David Thiselton

Sandy Arundel dispels the common belief that marketing horseracing is unlikely to make an impact as she revealed she did not even know horseracing existed a few years ago and considering how much she and husband Eugene are now getting out of it she now finds that fact “sad.”

On Saturday they were on tenterhooks for a minute or two after initially believing the Glen Kotzen-trained Lancaster Bomber filly Rascova had given them their first Gr 1 victory, because they then learnt it was closer than they had believed. 

She said, “We stood there staring at each other and the angst of those few seconds … did she, or didn’t she?! Then obviously when they said she had won we all just went hysterical … it has been a long time coming. She has always had the ability. Some of the other fillies are bred for a mile and further, whereas she is probably better at 1400m. But anyway, she pulled it off and I think if we stick to that running style, we’ve got a chance to catch a few more.”

Sandy’s confidence was buoyed when Rascova was given a lead for a change.

She said, “There’s never another horse who jumps as quickly as she does and she is out of a mare who won over 1000m, so a mile was always going to be at the end of her range. We felt Gavin is such a master jockey there is no way you can give him instructions; he’s got to do what he’s going to do. Interestingly, when I saw Fatal Flaw going forward, I felt we were really in with a shout. Rascova got to conserve some energy early on for a change. Normally she does not have the energy in reserve for the kick at the end, because she is aggressive and uses up that energy early in the race. It worked out much better with something to chase. She just fought and fought and fought and, on the line, caught Double Grand Slam and got her head down.”

Rascova is a feisty filly and Sandy explained, “She’s kicked the gates before. She has to have three of her own booths in the truck otherwise she wants to kick them. Sometimes they have to unload her and arrange for a two berth to take her on her own to the races. She is a naughty madam. She pulls the blankets off other horses and tears them up, she pulls their tail hairs out! “

Sandy spoke about her introduction to horseracing.

She said, “I had no pony pedigree. I wish we had actually. My husband dabbled in betting, but in a very small way many, many years ago. I didn’t even know horseracing existed, to be honest. It’s quite sad, because if it is not in people’s faces, they don’t even know it exists. But I think it is getting better.”

She added, “My husband was always taken by the idea of horseracing as he had a friend growing up and his father had racehorses. We were friends with Bob Yearham and during Covid I didn’t have an idea what to buy my husband for a birthday present so I ended up buying him a small share in a horse (Mount Laurel) in the syndicate Bob was in.”

It escalated quickly for the Arundels from there. 

Although racing is chiefly marketed around betting the purists will always say it is the traditions and history behind the sport and the fascination of pedigree and conformation etc which are the chief attraction. And for the financially secure here is a sport where you can select your own team according to a specific budget. 

It is clear the Arundels are racing purists.

Sandy said, “I have always been a reader and my husband always says I speak as if I have been in horseracing for 30 years, because somebody would talk about a mare and I would go ‘Yes, that is the dam and these are the sisters and this is that.’ I’m probably quite a detailed person and I find the pedigrees very interesting.”

She continued, “Selecting horses is now something Eugene and I love doing together. It starts with me looking at the pages, I am the pedigree researcher, and Eugene is the specimen analyst.”

Sandy has got to know the various good families in the stud book very well and she added, “I have to say we have typically been stallion snobs. You know you are getting a good winners-to-runners percentage when you are buying the Vercingetorix’s and Gimmethegreenlights and One Worlds. But then just look at Rascova and what Lancaster Bomber has done with just one-and-a-half crops. It makes you think and so I think we will probably dabble a bit in a few of these new sires, although 75% of our crop will probably still be proven stallions.”

They have been mentored by the like of the late Jane Thomas and have consequently learnt a lot and she said, “It is not that difficult anymore to spot a bad walk or an over the knee or back of the knee.”

Sandy also looks at the numbers her trainers have got on their shortlists at any sale and if there is a significant overlap with her list, she knows she is on the right track with those ones.  

The Arundel’s, whose IT business is in Johannesburg, initially had all of their horses in KZN, because they had a holiday home there, so it was actually Summerveld trainer Wendy Whitehead who picked Rascova for them.

Sandy said, “We’ve always worked very well with Wendy and she’s such a lovely woman and we are eternally grateful to her.”

She continued, “After being in racing for close on two years we figured we want to race in different centres. It really coincided very much with Greg’s (Bortz) introducing those early juvenile incentives, so we wanted to put a few in Cape Town and Rascova was one of them.”

The next exciting engagement to look forward to for the Arundels is the Sean Tarry-trained World Of Alice in the Gr 2  Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas on Saturday. 

Andrew Harrison

Frank Robinson had a weaker introduction into handicap company for his filly Mocha Blend in mind before the rains came and washed it all out. However, after today’s meeting on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville where she contests at Class 4 Handicap over 1800m, he will know where his charge stands in the pecking order as she faces a much more competitive field than what she would have faced before the rain.

A good looking daughter of the largely under rated stallion Ideal World, she is a smart specimen and shed her maiden impressively at just her second start. The winner of her debut outing is lightly raced and does look to be something special but Robinson’s filly does appear to have a touch of class. Sonata Samaritan is drawn alongside Mocha Blend and is another that looks capable of progressing. Paul Gadsby has brought her along nicely and this trip will suit. Off Limits comes from the in-form Louis Goosen stable and has been making steady progress since her last win on the poly and was a beaten favourite last time out. Rachel Venniker has stayed with Doug Campbell’s filly Sascha’s Dream who has a favourable draw and goes well over course and distance. 

The recent introduction of incentives for trainers and owners has seen a dramatic jump in field sizes and one has to question where all these horses were hiding before.

Be that as it may, in the card opener Shesarocket has found some serious market support on the Highveld without producing what was expected. She makes her debut for Stuart Ferrie and the change of environment could finally bring out the best. Roy’s Grace has a wide draw to contend with and a big weight to shoulder. But Paul Gadsby has Raymond Danielson up again and they could go one better.  Predator’s Surprise has yet to find any market support but does appear to be better than her last effort while Di Rosa has shown some improvement on the poly and can feature in a weak field. The betting could be your best guide here. 

The first leg of the PA is an open maiden but Trend Maker has only had two starts for Doug Campbell, both in the soft. He has shown ability in those two outings and from the best of the draw he could be the one to beat. Paul Lafferty’s runner One Armed Bandit has been knocking on the door for some time now but he has the widest draw to contend with and takes to the poly. With some luck in running he should go close again. River Dance has shown some recent improvement and goes well on the poly. He can make his presence felt.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an open handicap. Dressedtothenines was a recent maiden winner but had been progressing with each outing. He has a fair weight to shoulder but looks capable in this field. Alyson Wright has three runners in this small field with stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard Gorgeous Dude who has shown recent improvement since being dropped in trip. Stable companion Purple Powahouse has been struggling for his next win but goes very well over course and distance and at best can get another win on the board. Kom Naidoo has put the blinkers back on Teerex to go with the tongue-tie and his poly form is not too shabby. 

El Capitan has the widest draw in the fourth but Sean Veale can draw first blood for his new employers, Hollywood Racing. Gareth van Zyl’s runner has shown up well in two starts since arriving in KZN from the Cape and the step up in trip should not be a problem. White Seahorse makes his local debut after an improved effort at Kenilworth last time out. Gavin Lerena puts up 2kg over weight but that could be an indication of stable confidence. City Lights makes her way from the Highveld for Fanie Bronkhorst and she boast some useful form over the trip. She has shown up well on the poly and cannot be ignored. 

Mamas Baby just needed her last run and although she carries top weight she should go close in the sixth in this line-up. Darryl Moore’s filly Quentasia is never far back and has a light weight with Rachel Venniker’s allowance a bonus. Head Girl finally shed her maiden after finishing in the money in 14 of her 19 starts. Although she looks held by a number in this field, now that she has got her head in front, Andre Nel’s mare could follow up. Drive By is never far back and comes from a very much in form stable. She has a favourable draw to help. 

The closing two races are competitive handicaps. In the seventh, Hope Is Power was a recent winner but only got a two-point raise in the handicap. Down in class with a big weight but Lerena replaces an apprentice for Gareth van Zyl and the gelding can go on again. Game veteran Preemptive Strike and the grey Voldemort are both in good form and should not be far apart come the finish but Fanie Bronkhorst can pay for his trip from the Highveld with Godspeed who was much improved last run and the poly could bring out the best. 

The eighth is a tough closing leg to the Pick 6. El Draque is struggling for his next win but this looks tailor-made with Lerena at the reins again. Porfilio was a beaten favourite at his last two and must have a strong chance in this line-up of making amends. Breath Of Magic has shown some signs of life on the Highveld  and could overcome his deep draw and Bally Magic is a poly specialist but was probably in need of his last run after returning from a lengthy break. A wide draw does not help his chances but with some luck in running he should feature. 

RACE 1

3 SHESAROCKET   12 ROY’S GRACE   8 PREDATOR’S SURPRISE   6 DI ROSA

Summary: SHESAROCKET (3) has found some serious market support on the Highveld without producing what was expected. She makes her debut for Stuart Ferrie and the change of environment could finally bring out the best. ROY’S GRACE (12) has a wide draw to contend with and a big weight to shoulder. But Paul Gadsby has Raymond Danielson up again and they could go one better.  PREDATOR’S SURPRISE (8) has yet to find any market support but does appear to be better than her last effort. DI ROSA (6) has shown some improvement on the poly and can feature in a weak field. The betting could be your best guide here. (Andrew Harrison: 3-12-8-6).

RACE 2

1 TREND MAKER   12 ONE ARMED BANDIT   11 RIVER DANCE   2 BRING THE MAGIC

Summary: Open maiden. TREND MAKER (1) has only had two starts for Doug Campbell, both in the soft. He has shown ability in those two outings and from the best of the draw he could be the one to beat. Paul Lafferty’s runner ONE ARMED BANDIT (12) has been knocking on the door for some time now. He has the widest draw to contend with and takes to the poly with some luck in running he should go close again. RIVER DANCE (11) has shown some recent improvement and goes well on the poly. He can make his presence felt for Stuart Ferrie. Lightly raced BRING THE MAGIC (2) has a 4kg claimer aboard for Darryl Moore and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-11-2).

RACE 3

6 DRESSEDTOTHENINES   2 TEEREX   3 PURPLEPOWAHOUSE   4 GOERGEOUS DUDE

Summary: Open handicap. DRESSEDTOTHENINES (6) was a recent maiden winner but had been progressing with each outing. He has a fair weight to shoulder but looks capable in this field. Alyson Wright has three runners in this small field with stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard GOREGEOUS DUDE (4) who has shown recent improvement since being dropped in trip. Stable companion PURPLE POWAHOUSE (3) has been struggling for his next win but goes very well over course and distance and at best can get another win on the board. Kom Naidoo has put the blinkers back on TEEREX (2) to go with the tongue-tie and his poly form is not too shabby. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-3-4).

RACE 4

12 EL CAPITAN   6 WHITE SEAHORSE   5 CITY LIGHTS   3 WILLIAM LONGSWORD

Summary: EL CAPITAN (12) has the widest draw but Sean Veale can draw first blood for his new employers, Hollywood Racing. Gareth van Zyl’s runner has shown up well in two starts since arriving in KZN from the Cape and the step up in trip should not be a problem. WHITE SEAHORSE (6) makes his local debut after an improved effort at Kenilworth last time out. Gavin Lerena puts up 2kg over weight but that could be an indication of stable confidence. CITY LIGHTS (5) makes her way from the Highveld for Fanie Bronkhorst and she boast some useful form over the trip. She has shown up well on the poly and cannot be ignored. SAMUEL LONGSWORD (3) takes a big jump in trip. Light weight and blinkers off could see him into the money. (Andrew Harrison: 12-6-5-3).

RACE 5

9 MOCHA BLEND   10 SONATA SAMARITAN  8 OFF LIMITS   2 SASCHA’S DREAM

   Summary: Very competitive handicap but recent maiden winner MOCHA BLEND (9) is a smart specimen and shed her maiden in impressive fashion at just he second start. Frank Robinson’s filly will be tested in this field but she does appear to have a touch of class. SONATA SAMARITAN (10) is drawn alongside Mocha Blend and is another that looks to be capable of progressing. Paul Gadsby has brought her along nicely and this trip will suit. OFF LIMITS (8) come from the in-form Louise Goosen stable and has been making steady progress since her last win on the poly and was a beaten favourite last time out. Rachel Venniker has stayed with Doug Campbell’s filly SASCHA’S DREAM (2) who has a smart draw and goes well over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 9-10-8-2).

RACE 6

3 MAMAS BABY   5 QUENTASIA   6 HEAD GIRL   2 DRIVE BY

Summary: MAMAS BABY (3) just needed her last run and although she carries top weight she should go close in this line-up. Darryle Moore’s filly QUENTASIA (5)  is never far back and has a light weight with Rachel Venniker’s allowance a bonus. HEAD GIRL (6) finally shed her maiden after finishing in the money in 14 of her 19 starts. Although she looks held by a number in this field, not that she has got her head in front, Andre Nel’s mare could follow up. DRIVE BY (2) is never far back and comes form a very much in form stable. She has a favourable draw to help. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-6-2).

RACE 7

8 HOPE IS POWER   2 VOLDEMORT   7 GODSPEED   1 PREEMPTIVE STRIKE   

Summary: HOPE IS POWER (8) was a recent winner but only got a two-point raise in the handicap. Down in class with a big weight but Gavin Lerena replaces and apprentice for Gareth van Zyl and the gelding can go on again although in an open race. Game veteran PREEMPTIVE STIKE (1) and the grey VOLDEMORT (2) are both in good form and should not be far apart come the finish but Fanie Bronkhorst cane pay for his trip from the Highveld with GODSPEED (7) who was much improved last run and the poly could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-1-7).

RACE 8

2 EL DRAQUE   4 PORFIRIO   11 BREATH OF MAGIC   12 BALLY MAGIC

Summary: Tough closing leg to the Pick 6. EL DRAQUE (2) is struggling for his next win but this looks tailor-made with Gavin Lerena at the reigns again. PORFIRIO (4) was a beaten favourite at his last two and must have a strong chance in this line-up of making amends. BREATH OF MAGIC (11) has shown some signs of life on the Highveld  and could overcome his deep draw. BALLY MAGIC (12) is a poly specialist but was probably in need of his last run after returning from a lengthy break. A wide draw does not help his chances but with some luck in runner he should feature. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-11-12).

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT R 6.5 Million (13 of 13) on Wednesday, 29 January 2025. Pool Closes at 21h15. Sport 11 and Pool 1.

David Thiselton

The legacy of the champion broodmare Mystic Spring gained a new milestone when the Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old colt Eight On Eighteen became the first of her descendants to win Cape Town’s biggest race, the WSB Met.

It is significant that Eight On Eighteen is still an entire, because his late sire Lancaster Bomber has proven to be very influential and he was responsible for two Gr 1 winners on the day, which meant the son of War Front has now had four individual Gr 1 winners from just two crops to race.

Earlier, the Glen Kotzen-trained Lancaster Bomber filly Rascova had won the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes , pipping her arch rival Double Grand Slam.  

Fittingly, Rascova was bred by Vaughan Koster’s Cheveley Stud, which was where Mystic Spring stood.

Eight On Eighteen was bred by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, which was where Lancaster Bomber stood, and that meant Drakenstein have bred the winner of the Met for the second time in the last three years, having also bred the 2023 winner Jet Dark (Trippi).

Gaynor’s husband Johann is in fact a part-owner of Eight On Eighteen, who runs in the colours of prolific owner Nick Jonsson.

It was the third successive year the Met winner had run in the Jonsson colours and it has been achieved with three different horses, Jet Dark, Double Superlative (Twice Over) and Eight On Eighteen. That is likely a record and one that will take some equalling.

Justin Snaith trained all of Jet Dark, Double Superlative and Eight On Eighteen and it was Justin’s fourth Met win overall. 

One remarkable feat is that there have only been five-three-year-old winners of the Met since the war, Feltos (1945), Horse Chestnut (1999), Badger’s Coast (2000), Oh Susanna (2018) and Eight On Eighteen, and they have only three trainers between them as Mike De Kock trained both Horse Chestnut and Badger’s Coast, while Justin Snaith is the trainer of Oh Susanna and Eight On Eighteen. Oh Susanna was the first three-year-old filly to win the Met for over a hundred years. 

All of Snaith’s three male Met winners will likely stand at stud.

Jet Dark is already standing at Drakenstein, Double Superlative was earmarked for stud and Eight On Eighteen will be one of two valuable successors to Lancaster Bomber, the other being the Snaith-trained Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot.

It was not surprising Eight Of Eighteen ended up in the yard of Justin Snaith as he is out of the unraced Captain Al mare Sempre Libre, who is out of Mystic Sprint, which makes her a half-sister to the champion Snaith-trained three-times Gr 1-winning filly Bela-Bela and also to champion three-year-old colt Rabiya.

The family is rich in black type performers, although most of them are females and Eight On Eighteen will likely become the first stallion descendant of the legendary mare.

Mystic Spring was a full sister to the first British Classic winner Michael Roberts rode, the 1991 2000 Guineas winner Mystiko, and it was Roberts advising Karen Newsome of Springfield Racing that the latter had been a good fast ground horse that was partly behind the decision to send Mystic Spring to SA.

Roberts also had a Jonsson-owned runner in Saturday’s Met, See It Again (Twice Over), who finished fourth for the second year in succession.

Jonsson has not only owned the last three Met winners, but his runners finished first, third and fourth last year and first and fourth this year.

The connections might rue removing the blinkers from See It Again as he bounced back to his best, having been reunited with Piere Strydom, but appeared to hit a flat spot halfway down the straight which might have proved crucial in the end.

He had been following Eight On Eighteen and at the end was angled outward for a clear run and produced a late charge for the line but was 1,10 lengths shy.

Fourie produced a finely judged ride.

Finding cover in midfield from draw nine, he steadily made up ground on the pacemaker Oriental Charm, who was angled on to the outside fence and the handy Montien, who was briefly overtaken by the filly Red Palace before fighting back.

Fourie went inside of the latter embattled pair and won by half-a-length from Oriental Charm, who stayed on gallantly. Montien was a 0,90 length third.

Eight On Eighteen was never earmarked for the Met, but it became a good option after One Stripe had won the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, because Eight On Eighteen was beaten only 1,25 lengths in the latter race.

However, Eight On Eighteen is unlikely to be given a merit rating as high as One Stripe’s 132 (which makes the latter  the official best horse in the country at present).

The Met field finished in a heap on Saturday, which usually makes the handicapper reluctant to rate the race too highly.

Two obvious line horses are Oriental Charm, who was the Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, and Rascallion, who was the Met runner up last year and came into this year’s race off a win in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m.

With Oriental Charm as line horse Eight On Eighteen will get 126 or 127 and with Rascallion he will get 124 or 125.

That is not to say Eight On Eighteen won’t get better.

It was only his seventh career start and he looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement.