Category Archives: Y-Champions Season

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Horse Guards could be the one

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It has been a long wait to single out Dennis Drier’s chief Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion contender this season. But, yesterday’s first race winner at Scottsville, Horse Guards, could be the one.

Drier has won five of the last six runnings of the Medallion and the Horse Chestnut colt looked the real deal when powering home to win yesterday’s Juvenile Plate by 2,25 lengths under stable jockey Sean Veale despite carrying a 3kg penalty for his debut win.

The second race over 1200m was won in fine start-to finish style by the Duncan Howells-trained Muzi Yeni-ridden Toreador filly Blaze Of Mystery, who also carried a 3kg penalty for a win, and Howells said she was “underdone”, so should do even better in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship, although she will face a strong field there.

However, the most eyecatching winner on the card was possibly the Alistair Gordon-trained Royal Life. The talented gelding fought most of the way on the quarters of the leader Mountain Master in the fifth over 1600m, but still bounded away to win easily under apprentice Eric Saziso Ngwane and is now one to follow.

The Garth Puller-trained Asstar later downed Guiness and Tar Heel in a 1000m Pinnacle event and it will be interesting to see whether he is supplemented for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Horse Guards (Nkosi Hlophe)

Marinaresco dazzles

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The Durban July plunge on Marinaresco continues with a vengeance following his win – with scarcely believable ease – in the Winter Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Eight days ago he was as big as 28-1 but now you will be lucky to get more than 10-1. Indeed Betting World slashed him from 18-1 to 8-1 joint second favourite with Abashiri on Saturday evening. Black Arthur still heads the market for the great Vodacom race, albeit easing from 7-2 to 9-2, while Friday night’s 1900 winner Solid Speed has been cut from 22-1 to 10-1 and runner-up St Tropez from 50-1 to 14-1.

Grant van Niekerk, beaten a short head on 55-1 shot Smanjemanje in the 2012 July, reckons this could be the one to put the record straight and said: “He gives me goose bumps. He is probably the best I’ve ridden, he is still maturing and he will be a big runner in the July.”

Mind you, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Marinaresco saw too much daylight early on and fought for his head with a race-losing intensity. “At one stage I was three wide and I panicked a bit,” said the jockey, echoing the nail-biting anxiety of those who backed the favourite down to 17-20. “But then I managed to get in and he switched off.”

Van Niekerk cruised up with a double handful a furlong out and never had to ask his mount any sort of question. Indeed he was easing up well before the line – doubtless mindful of what the handicappers will do when they discuss it in video conference today –  and put out his left hand, palm up, in a gesture that had the riders in the stands scratching their heads in bemusement.

“It was just a salute,” he said but the stipes took exception as well as R1 000 of his R14 000 percentage.

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

There are 40 above the Mauritzfontein-bred Silvano gelding in the July log but a five point increase – the official margin was less than half a length so it’s hard to see him getting more –  would take out 14 of them.  The selection panel have two wild cards at their disposal and Mike Bass’s last hurrah would surely present an impossible-to-ignore case, particularly carrying the famous Marsh Shirtliff colours.

 

“He’s got to get a run now and he comes in nicely (at the weights). He’s a little machine,” said the trainer who was winning his eighth Winter Classic.   “He’s only 15.1 or 15.2 but he has an amazing turn of foot,” added daughter Candice.

Captain’s Flame, who made much of the running in the Stormsvlei Mile, decisively regaining the lead briefly held by Goodtime Gal, will also skip the final leg of the Winter Series to go to Durban – in her case for the Garden Province.

Aldo Domeyer, who rode her with such confidence, said: “I thought it would be best to pick up the lead with the winter course having such a short straight and I let Richard Fourie on Goodtime Gal get first run rather going for the doctor. We had been travelling quickly and I knew mine was winding into another gear.”

Corne Orffer won the weightwatcher of the month award for shedding 4.5kg in ten days to ride Chevauchee at 52.5kg in the Olympic Duel Stakes. His drastic diet consisted of fruit for breakfast, salad for supper and nothing else at any other time.

He was rewarded with victory even though stable companion Beach Goddess came within a head of ruining his long-dreamed of dinner – “I hit the front a little bit too soon and that’s why mine stopped at the end.”

Brett Crawford will now try the Australian-bred round the turn and he will run Friday evening’s winner Alexis in the Tibouchina on June 11 before taking on all the talent in the Garden Province.

Second favourite Lohnromance finished plum last, much to the disappointment of Andre Nel who said: “We fancied her every bit as much as we did Captain’s Flame.”

MJ Byleveld, who reported to the stipes that he felt something was wrong with the mare, reached the 50-winner mark with a Vaughan Marshall double that included an impressive performance from R2.2 million purchase William Longsword. But this one won’t be going to Durban.

Derek Brugman said: “He is a big horse and it would be a futile exercise to send him down there on those tight tracks. We will probably nominate him for the Langerman but I’m not sure he has got it all together for a race like that and I don’t want to spoil him.”

By Michael Clower

Uncertainty with Black Arthur

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Black Arthur, 14-10 favourite with World Sports Betting for Saturday’s Daily News, is not certain to run.

Justin Snaith said on Saturday: “It’s 50:50 and it’s a tough decision, one that Alec Foster has to make. Obviously I have my opinion – and I want to protect the horse.

“When Legislate won the Daily News two years ago he then had to carry 56k in the July and that is a big weight for a three-year-old. It also takes a lot out of a horse.”

Black Arthur has been favourite for the July since winning the Canon Guineas earlier this month. Snaith confirmed that his Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn is definite runner in Saturday’s Greyville Grade 1, adding: “He is doing very well.”

By Michael Clower

solid speed

Solid Speed confirms his credentials

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Solid Speed had his Gr1 Vodacom Durban July odds slashed by half after converting favouritism in the Gr2 Betting World 1900 at Greyville on Friday evening. 20-1 before the event, Solid Speed was cut to 10-1 by the sponsors while the odds on runner-up St Tropez were slashed from 55-1 to 14-1 after running the favourite to a neck.

Dean Kannemeyer and rider Anthony Delpech had to chew their nails on the outcome of a race review but although Solid Speed did shift off a straight course, he did so following St Tropez, and there was no further action.

It was a race were many had chances but Solid Speed hammered his peg into the ground as far as the July goes.

A winner of the Gr2 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup this time last year, but Power King the preferred July runner,

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kannemeyer aimed Solid Speed at the then Gr1 eLan Gold Cup rather than the July. Starting favourite for the Gold Cup he finished with just three behind him after pulling up lame behind.

 

Since then he has won three of his four starts, two over a ‘mile’ – a distance deemed short of his best – and on Friday night’s performance he will have gained a host of new supporters for the July, a race that Kannemeyer has won three times, first up with champion sire Dynasty, the sire of Solid Speed.

St Tropez put a disastrous Gr1 Summer Cup behind him as Kegan de Melo followed Solid Speed through the traffic and chased him hard to the line to enhance his July credentials.

A piece of paper separated Dynamic and The Conglomerate although both were given every chance. But with the July in mind, it was a decent showing by both from tough outside draws.

Also catching the eye was the grey King Of Pain. A former winner of the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m at Clairwood, he looks to have matured into a solid stayer. He won over two miles last time out and was doing his best work late on Friday. The Gr3 Gold Vase and the Gr2 eLan Gold Cup look tailor made.

Earlier Sail, in spite of getting herself into a stew before the start, put her hand up for the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship in a fortnight’s time with a game performance in a Juvenile Plate. She bounced her way to the start but once in the race settled nicely and quickened through into the lead as pacemaker Announcing Rain folded. She was chased hard by Dawn Calling, the line coming just in time, but it was a top effort.

This was a seven-furlong event but previously she had doddled her maiden over the Allan Robertson course and distance which augurs well for her chances.

By Andrew Harrison

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

More to come from Greek Legend

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The Gr 2 Betting World 1900 turned out to be the best pointer to last year’s Vodacom Durban July so will be watched with keen interest by punters tonight, although it is overall a slightly weaker contest than last year’s event according to official merit ratings.

The Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m is another classy race the purist can look forward to.

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Big things were expected of Greek Legend in the three-year-old classics last year, but he was side-lined with a suspensory injury. He showed his class last time out at Turffontein over 1600m when rocketing home from a seemingly beaten position to end the unbeaten record of Chepardo. Trainer Mike Azzie regards him as “way better” than his 91 merit rating, so he could overcome his official weight disadvantage. Judging by his relaxed gait, he should not be bothered by the new course or running under lights, and his usual blinkers should help too. His tremendous turn of foot should make him suited to the track and a false rail of three metres should ensure his good draw of two is favourable. He is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag so should have no problem seeing out the trip.

Master’s Eye is an eyecatching individual and having looked at the stands for virtually the entire length of the straight at Scottsville last time, the fitting of blinkers make him an interesting contender. He has a good draw and gets the trip.

Solid Speed possesses a touch of class and although best suited to further his easiest career win was over tonight’s distance on the Greyville poly.

The Conglomerate (Liesl King)

The Conglomerate (Liesl King)

The Conglomerate stayed on quite well in the IOS Drill Hall and will be ideally course and distance suited, but has a tricky draw.

St Tropez has class and being by Silvano should come into his own this season. He has won returning from a layoff before.

Dynamic should be cherry ripe and the yard would have made him a big runner from a better draw.

Master Switch won well over 2000m last time, beating Greek Legend comfortably, but the latter likely needed it in his first race for six months and will now be 3,5kg better off.

Halve The Deficit will be a big runner if reproducing his Vodacom Durban July run off this lowered merit rating. He wasn’t disgraced in the Premier’s Champions Challenge last time and is better suited to Greyville.

His stablemate Gold Onyx is well known for his short run in and can never be written off at Greyville.

Serissa should ensure a good pace for his stablemates.

Last year’s winner Dynastic Power jumps from an even wider draw and has it a bit tougher at the weights but has enjoyed a good preparation.

King Of Pain has proven class, but is unpredictable. His best career victory followed a similar layoff.

It Is Written will be a runner provided he settles in his first attempt at this trip as he tends to be a bit headstrong, but has a fine turn of foot.

Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)

Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)

Night Shadow is 4,5kg under sufferance but has been an immature sort who is on the way up and there is not much between him and both Dynastic Power and It Is Written.

The selection is Greek Legend to beat Master’s Eye with Solid Speed, Halve The Deficit and St. Tropez next best.

The East Coast Cup could also produce a good value winner in Zante. Her fourth place finish in last year’s Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 was against some of the best of a vintage crop and she had too much to do when finishing strongly in the Scarlet Lady last time over the too sharp 1750m.

Gallica Rose has plenty of class and will be a worthy favourite over an ideal course and distance.

Deputy Ryder is also course and distance suited and seems to thrive in KZN.

Intergalactic is an improving sort who is proven over the trip.

Tonya is also on the way up and caught the eye last time when winning well at Scottsville over 1950m.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

There are some good horses in the other six races on the card, which starts with two interesting Juvenile Plates over 1400m.

Gallica Rose (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gallica Rose (Nkosi Hlophe)

Secret Captain was green and far from tuned up when running on to win over 1200m on debut at Scottsville and will appreciate the step up in trip in the first. He is likely to improve and will need to in order to beat Misty Birnam and Lee’s Star.

Sail will relish the step up in trip in the second and can exact revenge on Princess Analia.

Alexis thrives in KZN and loves Greyville so is the one to beat in the third over an ideal 1400m with Marcus up from a good draw.

Paterfamilias has shown this season why he has always been well regarded and can win the fourth running fresh over too sharp a trip, but if he fluffs his lines his stable mate Night Trip can go in.

Captain’s Vista caught the eye with a fluent finish to win a 1600m maiden at Scottsville and from pole position has a chance in the seventh over 1400m as he should progress. The step down in trip might not be ideal and Fantasy Art and a few others could also be included.

Lookamee looks likely to relish the course and distance of the last and is well drawn with Marcus up.

By David Thiselton

sky grand prix

Grand Prix Aerobatics & Daily News 2000

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A spectacular aerobatic display over Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Saturday, May 28, including two performances by the famous South African Air Force Silver Falcons, will be part of an exhilarating day of air and ground entertainment that also features two of the most important horse races on the South African calendar, the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the R1-million, Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics featuring 10 of the world’s best aerobatic pilots will be the biggest and best air display ever over the central Durban area which, in addition to the thrilling aerobatic manoeuvres, will include two fly pasts by Boeing 737-800 airliners, a model aircraft display and skydivers in a combined presentation by Gold Circle, the Daily News and the South African Aerobatic Club.

The air display will get underway at 9am with the gates to Greyville opening at 7.30am. Entrance to Greyville in the morning will cost R220 for adults and R50 for children under 12 and tickets can be obtained from Computicket or at the gate. There will be live commentary and big-screen coverage of the daring air manoeuvres which will be first for the city.

From 1pm, entrance to Greyville will be FREE for the racing fans attending the Daily News Racemeeting which takes place in the afternoon.  Those patrons will also be able to catch the tail end of the high-flying extravaganza with the awards and podium ceremony taking place at the course after the running of the first race.

The pilots will be in attendance at the course to meet the crowd and after the running of the second race the skydivers will make their final drop to close off the pageant.

It is important that the public are aware that due to health and safety regulations there will be no parking in the Greyville Racecourse in-field area and some of the roads in the vicinity of Greyville will be closed.

For those attending, the famous Galloping Gourmet Beer & Braai Festival situated near the Braai Zone will be in action throughout the day but the popular KidZone will be closed.

Entry forms for the fabulous Daily News competition worth R64 000 that offers a two-night stay for four people, inclusive of breakfast, in the magnificent Penthouse Suite at Fairmont Zimbali Resort can be deposited in the competition boxes at Greyville before the running of the 5th race.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY

TIME EVENT
08:25-08:30 Welcome, Flag raising and FAI Anthem
08:30-09:00 Sky Grand Prix Known Sequence Pilots 1-5
09:00-09:10 Airline Boeing 737-800 Flypast subject to schedule
09:10-09:40 Sky Grand Prix Known Sequence Pilots 6-10
09:40-10:00 Silver Falcons Team Display
10:00-10:05 Results Known Sequence and Unknown Intro
10:05-10:35 Sky Grand Prix Unknown Sequence Pilots 1-5
10:35-10:50 Raptors RV Team Display
10:50-11:20 Sky Grand Prix Unknown Sequence Pilots 6-10
11:20-11:30 Skydivers
11:30-11:35 Results Unknown Sequence and Freestyle Intro
11:35-11:40 Airline Boeing 737-800 Flypast subject to schedule
11:40-12:10 Sky Grand Prix Freestyle Sequence Pilots 1-5
12:10-12:20 Model Aircraft Display
12:20-12:45 Sky Grand Prix Freestyle Sequence Pilots 6-9
12:45-13:00 Silver Falcons Team Closing Display
13:00 FREE Entrance for Racegoers
13:15-13:50 Pilot Meet and Greet
13:55 Race 1
14:05-14:20 Awards and Podium at Greyville after Horse Race 1
14:40 Race 2
14:50-15:00 Skydivers
15:20 Race 3
15:55 Race 4
16:30 Race 5 – Woolavington 2000
17:10 Race 6 – Lonsdale Stirrup Cup
17:45 Race 7
18:25 Race 8
19:00 Race 9

 

Power ride for Byleveld

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MJ Byleveld went within a neck of winning last year’s Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and is ironically aboard the horse which beat him, Dynastic Power, in Friday night’s renewal at Greyville.

Byleveld’s mount from last year, Power King, famously went on to win the country’s premier race, the Vodacom Durban July, albeit with Stuart Randolph aboard, while Dynastic Power found himself in the Milnerton yard of Vaughan Marshall at the beginning of this season after the retirement of his former trainer Stan Elley.

Byleveld said Dynastic Power had come on from his SA Champions Season pipe opener at Scottsville and added, “He is doing very well, we’re very happy with him.”

The defending champion was drawn a tricky 12 last year and now has to overcome the widest draw of all in the 16 horse field.

However, Byleveld said the five-year-old Dynasty gelding, who appears to thrive at Summerveld, had enough pace to find a handy position from there.

Dynastic Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Last time out, in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Scottsville, Byleveld sent Dynastic Power to the front due to the lack of pace and after relaxing well he stayed on bravely for a 0,2 length third.

A similarly slowly paced race would possibly suit him as it would prevent him from having to use up too much energy early from the wide draw.

In last year’s race he was caught two-wide in about sixth place, but did have some cover and found a strong finish.

Last year his 98 merit rating saw him near the top of the 99 to 95 band of merit ratings and having to carry only 54kg.

This year in a slightly weaker race overall he is off a 101 merit rating, which puts him near the bottom of the 104 to 100 band, and he has to carry 58kg. He is officially 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses in the race, who are all of Gold Onyx (107, 60kg), Halve The Deficit (103, 58kg), Master’s Eye (103, 58kg), Solid Speed (103, 58kg) and St Tropez (99, 56kg).

Contrary to most seasons, the 1900 turned out to be last year’s best July pointer as third-placed Punta Arenas went on to finish runner up to Power King in the big one.

By David Thiselton

solid speed site

Delpech opts for Speed

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Anthony Delpech opted to ride Solid Speed from a choice of two Gr 2 Betting World 1900 contenders from the Dean Kannemeyer yard and this has left Stuart Randolph to deal with the talented but headstrong It Is Written.

Delpech felt Solid Speed had a “tough task”, despite his current status as 9/2 favourite with the sponsor, citing the 1900m trip as being “a bit too short for him”.

The tough five-year-old Dynasty gelding did win a good race over 1600m at Scottsville in his SA Champions Season pipe opener last time out, when staying on strongly to beat Dynamic, and Delpech said, “Yes, he is the sort who can come out and run well fresh. He has ability and is not without a chance tomorrow night.”

Solid Speed has a high strike rate, having won exactly half of his 14 career starts. He recorded a hattrick at Greyville last season, winning his pipe opener in a 1900m handicap with ease, before winning both the Highland Night Cup and the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.

He is now off a 103 merit rating, his highest mark to date, and is officially the best in at the weights together with four other horses. He jumps from a tricky draw of 10. Delpech concluded, “He has been doing well at home (Sumerveld).”

It Is Written (Nkosi Hlophe)

It Is Written (Nkosi Hlophe)

It Is Written was unlucky last time out in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Scottsville, having been hampered late before flying up for a neck second.

Randolph said the key was whether he could switch the five-year-old Dynasty gelding off or not. He said, “He has a tendency to over do it, so you’ve got to be careful, but if he settles he should see out the trip. He is probably most effective from 1400m to a mile, so I will be hoping for a true run race.”

It Is Written did settle well from a good draw of two in the Sledgehammer, but Randolph said it had been “touch and go.”

The pole position draw tomorrow night augurs well for his chances of finding the necessary cover, but the step up in trip could be a problem, because behind a slower pace it will be that much tougher to switch him off. He is 8/1 with the race sponsors and can’t be written off, as long as he manages to relax from the off.

David Thiselton

 

r no worries

Van Zyl yard could surprise

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Night Shadow (Nkosi Hlophe)

Night Shadow (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Van Zyl yard have two Silvano geldings in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 tomorrow night, Night Shadow and Silver Spring, and they are conditioned by Gareth and Gavin respectively.

The four-year-old Night Shadow officially has a tougher task at the weights, but is the more progressive of the two, and stable jockey Warren Kennedy has duly chosen him ahead of Silver Spring.

Gareth said, “Night Shadow ran above his rating last time. He is an immature sort of a horse who has got ability and room for improvement.”

Night Shadow is officially the worst weighted horse in the race tomorrow night, being 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses in the race. However, the yard have enough confidence in his scope for improvement to have nominated him for the Vodacom Durban July (subsequently withdrawn)

In fact he is only 0,5kg worse off tomorrow night with both It Is Written and Dynastic Power from the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Scottsville, despite being beaten only a head and a short-head respectively.
Night Shadow jumps from draw 8 over an ideal trip and has enjoyed a fine preparation.

Seven-year-old Silver Spring is known to be full of issues but never gives anything other than 100% and Gareth, speaking on behalf of Gavin, said he was currently in a good space. However, he is officially 1,5kg under sufferance and is drawn wide in 12, while his highest ever winning mark is a full eight points lower than his current mark of 92. He and Triple Crown-winning jockey Karl Zechner have it all to do.

By David Thiselton