Andrew Harrison

PICK 6 punters will have to play big or take chances at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. This is not an easy card starting in the opening leg.

Hello Tomorrow can get them off to a winning start. She has had her chances but in this company she looks more than capable. Her last run is best ignored and her best recent effort has been around a turn. What A Splash has done all of her racing down the Scottsville straight and does not have the best of draws although it is a small field. But the opposition is no great shakes and she can go one better.

The fifth is difficult and could be a case of go big or take your chances. Bayview Express has been up against much stronger at recent outings and drops to a lowly handicap. That and Anton Marcus may be enough to see Yogas Govender’s charge home. Lowan Denysschen sends out High Green who has drawn wide but loves this course and distance. You can ignore his last start when squeezed out badly when looking to make his run. Mighty Smart has a lot in his favour as he stays the trip, has a useful claiming apprentice up and a light weight from a good draw. That said, he’s battling for his second win. Origami showed up well first run out of the maidens. He has made steady improved and appears to be maturing.

The sixth is another difficult handicap. Al’s My Daddy was never in the hunt in his local debut on the poly but his Cape Town form on the turf is better. With only 53kg to shoulder he could be the right one. Gentleman’s Wager smoked home from a wide draw on the poly last outing but he got a six-point raise in the handicap which is concerning. Also his best form seems to be on the poly. Spring Fling has jumped from a 72 to an 84 MR in just two starts but he rocketed home at his last start and may only now as a 5yo be finding his best. Peaceful Day returns from a lengthy break but has shown up well against stronger in the past and any market support must be respected.

Spydas Corner is still on the up and although he takes on a strong field he could be your exotic bet banker. Narrowly beaten last start, he may just have been short of a run. He has a light weight and the blinkers are exchanged for cheek pieces. This race should tell how good he is. Good Rythm is in cracking form and should be in the money even though he takes on a smart field. Pearl Of Asia has always been smart and proved it last run with a comfortable win. He took the maximum six-point hit in the handicap, the one concern is that his best recent form has been down the straight. Sunset Eyes is a top sprinter but has not been out since November last year. Anywhere close to his best he should be hard to beat.

It may prove prudent to load up in the eighth. Gardenia won at long odds on debut and made no show first up out of the maidens. She has been rested but definitely has ability. She’s A Keeper has only had two starts. She made a useful handicap debut and looks progressive but she takes on a host of younger fillies with potential. Calulo gets a stronger rider aboard while Purple Moon Rising looks to have some scope. Boogie Shoes, Magnetic Dime, and Simply Russian are all worth scrutiny.

If you are through to the last leg of the Pick 6 you will probably be looking at a substantial payout.

Ruby Sky has made steady improvement and is lightly raced and she appears to be coming to hand. Another Love has only missed a cheque once in six starts but has been up-and-down the distance charts which is a worry but the blinkers may have solved her problem. Just The Wind has not been too far back on the poly and the switch to turf may help. The name Meghan is topical at the moment and might be a sentimental inclusion. The filly has put in two decent sprints of late and although the draw is a concern, she does look capable.

In the first, Poppy Of Bayeaux can boost resources. She was well backed on debut but was green and should come on lengths from that effort.

Anton Marcus has stuck with Good Traveller in the second in spite of the widest draw. He was a more than comfortable winner on debut although second-placed Silvery Blue has since finished down the field. Waterberry Lane made major improvement at his second start and came from a long way back to win. He has had the benefit of a trip around a turn.

Promise To Dream can get the PA off to a solid start. He has taken on winners in two of his three starts and the smart-looking War Room has been too good for him. He was close-up in his other start and looks more than capable in this field.

EVEN though this year’s Vodacom Durban July will once again be held ‘behind closed doors’ with no public sale of tickets, the organisers are confident of delivering all the features which make this Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event. “Horseracing, Fashion and Entertainment are the core elements which make up this spectacular event, and even though we won’t have the public at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse again this year, we will deliver an event befitting the 125^th running of this famous race.” said Steve Marshall, Events and Marketing Executive of Gold Circle. “We are fortunate to be able to call on our experience of staging one of the first major ‘behind closed doors’ events last year and to have a title sponsor in Vodacom, with whom we are celebrating our 20^th year, to partner with us through these challenging times.”

The fashionistas would already have taken notice of the “Birds of a Feather” theme released earlier this week, as College and Technicon design students begin their journey to lift the coveted Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. The DFF Rising Stars Collection will once again compliment the Invited Designer Showcase to complete the 2021 VDJ Fashion Experience leading up to race day.

The Vodacom Durban July returns to its traditional first Saturday in July and the stage is already being set for one of the best fields of thoroughbreds to compete for the pinnacle prize in South African horseracing on 3 July. All of Belgarion (2020 VDJ), Got The Greenlight (2020 Daily News 2000, 2^nd 2020 VDJ), Do It Again (2018 & 2019 VDJ), Rainbow Bridge (2019 & 2021 CT Met), Golden Ducat (2020 WSB Champions Cup), Linebacker (2021 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby), Malmoos (2021 WSB SA Classic), War Of Athena (2021 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic) and the horse everyone is talking about, Kommetdieding, are expected to be among the list of first nominations on 14 April for the historic 125^th running of Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the Vodacom Durban July.

David Thiselton

THE five feature races at Turffontein Standside tomorrow are headed by the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m in which the unexposed three-year-old Vars Vicky could continue on his winning ways. 

This Stuart Pettigrew-trained gelding has a lovely action and quickened effortlessly last time when winning over 1200m on the Inside course. He still has a potentially suppressed merit rating as he has not been tried in feature class before so now carries the minimum weight of 52kg under the merit rated band conditions. He is in fact 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse but looks capable of rising above his current mark. He has a nice high draw of eleven which is the favourable side by trends. Muzi Yeni aboard is a further bonus.

Topweight Chimichuri Run has landed the worst draw by trends of number one. This did not stop him winning last time but he does have a much tougher task at the weights this time and is in fact 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted. His regular pilot Gavin Lerena has deserted him to ride the best weighted True To Life. However, Chimichuri Run’s class can overcome these obstacles and he should be right there.

Mount Pleasant looked to be something special in his early career but two unplaced runs over 1600m have dimmed his star. He has chance to revive the brightness dropping back to 1200m. A high draw will favour this big-striding individual but against him is his high merit rating of 120 meaning he has to give 6kg to his contemporary Vars Vicky. 

Gallic Princess has proven herself a useful sprinter and if her pace enables her to overcome a low draw she has a shout.

True To Life has a fine record over this course and distance and is not only the best weighted but has a fair draw so should be finishing as strongly as usual.

Others capable of winning if they bring their A game are Bohica, Eden Roc, Singforafa, Golden Belle and Winter Stories.

The Listed Derby Trial could be fought out by three progressive horses Pamushana’s Pride, Invincible Warrior and Earl. Pamushana’s pride and Earl look certain to enjoy the trip and the scopey Invincible Warrior strikes as one who will stay despite there being a slight question mark on pedigree. 

The Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial has attracted an uninspiring field that is not worthy of Listed status although the topweight Ideal Jet does strike as one who possesses some potential. She is the choice to beat the improving Mauby who should enjoy the step up in trip. Keeping The Peace, Traveling Wilbury and Siren Of Greece can also be considered over a suitable trip.

In the Listed Drum Star Handicap Running Brave has them all beaten on form or paper except for Green Haze although Green Haze might need it as it his first run for the Paul Peter yard and Pack Leader is preferred for the exacta. Youcanthurry Love and Divine Odyssey make most appeal of the rest.

The Gold Rush Sprint could see the light-weighted filly Celestial Love upsetting two classy speedsters Forever Mine and Valyrian King.     

HIGHVELD RACING is pleased to announce the running of the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600 metres at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday 17 April 2021.

The Racing Association takes this opportunity to thank HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, HSH Princess Charlene and the South African Sport of Kings Monaco Group.

They have continued with their support and interest in our industry by way of contributing towards the stake of this prestigious event. Their generous contribution takes the total stake for the race to R750 000.

Mike Wittstock, father of HSH Princess Charlene, has been instrumental in assisting with this promotion and we acknowledge his important role in this day which has, in the past been a tremendous success.

‘Our aim is to build the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes into one of the premier fillies’ races in South Africa.

 The racing industry will abide by the restrictions in place as a result of Covid-19 and details of planned promotions on the day will be published in due course.’

Racing Association Press Release

The Gareth van Zyl-trained EMERALD PALACE, with Warren Kennedy up, wins the Gold Circle Racing YouTube Channel Maiden Plate by 14.8 lengths at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.
Picture: Candiese Lenferna

David Thiselton

THE Turffontein Inside track stages an eight race meeting today and it looks to be a favourable one both for exotic and on the nose players.  

The first race is a workrider’s maiden over 1200m and Lucy In The Sky is taken to win despite a tough draw. She showed a fluent cruising stride last time over this trip down the straight and ran on well for second, beating Ruby Woo by 0,90 lengths. She can be dropped out before running on. Ruby Woo will be a threat as she has a draw advantage over Lucy In The Sky and has some early pace. 

The second race is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1450m and Savage Love could defy the form. She was beaten 1,55 lengths by the ruling favourite Freedom Of Choice last time over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track but was drawn wider and had to be dropped back to find cover. She was closing on Freedom Choice in the closing stages and now has a plum draw over a step up in trip she will relish being by Coup De Grace, who won from 1200m to 1400m out of a Lambent Light are who won four times from 1000m to 2000m. Freedom Of Choice is by Master Of My Fate and is a half-sister to a horse who has won four times from 1800m to 2400m so she will also relish the step up in trip and she also has a far draw. Those two should be enough for the Bipot.

The third race also looks to be a two-horse race. Fisher King ran a good race last time over 1200m and this Willow Magic half-brother to SA Derby winner Hero’s Honour will relish the step up in trip to 1450m. He has a plum draw of two. Noble Strike is an eyecatching looker and can do a lot better than his debut when caught wide and green throughout, so he is taken to reverse form with Coming In Hot and Tinder Dry. The latter pair could earn again.

In the fourth race there also look to be just two who are necessary for the exotics. Extravert is made the best of the day, although not with a great deal of confidence. He was dropped down to a sprint trip last time for the first time since his debut and showed good cruising speed in front. He finished four lengths back in third but was 4,25 lengths clear of the rest of the field and he now races over the same trip from a good draw with Khumalo retaining the ride. Katzenthal made a good impression on debut behind the highly promising Al Sakeet after being slow way and jumps from pole position so is also going to be a big runner. 

In the fifth race over 1600m Fast Draw enjoyed the step back down to this trip last time not surprisingly as he tended to race too strongly over further and he now has a good draw so should go close. Blue Spark is often thereabouts and also has a fair draw over a suitable trip. Amberglo Star has done well in her last two starts from favourable draws so she can be considered, although she now has a tough draw to overcome. Light Warrior can be considered too as some of his form is good in the context of this race although he does have a tricky draw. Enigma Code can also be considered on his last run as he has a plum draw.

The sixth race over 1600m is an intriguing Graduation Handicap that pits the front-running La Luvia, who jumps from a good draw, against the long-striding closer Puerto Manzano. The latter will be no doubt be dropped out again and would prefer the log straight of the Standside track, but there are only eight horses in the field and he should be close enough to have a chance of making up the deficit. Under the conditions the well drawn Rock You also has a shout as he runs on well.

The seventh race over 1450m, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares, is the highlight of the meeting as it sees the reappearance of the much touted Florentine. Her defeat on debut was a shock at the time but the one who beat her, Sweet Future, has turned out to be well above average. Florentine won well second time out and has a fair draw over a step up in trip she will relish. Zimbaba is the danger as she will also relish the step up and has some class. She is by Legislate out of a mare who is by Pivotal out of Ipi Tombe so it is not surprising that Zimbaba possesses a fine turn of foot.

The last race is the toughest on the card and as man as possible must be included. Entente is probably the one with the most ability but she tends to throw her head up in the running so makes it difficult for herself. She is capable of mowing this field down if she settles well enough at the back after likely being dropped out from a wide draw.  Bitter Wind has her first start around the turn since her maiden win so can bounce back as she produced a good kick from the front that day. Speechmaker runs on well over shorter so is interesting stepped up to this trip again. Milan’s Princess should also handle the step up in trip and is the joint best-weighted under the Classified Stakes conditions together with Bitter Wind and Speechmaker.          

Andrew Harrison

GENERAL FRANCO caused something of a furore on debut. Firstly, because some took exception to his name, ostensibly named after the not-much-loved fascist ruler of Spain. But more probable given his pedigree – by super sire Frankel out of a Kingmambo mare – the name was more pretentious than anything to do with the Spanish dictator.

Secondly, he won smartly on debut, smartly enough for the handicappers to slap him with a rating of 102!

He hasn’t won since! Second horse home that day, Three Two Charlie, went on to win next time out and subsequently the Sophomore Sprint but has not been out since February last year and no longer appears on the NHA data base.

Since debut, it has taken the handicappers nearly two years to drop General Franco’s merit rating to today’s more realistic 84, two points lower than when last he raced after earning an extra two pounds for his runner-up berth behind Spydas Corner.

His last run was his first on the poly and second run after a break. With that experience under his girth, Justin Snaith back in town and Anton Marcus in the irons, he may be worth another chance when he lines up in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

He takes on some quick horses in this 1200m dash and the likes of Mashari, Di Mazzio and Double Espresso will provide a searching test.

Mashari has a light weight and is never far back. His best recent form has been on the synthetic surface and from a good draw he should be right there. Louis Goosen’s soldier Di Mazzio does prefer a furlong shorter and benefitted from a strong pace when narrowly beaten last week. But he does look to be back to his best and he loves the poly. Double Espresso won well last run but although he is never far back, he took a stiff five-point hit in the handicap.

Punters face another tricky card.

The first is best ignored as they are mostly first timers. Of the two that have run, Uncomplicated made marked improvement at his second outing and rates the one to beat while Vegas Gold has been priced by Hollywoodbets as best of the debutantes.

Inherit The Rain is the bookies favourite in the second after two fair recent starts on the Highveld but his only win has been a work riders maiden. There could be better value about Doug Campbell’s runner Vunderbar. He has first-time blinkers and does appear to be better than his current form would suggest. The experiment with blinkers failed with Dandolo and Sean Veale’s arms were a couple of inches longer than at the start. The blinkers come off and he has his third run after a break. He had shown early ability and may be worth one more stab.

Tony Rivalland, who sends out Dandolo, could be in with a quick double as he saddles Cupid’s Song in the third. The gelding has a bit of a tricky draw at 10 but he did show some improvement in blinkers and has made steady recent progress. He looks the one to beat.

Of the others, Master Dancer is battling but is way better than his last effort and the poly is his best surface while Diedi made sudden improvement last run under apprentice Kyle Strydom. A repeat showing can see him into the money again.

Marcus teams up with Gavin van Zyl in the fourth with Shape Of You who was a beaten odds-on chance last run. But she has put in three promising efforts over ground and can make amends. Top Me Up Holly looks a threat after improving nicely second time out from a tricky draw. She has the best of it here and has first time blinkers. However, she returns from a lengthy break and may just need this. Miss Missouri has run her best races over course and distance. She almost certainly needed her last run from a wide draw and can do much better here.

In the fifth, Laurel Lane has made steady improvement and had the worst of the draw last time out. She has pulled a better draw here and should have a big chance in a weak field. Emerald Palace has the worst of the draw and has been a beaten favourite at her last four outings. She is certainly due a change of fortune and must have a strong chance. Kinskey’s Tune is not always reliable but has shown flashes of ability and at best can feature prominently. 

The sixth looks wide open. Karoo Lark has finished runner-up in his last three and is down in class from his last showing. He stays the trip well and should go close again. Justfortheepenny is overdue.  He is never far back and makes strong claims along with Sea Master who was much improved with the blinkers removed last outing. He’s in a tough one here but should still be highly competitive. Jackinapot was a recent maiden winner but has come good in blinkers.

The last is another tricky affair. Chattertons Keeper has not had a good draw in his last three but has been up there in all three. He has a better marble here and if holding form will go close again. Master Of Destiny has been dropping in the ratings and was not far back from a wide draw last run. With a better draw and a light weight, he must have a big chance. Carl Hewitson has a few hidden in the wings and Brazil Nut may be one of them. He has been taking on much stronger of late and has dropped five points in the ratings after his last race and takes on weaker. King’s Crusade looks useful and was an easy winner last run while Goodtime Guy took a hike in the handicap after his maiden win but does look progressive and cannot be ignored.

David Thiselton

THE great Igugu made history ten years ago when becoming the first to land the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara before going on to win the Vodacom Durban July and the filly who is attempting to emulate her, War Of Athena, has had a remarkably similar three-year-old career to date.

Another similarity between the 2010/2011 season and this one is the challenge issued by the Mike de Kock team to Justin Snaith to bring his best up to Johannesburg.

Igugu, an Australian-bred by Galileo, did not race as a two-year-old but won her first three starts as a three-year-old before suffering her first defeat in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400m.

War Of Athena’s first and only defeat this season was also in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup.

Igugu then traveled to Cape Town and was beaten in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas by the Snaith-trained Ebony Flyer.

She had no luck in the running and later, after Igugu had despatched a Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas field with consummate ease, jockey Anthony Delpech issued a challenge to Ebony Flyer’s connections to bring her up to Johannesburg. 

Ebony Flyer’s owner Barry Irwin’s response was that the ball was in the court of Igugu to seek a rematch with Ebony Flyer. Some of his sentiments irked the De Kock camp and the embers of the great trainer’s rivalry with Snaith, and its accompanying banter, can probably be found in that incident. 

Igugu was never defeated in her home country again and is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s greatest ever female racehorses. 

She was not only the first to win the Triple Tiara but is also one of only four three-year-old fillies to win the July and one of only seven horses to win both the July and the Met.

She deserved better than her untimely passing on 24 November, 2016, particularly as it was only reported the following July after a writer stumbled across an entry in an Australian Stud Book.

The news of her passing came as a huge shock to Mike de Kock.

He said at the time, “it boggles my mind that it took the best part of a year for us to get to know about Igugu’s death when she’s the type of mare who’d deserve a state funeral! Igugu was a wonderful champion in all respects, a top mare with vast amounts of courage and a big favourite to all in the yard.”

Anthony Delpech rode Igugu eight times for seven wins and a second.

He recounted, “She was definitely the best filly I have ever ridden, She could do anything. She could lead or if the pace was fast you could sit in behind. But she was not an easy ride, she always used to take a hold. If there was no pace on over a mile she preferred to be let go like we did in the Ipi Tombe.”

Despite coming off a five month layoff in the Ipi Tombe she set a cracking pace and stretched clear in the straight to win by 5,3 lengths easing up.

Delpech continued, “But, if there was a fast pace she was able to quicken and there were not many over here who could go with her. She did have speed out of the gates as a three-year-old but by the end of her time here she had become more of a dour stayer, she had the stamina to outstay them.”

In 2009 Mick Goss’s Summerhill Stud bought Igugu for Aus$65,000 with the aim of pinhooking her at the Ready To Run Sale.

Igugu was knocked down for R1 million at the latter sale to popular owner Andre MacDonald with De Kock the underbidder.

Igugu left the sales venue as the property of MacDonald and a consortium called the Summerhill Stud syndicate.

MacDonald sent her to trainer Brett Webber.

However, she was only with Webber for three months before being transferred to the De Kock yard.

Delpech rode her for the first time in the Cape Fillies Guineas where she was caught wide and was unable to catch the top class Ebony Flyer, losing by 1,25 lengths.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum bought out the Summerhill Syndicate’s share after that race and she won the Triple Tiara in his colours. All three legs were won by wide margins and she followed it with an equally easy win in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

In the July, where she started 2/1 favourite, she used her early pace to take the lead. Delpech eased her back into third rounding the Drill Hall. She quickened off the false rail and held off the chargers to win by 0,90 lengths.

Five months later Igugu’s impressive victory in the Ipi Tombe chased away the opposition for the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes in Cape Town. 

However, she was scratched before travelling.

De Kock recalled, “She had a respiratory problem and an ongoing foot problem and that left us behind in our preparation for the Met. We ended up having to work her twice a day to catch up. She worked on the track in the morning and on the treadmill in the afternoon. There are not many horses that would have been able to take the work we gave her. But she was always willing to do whatever you asked her.”

To compound matters she had to reside under vector protected quarantine conditions until race day.

She did not have her usual speed in the race and was left with a lot to do to catch Bravura. 

Only pure courage got her over the line.

Her Met effort must have told and was perhaps the reason she did not live up to expectations overseas.

Igugu had two foals, both British-breds by Dansili, and the last of them, a colt called El Misk, has won three races and had four seconds for John Gosden in ten starts.

Andrew Harrison

TOP RIDER Richard Fourie was back in town at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday – and so was Justin Snaith.

The Snaith yard is ultra professional and Justin is always working on how to out-fox the opposition – especially arch Highveld rival Mike de Kock!

After the win by Crown Towers in the fifth yesterday, Snaith outlined his plans for KZN indicating that he will use his KZN base to raid the Highveld’s more lucrative features and that his principal KZN-based owner Nick Jonsson will in future base the majority of his horses in his home province.

Crown Towers, racing in the Jonsson silks, may not be the ideal Highveld raider as Fourie alluded to the fact that the gelding had often been used as the hare for his more fancied stable companions and it was something of a tricky ride.

Crown Towers pulled Fourie through to the lead, going quicker and quicker when challenged early, but he kept finding to the line to win rather comfortably.

KZN racing has been under the spotlight in recent weeks for producing a few ‘bomb’ results, but in truth, the other racing centres are no better. The fact is that at this time of the year in KZN, Gold Circle always caters for the lower divisions, and given that most of these horses in the lower echelons are there, either because they have physical issues or simply because a case of the slows, makes things tricky for punters.

Lightly raced horses are often ones to keep an eye on, simply because their connections feel that their patience is worth the wait.

Blue Planet had only had two starts before yesterday and according to his trainer Carl Hewitson, had been a touch unlucky at his previous start. The market gave nothing away, and given that co-owners were the International Racing Club and Braam van Huyssteen, their punt was probably off-shore.

Champion Season looms

Just how good are Malmoos and War Of Athena? The pair made short work of the opposition in the WSB Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Classic at Turffontein on Saturday and they both hardly raised a sweat.

While one does not want to take anything away from their feats, one needs to face reality in that the opposition was hardly top drawer.

Muzi Yeni had an armchair ride on Paul Machett’s filly and War Of Athena won as she should have. On that showing the Oaks and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara is there for the taking unless something comes out of the woodwork.

The same can be said of Malmoos. Mike de Kock’s colt looked to be in a scrap a furlong out but once Luke Ferraris got him straightened up, it was just a matter of how far. He settles well and the WSB Derby should be a formality.

Hopefully both horses will be in KZN for South African Champions Season. Locally, we again look short on class but with the Western Cape trainers up to meet their up-country rivals on level playing fields, this could be a vintage year for three-year-olds with the cream, of what appears to be an outstanding crop, hunting the top awards.

David Thiselton

THERE was a gulf between the respective purchase prices of the Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos and the Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena but their now closely related careers provide a fine opportunity to highlight what the oft misused racing term “value” really means. 

Both horses have just one 2450m hurdle between them and respective WSB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara glory after being given superb respective rides by Luke Ferraris and Muzi Yeni on Saturday in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic and Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

Ferraris is fast gaining a reputation for his ice cool big race temperament and Yeni displayed his understanding of pace when playing his part in the successful implementation of War Of Athena’s pre-race strategy.  

It is well documented that War Of Athena cost just R30,000.  

The only filly that now stands between her and the Equus Champion Three-year-old filly crown is Cape stalwart Captain’s Ransom.

War Of Athena’s pedigree runs deep too so she is already commanding big paddock value. 

However, she still has some way to go to match the value which Malmoos’ third dam Secret Pact represented. 

Varsfontein Stud broke a South Africa record price for a broodmare when they went to R750,000 to secure Secret Pact at a dispersal sale in 1998.

They had shortlisted her from the Cheveley Stud draught at the 1992 Yearling Sales but held back as they were not convinced by Bush Telegraph as a sire and had questions about the family. 

However, her full-brother London News then set the tracks alight and their determination to not make the same mistake twice was behind the record price of 1998.

Secret Pact was destined to become one of the leading matriarchs in the South African stud book and that R750,000 now looks like small change.  

Varsfontein will reap the rewards of her influence for years to come. This was evident when Malmoos fetched R4,4 million at the 2019 National Yearling Sales and even that price can now be described as good value considering his racing class and his blue-blooded pedigree.   

He is a son of Champion Sire Captain Al and his stakes-winning dam Justthewayyouare is a half-sister to the successful stallion Master Of My Fate. 

Justthewayyouare and Master Of My Fate are the progeny of Secret Pact’s dual Grade 1-winning champion daughter Promisefrommyheart. 

Another of Secret Pact’s Grade 1-winning daughters, Covenant, is dam of the current three-year-old Erik The Red, who has already been retired to stud as a superb looking winner of six races in ten starts, including two Grade 2s and a Grade 3.

Another of her stakes-winning daughters, Secret Heart, produced the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner and sire Pluck.

Other bold black type descendants of Secret Pact include Captain Splendid, Ghaala, Due Diligence, Favorita, Hashtagyolo, Hack Green and the USA-bred Three Hearts.

Malmoos unfortunately faces an uncertain future with the recent announcement that his owner Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum will disband the Thoroughbred holdings of Shadwell Stud Australasia and sell off his star horses in Australia and South Africa over the next few months.  

The classy colt will surely still be with De Kock for his WSB Triple Crown bid in the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby on April 3.

However, the question is whether he will still be here for the SA Champions Season as he had Vodacom Durban July candidate stamped all over him in the manner of his victory on Saturday. 

Malmoos has fine gatespeed so from draw six out of ten was going to require some luck, considering the handy to front-running pair Shah Akbar and Bingwa were in the field.  

And so it proved because after initially being caught wide of Binga, who had waited for Shah Akbar to slot into the lead in front of him, Malmoos was provided with fortuitous cover by Dr Doolittle, who on the back of slow initial fractions pulled his way around the favourite into a position one wide and one back. 

In the straight Ferraris soon realised Dr Doolittle was going nowhere so switched Malmoos out at the 600m mark. He did so in the nick of time as he otherwise risked being boxed in by Catch Twentytwo. Gavin Lerena aboard the latter had also summed up the situation and had switched off Malmoos’s heels a split second earlier.

Meanwhile, Second Base was bursting through towards the inside.

Ferraris knew he had a lot of horse underneath him and let out just enough rein to join Second Base.

He remained cool until the 150m mark before drawing the stick. 

Malmoos then accelerated away to win by a cosy two lengths.

Runner up Second Base can also be pencilled in as a July candidate. 

Catch Twentytwo was beaten only 2,25 lengths but could not match the turn of foot of the first two and was only making inroads in the final 100m, so it is questionable whether he will enjoy Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The big Judpot colt Flying Carpet, a 2,75 length fourth, was eyecatching in looks and performance. Raymond Danielson had some difficulty in reining him back into last position and yet he still ran on exceptionally well in the straight.

Fifth-placed Bold Jazz also stayed on well.

War Of Athena’s connections, in planning their strategy, had a number of known factors in their favour, i.e. she was proven better than the field, she relaxes well in the running and she has a tremendous turn of foot. There was only one unknown factor, the 1800m distance. On pedigree she should easily stay that trip but they had no need to risk finding out and thus nullified the stamina question mark by setting relatively slow fractions in front with War Of Athena’s pacemaker Only The Brave. 

The small Act Of War filly used her turn of foot to maximum effect and won easing up by 1,80 lengths from the outsider Netta with Magical Flight a further 2,45 lengths back in third.