David Thiselton

The Hong Kong international race day in December is fast approaching, as is the Longines International Jockeys Championship, and race fans got a foretaste of the former with two scintillating performances by Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Romantic Warrior is surprisingly only rated joint eleventh best racehorse in the world on a rating of 122, but perhaps that is because the ranking period happens to a northern hemisphere time scale and runs from January until December. This great Danny Shum-trained Acclamation gelding ended last season with five successive Gr 1 wins, starting with Australia’s most prestigious weight for age race, the Cox Plate and then including three prestigious Hong Kong races, the Longines Hong Kong Cup, the Hong Kong Gold Cup and the QE II Cup, and although all four of those races were over a mile and two furlongs (2000m) he then ended the season by winning the Gr 1 Yashuda Kinen in Japan over a mile.

On Sunday he was over his favourite 2000m trip in the Gr 2 Jockey Club Cup and despite giving the whole field five pounds he cruised in by 4,25 lengths under regular rider James McDonald.

This season he is likely to defend his titles in all of the Kong King Gr 1s mentioned above.

In one of them, the QE II Cup, he will be going for his fourth successive victory. He is the only horse to have won this prestigious international weight for age race three times.

Romantic Warrior could soon become the highest earning racehorse in history.

On Sunday he took his overall record to 16 wins and three seconds from 21 starts and boosted his prize money earnings to HK$154.92 million. He is now not far behind retired Golden Sixty’s world record haul of HK$167.17 million in earnings.

Earlier on Sunday the progressive David Hayes-trained New Zealand-bred Shamexpress gelding Ka Ying Rising smashed the Sha Tin course record set by Sacred Kingdom 17 years ago. Sacred King’s record was 68.35 seconds and Ka Ying Rising lowered it to an incredible 67.43 seconds.

Ka Ying Rising jumped from draw ten under Zac Purton and was being eased down at the line, which makes the record even more special.

When J J The Jet Plane won the Gr 1 Hong Kong Sprint over the course and distance in 2010, his time was 68.84 seconds.

Ka Ying Rising will be the one to beat in the latter race next month.

He has never won a Gr 1 before, but is unexposed as he only began his career in December last year, winning on debut before running two narrow seconds and since then he has won seven times on the trot. Ka Ying Rising’s record was the second notable course record lowered in the Far East recently.

Via Sistina lowered the Moonee Valley course record over 2000m in the Cox Plate a few weeks ago to 2:01.07, beating the previous mark of 2:02.07 set by the legendary four-times Cox Plate-winning mare Winx.

Meanwhile a top class line up has been announced for the Longines IJC, which is one of the world’s most prestigious Jockeys Challenges. Unfortunately, there are no South African riders, at least yet.

The two spots still to be determined for Hong Kong-based jockeys will go to Hugh Bowman and either Karis Teetan or Matthew Poon as things stand. The latter pair are both on 14 wins of the season, three ahead of Luke Ferraris and Matthew Chadwick and there is only Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting remaining.

The Longines IJC is the most lucrative in the world for the winning rider. The four races are worth a combined HK$7.5 million in prize money. Furthermore, a total prize fund of HK$1 million in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000 with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third, respectively.

The line up for the 2024 Longines IJC is: Vincent Ho (reigning IJC champion), Zac Purton (Hong Kong champion), Rachel King (Australia), Ryan Moore (Great Britain), Hollie Doyle (Great Britain), William Buick (Great Britain), Mickael Barzalona (France), Colin Keane (Ireland), Yuga Kawada (Japan), James McDonald (NZ), TBD (Hong Kong), TBD (Hong Kong).

RACE 1

1 PHIL THE FLUTER ran a much better race last time behind Elizabedi Gold, the form of that race should work out nicely over the next few weeks, he is still very much improving and should be involved in the finish. 11 RAFA BAY has run three good races in succession, on his best form he should go very close to winning this race. 5 MANEKI NEKO has had many chances to get out of the maiden ranks, he drops back in trip which should help him run a much better race, include him into all bets. 8 CASA ESTIVA ran a great race on debut from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she will be looking for a bit further in time, but there is no doubt there will be huge improvement from run one to run two, she is a big runner. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 11 – 5 – 8)

RACE 2

2 ELECTRIC FEELS won a super race last time beating Lovers Lane, she likes to be held up for as long as possible and then works into the race smartly late, with the right run in transit, she will go very close to winning again. 1 LOVERS LANE has been in great form lately, he quickened up smartly in his last start when finishing second, he will be right there in the finish. 8 CASINO ACE ran a cracker behind Electric Feels on the 29th of October, he is very speedy and will try and lead them from start to finish. 4 MRS SHACKLETON never runs a bad race, on her best form she could sneak into the places and earn again. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 8 – 4)

RACE 3

7 COURTLY was beaten at very short odds in his last start behind Sansa Stark, he is a big striding individual that is going to get better and stronger with more racing, he drops back in trip to 1800m, and he gets the services of champion jockey Richard Fourie again, he will be right there in the finish. 3 DUBBELOSIX will love the step up in trip, he is a good-looking son of Vercingetorix that should get the run of the race from a good draw, include him into all bets. 6 ARDABIL ran a great race behind Pinot Grigio last time, he was poorly drawn and stayed on well, if he can build on that performance, he should be amongst the places at a decent price. 15 CONGRESSMAN likes to race up on speed, on his best form he could sneak into the Quartets, the draw will make it tough for him. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 6 – 15)

RACE 4

12 DIAMOND BOMBER took off to run a great second behind Two G’s in her last start, her recent form has been excellent, there is no doubt she will love the step up in trip, if the race works out for her from a tricky draw here, she will be hard to beat. 4 LOTUS ISLAND had no luck in running from a bad draw in her last start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, from a decent draw in this race, she will go very close. 7 EXQUISITE has been rested for 73 days, she is improving with every start and must be respected. 13 BIRD ON A WING will need lots of luck in running from a poor draw, she is very well related, the step up in trip will give her a massive winning chance. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 4 – 7 – 13)

RACE 5

4 KAMCHATKA has won her last two starts super impressively, the yard think highly of this filly, if she can bring her last run to the races on Tuesday afternoon, she will go very close to winning again. 10 ENCHANTING CHOICE at the weights will get much closer to Kamchatka, there was nothing in it at the line when they last met on the 29th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she likes to switch off early and then run at horses late, watch her closely. 5 JET TO THE SUN never runs a bad race, her form is super consistent, with some luck in running she will be amongst the places again. 2 HAMPSTEAD HEATH showed signs of returning to form last time, if she can build on that performance from a good draw, she could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 10 – 5 – 2)

RACE 6

3 UNSOLVED RIDDLE won a super race with Richard Fourie last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, Augusta Blue franked the form lines of that race by winning well at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 9th of November, Lunga Gila has done exceptionally well with Unsolved Riddle, with a similar performance of his last start, he will take some beating. 5 WHAT A FORTUNE has run two good races in succession, the 1400m trip will help his chances, include him into all bets. 11 NAUSHON needs a particular ride, in hope that the race works out for him from a wide draw, he should be involved at the finish. 2 BLAME IT ON ME ran a much better race on the 26th of October, with a low weight on his back he could sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 11 – 2)

RACE 7

1 SENHORA VICTORIA will love the step up in trip to 1400m again, she has been very consistent through her entire career and must have a good winning chance in this race. 9 TRES CHIC won exceptionally well last time, unfortunately she has drawn poorly for this Class 5 event which won’t make life easy for her, if she can get some luck in running, she will be right there again. 8 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE has been improving with every start, her recent run behind December Dawn was very good, she is crying for the step up in trip, watch her closely at a good price. 5 WEHAVEASITUATION was heavily supported in the market when running on strongly for second behind Kamchatka, on her best form she can earn. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 9 – 8 – 5)

RACE 8

6 AIR RAID would have needed his last start badly when running unplaced behind Twentytwentyvision, the yard think highly of this individual, now that he steps up in trip, he will go very close to winning. 3 INDUSTRIALSTRENGTH drops back in trip to 1400m, ignore his last start behind Song To The Moon, the race never worked out for him on that occasion, watch for sharp improvement now that he gets a decent draw. 9 DAWN TILL DUSK ran a cracker behind Radicchio on the 19th of October, his form is very good and there should be absolutely no reason as to why he shouldn’t be competitive again. 7 WINTER PEARL ran a fair race behind a very nice type last time, with the services of Richard Fourie, he must be respected in this tricky race. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 9 – 7)

RACE 9

11 ALL ABOUT AL was touched off in the finish by Bluff On Bluff last time, he has run some decent races behind some nice horses through his career, now that his confidence is up, he should run a cracker again. 2 SHIFTING PATH is much better than his most recent performance on the 29th of October, there is no doubt he would prefer 1200m, but on his best form in this Class 4 event he could earn again for Piet Botha and his team. 7 RATTLESNAKE comes back to the races after being rested and gelded, his form is excellent, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will go very close to winning. 3 COUNTER ATTACK has been rested for 154 days, he ran a great race out the maidens behind Escarpment, with a similar performance, he could run a place. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 2 – 7 – 3)

Graeme Hawkins

Grant Van Niekerk has a 33% winning strike rate for trainer Adam Marcus and the pair could be on the mark with Hampstead Heath in the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon. Hampstead Heath finished fourth behind Kamchatka over the distance at Durbanville last month and is now 3kgs better off with Andre Nel’s 3yo daughter of Erupt. On that occasion Hampstead Heath was drawn widest of all and found traffic problems at a crucial stage of the race. From Gate 2 this afternoon, Hampstead Heath should enjoy a trouble-free passage and must have a bright chance in a tricky handicap.

Kamchatka likes to race freely in front and is very much on the improve. Off the back of a couple of promising introductory runs over sprint distances, Kamchatka won her next two starts over 1600m and with further improvement could make it three on the bounce, despite the negative weight turnaround with Hampstead Heath. Enchanting Choice is also weighted to turn the tables on Kamchatka, having finished just a neck in arrears in their most recent encounter. Enchanting Choice does have a wide draw to overcome here and is likely to be dropped back in the early stages, but she generally finishes off her races well and Dean Kannemeyer’s runner warrants utmost respect.

The sparingly raced Omikami is an interesting runner as she steps up in trip for the first time. Being by Global View out of a mare by Silvano, Lucinda Woodruff’s filly should have no problems with going the extra and the booking of Richard Fourie is noteworthy. Lightly weighted Pentolina and Jet To The Sun can get into the mix, but in an evenly matched contest Hampstead Heath gets my marginal vote to register her third career victory.

The eighth race over 1400m is the second of three Class 4 Handicaps on this “bread-and-butter” 9-race programme and I fancy the chances of Dawn Till Dusk to overcome a tricky draw. That said, he will need some luck in running as there are many with winning claims in this full field of sixteen runners including Das Gute who jumps out of pole position. The 4yo son of Querari has enjoyed a good season thus far and can be forgiven his below par effort last time when drawn out deep and being forced to race wide. Air Raid, out of the Grade 1-winning mare Inara, has his second start as a gelding and will appreciate a marginal step up in trip. Kelp Forest, also representing the Marcus/Van Niekerk combination, is very game and can never be ignored over his favourite distance. 

The ninth race is a Class 4 Handicap over 1000m and a tricky finale to a competitive day’s racing. The evergreen All About Al is in good form and should go well here, with the main dangers being Shifting Path, Rattlesnake and In The Green Zone. All About Al was touched off by Bluff On Bluff at Durbanville three weeks ago but four of his five career wins have come at Kenilworth and he should give us a good run for our money.

The meeting opens with a Work Riders’ Maiden Plate over 1100m at 12:15 and former professional rider Louis Burke could take the honours on the Justin Snaith-trained Rafa Bay who appears to reserve his best performances for the minimum trip. One of the better bets on the card could be the Candice Bass-Robinson trained What A Fortune who lines up in the sixth race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1400m. It has taken a while for the penny to drop, but the 3yo son of What A Winter has improved in his last two starts and he bumps very limited opposition here.

Graeme Hawkins

Less than half-a-length covered the first four past the post in a thrilling renewal of the R350 000 Cape Mile (Gr3) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with the evergreen 7yo Rascallion coming out on top over Zapatillas, Gimme A Prince and Montien. Rascallion was returning from an injury-enforced layoff after finishing third in the Legal Eagle Stakes back in May and his victory on Saturday represented a fantastic training feat by Vaughan Marshall.

Ridden by Gavin Lerena and taking the shortest way home, Rascallion quickened nicely from a handy position turning for home and kept going strongly to hold out Zapatillas by a neck. Attempting the distance for the first time, Gimme A Prince was dropped out to the rear of the field from his wide draw but was gaining strongly at the line and Dean Kannemeyer confirmed post-race that the L’Ormarins Kings Plate (Gr1) on 4 January will be his target. “We will probably give next month’s Green Point Stakes (Gr2) a miss and go directly into the LKP” added Kannemeyer.

Brett Crawford will no doubt be equally thrilled with the progress Zapatillas has made since being gelded. The former WSB KZN Guineas (Gr2) winner has endured an injury interrupted career, but Saturday’s Cape Mile was his third run back and he has improved with each outing. He is a classy and impressive-looking son of Master Of My Fate, but Crawford has to nurse him along and is keeping his options open as to when Zapatillas will next appear.

Back to Saturday’s winner Rascallion, who earlier this year finished runner-up to Double Superlative in the WSB Cape Town Met. In the post-race interview following his nail-biting victory in the Cape Mile, part-owner Marsh Shirtliffe expressed his desire to see Rascallion have another crack at the R5-million WSB Cape Town Met on 25 January and if he maintains his form, and Marshall can keep him sound, there is no doubt that Rascallion will have a realistic chance of going one better on the Cape’s biggest race day.

Montien ran his heart out but came up just a little short on Saturday. He will be no pushover in the forthcoming Feature races and, although no doubt disappointed with getting scant reward for such a valiant effort on Saturday, trainer Piet Botha will be cautiously optimistic his big-striding son of Louis The King will nevertheless have a major part to be play during the Cape Summer Season. Royal Aussie attracted solid support on course but failed to go through with his effort and finished a rather one-paced fifth, close on three lengths behind the leading quartet.

But while the Cape Mile was a humdinger, it was the performance of Snow Pilot earlier in the day that got the Kenilworth tongues wagging. Last season’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr1) winner was sent out a short-priced favourite to win the third race, a Progress Plate over 1400m, but it was the manner of victory that created a buzz around the racetrack. Snow Pilot hopped out in front, setting brisk fractions from the jump, and then pulling further and further clear of the opposition to win gearing down by six lengths. He appears to have matured into an exciting four-year-old and the Drakenstein owned and bred son of Lancaster Bomber could well be on track for a second career Grade 1 victory.

Richard Fourie and Craig Zackey shared the riding honours with a double apiece while Justin Snaith’s mustard form continued with a treble for the Philippi-based yard.

David Thiselton

Craig Zackey has burst into the national jockeys championship picture and this was highlighted by a four-timer at the Turffontein Standside twilight meeting on Friday, where he picked up a Listed feature race too on the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Lady Fallon.
Zackey is the only top jockey who is riding in all four centres, which gives him a chance of the title.
By close of play on Saturday he was on 68 wins for the season, just two behind the leader Gavin Lerena and equal with the sidelined Muzi Yeni.
Richard Fourie was nine behind the lead at that stage, but could step it up at will as he is generally only riding in Cape Town and Gqeberha at present.
In the Listed Betway Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds-bred Act Of War four-year-old filly Lady Fallon had been dropped by the handicapper down to an attractive mark of 95, down from a high of 99. She is ultra consistent and was course and distance suited and jumping from draw two, so was not surprisingly backed into 5/2 favourite.
Andi’s Girl was the choice of most pundits and went off at 7/2.
Zackey got Lady Fallon on to the rail in midfield in the ten horse field, while Lady Fallon was one wide with cover about two or three lengths behind her.
Sukhumvit was setting a fair pace out in front. 
Zackey made his move early in the straight and it was a winning move, especially considering JP van der Merwe on Andi’s Girl had initially switched in slightly and then had to check slightly to switch outward.
Van der Merwe showed little urgency on the outside until the 300m mark, despite Lady Fallon having moved into the lead down the inside with Soldier’s Eye chasing.
Andi’s Girl does possess a good burst so her jockey’s tactics were perhaps understandable, but on this occasion he left it too late and she was 0,75 lengths shy at the line.
Lady Fallon held on by a short-head from a lunging Soldier’s Eye, who was perhaps a touch unlucky as she was initially baulked for a run before having to be switched to the inside rail and going for a narrow gap.
Lady Fallon is owned by Dave Shawe, who has also got to a lot to look forward to this season with the best sprinter in the country at present, the Houdalakis-trained Dyce.
Houdalakis is having an amazing season and his 23 wins have come at a phenomenal strike rate of 25.27%, which puts him in tenth place on the national log.
Houdalakis and Zackey combined to win the next race too with the Elusive Fort gelding Hawkbill.
On Saturday Zackey clinched a double for Dean Kannemeyer at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and went close in the Gr 3 Cape Mile as the dual Gr 1 winner over sprint distances, Gimme A Prince, produced a powerful finish from a wide draw but failed by just 0,35 lengths to fetch the Vaughan Marshall-trained stalwart Rascallion with Zapatillas second.
Gimme A Prince likely did enough to convince the connections that he is effective over a mile and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate now beckons,where he will hopefully land a better draw.
Zackey had a full card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, but scored only one win to Gavin Lerena’s two, so he is now three behind.
However, it is going to be a particularly intriguing race for the title this season.