AFTER launching their “Best Dressed Groom” campaign during the Cape Summer Season, Jonsson Workwear have committed to extending this initiative to Champions Season and will reward the best dressed groom of each race in KwaZulu Natal from 4 April to 31 July with a R500 Jonsson Workwear voucher.

“Our aim is to reward grooms and encourage them to take pride in how they dress and the work that they do. We believe when you feel good at work, you perform at your best”, said Nick Jonsson, CEO of Jonsson Workwear.

Covering 35 KZN race meetings over the period, this campaign will inject approximately R150 000 into uplifting grooms in the province. In addition to this, Jonsson Workwear will also reward the trainer, jockey and groom of the horse that wins the 2021 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes, run on Vodacom Durban July day, with a R5000 voucher each.

“We are very fortunate to have passionate stakeholders like Mr. Jonsson who look at new ways to support the industry during these very challenging times”, said Steve Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive of Gold Circle. “We will be announcing each winner on course where they will be presented with their R500 voucher and pictures will be published of all the winning grooms on Gold Circle’s social media platforms.

David Thiselton

THE highlight of the nine race meeting at the Vaal straight course tomorrow will be the second, a Progress Plate over 1000m, as Mount Pleasant will attempt to redeem himself after three disappointing runs.

This Australian-bred was the highest rated three-year-old in the country after winning his first three races from 1100m to 1450m including beating decent older horses in the Grade 2 Jo’burg Spring Challenge. However, he has finished unplaced in all three subsequent starts, which were all Grade 2 events. Two of them were over 1600m so it could be argued that he did not stay. He then faded again over 1160m but he did have first-time blinkers on and had taken a strong hold from the off. The blinkers have been removed and he drops further down in trip.  This long-strider, who has now dropped to a 114 rating, certainly has a lot of pace and this will be his last chance to prove that he is not following in the footsteps of his sire Vancouver, who was unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old, including the Group 1 Golden Slipper, but never got going as a three-year-old and was soon retired. Another concern for Mount Pleasant’s Chances is that his talented jockey Callan Murray has been going through a rough patch and has not had a single winner this month. Slalom Queen is a zippy filly and she has two wins and a second in three starts over this course and distance, although she is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with Mount Pleasant. Visiway has a winning chance too. He is speedy and is capable of blitzing a field but the concern is the respiratory noises he has been reported to make and it seemed to manifest last time when not able to find extra in the closing stages. However, that was against MK’s Pride and Tropic Sun et al and it was over 1200m so back down to 1000m he has a definite shout. The officially best weighted horse is Vaseem, who used to be a stablemate of Mount Pleasant’s in the Mike de Kock yard, but he has not run for close to six months and has his first outing for Roy Magner. The yard said, “He is fit and well but will need the run.” Battleoftrafalgar disappointed last time when drawn quite low at Turffontein Standside but he enjoys the Vaal and can do better although he has a tough task at the weights, being 8kg under sufferance with Vaseem. Garden Party is 6,5kg under sufferance with Mount Pleasant so this quirky but speedy sort will also have it tough and South East, who also has a tough task at the weights, doesn’t appear to enjoy soft going and there is plenty of rain around. 

In the first race over 1000m Sonny Quinn is the form choice from Just As Rich, although Night King looks the part and blinkers could ignite him after his moderate debut around the turn. 

In the third over 1000m I Dream Of Genie is superbly bred, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Judpot mare Little Genie, who once defeated the champion sprinter Carry On Alice in a Listed event over 1000m when receiving just 1,5kg. She has not surprisingly been priced up as favourite. The form choice among those to have run is undoubtedly Zodiac Princess who gets the blinkers back on dropping back to 1000m.  

In the fourth over 1400m Spanish Song caught the eye staying on strongly over 1200m on debut after dwelling at the break. She has substance and has a shout with improvement. Lucy Belle had to be dropped out to last in her last start over this trip and had too much ground to make up but ran on well and she will appreciate going down the straight here as she can run on from closer to the pace. Ancestral Prayer is a big and classy looking filly by Ideal World out of Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes and she should improve on her debut over 1200m when backed before being outpaced and green.  The two early weak favourites were Dynamic Lass, who is by Dynasty out of five-time winning Grade 3-placed Ellie’s Wish, and Just Judy, who finished second in an uninspiring contest over 1600m last time where she was caught late.   

The fifth is a competitive Maiden Handicap over 1400m. Light Warrior has a nice big action and a good turn of foot and he will appreciate the step down in trip after being caught behind a slow pace over 1600m last time.  

The sixth over 1800m sees the return of the much touted Reunion, a ten length winner on debut. He simply went too fast in front over 1600m last time and can be forgiven that run. He is by Flower Alley out of Ilha Bela so should love this trip but he dos have topweight and hasn’t run since late December so preference is for the consistent and progressive Kay Tee Perry, who strikes as one who will enjoy this step up in trip.  

In the seventh over 1000m Upcloseandpersonal will have come on from her last start and could be the one to side with although it is another competitive race.

In the eighth over 1200m Midnight Gem did not beat much on debut but created a good impression and can follow up. Hear The Trumpet and Java House have the ability to be involved too. Fantasy Flower has come into her own and can’t be ignored and Incognito and Ramchandani Road could also be in the shake up.

Lucy In The Sky was still green when winning easily on debut and could follow up in the ninth although Speechmaker and Ramsay have to be respected too.  

Andrew Harrison

THERE is a story behind every winner and every race and it all got off to an interesting start at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Supporters of the odds-on favourite Greenhill had their hearts in their mouths from the jump as Paul Peter’s filly did a two-step to the left out of the gate but won well enough to land the odds.

But as Peter alluded to post-race, if a horse is just a little bit better than the opposition, they can overcome slight mishaps of that nature.

Lyle Hewitson was well aware of his mounts antics at the start after being warned by Warren Kennedy, but even he was caught off guard by just how quickly it all happened. But Hewitson always had the race in hand and although Greenhill was still green, she won well enough in his experienced hands.

Gary Rich has a small string of horses at his Ashburton yard but he does get the best out of them and has his fair share of winners with the quality of horse that he has to work with.

It was back to the drawing boards with Princess Phee who caused a boil-over in the second. Given her staying pedigree, Rich was of the opinion that she would follow type.

Not so. “I didn’t realise that she had so much speed,” he admitted post-race. “She has been frustrating so I put on the blinkers and it worked out.”

The start was a disaster for supporters of Varvacious who fly-jumped out of the gate, dislodging Calvin Habib. She is obviously a bit of a handful fitted with a compression mask and earmuffs.

Favourite Sabrina Fairchild was beaten early in the straight and it was left to Indigo Moon to chase a tiring but game Princess Phee home, the line coming just too soon for Peter Muscutt’s runner.

Muscutt had better fortune in the next as the money was piled onto Soller and the money banked two furlongs out. Hewitson had the favourite out and rolling from the jump with Global Appeal matching strides in the early exchanges. But there were tell-tale signs early as Ant Mgudlwa’s elbows started pumping on Global Appeal before the turn. Soller strolled clear in the straight and although Diamonds And Toads made a belated challenge the race was all over as a contest.

Mary Liley has been a staunch supporter of racing and her colours of vieux rose and cream sleeves have been carried by some tremendous gallopers over the past four decades. Her mare In Jest is not going to emulate the feats of Bold Monarch, possibly her best horse she raced in partnership with her late husband John, but Tony Rivalland’s mare built on her last win to score with a flying finish in the fourth.

Matadora’s Parade and Aalsmeer looked dead and buried at the top of the straight as they came under pressure, but the pair gallantly fought off all challenges until Stuart Randolph produced In Jest, racing in cheek pieces for the first time, with a telling late run to win going away.

Rivalland intimated that this was a prep run for a race that he had earmarked in a fortnight’s time so she is one for a punter’s notebook.

Veteran trainer Tony Nassif is one of the characters of the sport and is a regular raider from the Highveld. He often comes with horses that have no obvious form, but you leave them out of calculations at your peril.

Suntrax arrived with nothing to suggest that she had a chance in the fifth but she took to the synthetic track under leading apprentice Kyle Strydom and produced a telling late run. Favourite Rock Flight was caught three wide all the way but although moving up to win, had no answers when challenged.

Candice Dawson has been around the block from the Vaal, Randjesfontein, Mauritius and back but she does know her way around a racehorse.

Psycho King rallied under replacement rider Keagan de Melo and Luke Ferraris produced Saviour with a smashing late effort to snaffle the opposition in the seventh.

If you had called a winner 100 m out in the last you would not have even considered the Duncan Howells filly Beat It. She was not in the picture but finished with a tremendous turn of foot under replacement rider Stuart Randolph to round of a patchy meeting for punters with some bombs landing and the odds-on chances arriving.

Andrew Harrison

VALIENTE is something of a poly specialist but faces a stiff task from the widest draw when he lines up in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville on a difficult card today.

According to Peter Muscutt his charge has plenty of ability but does have his quirks. He was due to run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at his last outing with a cheek piece on his left side to prevent him looking at the grandstand, a trait that Muscutt was at a loss to explain.

The cheek piece came off when the meeting was switched to the Greyville poly and Valiente showed just what he is capable off, making all the running and winning rather comfortably.

He copped a four-point penalty for that win but still looks good enough to have the wood on Kings Road with his trainer, Clinton Binda, having to cast around for another 4kg claimer after Gabriel Pieterse was side-lined with a bruised knee after a fall last week.

Shinnecock got the better of Spydas Corner last run and although that form has not been franked this is his third run after a break. It is best to ignore Saviour’s last run as he has good form over the trip and poly could suit.

But the list of possible winners is a long one. Di Mazzio is a seasoned veteran back over his preferred course and distance while Tonightsfightnight and Ace Of Spades cannot be written off lightly.

The card opener could be tricky. Paul Peter’s runner Greenhill has improved with each outing and looks ready although Warren Kennedy has jumped ship to partner first timer Mr Cat for his usual KZN stable so the betting should be an indicator here. Zuberi has shown some improvement back on the poly although he has had a few chances while Ownyourfate can do better than form would suggest. English Princess, fresh from her visit to the ocean last week, takes on males but has not been far back at recent outings.

In the second, Varvacious should give you a run for your money. She was not far back behind Star Act at her last start who has since franked the form that looks fairly solid. Things have been made a little easier with the scratching of My Big Vision My Big Vision but Sabrina Fairchild showed good pace when tried in blinkers for the first time and the switch to the poly could bring out her best.

The third could develop into a three-way contest. Global Appeal goes well this trip and enjoys the poly. Soller has been runner up in last three and also goes well on the poly and rates a strong chance. The visiting Amplify found some market support in a work rider’s race on the Highveld and should to come on from that. 

The fourth is a difficult handicap. The Pat Lunn-trained Matadora’s Parade has consistent form over shorter but her pedigree suggests that she can do better this trip.  Aalsmeer comes from an inform stable has shown good recent form over a touch shorter but should enjoy the extra now from a much better draw. Sekhmet has been taking on stronger of late and from a good drawn she must have a big chance.

Yet to show.

In the fifth, Rock Flight has been knocking on the door for some time now. She may prefer this shorter trip and looks the right one here. However, the Highveld raiders are always ones to watch out for and Offsides could be a big threat to a horse who always seems to find one or two too better. Bells And Whistles is another that has been knocking at the door.

In another difficult race, Lunn could be chasing a double in the sixth as Tromso has been the model of consistency and is due a change of fortune. He goes well on the poly and the extra should suit. Psycho King has come good at recent starts while Lord Of The Manor battled from a wide draw and cheekpieces last run. He has the best of the draw here and the cheekpieces are off. Hey Bill had it tough from a wide draw last run and that form has panned out very well so he must have a strong chance.

The last is another tricky puzzle with plenty of runners in with chances. However, Purple Merchant is unbeaten in two and although returning from a four-month break she shows plenty of promise. She has risen in the ratings but does look to be a little bit special. Wildly In Love won a closely contested handicap in stronger company last outing and loves this surface. The handicappers appear to have got the measure of Glitter And Gold but she is still in good form. Suzi Woo comes from an in form stable and although she will prefer further the blinkers go on. Diamonds And Dust tries for a hat-trick of wins and did beat males last time out.

David Thiselton

UNDERRATED trainer David Nieuwenhuizen has become more and more prominent despite working largely with horses purchased in a lower price bracket but he might be willing to increase his sales budget after his Oratorio filly Gifted Gal won on debut over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday in eyecatching style under Gavin Lerena.

In the process the Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm broodmare Academia achieved the unusual feat of having a third debut winner, whilst her only other two runners to date both won early in their careers too.

Nieuwenhuizen said about Gifted Gal, “She showed a lot of promise from day one and myself and owners Stergio and Fred were confident of a big run. Gavin had ridden her work and was very happy to take the ride. I would have preferred to start her over 1000m but the only 1000m event available was going to be too close to the SA Fillies Nursery so we took the risk and ran her here.”

The connections were confident she could beat the exposed horses on Saturday but the other risk they took was running her in a field which was full of unknown first-timers, one of whom was backed into favourite.

However, Gifted Gal, who was backed from 7/1 into 5/2, proved up to the task. After breaking well from a favourable high draw of ten she was up with the early pace before hitting the front 800m out. She quickened well at the 400m mark to keep the most fancied of the exposed horses, Hollywoodbound, at bay. She then dug down in the last 100 metres to repel the challenger Freed From Desire, although she did hang inward.

Nieuwenhuizen said, “She is a very sensible filly and I think that is what won her the race, although she was a bit green in the latter stages. We don’t take everything out of them first time out and we leave a lot in reserve. She is sound and beautifully put together, her conformation is excellent, Pippa always breeds a good solid horse.”

Nieuwenhuizen in fact thanked Mickelburgh profusely in the post-race interview.

Mickelburgh had been disappointed when Gifted Gal went through the ring unsold at the National Yearling Sales last year but she was not altogether surprised as she was the second lot and the venue was still relatively empty.

However, she was later having a cup of tea with Nieuwenhuizen as he had bought an Avontuur Var filly for R80,000.

Pippa then told him that as a proven good trainer it was time he risked buying more expensive, better bred horses as he would not always be able to rely on the Cindarella-like stories of the R10,000 purchase Virgo’s Babe, who won him the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery.

She suggested Gifted Gal as a good starting point.

David was reluctant but his wife Heather and daughter Nicole joined forces with Pippa in persuading him.

David recalled, “Pippa thought the filly would be nice blood for the yard and it is difficult to say no when three women are pressurising you! But now I thank them for doing so!”

David forked out R250,000, the most expensive horse he has ever bought, and then set about putting ownership together.

He said. “When they are better bred it is easier to put them together.”

He approached Stergio Poriazis, who part-owns Nieuwenhuizen’s Grade 3 winner Mill Queen among others.

Stergio said, “I am a very loyal patron of David’s, I am very happy with him. He is honest and transparent and he told me he thought he had a special filly. I got a partner involved, Fred van Wyk. This mare obviously throws very forward fillies but let’s see, we hope we have fun with her.”

Pretoria-based Stergio entered horseracing as a punter roundabout 35 years ago as a 19 year-old and began owning horses five to six years ago. Mill Queen, who is by Querari and won the 2019 Grade 2 Starling Stakes, was not his first stakes winner as he also part-owned the Gavin Smith-trained Querari filly Joker, who won the 2017 Listed Dahlia Plate.

Fred van Wyk has been in ownership since 2007 but this is the first horse he has had with Nieuwenhuizen.

Academia’s first foal, the Vaughan Marshall-trained Var colt Valedictorian, won his debut over 1000m at Kenilworth by 4,25 lengths and followed up by finishing a 2,20 length fourth in a Graduation Plate over 1000m won by subsequent Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir with Speedpoint second. Unfortunately, Valedictorian was destined to only have one more run, an unplaced effort at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Academia’s second foal, the Var colt Top Of The Class, was also trained by Marshall and beat the top class Twist Of Fate by half-a-length on his debut over 1000m at Durbanville. He failed to win another race, although he did finish third in a Listed race, and is now retired.

The respective third and fourth foals, the Marshall-trained Var colt Tutorial and the Lezeanne Forbes-trained Captain Of All filly Mind Set, both won third time out, although the former has been retired as a one-time winner.

Mickelburgh said, “I am delighted for David and the owners and hope Gifted Gal goes on.”

Nieuwenhuizen was looking at a 1100m preparation run for Gifted Gal going into the SA Fillies Nursery on May 1 but said he was concerned because at this stage it looked like the race might not stand up.