Private Highveld trainer Clinton Binda raids the Greyville polytrack meeting tonight with three horses, including the three-year-old Toreador gelding Al Azraq, whom he rates the best horse in his yard. However, he warned there would be a lot of negatives surrounding this horse.

He said, “I am coming down mainly for Al Azraq because the ground up here is too hard to train on at the moment let alone race on and he is a good horse with a future so we have to be careful with him and the poly will be kinder. But there are a lot of negatives about him, the main one being he hasn’t had a gallop due to the hardness of the ground, it will be the first time he has travelled and it will also be his first time on the poly, under the lights and over the 1400m trip. But he has the ability and I still expect him to win, although I think my best chance on the night could be with Night Editor, whom I think will enjoy the poly.”

Binda does not wind up his horses before their debuts, yet Al Azraq finished third first time out in May over 1000m, at odds of 16/1, to a highly regarded sort Bull Valley, who was backed into 13/10. Furthermore, he finished just a neck behind another classy sort, Nephrite, who went on to win next time out before running a three length fifth to Rabada in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m. Al Azraq came out again in June over 1100m at The Vaal and won by 8,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena. Three horses have won out of that race to date.

Binda explained his reasons for sending him over 1400m, “My theory is that he needs to stay a minimum of 1600m because if he is good enough he can then be entered in the Graham Beck and the Dingaans. If I put him over sprints now I will never be able to teach him to settle over further later, but putting him over 1400m I can always bring him back to sprints if he doesn’t stay.”

Al Azraq showed plenty of early speed in his win and also a fine turn of foot, although he was driven out all the way to the line. He should be suited to his pole position draw tomorrow night, due to that early pace of his, and KZN Champion Jockey Anthony Delpech in the irons is a further plus. On a merit rating of 92 he is rated seven points higher than the Charles Laird-trained three-year-old Red Hot Poker, who is the second highest rated horse in the race, although on jockey bookings the Laird stable elect appears to be Dance On Air. The Tripster and Rocketball are two others that have shown decent form.

Night Editor runs in the seventh race, a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m, and will be ridden from draw five by 4kg claimer Calvin Habib, who won on him over 1160m at Turffontein in his penultimate start. The five-year-old Right Approach gelding was raised to his highest ever merit rating of 75 for that win, but proved himself up to it when showing good pace and staying all the way to the line next time out over the same course and distance, losing by just 1,5 lengths to the decent sort Talktothestars, who was winning for the fourth time in succession. Right Approach’s progeny appear to enjoy all weather surfaces so he should go close in this race and will have vastly more experience than the class act in the race, the Charles Laird-trained three-year-old Main Submission. Laird rates Main Submission as one who will improve continually as he gets older, but he also regarded him from early on as “a miler plus”. However, Main Submission does possess speed too and his debut win over 1200m at Scottsville in June has proven to be one of the strongest form races this year with the like of Swakopmund, Bunker Bill, Rio de la Plata, Land Of Legends and Rikitikitana behind him.

Binda’s first runner on the night is the five-year-old Silvano gelding Ayrton, a battler who runs in race three, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. Ayrton once finished a 5,5 length third to the useful stayer Solid Speed over 1800 at Kenilworth when trained by Glen Kotzen. Binda is Ayrton’s third trainer. Binda has gained a reputation over the years for his expertise in buying horses-in-training and then turning their careers around. In six runs for the yard, Ayrton has already managed three places, all over sprints. The gelding has some early pace, but lacks a kick at the end, so with 4kg claimer Habib up he could possibly earn a cheque in this uninspiring field if able to get handy from a tricky draw of eight in the ten horse field.

However, the races involving Al Azraq and Night Editor are likely to be the two most interesting events of the evening.

By David Thiselton

Picture: The Tripster (Nkosi Hlophe)

Night racing returns to Greyville tonight and there will be a meeting every Friday night until April 29, 2016.

Tonight’s meeting has eight races and there will be immediate interest because in the first, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Charles Laird-trained Dynasty filly Madame Justice is a full sister to former Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate. She doesn’t have much to beat, although Zaida is a nice big, strong horse who looks to have plenty of scope for improvement.

In the second over 1200m Goodnight Nurse has caught the eye twice when finishing fifth in two strong maidens respectively and is the tip to win. Wow Holiday is better than his last run and will be a factor if bouncing back to the form of his debut. Budapest returns from a layoff but could earn if close to his best.

In the third over 1200m Roy’s Gul Gul Ha has run two recent  races over course and distance and has Anthony Delpech up, albeit from a wide draw. Jack The Knife was not disgraced last time against a good sort over 1400m and might appreciate the step down in trip as he tired late in that race. Astroman is having his third run after a long layoff and as a handy type could do well here from a good draw. Ayrton has fair Highveld form and must be included. Long Walk could do well if he settles early.

The fourth is a weak maiden over 1600m but Music World makes plenty of appeal as one who will come on from her fair debut over 1400m and she will appreciate the step up in trip. Wind Trader has shown signs of ability and could well enjoy this surface. Classy Chic has fair form and should enjoy the trip and has Delpech up. Manyou has caught the eye before and is interesting stepped up in trip. Iced Gem is improving and could earn from a good draw.

The fifth over 1600m is open but African Fish Eagle has his third run in KZN and on the evidence of his last race could step up to the plate. Both Silva Hawk and Royal Zulu Guard have some class and could fill the trifecta positions. However, none of the runners in this race can be ignored.

The sixth, a Novice Plate over 1400m, looks on paper to be at the mercy of the Gauteng raider Al Azraq who was impressive when winning his maiden over 1100m by 8,25 lengths and he should enjoy the step up in trip. However, trainer Clinton Binda has warned that there will be a lot of negatives, the main one being he hasn’t had a gallop due to the hardness of the ground at present on the Highveld, and the others being he hasn’t travelled before and it will also be his first time on the poly, under lights and over the trip. The Tripster is interesting stepped up in trip having stayed on quite well over the tough Scottsville 1200m in his penultimate start to a good sort and Dance On Air makes most appeal of the rest.

In the seventh over 1200m Main Submission’s maiden win over this trip at Scottsville has turned out to be very strong form and he is the type who will improve continuously as he gets older. However, it won’t be easy off his 87 merit rating as a young three-year-old and the Highveld raider Night Editor could be a strong challenger, while Thunderwood has scope and could also give some cheek.

The last over 1200m could be won by Quintella, who was dropped out from a wide draw last time before running on strongly. This time she is drawn well and Keagan de Melo remains aboard.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Main Submission (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup winner Wild One has died following a routine procedure to the check ligament in order to treat tendonitis.

Wild One was standing up after recovering from the procedure when he suffered a heart attack.

Saddened trainer Mike de Kock said, “You think you are doing the best for the horse and then this goes and happens.”

The six-year-old Mogok gelding looked to have plenty of racing still in him. He finished third in the Gr 1 SA Derby as a three-year-old, when trained by Jeff Freedman, and this earned him a place in the Vodacom Durban July. He ended his four-year-old season by winning the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, his first run for the De Kock yard, and then finished third in the Gr 2 Gold Vase and second in the Gold Cup.

However, the Scott Brothers-bred horse appeared to have really come into his own this past season after returning from a long layoff, finishing second in both the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and in the KZN Million Mile before winning the Gold Cup.

The roller coaster ride owner Sean Phillips has enjoyed with Wild One is well documented and the passing of his beloved horse left the Hillcrest-based man “distraught” at the end of a month in which he had received both the Equus Champion Stayer and KZN Champion Stayer awards.

David Thiselton

The Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting on the sand today and there look to be one or two good opportunities for punters.

In the first, a workrider’s maiden over 1450m, Rose Of Castille hit the front too early over 1600m on the sand last time before falling in a hole and is worth another chance from a good draw, although she is a difficult customer. Pride Of Battle enjoys the sand and is better than her last run when fading after setting the pace. She might appreciate the step down in trip and is well drawn. Angel’s Smile can win this on the form of her last race over 1600m and on her running style should have a chance of taking to the sand although her pedigree is not convincing in that regard. Ginger Sioux has gone close in her last two sand starts over 1600m and 1800m respectively, but this might be a touch sharp and she has a wide draw to overcome. Carole Bouquet could earn on form but is returning from an eleven month break.

The second is a MR 68 handicap over 1200m. All I Want has won both of his starts over this course and distance. The last of them was convincing so he is the tip to win from a good draw despite being seven points higher in the merit ratings. Captain’s Cup is a lightly race five-year-old who is with his second trainer but on ability he could go close from pole position over the trip that to date appears to suit him best. He has early pace and will have come on from his last start. Where’s My Chop has good form over course and distance and is off a competitive merit rating so should be right there too.

The third is a maiden over 1200m. Coptic Cross has run two fair races against much stronger fields than this and has Gavin Lerena (pictured) up, so is tipped to win despite a wide draw. First Sign is a battling maiden but could earn another cheque here. Run For Roses is a full-brother to a consistent earner in Vaal sand maidens.

The fourth is a weak MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Slick Deputy has come down to an attractive merit rating. Last time out over 1000m she was bumped at the start but wasn’t far back at the line, so could be the one to side with as she has started looking capable of staying this trip lately. Lizzie’s Legs beat Slick Deputy by 1,75 lengths last time out over 1000m but is now 1,5kg worse off. She has a tricky draw and is not certain to enjoy the step up in trip, but could still earn. Wensleydale is usually thereabouts and is now off an attractive merit rating although she is widely drawn and might prefer a touch further. Knock Knock is interesting stepped down in trip off a merit rating now down to 64 from a high of 78. Danielle can’t be ignored here and Quiana comes from the in for Luck Houdalakis yard so must also be considered.

The fifth is a MR 74 handicap over 1000m. There is a lot of speed in this race so it could set up well for Thrust who looks promising and starts off in handicaps with a low merit rating. Just Africa, who ran a fair race on Saturday, could get closer this time from a possibly more favourable draw for his speedy style. The speedy Battle Of Alma proved up to this merit rating last time when beaten 2,95 lengths over course and distance by a progressive sort.

In the sixth over 1800m Big Shot strikes as one who can keep on improving and in his hattrick bid here he should enjoy the step up in distance. Guy From Dubai should go close with this weight and should relish the course and distance. Mirage Drive won on the turf over 1600m from start to finish when coming back from a nine month layoff last time out and will be dangerous off a lowered sand merit rating over a suitable trip. All The Bids ran a cracker in his penultimate over 1600m and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. Lavender Landscape has some class, is better drawn than his last start and might now be looking for this trip. Africain can’t be ignored as the form of his last win has been franked.

In the seventh over 1600m Battle In Seattle was an easy winner over 1450m in his second career sand start and has Lerena up from pole position off a possibly capped merit rating as he was given the maximum eight point raise. Masnoon won in taking style over course and distance last time and should do well despite a six point merit-rated raise. Nero has the form to go close in this race from a good draw.

In the last over 1600m Inala has just her second career sand start, having finished a close up second in her first attempt over 1400m in April, and she is now three points lower in the merit ratings and will prefer this trip. Furthermore, she is by Windrush whose progeny love the Vaal sand. Mind Games has been given a four point raise for his good second over 1200m last time out. However, he has found consistency lately and drawn in pole over a more suitable trip. White Christmas enjoys this course and distance and should earn again.

David Thiselton

 

Vaal-based trainer Lucky Houdalakis finds himself in sixth place on the national log after a halcyon month of August in which the yard had ten winners.

The Houdalakis team created a yard record in June, when they had nine winners, and bettering this mark just two months later suggests they are undoubtedly heading in the right direction.

The former Highveld-based jockey is assisted by his wife Natalie, father-in-law Trevor Lange, who was a good trainer in his own right, and Vic Moore and together they are a formidable team.

They yard look to have a few feature race prospects this season.

It is too early to get overly excited but the three-year-old Var filly Speedy Gonvarlez made a big impression when streaking to an eight length victory over 1000m on the Vaal sand on debut. The legendary J J The Jet Plane, who put the Houdalakis yard’s name on the map, also made his debut on the Vaal sand. Interestingly, Speedy Gonvarlez is out of a half-sister to J J.

Houdalakis took two horses down to Greyville for Super Saturday and the gallant Noble Star ran out a 9,25 length winner of a MR 78 Handicap over 2400m before the Right Approach gelding Nephrite ran a three length fifth in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m.

Interestingly Nephrite, who was born in December of his foaling year, is five months younger than the Champions Stakes winner Rabada, and that sort of age gap is significant among juvenile racehorses.

A week ago the yard’s Antonius Pius filly Firstimesacharm won comfortably on debut over 1200m on the Vaal turf.

Earlier, the three-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding Netflix, an immature sort who took six runs to win his maiden, was impressive over 1700m in first time blinkers, finding plenty in the straight despite over-racing early.

The yard’s four-year-old Count Dubois gelding Counterstroke is described as still being “a big baby”, so is another one to follow as he has won two of his last three starts and has never been out of the first three in seven career outings.

Their four-year-old Dynasty filly Drifting Dusk, who won her debut by 7,25 lengths, bounced back to form recently with a 3,25 length victory over 1160m at Turffontein in a Graduation Plate.

The yard have entered the four-year-old Slew The Red gelding Raise The Red in the R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP over 1450m on the Vaal sand on September 26. He is unbeaten in two starts over the Supreme Cup course and distance, including winning the last of them by a facile 4,75 lengths as a young three-year-old about a year ago.

Natalie said about some of the yard’s prospects, “Speedy Gonvarlez will run in the Non-Black Type Sophomore 1000 on Supreme Cup day and we will see how she goes. We have sent Nephrite to the farm for two months to allow him to grow and have high hopes for him. Firstimesacharm looks very nice, we don’t know what she was up against, but she is a lovely, big strong filly and won convincingly. Counterstroke is getting better with each run. We have always rated Drifting Dusk and backed off her when she went a bit off. She won convincingly first time back and continues to improve. Noble Star tries his heart out every time he runs and has now won six races (including three out of five starts over staying trips). He particularly enjoys KZN and has won his last two starts down there.”

The Houdalakis’ are full of praise for the Vaal as a training centre. Natalie reckons it has the best training tracks in the country and the string tends to relax in the horse-friendly environment. The results of trainers at The Vaal last season speaks volumes.

Lucky’s career as a jockey ended when a kick by a horse shattered his shin bone.

He was persuaded to take out his trainer’s license in 2006 by Natalie and a friend of his, Coenie Strydom.

Fittingly Coenie was a shareholder in the great J J The Jet Plane and the Houdalakis couple quickly proved what they could do with a top racehorse.

J J, who was bought for a mere R70,000, ended his three-year-old year by winning five Graded races on the trot, the Gr 2 Senor Santa Handicap, the Gr 3 Man O’War Sprint, The Gr 1 Computaform Sprint, the Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint (with topweight) and the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint (by five lengths in course record time). He then left the yard to campaign overseas where he had some initial success.

However, by the time he had made his way back to the Houdalakis yard he had appeared to have lost his way. He was a forgotten racehorse to the extent that he was allowed to start at odds of 13/2 in his comeback in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. However, he became the first South African horse to return from an overseas campaign and win a Gr 1 and he did it comfortably. He then sauntered to a 5,5 length win in the Mercury Sprint. The connections were then considered unrealistically optimistic when sending him to run in the Gr 1 Hong Kong Sprint, because he faced a rigorous three-and-a-half month journey, through climates ranging from hot to freezing, and he would only land in Hong Kong eleven days before the race.

However, he famously beat a field studded with international stars under a brilliant ride by Piere Strydom, who rates him the best horse he has ever ridden. J J went on to win the Gr 2 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.

J J is still a celebrity at his retirement home Balmoral Stud in the KZN Midlands and is regularly visited by adoring fans. He shares a paddock with a Mary Slack-owned dressage and showing champion Dark Rider and the pair are inseparable.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Lucky Houdalakis (Nkosi Hlophe)