David Thiselton

Durban-based owner Rikesh Sewgoolam prefers to watch his horses running from home and did so as usual on Saturday for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, which was won by his superstar Vaughan Marshall-trained colt One Stripe.

He admitted to being nervous before every race and to being pessimistic about the 11/10 favourite’s chances when he turned for home with a lot of ground to make up on the leaders.

He said, “Gavin’s plan was to race him forward this time and probably sit third or fourth, considering he had a goodish draw of five, but things never worked out from the jump. Unfortunately, for the first time he missed the break and all the plans fell out the window. He had to do it the hard way and turning for home I really didn’t believe he would be able to get to them, especially when he went past the 400m mark and had so many horses in front of him and with that horse of Piet Botha’s (Montien) going so well and Gimme A Prince travelling so well on the inside rail.”

Out on the track the jockey had a completely different perspective.

Riskesh revealed, “Gavin was full of confidence. When I chatted to him on Saturday night he said he turned into the straight and balanced him and he knew at the 500m mark he was going to win. It was just a matter of getting a clear passage, he could feel there was so much there. But unfortunately with us watching on television it looked totally different!”

Lerena rode with the hands all the way to the 200m mark and then when giving him a slap with the whip, One Stripe took off. He burst through between Montien and Gimme A Prince to win by a cosy 1,75 lengths.

Rikesh said, “He was so brave, he took that gap … for a young horse to take that gap. It was pretty tight when you look at the head on, tighter than what it looked like from the side on.”

One Stripe had thus become only the third horse to have won both the Cape Guineas and the King’s Plate in the same season, with the great David Payne-trained In Full Flight having been the last to do it in 1972.

One Stripe’s entry in to the King’s Plate was actually an after thought.

Rikesh revealed, “The King’s Plate was not on his agenda in the beginning. We always had the task of trying to achieve the Guineas, which thankfully we did, and it was on Gavin Lerena’s recommendation that the horse should go for the King’s Plate. We were guided by Gavin and I was guided by Vaughan as well. He took his run in the Guineas pretty well, so we decided to have a go, even though everything was not in his favour. But it worked out in the end.”

One Stripe became just the third three-year-old in the last 50 years to have won the King’s Plate.

When Yataghan did it in 1973 he was the third three-year-old in the space of four years to have done it, following Chichester in 1970 and In Full Flight in 1972. However, the conditions back then appeared to be different because despite the race then being run a month and-a-half later in mid February, In Full Flight and Yataghan both received 7kg from the top weighted older males, while Chichester, when the race was run on New Year’s Day, received 7,5kg from the top weighted older male.

One Stripe only received 5kg from the older horses on Saturday in the race which is today run under weight for age conditions.

Riskesh bought One Stripe from the original owner Grant Knowles prior to the CRS Ready To Run Sale. Knowles had bought him off a BSA Sale for just R100,000.

Rikesh left One Stripe on the Sale in order to qualify for all the Ready To Run races and incentives etc.

Then immediately after the breeze up gallop prior to the Ready To Run Sale Vaughan Marshall, who was going to be the trainer for One Stripe, phoned Rikesh.

Rikesh said, “He said to me ‘You can’t let this horse go, his gallop was probably the best breeze up I’ve ever seen.’ I agreed, not expecting to be challenged in the way we were. We thought he would probably go for around R400,000 or so!”

Rikesh had to go to R1,4 million to keep him. 

Later Winterbach Stud put One Stripe’s Silvano dam Silver Stripe up for Sale in foal to One World about a month after One Stripe had made his debut, ironically on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day last year, where he finished a close up fifth in a strong field. Rikesh wasted no time in securing her and is now looking forward to the career of the weanling full sister, not to mention the progeny of Silver Stripe to follow.

One Stripe’s next mission is the big Sales race, the R5 million Big Cap to be run over 1400m on March 16 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. 

Andrew Harrison

Muzi Yeni makes a local return to the saddle after breaking his collar bone in a fall last November and has two rides on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today, the current inclement weather permitting. His first comes in the sixth on the seven-race card where he rides Off Limits for Louis Goosen but he may have to wait for his first win back.

Frank Robinson sends out the progressive Mocha Blend in that race and she could turn out to be something special. The daughter of Ideal World followed up on a promising debut behind the equally promising Meritorious on debut to run out a comfortable winner of her next start. Robinson looks to have a smart filly in his yard and she could prove a little too classy for this line-up. 

Robbie Hill could will have other ideas when he saddles Queen Amina. She has the widest draw to contend with and takes to the poly for the first time, however, she made a smart handicap debut for Hill who has engaged Marco van Rensburg as her partner. English Primrose hardly raised a gallop when switched to the turf last time out and Gary Rich has her back on her favoured surface. She should put in a big effort judged on her previous showings. Deryl Daniels has been making the trip out to Richmond to ride work for Doug Campbell and he gets to partner Sascha’s Dream for the yard. The daughter of Flying The Flag has been close-up in all three starts since shedding her maiden and can feature again while Yeni supporters will be hoping Off Limits can get him back rolling.

River Dance has shown his best form on the poly and Stuart Ferrie’s runner looks pick in a modest line-up in the card opener. Bring Back The Magic has the best of the draw and has some fair form over the trip but Darryl Moore takes off the blinkers and has booked Rachel Venniker to take some weight of his back. 

Ferrie could start his New Year with a double with Shesarocket who has her first run for the stable and makes her local debut. She has been well supported in the past when based on the Highveld and the switch to the poly could be what she’s looking for. Visiting Corne Spies sends out Radiant Heat who has a much higher rating than Shesarocket but has already had 16 starts. The poly could also bring out the best. Long Street has also been struggling to improve but Tony Rivalland has dropped her in trip and declared first time blinkers so is one to watch in the market. 

Runners coming off Western Cape form won two races first up in KZN last Wednesday and Numzaan could live up to his name. He ran well below par in his last Kenilworth start but had fair form prior to that and Frikkie Greyling can add to his growing tally. Assistant Byron Forster has the Andre Nel satellite in good form with a double on New Year’s Day, both runners making their local debuts. Rafiki has been around for some time now and is in good heart. He has also won on the poly and looks a big threat to Numzaan. Future Saint showed signs of finding his better form last time out and has his fourth start for his new yard. This trip should suit. 

In the fourth, Green Mile is a lightly raced four-year-old who has come to hand of late and comes from the much in-form Nel stable. He makes his poly debut but looks well capable in this line-up. Dean Kannemeyer sends out Freddy Slater who has disappointed at his last two after showing signs of improvement. He too makes his poly debut and will go close on his best form. Deserto looked well in need of his last effort when making his debut over a sprint. He goes a mile for the first time and is definitely one to watch. 

La Vida Loca found a good one in Mocha Blend last time out, finishing a distant third when trying 1900m for the first time. She can do better over this shorter trip in spite of being drawn wide. One gate inside of her is the visiting Messalina who has been lumbered with top weight. She has shown signs of coming to her peak and should be a big runner in this field Maiden field. Dee Day is seldom too far back and returns to her favourite surface. The stable has a good record with longer-priced runners and this daughter of Lancaster Bomber could get it right this time around. Rachel Venniker stays with the lightly raced Miss Rebecca who has the best of the draw and can feature. 

Ferrie could bookend the meeting as he sends out three runners in the last, best of which could be Hippocrates who is over his best course and distance. He has started favourite at his last three outings and last time out was no match for the much improved Future Flo. Tristan Godden stays with the ride. The grey Voldemort has been holding form well and the stable is in good form. He has the best of the draw to help his cause. Ferrie also saddles Lions Eye with stable rider Sean Veale aboard. He disappointed in his handicap debut after showing improved form with a switch of stables and he is one to watch in the betting. Fish Eagle has been in the money in all three starts for Gary Rich. However his recent form has been over a mile and he drops back to a sprint. 

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(if only one 13 of 13 Winner)

David Thiselton

Lyle Hewitson produced an amazing finish to land a rare winner at Sha Tin on Sunday, while in the meantime the dominant Zac Purton is now within 8 wins of Douglas Whyte’s record number of wins on the island.

Hewitson’s admirable professionalism enabled him to be back in the saddle just one week after a bad fall on December 15 and he has raked in two wins since then, but at present it is Luke Ferraris who is getting closest to making the breakthrough that the ex-pat South Africans are always aiming at.

In the ninth race on Sunday, a class 4 event over 1400m, Hewitson was on the Benno Yung-trained Another World, a Kermadec four-year-old gelding who had won third time out over this course and distance.

He was paying HK$11.00 on the Tote and was drawn nine out of 14.

Lyle dropped him out and secured a rails position and had him beautifully relaxed.

In the straight the horse made up ground along the rail quickly after initially being baulked for a run.

However, just as he reached the leader, the second-placed horse shifted inward and slammed the gap Another World was about to take shut.

Lyle checked and wanted to angle outward but a quick backward glance told him he was not far enough clear of another horse running on that line.

Another World was still ambling around with a ton in hand and his supporters must have been throwing their tickets in the air in despair.

Andrea Atzeni had been the rider aboard the horse who had cut Another World off and due credit to him he as aware of what the Horse had done and corrected it.

This saw a gap opening for Another World at the 100m mark by which stage it was surely to late.

However, Lyle drove for the gap and the horse flew through it and got his nose down on the line with the help of Hewitson’s copybook left arm stretch to the top of the horse’s head.

He got up by a short-head and looks to be one to follow.

Lyle has now had nine wins this season, a disappointing return considering he had 50 wins two seasons ago and they are almost halfway through the season.

Meanwhile, Luke Ferraris had a winner on New Year’s s day to take him to 19 for the season and that puts him in lone fourth place on the log.

To put that into perspective the only jockeys ahead of him are Purton, Hugh Bowman and local hero Vincent Ho.

Ferraris is one win ahead of perennial top three incumbent Karis Teetan.

Furthermore, Ferraris has the joint second highest strike rate of 12% together with Hugh Bowman, only behind Purton’s 24%.

Keegan de Melo is having a dismal time of it and it would be no surprise to see him back in South Africa next season. It is hard to understand how a rider of his talent has only had 81 rides the whole season. Only three of the 24 who have race-ridden on the island this season have had less rides than Keegan.

He has remained stuck on four wins since November 20, although he did at least have five rides at Sha Tin on Sunday. On  the other hand that is only the third time this season he has had as many as five rides at a meeting.

Purton is chasing the 1813 race victories in Hong Kong record of Douglas Whyte.

He scored a double on Sunday to go to 1805 wins, so is now within just eight of equalling Whyte’s record.

One Stripe was crowned King of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with a stunning victory in the 164^th running of the R3-million L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Gr1) over 1600m. The 3yo son of One World, who was himself runner-up behind Vardy in the 2020 LKP, rewarded veteran trainer Vaughan Marshall with his first taste of success in this highly prestigious and coveted race which ranks as one of South Africa’s “Super” Grade One events.

As expected, the pace was on from the start with Snow Pilot going forward from his wide gate followed by the long-striding Montien and Oriental Charm. Gimme A Prince was handier than generally expected, turning for home in fourth spot, with One Stripe a little further back than midfield at the entrance to the straight. Snow Pilot tried gamely to keep going but was under extreme pressure from Montien halfway up the stretch with Gimme A Prince unwinding a menacing run down the inside rail.

In the meantime, Gavin Lerena, sporting the bright orange and blue silks of Rikesh Sewgoolam, could be seen making good progress under One Stripe, but the favourite still had several lengths to find on the leaders approaching the final 400m. With Snow Pilot giving up the ghost at the 200m pole, Montien and Gimme A Prince joined issue but by now One Stripe was in full cry and he swept past in commanding fashion to score majestically by close on two lengths. This was a dominant performance by a seriously good three-year-old and a dream come true for Sewgoolam, Lerena and Marshall – all of whom were winning their first L’Ormarins Kings Plate.

Bred by the Drakenstein Stud, One Stripe, who made his debut as a juvenile at this race meeting exactly twelve months ago, has now won six of his eight starts, including back-to-back Grade 1 victories, for earnings in excess of R4-million. 

Montien showed great courage and tenacity to hold out Gimme A Prince for the runner-up berth with Royal Aussie staying on well under Oisin Murphy to round out the Quartet. Oriental Charm was hugely disappointing, fading away tamely to finish nine lengths behind One Stripe, while something was clearly amiss with See It Again who trailed in at the rear of the field.

Double Grand Slam and Richard Fourie produced a storming finish from near the back of the field to run out comfortable winners of the R1-million Cartier Paddock Stakes (Gr1) for fillies and mares over 1800m. Lavender Bay ensured a decent pace, tracked by Rascova who was a clear second entering the 600m home stretch. Red Palace was moving well in third spot with Double Grand Slam many lengths further back.

Lavender Bay soon fell away leaving Rascova and Red Palace at the head of affairs, but Double Grand Slam was closing in hand-over-fist off the fast pace and the 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix drew clear over the final 150m to score by more than a length. The Justin Snaith-trained Double Grand Slam holds a special place in Fourie’s heart – having secured last season’s record breaking 335^th winner aboard Double Grand Slam when victorious in the Tibouchina Stakes back in June – and his delight as the pair crossed the line was a joy to behold. Dave MacLean and Gary Player were on hand to lead Double Grand Slam into the winner’s enclosure along with Drakenstein Stud who recently acquired Suzette Viljoen’s share in the Varsfontein-bred filly.

Red Palace, having her first start for the Dean Kannemeyer yard, stayed on well to finish second ahead of Rascova with the balance of the field well beaten. Spare a thought for Terry Andrews. His small breeding operation produced both Montien and Red Palace and while racing is all about winning, he will no doubt be proud that his colours finished second in both the Grade 1 events.

Gareth Van Zyl scored a memorable Feature double, taking out the R400 000 Cartier Sceptre Stakes (Gr2) for fillies and mares over 1200m with Asiye Phambili and the R300 000 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup (Gr3) over 2500m with King Pelles, who relished going a more testing trip for the first time in his career. Sporting the colours of Hollywood Racing, Richard Fourie booted home the well-backed Asiye Phambili to her third Graded Stakes victory but was pressured all the way to the line by Roccapina, who ran well above her rating. 

King Pelles, ridden by Athandiwe Mgudlwa, travelled well throughout and was content to sit in fifth spot as Daimyo made the early running in the Chairman’s Cup. When the chips were down, Holding Thumbs soon got the measure of Daimyo but had nothing more to offer when challenged by King Pelles inside the final 200m. Both Dave MacLean and Gary Player, successful earlier with Double Grand Slam, feature in the ownership of King Pelles and then to complete a red-letter day, MacLean also owns a share in the final race winner, Sail The Seas, who was ultra-impressive under Oisin Murphy when racing away to an emphatic victory in the ninth race over 1400m.

The R500 000 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy (Gr2) over 1800m produced a nail-biting finish with the Vaughan Marshall-trained 7yo stable soldier Rascallion just edging out Magic Verse by a nostril. The pair locked horns halfway up the straight and the result was in the balance until the very last stride when Sean Veale nudged that little bit extra out of Rascallion to deny a game and much-improved Magic Verse.