The Glen Puller-trained Illuminator downed favorite Silver Mountain to win the inaugural CTS Million Dollar at Kenilworth racecourse yesterday.

The result was a dream for apprentice Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who picked up the winning ride on the colt after scheduled rider Weichong Marwing was stood down. Van Der Hoven, while still an apprentice, looked a likely choice to replace Marwing as he knows the colt (described by his trainer as difficult) well, and had ridden Illuminator to victory in his first two starts. The pair are now unbeaten in three starts.

Illuminator, coming off a second in the Listed Sophomore Sprint, was allowed to start a 16-1 chance, with World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) favorite Silver Mountain being dispatched a 17-10 favorite for what was the richest horse race ever run on African soil.

The field spread out across the track with 400 meters to go, with early front runners dropping out of contention. Silver Mountain produced what looked a strong run down the center of the track, but further out, Illuminator was producing a fast late finish and got up to prevail by three parts of a length, with Silver Mountain just edging Victorious Jay for second prize of $200 000.

Fourth home was Seventh Plain, with last year’s champion now yet to win in three appearances as a 3-year-old.

Illuminator’s success was a memorable triumph for veteran Cape trainer Glen Puller, as well as his loyal and longstanding owners. Puller said of his choice to ride an apprentice, “He (Illuminator) is a difficult boy but Heavelon knows him well. I knew he would do his best work late on.”

For Heavelon Van Der Hoven it was truly a dream come true, with the young rider overcome after his win.

“After I found out about Weichong (being stood down), I quickly asked for the ride. I get on well with the horse and know him well,” Van Der Hoven said. “He was a bit sluggish out the gates, but I tracked Aldo (Domeyer on Silver Mountain) and felt confident coming for home. He is an amazing horse.”

Bred by last season’s champion breeders Klawervlei Stud, Illuminator will take his place in the record books as one of the great buys in South African history. He cost owners Francis Carruthers and Ian Robinson just R180 000 ($10,929) at the 2014 March Yearling Sale. Following Saturday’s win, he has earned more than R8,000,000 ($485,730).

A son of Trippi, Illuminator is out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Pacific Lights, a stakes-placed half sister to Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (SAF-I) winner Silver Arc.

The Million Dollar, which will be run in two $500,000 contests next year, formed part of three major features on Saturday’s Investec Day Of Dreams race card. The Day of Dreams, held for the first time this year, came about as a result of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and Investec Bank joining forces to put together the richest horse race event in African history.

The first of the two other features saw 16-1 shot It’s My Turn cause an upset when the unheralded gelding won the Investec Cape Derby (SAF-I). Rated by the handicapper more than 20 pounds inferior to fancied runner Brazuca and eight pounds below stablemate Black Arthur, It’s My Turn appeared to have it all to do at the weights, but proved himself as a horse with a future over ground.

It’s My Turn, who was giving trainer Justin Snaith a third win in the Derby, was given a fine ride by former champion jockey Piere Strydom, who bought his mount with a late run up the outside while the majority of the field followed front runner Kemal Kavur down the inside.

Fred Crabbia’s It’s My Turn defeated recent group I winner Brazuca, who finished second, with Marinaresco third after being tricky in the parade. It’s My Turn’s stablemate, and favorite, Black Arthur, could only finish back in fourth. The winning jockey had ridden Black Arthur to victory in the Cartier Politician Stakes (SAF-III) only to subsequently to lose the ride.

Bred by Willem Engelbrecht Jr, It’s My Turn has now won twice in just five outings and earned more than R700 000 ($42,500) in stakes. His sire Dynasty, who won the Cape Derby back in 2003, has certainly left his mark on the Kenilworth classic, with It’s My Turn being his third son to win the race.

The third major race on the day, the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (SAF-I), proved a triumph for Drakenstein Stud, who owned the first three past the post.

The farm, whose resident sire Trippi dominated the feature race proceedings Saturday, bred and owns both the winner Inara and third-place Lanner Falcon. Drakenstein is part owner of runner-up and favorite Same Jurisdiction.

Inara, who was winning the Majorca Stakes for a second year in a row, provided the Bass yard with some consolation after Million favorite Silver Mountain could only manage second in the day’s rich feature.

Jockey Grant Van Niekerk, who picked up his first group I success aboard Inara when the pair landed the 2015 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, adores his winner, and said after partnering Inara to a late running, three parts of a length win on Saturday, “I love this filly, she always tries so hard. She has a big heart and is really special to me.”

Saturday’s win was a third group I victory for Inara, who stopped the clock in 1:39.68. She has now won six of 16 outings with the 4-year-old having banked over R2.6 million ($157,862).
By Sarah Whitelaw for Bloodhorse.com
Pictures: Liesl King

The Investec Day Of Dreams meeting at Kenilworth tomorrow will have a feverish atmosphere due to the running of by far the richest race in South African history, the CTS Million Dollar over 1400m, and to whet the appetite the meeting also features the Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby over 2000m and the Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m.

The Mike Bass-trained filly Silver Mountain was a touch unlucky not to have done the Cape Fillies and Cape Guineas double and on official merit rating is very well treated at the weights. She is brilliant and her good gate speed and electric turn of foot should make the 1400m trip ideal, especially from a plum draw of five. However, it would be a brave punter to take odds of even money about a small filly in a race where no quarter will be given.

Prince Of Thieves is officially 7kg out at the weights with Silver Mountain but impressed last time out over course and distance when turning it on effortlessly and cruising in by 3,75 lengths carrying 60kg off a 95 merit rating in a MR 86 Handicap against older horses. Bernard Fayd’Herbe has plenty of BMT and they will end up jumping from a middle draw of eight, which might be ideal in the hurly burly of such a race.

Exit Here has plenty of class and his pole position draw is ideal for his style in which he likes to be handy, although as one who stays further he will like the pace to be as fast as possible.

The pace could well be set by Swift Sarah from a plum draw of three as she has excellent gatespeed and early pace. Her only attempt at 1400m can be excused as nothing went right, but there is still a slight stamina doubt and her jockey might slow it up if reaching the front easily, so Anthony Delpech on Exit Here will likely have this in mind and might make it tough for Swift Sarah to get around him.

Sandwiched between them is another  front-running type, Hard Day’s Night, who will be ridden by master tactician Piere Strydom. What plan will this master of his craft have up his sleeve?

Another master Anton Marcus is aboard the best rated male in the race Seventh Plain, but didn’t dismiss riding Exit Here lightly. Seventh Plain has a wide draw to overcome but the maestro trainer Dennis Drier will have him spot on and the flat finish he produced in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over this distance might be relegated to distant memory.

Redcarpet Captain looked a picture upon arrival in Cape Town and is ideally distance suited. He has a deceptively good turn of foot, so a fast paced race will work in his favour, allowing him to perhaps slot in from a wide draw before finishing strongly.

Ernie is another distance suited horse with a fine turn of foot, so he should be running on from a wide draw.

Victorious Jay ran on from off the pace when only 0,3 lengths behind Silver Mountain in the Cape Guineas and will likely have to do the same from a wide draw here.

Lunar Approach impressed over this trip at Turffontein and the form has worked out well so he is probably higher than his 96 merit rating suggests, although he will need luck from his draw.

Illuminator stays the trip and is drawn well under top jockey Weichong Marwing, but does have to reverse form with all of Hard Day’s Night, Ernie, Silver Mountain and , Victorious Jay and has a tough task at the weights maintaining form against Seventh Plain.

Melliflora is a courageous sort but the form of her best races might be a touch suspect.

Varumba has a tough task from the widest draw of all as one with a slight stamina doubt.

A Time To Dream has many lengths to find on Silver Mountain on Cape Fillies Guineas form but is likely improving being by Dynasty.

Jo’s Bond and Tar Heel have obvious stamina doubts, but their speed could be a factor if they are ridden cold and find suitable cover, and this will be easier for Tar Heel from his plum draw of 5.

The selection is Prince of Thieves to beat Silver Mountain with Redcarpet Captain, Exit Here and Seventh Plain next best.

The Cape Derby is competitive and an upset would be no surprise. However, Brazuca is a worthy favourite from pole position as he was staying on late when runner up in the Cape Guineas, so looks likely to stay the trip, and the form looks strong. Jet Air could be the dark horse as he stayed on well in the Cape Guineas too and is an outsider tipped to run second. Black Arthur has done nothing wrong and looks to be a horse on the up so he should go close from a good draw of five.

Marinaresco was close behind Black Arthur in the Politician and is preferred to Jet Air according to jockey arrangements. Eastern Charm should relish the trip and is interesting from a good draw with blinkers.

A high class field lines up for the Majorca, but everything points to the brilliant Same Jurisdiction as she gets a plum draw over an ideal trip and is said to be spot on, after not much went right for her in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over the a trip of 1800m that is a touch too far. Following her home could be the defending champion Inara, who has exceptional form over course and distance. Double Whammy is unfortunately widely drawn but will be at her peak over a suitable trip and could beat Lanner Falcon and Lohnromance into third, although two others to consider are Alexis and Eventual Angel.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura (pictured), one of the few at yesterday’s J & B Met gallops asked to exert himself in anything like earnest, impressed when partnered by big race jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Last year’s winner worked on his own at a good pace from halfway down the back straight and quickened up nicely in the last 300m.

Fayd’Herbe, bidding for his fourth Met win, said: “He had a workout and it was good one. I think he would have come on from his Queen’s Plate run and he will be ready for Saturday week.”

Craig du Plooy, who rides expected pacemaker Krambambuli,  deputised for Piere Strydom (in Dubai to ride Harry’s Son yesterday evening) on Legislate and was mightily impressed with the Durban July winner.

He said: “That was an outstanding gallop and the best he has ever been for me. They have got the horse at his best at the right time.”

Anton Marcus was aboard Legal Eagle when the Queen’s Plate winner went with last year’s runner-up Gold Onyx (S’Manga Khumalo). At least they hacked down to the six furlong marker together. Legal Eagle came back on his own, extending over the last 300m, and Gold Onyx followed about a furlong behind.

Sean Tarry said: “It was just going through the motions but it was exactly what Legal Eagle wanted and he seems to be moving well. I think Gold Onyx could again run into a place. He over-raced in the Queen’s Plate.”

Marcus added: “I don’t think you can read much into these gallops but I was happy with Legal Eagle.”

So too was Corne Orffer with Captain America. The Horse Chestnut winner  did a solo spin at a workmanlike pace with his rider reporting: “That was a very good gallop and his wind is good.”

Most of the big names drew well, a notable exception being Master Sabina at 14, and the Sansui Summer Cup winner’s trainer Geoff Woodruff has had a double blow as Deo Juvente is unlikely to run after suffering a nasty cut on his left stifle.

Woodruff explained: “He went for a roll at Milnerton and buried in the sand was a piece of a broken glass bottle that cut into him.”

Master Sabina was ridden by Thomas van Rensburg in a spin over a mile. He wasn’t asked to do much – indeed he spent most of the time looking around at his new surroundings – despite quickening inside the final furlong.  Compere Neil Andrews was moved to comment: “He did as much as I do when I go to the gym!”

Smart Call, the only filly in the race, caught the eye when partnered by Marcus and convincingly drew away from As You Like (Orffer) in the final furlong with an understandably pleased Alec Laird remarking: “She was impressive.”

By Michael Clower
Pictures: Liesl King

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – FAIRVIEW
Fri Jan 22. Net Carryover R150 000
Race 4 @ 13h45
Estimated Pool: R700 000.

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – GREYVILLE
Fri Jan 22. Net Carryover R150 000
Race 3 @ 18h55
Estimated Pool: R1.1MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – KENILWORTH
Sat Jan 23. Net Carryover R500 000
Race 4 @ 13h50
Estimated Pool: R2.5MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – TURFFONTEIN
Sat Jan 23. Net Carryover R200 000
Race 4 @ 14h10
Estimated Pool: R1.3MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – SCOTTSVILLE
Sun Jan 24. Net Carryover R300 000
Race 4 @ 14h10
Estimated Pool: R1.8MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – FLAMINGO PARK
Mon Jan 25. Net Carryover R100 000
Race 4 @ 13h50
Estimated Pool: R675 000

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – FAIRVIEW
Tues Jan 26. Net Carryover R103 360
Race 3 @ 14h25
Estimated Pool: R700 000

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – TURFFONTEIN
Tues Jan 26. Net Carryover R200 000
Estimated Pool: R1.3MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – GREYVILLE
Wed Jan 27. Net Carryover R200 000
Race 3 @ 14h20
Estimated Pool: R1.2MILLION!

PICK 6 MEGAPOOL – KENILWORTH
Sat Jan 30. Net Carryover R2.2MILLION
Race 4 @ 13h15
Estimated Pool: R8MILLION!

Charles Laird is bullish about Exit Here in Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar. The 6-1 chance is on a roll and has won his last five.

Laird said yesterday: “He arrived in Cape Town around 7.00pm last Saturday evening and he settled in well. I worked him on the racecourse on Tuesday morning because I wanted to show him a left-handed track and he went very well.”

Anthony Delpech takes over from Anton Marcus who has ridden the colt in all his five wins but has decided to stick with Seventh Plain – but apparently only after some deliberation.

Racing manager Derek Brugman said: “Anton gave it a lot of thought and seriously considered riding Exit Here.”

Cape Guineas runner-up Brazuca is 18-10 favourite for the Investec Cape Derby but there are stamina doubts – the colt’s dam is by a sprinter. However trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren does not share them.

He said: “There is no stamina in the pedigree and at one stage I thought he wouldn’t even get a mile but I now believe he will definitely stay the trip.”

Politician winner Black Arthur is 33-10 joint second favourite with Rabada but will be 5kg worse for just over two lengths. Justin Snaith believes his horse has enough improvement left in him to confirm the placings although on Saturday the colt will not come from some far back.

He said: “We don’t want to be doing that again and anyway Black Arthur has a good draw this time.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Exit Here (Nksoi Hlophe)