The athletic Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Wylie Hall filly Wylie Wench was one of the most eyecatching winners of the weekend and she looks capable of justifying the money Varsfontein Stud Farm South Africa paid to acquire her.

A quick glance at her rich pedigree is all that is required to know why she has brought two famous racing families together. Her story starts with Anthony Kalmanson, a Durbanite who used to enjoy riding in jumps races in England. He used to look for fillies in Europe to bolster his broodmare band at Varsfontein Stud, which he founded in 1974. He would race them over there and sometimes ride them in hurdles races before bringing them out to South Africa.

In the early 1970’s he bought a filly called Lucky Libra, who was by the Fair Trial line sire Great White Way. She won three races in England, one over 1600m on the flat and two over hurdles. Despite winning a hurdles race over two-and-a-half miles, she was destined to become the founding mare of a family whose most famous names are sprinters, although some members of the family are versatile.

Her first South African-bred foal Crown Sable (Peacable Kingdom) won nine races from 1000m to 1900m, including a Grade 3 over 1000m. Lucky Libra was then sent to Scott Brothers’ five-times champion sire Jungle Cove and the result was the filly Enchanting, who was a superb racehorse and became a matriarch at stud. She won two Grade 1s and a Grade 2 over 1600m, inlcuding the Gosforth Park Fillies Guineas.

Anthony Kalmanson passed away in 1979 and the running of Varsfontein had been handed down to his twin offspring, John and Susan. The twins, to their lasting regret, sold Enchanting. However, they always look for her family members at the Sales. Enchanting was exported to the USA after her racing feats out here and stood at her owner Graham Beck’s Gainesway Farm.

She was later sent back to SA to stand at Beck’s Highlands Farm Stud, but not before she had produced four USA-bred foals, including the Spend A Buck filly Enchanted Dollar.

Enchanted Dollar won twice in South Africa before standing at Highlands. She produced two Graded winners including the champion National Assembly colt National Currency.

The latter was purchased for R500,000 at the National Yearling Sales and Beck took a share in him together with A Christoforou, C J W and N Hilt and J E H Clarke.

National Currency, trained by Mike Azzie, broke 1000m course records at Turffontein and Newmarket on his way to nine career wins, including three Grade 1s.

He was an Equus Champion two-year-old and an Equus Champion three-year-old sprinter.

The big 16-hands-2-inch bay earned the nickname “the horse with the movie star looks” and was still said to be maturing when tragically passing away as a four-year-old.

In his penultimate start in South Africa in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Clairwood, when still a three-year-old, he destroyed them by 5,25 lengths.

He then went over to Hong Kong and ran second to the legendary Silent Witness, who was named world champion sprinter for three years in succession.

Azzie had claimed before that race that had it been over six furlongs and not five the opposition would have been better off not pitching up.

National Currency’s next start in Dubai in a Listed race over 1200m on the dirt perhaps proved him correct as he cruised in by six-and-a-half lengths.

National Currency had the world at his feet and it was a devastating blow to Azzie and SA racing fans when his life was then claimed by a suspected snake or scorpion bite.

Azzie was once asked by the Racegoer when he had a runner in the Mercury Sprint to compare the favourite of that race to National Currency and he said, “National Currency could have stopped for a cup of tea at the 400m and still beaten him.”

That is how much he revered him.

Enchanting’s first SA-bred foal was Harry’s Charm, an ARCSA Champion two-year-old and three-year-old filly and she was later a Champion Older Sprinter.

Later in 1998, just a year before National Currency was born, Enchanting produced a filly by National Assembly called Enchantress.

Her eight wins included the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and she was named Equus Champion Older Female Sprinter in 2002.

Enchantress has produced the Grade 1 Thekwini winner and Equus Champion two-year-old filly Laverna and the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Nevvay, proving there are still lines of stamina coming through from Lucky Libra.

Wylie Wench, bred by Lammerskraal Stud, is the eighth foal of Enchantress.

Susan Rowett (nee Kalmanson) of Varsfontein bought Wylie Wench at BSA’s National Two-year-old Sale for R600,000.

Mike Azzie had also liked her conformation and he and Susan had soon agreed that as he knew the family so well Azzie Racing Stables would be the right ones to train her.

After all her dam is a three-parts sister to National Currency.

The Azzies provided Wylie Wench with a test on Saturday which was going to help them plan her future.

It was just her second career start and she was being asked to overcome a wide draw in the 1450m fillies and mares maiden on the tight Turffontein Inside track.

After dwelling slightly she was caught wide in the running without cover.

However, she remained relaxed and made up the deficit easily at the top of the straight.

She then wandered around in the front before a backhander from Raymond Danielson saw her surging to win as she liked.

The Azzies said she had taken time to mature.

Her sire Wylie Hall is one of the best performed South African-based sons of the late great Australian champion sire Redoute’s Choice and he is already beginning to make waves as a sire himself.

The Azzies are not getting ahead of themselves but Wylie Wench undoubtedly has more to come and is definitely a horse to follow.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track meeting tomorrow has some interesting races including three good class handicaps for fillies and mares.

The seventh, a MR 92 Handicap over 1450m, is a particularly fascinating contest as it sees some up and coming fillies clashing with some proven older females. Stage Dance is the selection. She is a daughter of Duke Of marmalade so will be improving. She has been close up in her last five starts to some good horses including Celtic Sea, Green Top, Snow Palace, Mount Laurel and Rio’s Winter. She now has a first-time tongue tie on from pole position and her merit rating of 91 is attractive. Promise is a five-year-old but keeps on defying the handicapper and has won five of her last seven starts. She had a bit in hand when winning at Scottsville last time in soft going and has been raised only two points.

The six-year-old mare Rouge Allure has raced over 1800m and 1600m in her last two starts and has come down four points in the merit ratings which will make her dangerous from a plum draw of two as this is her best trip. Kay Tee Perry caught the eye when winning her maiden second time out over 1160m, beating the promising Cornish Pomodoro, so she should go on to win a few races, but this is her first time around the turn and she faces a decent field from a tough draw. Makara has caught the eye since day one and races as if she will stay this trip, so she is interesting in her third run after a layoff. but on the downside she has a tricky draw and on pedigree, being  by the speed influence Soft Falling Rain out of a Var 1000m specialist, there is a slight stamina doubt.

The Fifth Wave stayed on well over 1200m last time after a slow start so can’t be ignored from a good draw. Gallic Princess is a decent sort but looks held by Stage Dance on their last meeting over this course and distance. Gimme Hope Johanna has come down in the merit ratings and has two wins and a third over this course and distance so is hard to leave out. Bullsade has been off form but has come down the merit ratings and from a wide draw is capable of finishing strongly from off the pace.

In the fourth race, a MR 91 Handicap over 1800m, Machali looks the one to beat. She was found wanting last time in the closing stages over 1600m after turning for home in a handy position, but that was a strong field and she should relish the step up in trip being by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare who won over this trip. Topweight Destiny’s Game won going way last time over 1600m and has won her only start over this course and distance so this progressive daughter of Master Of My Fate should be able to handle the five point raise she was given.

Pretty Ballerina has also won over the course and distance before and has a plum draw. Moroccan Flame is a progressive daughter of Ideal World who is drawn well over a suitable trip so she might be able to handle a four point raise, although she was well beaten by Pretty Ballerina in her penultimate start over this trip. Elusive Butterfly has a bit to find with Destiny’s Game and there might be a stamina doubt considering her speedy female line, but she is by Elusive Fort so there is a chance she will enjoy the trip and she is drawn in pole.

The sixth is a MR 92 Handicap over 1000m and Double O’ Eight can make it a quick double. She was given a five point raise for her beating of a good Pinnacle field last time and is set to carry a welter 64kg but the 4kg claim of Philisande Mxoli alleviates that.  Rainbow Haze has eyecatching pace and will be dangerous with a 2,5kg claimer aboard off an 83 merit rating. Ocean City can never be ignored over 1000m as she is capable of blitzing a field.  

The rest of the card is competitive too.

Belle View should enjoy the step down in trip in the first and should offer some value.

Pluviophile and Bella Rosa should fight out the second.

Latin Opus enjoyed stepping up to middle distances last time so has a fine chance in the third, although G.I. Joe should have come on from his last run and will be a threat, while Fort Alado can improve too.

In the fifth Flying High should be too good at the weights, although Magic Mila is progressive and could give her a run for her money.

In the last Crime Scene, Putin’s Promise and Creation are up and coming sorts while The Makwakkers is off a decent mark and Written In Stone will relish the step back in trip but has a tough draw.  

By David Thiselton

The inaugural running of the US$20 million Saudi Cup, which became the world’s richest race on Saturday night, ensured that this event would go from strength to strength as it was a thriller and was won by a horse, Maximum Security, who is fast becoming a global hero.

South African racing personality Grant Knowles attended the meeting and said about the Jason Servis-trained USA-bred, “He’s not a big horse at all, but he is as tough as nails, a street fighter. I was really taken by him. He has amazing presence.”

Maximum Security had gained fame for becoming the first horse in Kentucky Derby history to cross the line first and then be disqualified for an on course infraction.

It was a highly controversial decision as there was little doubt that he was the meritorious winner.

The win on Saturday night was thus richly deserved and enhanced his career record to eight wins from ten starts.

He was up with the pace but had to be driven around the final turn to stay in touch with Mucho Gusto, who seemed to be traveling easily.

However, he showed tremendous courage in the straight and began fighting back.

Mucho Gusto then began carrying him outward and jockey Luis Saev switched Maximum Security inward at a stage where it looked too late to make such a manoeuvre.

However, incredibly, Maximum Security, to the roars of the 10,000 strong crowd, found an extra gear and nosed past before holding off the challenge of Midnight Bisou, who ran on strongly from well back.

Bebbatl edged Mucho Gusto for third.

The win further bolstered the credentials of the incredible sire Street Cry as Maximum Security is out of a son of his called New Year’s Day.

It was also testament to A.P. Indy, who passed away earlier in the week after a career which included a USA Horse Of The Year title, two leading North American sire titles and a leading North American broodmare sire title among other accolades.

Maximum Security’s dam Lil Indy is by the A.P. Indy sire Anasheed.

The meeting held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh had eight lucrative races on either dirt or turf and they all attracted top class trainers, jockeys and horses from around the world.

Knowles said, “It was wonderful to see how much Saudi Arabia enjoyed hosting this international event. The people were extremely friendly, the facilities were World Class and both tracks received huge praise from both Jockey’s and Trainers alike. I’m positive that the event will grow each and every year. It was a fantastic international racing event.”

In comparing it to the Dubai World Cup, Knowles said, “It’s a different experience completely. Meydan is huge and has many years’ experience. The course here is not as big, but has a user friendly design and a much more sober feel about it.”

By David Thiselton

Hopes for an EU-inspired boost to the bloodstock market were only partially realised at last Friday’s Cape Yearling Sale at the Mistico Equestrian Centre near Paarl.

The R66 992 average showed a 3.1% increase on last year but this was partly due to a fall in the proportion of the catalogue finding buyers – 66% down from 77% 12 months ago.

The average at this sale has increased from its 2011 low point of 47 587 almost every year since but it is still some way below the 2007 R93 212 highpoint.

The R40 000 median was down by a fifth on last year and the aggregate fell 22% to R7.9 million and is less than half the 2007 high of R16.7 million.

The top price of R360 000 was paid by Sterling Miller’s Pound Bloodstock for Mauritzfontein’s Edgartown, a Soft Falling Rain colt out of the winning Fort Wood mare Mrs Brock, a full sister to the much travelled eight-time winner Mr Brock.

BLOB Adrian Todd, boss of SA Equine Health & Protocols, told last month’s Asian Racing Conference that the EU audit of South Africa’s export protocols will start on April 20 and that he hopes to receive the go-ahead for direct exports in November.

By Michael Clower

It’s seven years since Bass Racing last won the eLan Gold Cup with Jeppe’s Reef but Mercurana may well attempt to bridge the gap on July 25 after this half-brother to Marinaresco laid down his credentials in the Kenilworth Cup on Saturday.

That he did so was largely due to the talent, bravery and blatant opportunism of Sandile Mbhele who launched his mount through a totally inadequate gap with all the dash and determination of a Springbok scoring against the All-Blacks.

Still last at the furlong marker, he went for an opening barely wide enough for half a horse, shouldered aside Troop The Colour and pipped gamble-of-the- race Swift Surprise (9-1 to 11-4) on the post. “I took a tight gap and a huge risk,” Mbhile admitted but the stipes, perhaps in admiration of his courage, let him get away with it.

The Fred Green, Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell-owned winner was the 45-1 outsider of the field and at 77 he could be a bit low in the handicap for the Gold Cup, even in its present Grade 3 format. But the handicappers can be expected to solve that particular problem when they review the race today.

Candice Bass-Robinson said: “He was way under sufferance (9kg) but there was nothing else for him so I thought I might as well have a bash – and I will probably now take him to Durban for the staying races.”

But Lemon Delight, her first two-year-old winner of the season, will stay at home for the juvenile fillies features despite Aldo Domeyer’s glowing report of the R20 000 bargain buy’s potential.

He said: “This filly gave me a very similar impression to Magical Wonderland (Sceptre Stakes) and, when I asked, she kept responding.” The Flower Alley filly carries the colours of Tony Rhodes and is the first winner part-owned by Albery Stokes and his wife as well as, surprisingly, by the trainer.

Vaughan Marshall has Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion ambitions for No Laying Up who scored at the first time of asking under M.J. Byleveld in the other two-year-old race – “He is well above average, has shown some decent work at home and will be better over 1 200m.”

Justin Snaith is calling for more opportunities for work riders and, speaking after Siphiwe Madalana had impressed no less a judge than Stan Elley on Cyber Blossom in the first, he said: “These guys are the backbone of South African racing and I have become reliant on mine.”

He added, carefully excluding Richard Fourie and Bernard Fayd’Herbe from the comment: “My work riders are better than most of the jockeys who come and ride work in the mornings. I would like to see a competition between the best work riders and the jockeys – and it wouldn’t be hard to find a sponsor.”

A freak accident on the way to the start of race three – Fayd’Herbe somehow hurt his back and later went to hospital for a scan – saw Paddy Kruyer successfully reunited with Anton Marcus on Savea in the 1 200m handicap.

Kruyer recalled: “Anton finished off his apprenticeship with me and rode for me for a time afterwards. We had a lot of success together.”

Katak, bought privately for R20 000 by Piet Steyn, followed up his first time victory under Grant Behr by taking the finale but this time Behr was fined R1 000 for breaching the whip limits.  Keagan de Melo continued his rich vein of Cape Town form when the Paul Reeves-trained Photocopy made amends for last time’s bad luck by just holding off the Marcus-ridden Hudoo Magic in the TAB Telebet Handicap.

By Michael Clower