Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Lonsdale Stirrup Cup analysis

PUBLISHED: May 25, 2021

DAVID THISELTON MATTERHORN (7) is progressive and impressed in his last start in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 when running on strongly for a close second. The conditions of the race did not allow him to be raised in the merit ratings and he otherwise would have copped a ten point raise and carried 5kg […]

The Alyson Wright-trained MATTERHORN. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

DAVID THISELTON

MATTERHORN (7) is progressive and impressed in his last start in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 when running on strongly for a close second. The conditions of the race did not allow him to be raised in the merit ratings and he otherwise would have copped a ten point raise and carried 5kg more weight in this race.
He is thus well handicapped and, furthermore, is held in high regard by his yard, so he could book his place in the Vodacom Durban July here by winning under Serino Moodley over a trip he enjoys from a fair draw.
SILVER HOST (13) is held in high regard and has proved his ability over staying trips so is an interesting runner in his comeback from a layoff under Richard Fourie and the wide draw should not be too much of a problem as he is capable of running on strongly.
BLACK KNAP (4) looks capable of progressing beyond his current merit rating mark and he should enjoy this course distance from his nice draw. He is by Dynasty whose progeny always enjoy this tight track thanks to their inherited turn of foot.
BAYBERRY (15) is a good looking son of the stamina influence Flower Alley and will be continuing to improve. If it pans out well for him from a wide draw he could be right there.
CROME YELLOW (14) has the ability to be a contender despite carrying 59kg and returning from a layoff although he also has to overcome a tough draw. MARCHINGONTOGETHER (11), last year’s winner, could bounce back to form off a lowered merit rating and warrants consideration.
PATHS OF VICTORY (8) should be cherry ripe to produce his best and, as the winner of the prestigious Gold Cup over 3200m at this course, he must have a shout. BLACKBALL (5) is an enigmatic horse who is capable of producing classy performances but he is not reliable, so he can’t be ignored from a good draw.

INDIVIDUAL HORSE ANALYSIS

CATCHAFALLINGSTAR finished a fine third in the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m in her penultimate start and although raised five points for that effort she can be a contender here stepping back up in trip after a warm up in the KRA East Cost Cup over 2000m last time.
MERLIN FROM BERLIN is an honest sort who carries just 52kg but he is 1.5kg under sufferance so it will be tough.
PAYBACKTHEMONEY finished a fine second in last season’s prestigious Grade 3 Gold Cup over 3200m but has only had one run since and might still need this outing.
BLACK KNAP finished a good second in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m recently and has gone close before over this trip so is an interesting runner carrying just 54kg.
BLACKBALL gets a good draw and if recapturing the form of his easy win over 2200m here in December he could feature but he does have to put a poor last run behind him.
HOLY WARRIOR has finished a close up second in a Listed race over this trip before but this is his second run after a layoff which might be a concern and he is also 3.5kg under sufferance.
MATTERHORN ran to 110 when second last time in the WSB 1900 and owing to the conditions of that race he remains on a 100, so this talented progressive type who has gone close over this course and distance before, looks the one to beat.
PATHS OF VICTORY, winner of last season’s Gold Cup, would have needed his last three runs and is an interesting contender.
FAVOUR was beaten 1,60 lengths by Matterhorn when they last met over 1950m and is now 4kg better off but will have to improve on his 2400m form.
SHARE HOLDER has always been well regarded and has overcome a hoof problem but he looks held by Favour on their meeting over 2200m.
MARCHINGONTOGETHER is a talented stayer who won this race last year but he has been disappointing lately and needs to bounce back although he has consequently come down in the merit ratings and champion jockey Warren Kennedy rides.
SAINT PHILIP has won his last two over this trip but is 8kg under sufferance so needs a further step up.
SILVER HOST was labelled by trainer Justin Snaith “the best stayer in the country” recently and this Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap winner and Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers (2800m) runner up will be out to prove it here although it is his first run for four months.
CROME YELLOW, also having his first outing for four months, is 2.5kg better off with Silver Host for a 2,95 length beating in the Reserve Stayers.
BAYBERRY has claims having won the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m and recently running a fine third in the WSB Highland Night Cup with top weight meaning he 5.5kg better off with Saint Philip for a half-a-length beating.

Daily News 2000 – VDJ pointer

PUBLISHED: May 24, 2021

SATURDAY’S GR1 DAILY NEWS 2000 has attracted the cream of the country’s Classic three-year-olds in what is one of the most important pointers going in to the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July. This year’s crop of sophomores has proved to be vintage in every sense of the word and it is a shame that Hollywoodbets Greyville […]

The Vaughan Marshall-trained LINEBACKER. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

SATURDAY’S GR1 DAILY NEWS 2000 has attracted the cream of the country’s Classic three-year-olds in what is one of the most important pointers going in to the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July.

This year’s crop of sophomores has proved to be vintage in every sense of the word and it is a shame that Hollywoodbets Greyville will be closed to the public due to the on-going Covid restrictions.

Likely favourite will be recent Gr2 WSB Guineas winner Linebacker. Vaughan Marshall’s Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner was most impressive in the Guineas, winning rather comfortably after running into traffic early in the straight.

The hard luck story in that race was Kommetdieding. Unbeaten until the Guineas he was caught in an argument at the back of the field with Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock, losing valuable ground. He was finishing like a train from last into the straight to run into third and will have pleased the father and daughter training combination of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix.

Johan Janse van Vuuren saddles Second Base and Copper Mountain.

Second Base is currently seventh on the VDJ log and this will be his first look at the Greyville circuit. However, he ran a cracker in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over the stiff Turffontein 2000, running Got The Greenlight to under a length. Gavin Lerena has kept the ride and the Highveld form will be fully tested.

Copper Mountain goes this trip for the first time but also gave Got The Greenlight a fright in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, only going down a head at the death. (Lerena)

The Gatekeeper, a full brother to former VDJ winner Legislate, has been touted as Justin Snaith’s big hope for the VDJ. His local KZN debut in the WSB Guineas was below his Western Cape form where he finished second to Linebacker in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby.

The defection of Captain’s Ransom from the Gr1 Woolavington has left a big hole and the race that has cut up into a seven-horse field. However, what it lacks in numbers is made up in quality.

Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner War Of Athena heads the field and given the ease of her three wins, Paul Matchett’s will be a strong fancy. However, given the respective handicap ratings, she will be tested by the likes of the Paul Peter-trained Netta, rated only two pounds inferior and Princess Calla, four pounds inferior.

War Of Athena and Netta are both Vodacom Durban July entries and Matchett has a second runner in Only The Brave, possibly there to make up the numbers in case of the race being abandoned, but also to ensure a decent gallop for her better performed stable companion.

DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) 2000m

For 3 year-olds

1 1 RUSSIAN ROCK 60.0 119 A K de Melo Dean Kannemey

2 2 DR DOOLITTLE 60.0 108 A M Yeni Paul Peter

3 3 RASCALLION 60.0 111 A S Veale Vaughan Marsh

4 4 FLYING CARPET 60.0 108 T A L J Ferraris Sean Tarry

5 5 SHAH AKBAR 60.0 108 T A L Hewitson Sean Tarry

6 6 LINEBACKER 60.0 124 A G van Niekerk Vaughan Marsh

7 7 SECOND BASE 60.0 122 AM W Kennedy J A Janse van

8 8 KOMMETDIEDING 60.0 120 A S Cele HWJ Crawford/

9 9 THE GATEKEEPER 60.0 110 A R Fourie Justin Snaith

10 10 COPPER MOUNTAIN 60.0 121 AM G Lerena J A Janse van

11 11 FULL BLAST 60.0 86 BA S Moodley Michael Mille

12 12 INFINITE WONDER 60.0 92 A R Munger Ashley Fortun

(3,6) (4,5) (7,10)

WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1) 2000m

For 3 year-old Fillies

1 1 WAR OF ATHENA 60.0 122 A M Yeni Paul Matchett

2 2 ONLY THE BRAVE 60.0 97 T A K Matsunyane Paul Matchett

3 3 EMERALD PALACE 60.0 91 AM R Danielson Gareth van Zy

4 4 SCENTED MISTRESS 60.0 91 BA L J Ferraris Vaughan Marsh

5 5 PRINCESS CALLA 60.0 118 A G van Niekerk Adam Marcus

6 6 CHAT CHING 60.0 114 A K de Melo Candice Bass-

7 7 NETTA 60.0 120 A W Kennedy Paul Peter

(1,2)

Top entry for festival of speed

PUBLISHED: May 24, 2021

ULTRA MAGNUS, second in last year’s Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint, is on track to turn the tables on arch rival Warrior’s Rest when both were declared for the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint to be run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, June 5. The meeting boasts a jackpot of four Gr1 Sprints in the province’s Capital. […]

MILESIA PRIDE’S COLOURS STILL GOING STRONG

PUBLISHED: May 24, 2021

David Thiselton DO IT AGAIN will be making his second attempt at winning a record three Vodacom Durban July’s this year, 70 years after Milesia Pride was unlucky in his bid to win the big race for a third time. The colours Milesia Pride wore to victory in 1949 and 1950 are still in use […]

David Thiselton

Milesia Pride and Basil Lewis going out for the 1950 “July”.

DO IT AGAIN will be making his second attempt at winning a record three Vodacom Durban July’s this year, 70 years after Milesia Pride was unlucky in his bid to win the big race for a third time.

The colours Milesia Pride wore to victory in 1949 and 1950 are still in use today and are registered by his owner JT Amery’s great-grandson Rob Kershaw.

A dream came true for Rob in March 2013, when Milesia Pride’s colours were carried to victory at Kenilworth by the Shane Humby-trained Queen Of Diamonds.

Today the colours are carried by the promising Humby-trained Jay Peg filly Star Act, who has won two of her three starts.

Kershaw is indebted to Gavin Almanza for the fun he is enjoying with Star Act and said, “Gavin said he had never known anybody as enthusiastic about racehorse ownership. He thus offered me a share in Star Act and I am really grateful.”

Almanza also allowed the filly to run in Rob’s colours.

Rob has always been a lucky owner and before that momentous victory in March 2013 had enjoyed 23 wins, most of them trained by Herman Brown Snr.

However, Queen Of Diamonds was the first winner he had running in the colours he had worn as a six-year-old child when pretending to be a jockey and racing his brother around the garden.

He recalled, “I was often picked up by my great grandfather and taken to see the horses at Newmarket Stables in Durban. My mother made me a replica jersey of his racing colours, red with green sleeves and a quartered cap.’’

Amery had predicted that Milesia Pride would win the country’s most prestigious race three times in succession. Sadly, he passed away before the second win, and the horse then raced for his late estate. However, his prediction nearly came true.

Kershaw related, “I was told later by jockey Basil Lewis that had he not been interfered with in 1951 in the early stages, meaning he had to come from the tail of the field, he could have won.’’ Milesia Pride started favourite for the first time that year and finished seventh, two lengths adrift.

Amery’s colours were initially taken over by his grandson, Sonny. Upon Sonny’s passing in 1975 they were inherited by his son Brian. However, in roundabout 2005 Rob received a phone call from Brian, his second cousin, telling him he was giving up racing and would he like to take over the colours.

“I didn’t hesitate,’’ said Rob.

He continued, “I retired to Cape Town in 2010 and met Shane Humby at Kenilworth. Shane arranged for me to lease Queen of Diamonds with four other partners. Thanks to Shane, my biggest dream finally came true 63 years after I had worn the famous colours as a child.’’

Kershaw recalled, “My mother in later years told me that my great grandfather used to look forward to taking me to the stables because my love of horses reminded him of himself.’’

History looked like repeating itself as Rob’s grandson Caydin was at the races the day Queen Of Diamonds won and the bug seemed to have bitten. However, Caydin inherited the family’s sporting genes and is now focused on soccer. Rob’s brother Dave Kershaw was a legendary Durban City player who also played for South Africa.

JT Amery was in fact the last full share owner to win the July two years in succession before Chris van Niekerk emulated this feat in 2012 and 2013.

Fred Murray holds the record in this regard having been the full share owner of all four of the successive July winners he trained from 1910 to 1913, Sir Caulin, Nobleman, Lombard and Caged Bird.

Alec and the honourable Gillian Foster have a chance to emulate Amery and Van Niekerk this year as they are full shareholders of Belgarion.

Racing historian Jay August unearthed a number of fascinating facts about Milesia Pride in his blog The South African Racehorse.

Milesia Pride, at 39 months, is the second youngest horse to win the July, the only younger one being two-year-old Nobleman.

In official terms he was six months younger than his three-year-old contemporaries as he was bred in Ireland.

He would have been one of only four to have run in the July five times had he not missed the 1952 edition through injury.

He surpassed the great Lenin as the highest earner in South African racing history in July 1950. He equalled the July race record of 2 min 10 seconds for 2100m in 1949, giving jockey Harold “Tiger” Wright a then record third July.

His sire Montrose was the first horse to sire the winner of four July’s and the first to sire three individual winners – Monteith (1944), Monasteraven (1948) and Milesia Pride. Montrose, in 1950, became the only non-resident sire to head the South African General Sires List.

Milesia Pride was foaled late in April 1946 and sold at the 1947 Dublin Horse Show, He was subsequently sold to J.T. Amery of Natal for £1150. The 86-year-old Amery had harboured the desire to win the July for near fifty years but had managed just one third place in 1918 with a horse named Draughtsman and two unplaced efforts in 1916 and 1945.

Milesia Pride arrived by boat in Cape Town in November 1947 and acclimatised in Mooi River before being transferred to the yard of Jim Morrison.

Unraced foreign bred horses were not permitted to enter any race other than a Top Division event at the time.

Milesia Pride was in actual fact still a two-year-old on debut in November 1948 and ran unplaced in his first four starts.

He then snuck a fourth placed finish before running second in the King’s Cup.

He earned his July berth next time out with an easy win in a fast time.

Fourie 100% frame strike rate at Fairview

PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021

David Thiselton ON Friday on the Fairview turf top jockey Richard Fourie not only won the day’s feature event, the Listed Dahlia Plate over 1200m, but also made the frame in all eight races at the meeting and was very nearly in the first three in every race. There were also two Winter Series features […]

David Thiselton

ON Friday on the Fairview turf top jockey Richard Fourie not only won the day’s feature event, the Listed Dahlia Plate over 1200m, but also made the frame in all eight races at the meeting and was very nearly in the first three in every race.

There were also two Winter Series features at Kenilworth on Saturday and both were won by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred horses.

Fourie’s win in the Dahlia Plate for two-year-olds was aboard the Alan Greeff-trained Whatever Next. The What A Winter colt got up in the last stride to pip his market rival Norton Sound. Both colts were seeking hattricks.

Fourie had a finishing position sequence of 2nd (Arctic Advance 25/1), 1st (Blingking 4/10 favourite), 1st (Rooibos 10/7 favourite), 4th (Calandra 100/33), 3rd (Rock Aloe 91/20), 2nd (Broadside (20/11), 1st (Whatever Next 4/3) and 2nd (Teofilia 17/2) in his full card.

The last person to place in the top three in every race on the card in a KZN meeting was Anthony Delpech.

In an eight race Greyville polytrack meeting on the 25th of February 2018 his mounts finished 2nd (Falkland 21/20 favourite), 2nd (Rose Hill 61/20), 3rd (Cat’s Legacy 4/1), 1st (Savuti 27/4), 2nd (Savuti 71/20) , 3rd (Go With Flo 9/2), 1st (Gadget Man 2/1 favourite) and 2nd (Palace Mystery 41/10).

Stuart Randolph also achieved the feat in a Greyville turf meeting on 29 April 2011, riding two winners, three seconds and three thirds.

This season S’manga Khumalo made the frame in all nine races at a Vaal Classic track meeting on 16 February this year and was out of the first three only once. On that momentous day he rode six winners and two thirds in the first eight races and finished fourth in the last race.

Khumalo also had eight first three finishes on Classic Day at Turffontein Standside in 2017. In a 12 race program he had ten rides and had four winners, three seconds and a third as well as a sixth and a seventh.

Weichong Marwing had eight first three finishes on Summer Cup day 2015. On a twelve race program he had nine mounts and rode two winners, four seconds, two thirds and a fifth.

The late Alec Forbes was in the frame ten times and had nine first three places finishes in eleven rides on Daily News 2000 day in 2010, riding two winners, three seconds, four thirds as well as a fourth and a ninth.

Meanwhile, at Kenilworth on Saturday the Justin Snaith-trained Hoedspruit became the first Graded winner for former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate. The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred gelding won the second leg of the Winter Series, the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m, under Luyolo Mxothwa. Hoedspruit thus became the fourth stakes winner from Legislate’s first crop.

The second leg of the Winter Series for fillies, the Listed WSB Stormsvlei Stakes over 1800m, was won easily by the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained and Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Silvano filly Marina under Keagan de Melo.