David Thiselton

The Trippi mare Shatoosh was bought for a bargain R5,000 at the 2023 Cape Racing Winter Mixed Sale and, as so often happens when a mare is given up on, her progeny suddenly start coming to the fore.

Among Shatoosh’s progeny who have done well since that sale is the Frank Robinson-trained Duke Of Marmalade gelding Duke Of Africa, who has a remarkable story behind him having recovered from a snake bite.

Frank said, “It is apparently not rare. I am told, for a snake to come into a box at night to drink water from the buckets in the corner. They will drink and then depart. But sometimes what happens is a horse will stand on them and they will then strike. We don’t know what type of snake bit him, but the bite was into the joint. What normally happens with a snake bite is all the flesh falls off the bone, so the whole leg just falls down and they have to be euthanised. 

However, what we did was not something conventional. We dripped him with a certain product together with antibiotics all night, and we then sweated the leg continuously with Epsom salts and bandages to try and extract the poison. And he made it!”

 He was off for nearly a year though. Funnily enough, before he was bitten by the snake, he had a few little aches and pains behind and we were resting him quite a lot, so he actually had a good rest for recovery this time and he moves so  much better now as a result, so it has helped all round. I still bandage over the wound area every day. It is just one of those ailments that improves and improves … I left him in the paddock a lot so he could walk a lot and keep mobile otherwise it could flare up. It took a long time to heal.”

It would not have been possible to treat Duke Of Africa with such high care without him having had a caring owner, so accolades must go to Paul Janse van Rensburg, who never questioned anything done for the horse during the treatment and recovery period.

Frank said, “Paul is such a nice guy and just wants what is best for the horse. He is now reaping the rewards, because the horse can race on until he is eight or nine years old.”

Duke Of Africa made it a second win in seven starts since the bite and he also has two thirds and a fourth and a fifth from those starts.

Frank said, “The heavier that poly track is the more he just rolls through it. His first win after the snake bite was on a heavy poly track over 2000m and he won by 7,90 lengths and it was over the same course and distance last Friday night and he won by 2,90 lengths.”

Frank is now going to look at a race for him at Turffontein over 3000m, because he believes that is what he is looking for. Frank also noticed that on the heavy track on Friday night another Duke Of Marmalade also won. 

Another sibling of Shatoosh who has blossomed since the mare was sold is the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Andi’s Girl, who was a touch unlucky not to gain Listed status last time out. That is not to mention her Erupt colt selling for R200,000 at the Cape Racing ‘s ready to run Sale last year. 

Shatoosh won four races from 1200m to 1600m. Her sire Trippi was a producer of speed but also of class, so his progeny, like Jet Dark, are able to win over the classic distances.

Duke Of Africa is the product of a potent combination i.e. the late Duke Of Marmalade, who won five successive Gr 1s in Europe, and the late stallion Trippi, who has sired 68 stakes winners to date, including 14 Gr 1 winners.

Frank was surprised to secure him for R45,000 at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale of 2021.

Frank was a fan of Duke Of Marmalade due to his famous Gr 1-winning streak and he was also lucky enough to meet him when visiting Aidan O’Brien’s yard many years ago. He noticed his good looks and excellent temperament, “an absolute gentleman.”

He continued, “Duke Of Africa actually looks very much like him and what was interesting is I weighed my runners the other day and a lot of the big ones were 480kg and 490kg and he was 530kg.”

He added, “He was bred by Drakenstein and I thought the name, Duke Of Africa, they could have used on anyone of their horses but I believed they would have given it to a special one. He was a very nice yearling, but some people had gone off Duke Of Marmalade.”

Duke Of Africa has only once run beyond 2000m and he looks like one to follow over staying trips. 

Andrew Harrison

CORNE SPIES is never one to back off a challenge and his mantra is ‘have a sound horse, will travel’. WILLIAM ROBERTSON,

notching the 13th win of his career in the Marula Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday, will know well the front panel of his

horse float. 62.5kg to shoulder and Ryan Munger having a weekend of his life, the six-year-old son of Rafeef was always up with

the pace before drawing away to win as he liked. Given that he was again well weighted as Spies picks his races, the gelding’s

connections aim is for a Gr1 victory. Given that the Hollywoodbets Scottsville six furlongs is a happy hunting ground, the Gr1

Golden Horse Sprint must be on the agenda.

Picture: Gold Circle/Candiese Lenferna

David Thiselton

The Guineas meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday saw two odds-on favourites beaten and the emergence of a new pair of horses to add to the list of potential champions.

The new darling of the SA turf, Quid Pro Quo, was beaten into third in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas to the shock of many.

However, for Mike and Matthew de Kock it was a dream start to their partnership as their Vercingetorix filly Spumante Dolce pulled off a win full of class to make it three wins from three starts.

In only their second meeting as an official partnership Spumante Dolce was their first winner and she could not have been a more fitting winner.

She is out of a mare who Mike selected overseas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale of 2011 together with Jehan Malherbe for 130,000 Guineas on behalf of Mary Slack of Wilgersbosdrift Stud.

Espumanti not only won two Gr 2s herself, but she gave Slack her first Hollywoodbets Durban July winner as an owner with the De Kock-trained homebred Silvano filly, Sparkling Water.

Spumante Dolce is a Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein homebred herself and is raced by Slack in partnership with Bradley Ralphs.

It was most fitting that her first black type success was in a race sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

Spumante Dolce never had cover throughout after jumping well and assuming a position in second place on the quarters of the pacemaker Vulcanite. However, Raymond Danielson had her nicely relaxed.

She powered into the lead, when the pacemaker fell away and the feeling was 7/1 shot had hit the front too soon down the long Turffontein Standside straight.

Danielson agreed later and said she had had to work hard.

Quid Pro Quo and the Gr 1-winning VJ’s Angel bore down on her in the last furlong.

However, the big filly found another gear to repel them and beat VJ’s Angel by 0,25 lengths, converting odds of 7/1,  with the 4/10 favourite Quid Pro Quo beaten half-a-length into third.

The Gauteng Fillies Guineas is the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara series and Danielson’s words afterwards, when asked about Spumante Dolce’s Triple Tiara credentials, were telling. 

Firstly, he spoke about the race having not panned out perfectly and he added, “The scary thing she is still a puppy compared to them (to VJ’s Angel and Quid Pro Quo).”

Quid Pro Quo had sat closer to the back than the front after jumping from a tricky draw of ten out of 13, but she had cover throughout.

VJ’s Angel was dropped out from an even wider draw and was one from last turning for home.

VJ’s Angel weaved her way through and was right there challenging at the line, while Quid Pro Quo had moved up like a winner, considering Spumante Dolce had been in front for a long time.

However, the big filly found another gear to repel them.

Mike de Kock said on what they had tried at home they knew Spumante Dolce was way better than her official 89 merit rating and he said it was actually “well above 110, 112.”

He viewed her as a Triple Tiara candidate as he didn’t believe she would have a problem staying 2450m. 

Later, Alec Laird admitted to having a day of “roller coaster” emotions.

On Friday night the blood reading of Fire Attack suggested he might be harbouring the prevalent virus which is going around and on Saturday morning, despite looking well and having only a slight temperature, the reading told him there was no way he could run.

Fire Attack had the best form in the TAB Gauteng Guineas on paper, so it was a big blow.

Fire Attack had beaten the yard’s TAB Gauteng Guineas second string Parisian Walkway by 4,75 lengths in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans.

However, Alec said he had moved up in the Dingaans as if he would easily go past Greaterix, but had not gone through with it, which had been similar to his previous start. 

The connections then decided to geld him.

The gelding seemed to have done the trick as Diego Degouveia took Parisian Walkway to the front from pole position and he dictated at a good pace and with a beautiful rhythm.

Knowing that the Ideal World gelding would ideally need further, Alec was pleased to see him going at a good pace.

However, the De Kocks looked likely to have a Guineas double when the odds-on favourite Greaterix cruised past Parisian Walkway under the hands on the inside rail at the 200m mark.

Earlier, Muzi Yeni had in masterful style managed to find the rail for Greaterix in sixth position in the eleven horse field from tricky draw of nine.

Greaterix was almost a length clear at the 100m mark, but then became one-paced.

Parisian Walkway’s big stride was not faltering and he rallied to win by 0,40 lengths in the end.

Perhaps Greaterix also needs gelding or perhaps he did not stay, as he has been said by De Kock to have so much speed others can’t keep up with him at home.

Laird also landed third place with a newcomer to his yard, Aristotle, a Rafeef gelding who was coming off two win over 1250m and 1400 in Cape Town.

Aristotle was beaten 4,20 lengths and was followed home by Legend Of Arthur and Musical Score, who were thrashed by 7,30 and 8,55 lengths respectively.

Parisian Walkway gave Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein a Guineas double as breeders.

He is owned by Gary Basel, Lance Clark and Werner Volschenk and cost R450 000 at the BSA National 2yo Sale.

Parisian Walkway’s time of 98.59 seconds can be compared to Spumante Dolce’s time of 98.94 seconds and he could be a Triple Crown candidate.  

Graeme Hawkins

Callmegetrix was all heart as she rallied bravely over the final 100m to deny the well-backed Goodnessgraciousme by a head in Saturday’s R180 000 Clapham Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Callmegetrix was allowed to drift to 7/2 in the face of strong on-course demand for Goodnessgraciousme who shortened from 33/10 into 11/10 and then did everything but win.

Callmegetrix took up the running shortly after the start and was still travelling well within herself at the top of the straight. Goodgraciousme was tracking her every move and when Richard Fourie pressed the button halfway up the stretch, the 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight quickened smartly and victory seemed assured. Goodnessgraciousme moved a length clear of her market rival at the 300m pole, but Callmegetrix was not done for yet, and Candice Bass-Robinson’s 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix responded well to JP van der Merwe’s powerful urgings, rallying strongly to reclaim the advantage in the shadow of the post.

Owned and bred by Mario Ferreira, Callmegetrix registered her fourth career victory on Saturday and boosted her earnings to above the R500 000 mark. She has been a model of consistency throughout her career and from 15 racetrack appearances has yet to miss the money in any of her starts. In her post-race interview Bass-Robinson was full of praise for Callmegetrix and expressed the hope that she could yet earn some pedigree boosting black-type before being retired to the paddocks.

Having only her fifth lifetime start, Goodnessgraciousme was far from disgraced in defeat and Justin Snaith has high hopes for her going forward. She is likely to reappear in a 3yo Fillies Feature on Derby Day towards the end of this month and is one for the notebook. My Flower Fate stayed on nicely from the rear of the field to complete the Trifecta with Fun Zone making up the frame.

Saturday’s Pick 6 dividend of R3934-80 is clear evidence that punters enjoyed the better of exchanges at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, despite a rocky start. Wild Applause (1/3) was expected to take the opener in her stride under Louis Burke in the Work Riders’ Maiden Plate over 1100m, but she was always labouring and could no better than finish a remote third behind Indebe Mayibuye (20/1) and the fast-finishing Blue Ribbon Day (33/1).

Ossie Noach picked up the ride for Vaughan Marshall on the newcomer Ireland Forever in the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, and the 2yo son of Rafeef justified his position at the top of the betting boards with a fluent victory over Cliffscape. The well related Indigenous blew the start and was very green in running, but was only two lengths in arrears of the winner at the line and is likely to improve significantly with this run under his belt.

Scottish Links (14/10) was all the rage in the third race, an Open Maiden over 1400m, and under a copybook ride from Louis Mxothwa, the 3yo gelded son of What A Winter shed his maiden ticket in some style at the fifth time of asking. Dricus showed good improvement in his first start as a gelding to fill the runner-up berth and is one to keep an eye on.

After losing out on Ireland Forever in the second race, Sean Veale arrived at the course on time for his engagement in the fourth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1200m. Riding Happy Wives (9/4) for Hollywood Racing, Veale immediately took the daughter of Canford Cliffs to the lead and the pair were never headed. Beneath The Clouds (9/2) chased hard over the final 200m but Happy Wives had more than a length to spare at the line. Sugarbush (5/2) had shown promise on her debut last month but failed to fire on Saturday and was beaten out of the frame.

The fifth race, a D Stakes over 1200m, produced a thrilling finish with ever consistent Electric Feels (3/1) just holding out True Horizon (7/2) by a nose. Gravity (9/4) and Lovers Lane (16/1) completed the Quartet with only half-a-length covering them at the winning post.

The Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix training team completed a quick race-to-race double when Elusive Winter (28/10) kept up a resolute gallop to take top honours in the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m. Porque Te Vas tried to match strides with Elusive Winter from the jump but she ran out of puff close home and it was left to Blue Holly (10/1) to chase Elusive Winter home. Following the scratching of The Abdicator, Kelp Forest was sent out a warm order favourite but he never posed a threat and trailed in a distant fourth.

Race 8, a Cape D Stakes over 1600m, yielded another very exciting finish between two long-time maidens Golden Grey and Cosmic Rhythm. The pair locked horns at the 200m pole and the result was in the balance until the very last stride, but Cosmic Rhythm put his nose down where it matters most to give Ossie Noach a welcome double for the day.

Unheralded Craig Bantam gets a lovely tune out of the Adam Marcus-trained Dream Searcher (11/2) and the 4yo daughter of Erupt made it back-to-back wins in the ninth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m. From a good position turning for home, Dream Searcher took control of the race approaching the final 200m and stretched away to win full of running. Vivo Per Lei stayed on for second and she could open her account in similarly weak company in the not-too-distant future.

Andrew Harrison

William Robertson fluffed his lines when runner-up at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last month but he can get back on the winning trail when he lines up over 1200m in the Marula Sprint at the same venue today.

William Robertson has proved lethal on this track but as a result has garnered a hefty handicap rating and generally has to give weight to all and sundry.

Trainer Corne Spies has picked his charge’s battles carefully, mostly sticking to Pinnacle Stakes races where the gelding is generally well in at the weights. He was widely regarded as something of a ‘good thing’ last time out when well in but was found out as he ran out of runway in the 100m.

He was seemingly well out of his ground in the early exchanges but finished with a rattle, only to be run out of it by outsider Captain Bombshell to whom he was giving 6kg.

A little handier and 100m further should see him make amends.

Peter Muscutt’s runner Quasiforsure was game in defeat behind the progressive Cats Pajamas last run over 1400m but also goes well this course and distance and will be a threat along with Sun Blushed who has his third run after a lay-off and was on the heels of William Robertson when last they met.

Punters face a well-filled nine-race card but they are unlikely to have much joy in the first where they face a field of mostly unraced runners. Of the three that have run, Bell Of Angelus has run two good races on this course and must have a chance of going one better with that experience under her girth.

Good Living will have plenty of supporters in the first leg of the PA, third race on the programme. It is an Open Maiden so gives weight to most but should put in another bold effort. Touch Of Heaven may be a threat as she made marked improvement last run. She is lightly raced and should have more to come.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Princess Goldie was runner-up last run after flopping on the poly at her previous start but is still improving and may be worth another chance in a competitive contest. Jumpthegreenlight was well beaten last run but can improve on this straight course while Piere Strydom makes a rare visit and partners La Maddalena who has been trying a furlong further but not far behind.

The truth behind Strydom’s visit could come in the fifth where he partners Gareth van Zyl’s gelding Harun Al Rashid. The gelding makes his local debut and Strydom has been booked to ride no doubt at the request of his good friend Joa de Mata. Art Nouveau is way better than her last run and the step up in trip will suit even against males.

In the sixth, Ragnar The King was outpaced late last run over 1400m and the step up in trip can see him home. Green Mile is lightly raced but has been improving and should run well from a plum draw while Fern Hill made marked improvement last run and now tries blinkers.

The eighth is a wide open handicap but Lady Of Vix has placed in all three outings and looks capable of further improvement. Her last two have been in the soft. She finished behind Ayuwi Yuwi in her first run out of the maidens but the latter has shown up well in subsequent outings albeit with a 4kg claimer aboard. Littleblackgem, judged on jockey bookings, is the pick of Michael Roberts runners and she won her penultima start over this course but steps up an extra 100m.

There is no respite in the last but Twenty One May could fit the bill as he has been holding form over this trip and has a handy weight. Kalahari Roller is never far back and has a light weight while Apex Predator goes well this trip and also has a light weight. Connery’s winning streak came to an end last start but he can do better over this shorter trip.