (Nkosi Hlophe)

St Tropez (Nkosi Hlophe)

One jockey who will be particularly relieved is Anton Marcus although he was likely privy to what was on the cards. With Legal Eagle out and the weights increased, he now has the option on six Markus and Ingrid Jooste owned horses in Rabada, Deo Juvente, The Conglomerate, Disco Al, St Tropez and Rainy Day Blues, not all certain to get a run however, but St Tropez his most likely choice.

Also scratched yesterday were the Tarry-trained Prospect Strike and Jubilee Line, leaving Mike de Kock in the unfamiliar position of having only a single entry, namely the filly The Centenary, whose chances of making the July will hang on her winning the G3 Gold Circle Oaks at Scottsville on Sunday and even that may not be enough.

With bookmakers probably already having already factored in the likely withdrawal of Legal Eagle, there were only marginal changes to the betting with Black Arthur shortening half-a-point to 7-2 and French Navy steady at 7-1.

Latest ante-post betting for the R4.5million Gr1 Vodacom Durban July to be run at Greyville on Saturday, July 2:

7-2 Black Arthur, 6-1 Marinaresco, 7-1 French Navy, 15-2 Bela-Bela, 11-1 Abashiri, It’s My Turn, 13-1 Solid Speed, St Tropez, 14-1 Mambo Mime, Rabada, 25-1 Deo Juvente, Dynamic, 28-1 Rocketball, Master Sabina, 30-1 Ten Gun Salute, The Conglomerate, Trophy Wife, 35-1 Negroamaro, 50-1 Samurai Blade, 66-1 Balance Sheet, Saratoga Dancer, Judicial, 80-1 New Predator, 100-1 and upwards others.

Andrew Harrison