Leaders of the South African horseracing industry met this morning in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nationwide lockdown announcement last night and have formed a special task team to navigate the sport through the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

The task team comprises representatives from Phumelela Gaming, Gold Circle, Kenilworth Racing, the Racing Association and the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), which is charged with regulating the industry.

Racing has been taking place behind closed doors since last week and in line with the President’s ruling last night, the task team has confirmed that the race meeting at the Vaal this Thursday 26 March will be the last until further notice.

Industry betting shops, including TAB, Betting World, TABgold and Track & Ball stores, will be closed down tonight and tomorrow, and only online and telephone betting will be available from Thursday.

It is obviously critical that training centres nationally are able to operate during the lockdown and the NHA has been tasked with urgently seeking confirmation from Government that key individuals like track staff, trainers, jockeys, grooms, feed merchants, farriers and veterinary surgeons will be able to access training centres without being prevented therefrom.

In addition, the task team intends to meet soonest with the highest levels of Government to seek assistance in putting South African horseracing back onto a viable financial footing and thus protecting the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people employed in the industry.

Changes in provincial government legislation and other well-publicised issues have destroyed the industry’s funding model and the virus-enforced lockdown has now put the future of the entire sport at risk.

A spokesperson for the task team said every endeavour would be made to resume racing when the current lockdown ends on 17 April, but that any such resumption would obviously take place behind closed doors and conform to any restrictions and requirements laid down by Government.

If racing does resume then, it is planned to hold a major raceday at Turffontein on Saturday 18 April, when the programme will comprise the best feature races programmed during the lockdown period, as well as the Empress Club Stakes already scheduled for that day.

In the Western Cape the Klawervlei Farm Sales Race programmed for 28 March at Durbanville will also need to be rescheduled. In addition consideration will be given to rescheduling Listed races not run in the Eastern Cape during the lockdown.

Unavoidably as a result of the loss in revenue arising from both soccer and horseracing closing down virtually globally to retard the spread of COVID-19, prize money for minor races will in all likelihood have to be reduced to keep the industry afloat.

Any such reductions will only be done after full consultation with the Racing Association, which represents the majority of racehorse owners in South Africa.

Should racing not be able to restart at the end of the current lockdown period and Champions Day, one of the big four racedays on the national calendar, cannot take place as scheduled on 2 May, it is likely that all feature races not run as a result of the lockdown will be cancelled for this year.

The task team will convene twice weekly, or as required, for the foreseeable future in order to constantly reassess the situation and to adjust plans as required.

“These are tough times for South African horseracing and the country as a whole. But racing has survived tough times before by working together and will do so again,” said the spokesperson for the task team.

Ends

The eight race card at the Vaal straight course tomorrow offers fair opportunities for exotic and on-the-nose punters.

In the first race over 1600m Zuluonmystoep is a long-striding scopey sort and the Sean Tarry yard are back in form so he looks the one to beat. Great Esteem had a good draw for a change last time over 1800m and finished a good second to Bellagio King who was subsequently not disgraced in the Listed Derby Trial. He would prefer 1800m but can place in this generally uninspiring field. Pacific Dream was beaten ten lengths on debut over 1200m but as a full-brother to Port Key, who has won twice from 1600m to 2000m and placed four times in all of his starts, he should both improve and relish the step up in trip.

In the second race over 1400m the well regarded Afternoon Tea got off the mark on Saturday after three second place finishes. He should relish this step up in trip. Mynage, who jumps from pole position, will have a chance from a likely handy position. She has been a touch one-paced in the finish in her two runner-up efforts over 1450m, but this is her third run and she is open to improvement. Zernez was not disgraced in her last two starts against stronger than this and on pedigree she should relish this step up in trip.      

In the third race over 1400m Fire And Ice is not much to look at but the same can be said of his half-sister Missisippi Burning, who won the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas. He faced some good sorts in his first four races without being disgraced and then won well over 1160m in soft ground last time, beating a decent field of maiden two-year-olds. He has to give 3kg to the non-winners here but that is alleviated by the 4kg claim of Philisande Mxoli and on pedigree and racing style he should relish the step up in trip. Siren Of Greece has finished close up placed in her only two starts, both over 1160m, and being by Duke Of Marmalade out of Siren’s Call, who failed by a stride or to to land the Triple Tiara, she will be improving and will relish the step up in trip. The Paul Peter-trained first-timer Blue Moon City is an interesting first-timer by Marchfield out of a twice-winning Victory Moon mare from 1600m to 1800m.

In the next race over 2400m, the first leg of the Jackpot, Kool Baikal looks a nice sort and is well bred being by Byword out of Fort Wood mare Urabamba, who won the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic. He was a touch unlucky last time but rallied again after switching and looks to be capable of staying this trip. Abdul has also caught the eye as one who should enjoy the trip and on pedigree should do as he is by The Sheik out of Formation whose eleven wins were up to 2000m. Grey Street is proven over the trip and should also be included.

In the next race over 1800m Bellagio King has turned the corner and was not disgraced last time in the Derby Trial, having won his maiden well over 1800m. Kings Cup has his third run after a rest and will be cherry ripe over a suitable trip. Serendipity has done well over this trip against the boys before and is not only off a competitive mark but also has a useful 4kg claimer in Philisande Mxoli aboard. Those are the preferred choices but not far behind are all of Theravada, Gentleman Only, African Adventure, Latin Opus, Highlander, Seeking Gold and Capetown Affair.

In the sixth race over 1800m Diorama stayed on quite well in the Listed Oaks Trial to not be beaten by far. She finished a length clear of Tahitian Orana who now gets the blinkers on and is well drawn. Jive Express proved her capabilities last time again and now has a win and a second over the course and distance, but she does have a five point raise to overcome.

In the seventh over 1600m Liberado has fine form over this trip and has dropped to a competitive mark. Akwaan won his maiden well over 1400m with first time blinkers on and now steps up in trip. His sire I Am Invincible was a sprinter and his Listed-winning and Grade 1-placed dam by Fastnet Rock won five times from 1200m to 1600m so he has a chance of getting this trip. Waqaas is off a competitive mark and could be in the shake up.

In the last race over 1200m Rodger The Dodger has been given a reasonable opening handicap mark after running on strongly from well of the pace to win over 1000m on debut. He could follow up over a suitable step up in trip. Written In Stone has stayed on well over this trip since gelding and can earn again. Strikeitlikeamatch makes most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford’s SA Champions Season string of 12 arrived at Summerveld on Saturday and there will be one or two horses travelling later.  

The 12 horses are Pretty Young Thing, Kelpie, Dynasty’s Blossom, Count Jack, Hudoo Magic, Golden Tractor, Remus, Bwana, Traces, Indi Anna, Principessa and Betathantherest.

Missing from the list is Front And Centre, who will arrive later, Run Fox Run, who might come for one race, and Undercover Agent, who has been gelded and sold to Mauritius. 

Crawford said four-year-old Dynasty filly Front And Centre’s chief targets would be the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on June 13 and the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Vodacom Durban July day. 

Last year her Champions Season campaign was blighted by wide draws. She finished a fast finishing second from a wide draw in the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and then cost herself the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 by hanging inward badly when running on strongly from the back and looking to have the race won. The Cape Fillies Guineas-winner ended her KZN campaign in the Garden Province where she had to overcome yet another wide draw. After going handy she did not find her usual strong finish and faded to a 4,55 length seventh. She started off her Cape Summer campaign well, winning the Grade 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville and a Pinnacle event over 1400m at Kenilworth. She had clearly overcome the hanging antic she had developed in KZN. However, she then ran a disappointing fifth in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m and was only eleventh in the Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes over 1600m. However, she bounced back to finish second in the Grade 3 Vasco Da Gama Prix du Cap over 1400m, although she was beaten 3,50 lengths by her stablemate Pretty Young Thing.

Crawford said if the crack four-year-old sprinter Run Fox Run did travel it would only be for one race. The options appear to be the Grade 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg (SA Fillies) Sprint or the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint. This Australian-bred by Foxwedge has only had six career starts, winning her first five before finishing a 1,20 length fourth in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship.

Both Pretty Young Thing and Kelpie will have the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas as their chief targets.

Pretty Young Thing, who is by Jackson out of a twice-winning Australian-bred sprinter by Commands, still has to prove she stays a mile.

In the Cape Fillies Guineas she had to overcome the widest draw of all and was taken to the front. She quickened well at the top of the straight but the effort told and she tired late to finish a 4,60 length seventh. In the Prix du Cap. she quickened from second at the top of the straight and had soon put the race to bed. 

Kelpie, a Dynasty half-sister to Grade 1 SA Classic winner Divine Jury, started 2/1 favourite for the Cape Fillies Guineas but could only stay on from a position just backward of midfield for a 4,10 length sixth.

She was then beaten 0,55 lengths by her four-year-old stablemate Principessa in the Listed Jamaica Handicap over 2000m before running a fine running-on 1,60 length fourth in the Majorca.

The former Joey Ramsden-trained Dynasty’s Blossom’s chief target will be the defence of her Gold Cup crown. 

Count Jack, who won the R5 million CTS 1600, has won four of his six starts to date. This Jackson colt’s initial target will be the Grade 2 Daisy Guineas.      

Four-year-old Hudoo Magic is a 106 merit rated Australian-bred four-year-old by Choisir whose three wins have been from 1400m to 1600m.

Three-year-old Captain Of All colt Golden Tractor is a 106 merit rated three-time winning sprinter.

Two-year-old Var colt Remus won his recent debut over 1250m at Durbanville.

Five-year-old Trippi gelding Bwana is a 100 merit rated six time-winning sprinter.

Four-year-old Australian-bred gelding Traces, who is blind in one eye and has had a wind operation in the past, has not lived up to expectation after finishing third in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion as a two-year-old. However, he does go well on the poly and he finished fifth in the Grade 2 Merchants in Cape Town this season.

Indi Anna is a 97 merit rated four-year-old Master Of My Fate filly who has won four times from 1400m to 1600m.

Principessa is a 95 merit rated four-year-old Querari filly who will likely be targeting minor middle distance features.

Betathantherest is an unraced two-year-old Pomodoro colt out of Seventh Rock mare Seventh Virtue, who won twice from 1000m to 1200m.

By David Thiselton

“As an owner, if you don’t get a thrill out of owning a racehorse you’re missing the plot.” That’s was the view of Anton Procter (76), one of the doyens of South African horseracing, who died on Saturday after a short battle with cancer.

Procter was not a man to let the grass grow too long under his feet and moved house and stud probably more often than wife Judy would care to remember. Procter eventually settled Burwell Stud just outside Howick in KZN, where he kept a small but select band of broodmares.

Marching to the beat of his own drum, Anton lived by the motto of his old high school, Kearsney College – Carpe Diem – seize the day.

An agricultural adviser in his youth, he was cattle farmer, bookmaker, stud manager, owner, trainer and stud owner during a career in racing spanning over 50 years.

While still working as an agricultural adviser Procter was a keen participant in a thriving amateur horseracing circuit in the sixties where many trainers on the professional circuit cut their teeth. Richmond was a particularly strong centre and Anton was secretary of the Richmond Gymkhana Club. But in those days racing was held in many rural areas and Anton recalls “raiding” Umtata from his then home base of Donnybrook.

The transition from agricultural agent to bookmaker was sudden.

Anton recounted; “I was stationed in Noodsberg doing a “time-and-motion” study for the sugar industry and it was extremely boring. One day I heard that the bookmaking rights in Greytown were for sale. I said to Judy, ‘when you go into town this morning, find out how much they want’. As it turned out it was part of a deceased estate and was for sale for R1000. I happened to know the executor who said they already had a bid but I could have it if I offered more. I offered R1020 and went into business even though I didn’t have a clue about bookmaking.”

 “We only raced on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s in those days and the first day was hectic. When I finally tallied up, I had made R35 profit but it was a start.

“After ten years in the business bookmaking was becoming boring but in 1970 he had a stroke of good fortune. Naval Escort was favourite for the July and somehow it happened that if he won Procter stood to lose a fortune. “On the morning of the race I told Judy to get ready for a busy day. She said to me before I left, ‘You know what I dreamt; I dreamt that Court Day won the July.’ I took no notice. Later that day she told me, ‘You know what I drew in the tennis club sweep, Court Day’”.

 It proved prophetic.

“It was a hell of a busy day and when we closed up I was knackered and just stuffed all the money into a bag and went home and I asked the kids to count the takings – R35 000.”

“It was enough to buy a farm and the end of bookmaking.”

 “I was always desperate to get into the breeding side and it was about this time that I got a call from Robin Bruss and Peter Lovemore with an offer to manager Stapleford Stud, then one of the biggest operations in the then Rhodesia, for Rob Davenport.

 “We spent three years there but it was a steep learning curve.”

From Rhodesia, Anton got an offer to manage the fledgling Summerhill Stud, and he pulled up his grub stake once again and he and Judy headed back home. He managed Summerhill for eight years before moving on to Aldora Stud owned by Guy Landon where Anton was instrumental in buying the top stallion Rakeen for the Tawny Syndicate while the ill-fated Secret Prospector also stood at Aldora.

Being a highly personable character with an inquiring mind, Anton had mixed with the best horseman in the world and gained a vast knowledge of the industry and horses. Burwell today is more a “boutique” stud in the larger scheme of things but with a high quality broodmare band going to the best commercial stallions.

Anton was outspoken on many industry issues but one of his more strongly held beliefs was that owners do not get their due recognition. “In the post-race TV interviews on Tellytrack we get the jockey and the trainer first and the owner as an afterthought. The owner should be the first to be interviewed.”

“Watching your horse win is a thrilling moment. It’s what keeps people going in this sport and they need to be given recognition.”

It was horses that got Anton up in the morning. “I eat, dream and sleep horses. I have travelled to America, England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. I have had the privilege to have mixed with the best horsemen and women around the world. Everything I own is due to the racehorse.”

Anton leaves his wife Judy, married for 52 years, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements to be announced.

By Andrew Harrison

Image: “I eat, dream and sleep horses.” Anton Procter (Photo Credit:Rob Haswell)

Missisippi Burning, who has not raced since springing a 22-1 shock in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas more than three months ago, pleased Adam Marcus when partnered by Craig Zackey in a spin at Summerveld yesterday.

Marcus said: “She travelled to Durban exceptionally well. She is not a big filly so she doesn’t need that much work – it’s just a case of keeping her happy and so far all has gone according to plan.

“One of her main aims is the WSB Fillies Guineas on May 1 and I have entered her for the Umzimkhulu over 1 400m on April 5. But there are penalties in that race – she gets 6kg for being a Grade 1 winner – so I am going to analyse the strength of the field and look at the draw before deciding.”

Vardy, winner of the WSB Green Point and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate but badly hampered when only sixth in the Sun Met, remains on course to start his Durban campaign in the Independent on Saturday Drill Hall on May 1. However last year’s Vodacom Durban July third Twist Of Fate will now take a different road towards the big one.

Marcus explained: “He is a horse who gives his all and I feel that three hard runs prior to the July could set him back. I want to freshen him up, and have him happy and confident, so he will probably go on a route away from the weight-for-age races.”

Despite Summerveld’s variety of gallops and training tracks Marcus says – a little surprisingly perhaps – that so far  he slightly prefers his Milnerton home base. “Summerveld is more spacious and the stables are nice but I feel that at Milnerton you can maintain horses at their top level for longer. With the sea breeze and the Cape Town climate they seems to thrive there. But if we win one of the big ones I am sure I will like Summerveld just as much!”

Favorita

Favorita may be upped in class after demolishing the opposition in the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery at Fairview last Friday.

Justin Snaith said: “I thought she would win – but not by almost ten lengths going away! It was a hell of an impressive run. She is not a big filly but she is extremely gutsy and she will maybe go for a feature here next.”

Klawervlei race

Glen Kotzen and Vaughan Marshall dominate (numerically at least) the R225 000 Klawervlei Farm Sale Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. Between them, they account for seven of the 11 runners.

No racing in Mauritius

The start of the Mauritius racing season has been postponed for at least a fortnight because of CoronaVirus. The Turf Club decided that meetings scheduled for this Saturday and April 4 should be postponed “until further notice” following Prime Minister Pravin Jugnauth‘s announcement of a two-week period of confinement that began last Friday. The country’s citizens have been ordered to stay indoors for 14 days.

By Michael Clower