David Thiselton
Querari is head and shoulders the leading sire of two-year-olds this season and has had a phenomenal return in this regard.
Five of his seven two-year-old runners have won and of their ten races they have won six of them.
The Justin Snaith-trained Drakenstein Stud-bred Querari two-year-old colt Black Cheetah made it two from two on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and both of his wins have been in Black Type features.
He won easily over 800m on debut and in a strong five horse field on Saturday over 1000m he showed good acceleration once again to beat stablemate, the Drakenstein Stud-bred Trippi filly Claire de Lune, by 0,30 lengths with another Querari, the Paul Reeves-trained Parental Guidance, a half-brother to Gr 1 winner Proceed, a length further back in third.
Black Cheetah has shown a magnificent turn of foot in both starts and looks to be an exciting prospect.
No other sires have had more than one two-year-old winner this season, so Querari is on track to being the leading sire of two-year-olds as he was back in the 2021/2022 season. 
In the latter season he had the most two-year-old winners, 23 individual winners of 34 races, and led the stakes earnings.
He was also the leading sire of two-year-olds in South Africa in 2018/2019 and was the Cape’s champion freshmanstallion in 2015.
Besides Black Cheetah and Parental Guidance, the Mike Miller-trained Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Comic Relief looks to be promising. This filly won her debut over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 2,50 lengths. She is a half-sister to stablemate Winter Games (What A Winter), who ran second in the Listed Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes in his third career start and she is also a half-sister to the consistent Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Fun Zone (Rafeef).
Mike Miller won the first two-year-old race in KZN this season, as he usually does, and it was with the Waterford Stud-bred Querari filly Siesta Sunset. 
Querari’s other two-year-old winner this season has been the Tony Peter-trained Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Caroline Island.
The Maine Chance Farms-based German-bred stallion is a son of Oasis Dream and his only Gr 1 win was over 2000m.
However, he has proved versatile at stud.
His three Gr 1 winners are Thekwini Stakes (2yo 1600m) winner Querari Falcon, the Computaform Sprint winner Rio Querari, who was named Equus Champion Sprinter, and Thekwini Stakes winner Bavarian Beauty.
One of his best on the ground at present is also a speedster, the Gr 1 Gold Medallion runner up and Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner over 1400m Cosmic Speed.
However, last year’s World Pool Gold Cup winner Master Redoute is a son of Querari, so he can get them to stay too. 
Last year One World smashed Captain Al’s freshman stallion record of 22 individual two-year-old winners and equalled his two-year-old record of 30 individual winners.
Querari is unlikely to have the numbers to break that record, considering he only had 40 two-year-old runners last season, but he could make a bid for the title. 

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.

Pleases note Turffontein’s race meeting scheduled for today 5 January 2025 has been postponed until tomorrow. Turffontein received 12mm of rainfall overnight , which took the total rainfall for the week over 95mm.

Gallops have just been concluded and it was unanimous the track was not suitable for racing , and therefore the decision to postpone until tomorrow has been made.

New Race times below:

Race 1 – 12:10

Race 2 – 12:45

Race 3 – 13:20

Race 4 – 13:53

Race 5 – 14:28

Race 6 – 15:08 WOLF POWER 1600 (LISTED)

Race 7 – 15:43 BETWAY MOTHER RUSSIA STAKES (GRADE 3)

Race 8 – 16:20 BETWAY GOT THE GREENLIGHT STAKES (GRADE 3)

Race 9 – 16:55

Please note Hollywoodbets Scottsville has received 30mm of overnight rain. Pen reading on both tracks 30. Currently light rain and forecast of heavy showers from midday.

A decision has been taken to abandon today’s race meeting.

David Thiselton

Two Gr 3s and a Listed race head the Highveld meeting today at Turffontein Standside on what should be an intriguing day of racing. 

In the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m Greaterix is highly regarded and classy and can be excused for his Dingaans run when a disappointing five length third as he was caught in front and he also returned with abnormal blood readings. He has a fair draw of five and won’t mind the step down in trip. Cosmic Speed should go close  despite carrying a 2kg penalty and having to jump from a wide draw. He was an easy winner of the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over this trip as a two-year-old and should have come on from his reappearance, which he won over 1160m. He has a good turn of foot so can be dropped out by Craig Zackey. Choisaanada is highly regarded and looked to be classy in his last win, so he should have more to come. Fire Attack has to carry a 2kg penalty and also has a wide draw. He showed his class when second in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans last time, beaten only by the wonder filly Quid Pro Quo. He won the Gr 2 SA Nursery over 1160m, so the step down in trip will not bother him, although he was handy in the Dingaans so will need luck to get cover from the wide draw here. Musical Score impressed as a horse who is on the up when winning a fine race over 1400m last time out. He had both Fire Attack and Choisaanada well beaten in that race, although the latter pair did probably run below par. He can’t be left out of the Pick 6. The Specialist has been disappointing as a three-year-old, but had classy form as a two-year-old and can bounce back, although he does have a tough draw. 

In the Gr 3 Betway Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m Vulcanite is weighted to win easily and will be hard to beat from draw two under Zackey. She won her maiden over 1600m by 8,25 lengths and despite being given a 96 merit rating she beat older horses next time out over 1600m by 3,75 lengths. On the downside the form of that last race has not worked out exceptionally well. Salenio Peninsula was not disgraced in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile when a 6,90 length fifth behind the exceptional Fatal Flaw, who went on to win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. This half-sister to Barbaresco is well drawn with Gavin Lerena up and should still improve. Miss Lia beat Salenio Peninsula by 0,70 lengths last time they met over 1450m, but is now 1kg worse off and has a tough draw. Bakwena looks talented and will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Sonic Jet is on the up and could also be involved.  

In the Listed Wolf Power 1600 Truth proved himself full of class early in his career and looks to be coming back to his best. He sneaks into the handicap here with the minimum weight of 53kg (the topweight using the benchmark was 59kg so all weights were dragged up 1kg meaning bottom weight here is 53kg) and has a fair draw of six under the returning Muzi Yeni. Truth might have gone for home too soon last time and was caught by Storm Brasco. He is now 3kg better off with Storm Brasco for a 0,25 length beating, although that is just 1,5kg better off if the 1,5kg claim of Rachel Venniker is considered. On pedigree the son of Heavenly Blue should enjoy the step up to 1600m. Pomodoro’s Jet had given the impression the best had not yet been seen of him until waltzing away with the Grand Heritage over 1475m, winning it by 5,50 lengths. He was given a nine point raise to 105 meaning he has to carry 57,5kg in this handicap event and he also has to jump from a tough draw of eight, considering he is a handy type. He will need some luck to be covered up in the running. Command Pilot is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and represents an in form yard from pole position. He relished this course and distance last time and won easily. He looks to be coming into his own and is a runner here. Storm Brasco was having his first run for nine months when storming past Truth last time and has always struck as a classy sort. He has a tough task confirming the form with Truth, but might have come on from the run. Savannah Storm is not reliable, but if things pan out well for him he can produce a devastating late kick, so he can be considered under Ryan Munger, who is on his winter break from racing in Canada, although a wide draw makes it tough. 

All three of the features will provide pointers to the big Guineas meeting at Turffontein in early February.