The National Trainers Championships trophy has found its way back to Gauteng due to the record-breaking stakes earnings that trainer Sean Tarry raked up this past season. The latter’s Highveld colleagues between them also had many moments to savour.

Tarry’s strength lay in his three-year-old crop, seven of whom earned about 50% of his total stakes of R25,924,950.
The filly Tamaanee got the ball rolling by finishing third in the hitherto richest race in South African history, The R3,85 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes. Zambezi River then won the R2 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, while Trip To Heaven beat older horses to win the R450,000 Stonach Group Gr 2 Merchants. Zambezi River was later a disappointing fifth in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas but bounced back with a short-head second in the R1 million CTS Stakes. At the same meeting Tarry’s filly Carry On Alice finished third in the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships.

Tarry’s other Cape Summer Of Champions Season highlights were the third and second place finishes of his veteran Gold Onyx in the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and Gr 1 J&B Met respectively.

At the end of January Mike de Kock led the national log on R9,919,312.50, Tarry was on R9,717,425.00 and defending champion Justin Snaith was on R8,295,662. However, Tarry’s halcyon Johannesburg Autumn season then put the championship race to bed.

His filly Siren’s Call won the R2,5 million CTS Book 2 Graduates Race and followed up with victories in the Gr 2 R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Gr 1 R1 million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. She narrowly failed to land the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara when caught late in the R1 million Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks.

Tarry’s filly Trophy Wife finished runner up in both the CTS Book 2 Graduates Race and the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and also in the Gr 1 R1 million Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes, a race in which Tamaanee finished third.

Meanwhile, the yard’s gelding French Navy won the Gr 1 R2 million SA Classic and later finished third to his stablemate Legal Eagle in the Gr 1 R2 million SA Derby. At the end of April Tarry was clear with earnings of R20,684,650 to De Kock’s R16,253,262.50 and Snaith’s R11,121,712.50.

Tarry was duly crowned Highveld Champion trainer. He had effectively sealed the National Championship by early June after winning the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint with Carry On Alice and the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 with French Navy. All in all the yard won five Gr 1s, four Gr 2s, four Gr 3s, three Listed races and five Non-Black Type features.

De Kock was second on the national log with earnings of R19,616,262. He won eight Gr 1s (including the postponed eLan Property Group Gold Cup which officially fell in this season) two Gr 2s, five Gr 3s, three Listed events and two Non-Black Type features.

Geoff Woodruff was seventh on the national log with earnings of R8,519,538. His Triple Crown hero Louis The King’s won the Gr 1 SANSUI Summer Cup and the yard also won a Gr 2, a Gr 3, four Listed races and a Non-Black Type feature.

Alec Laird finished eleventh on the log on earnings of R7,056,775. His filly Smart Call won the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000, while older horse Bezanova won the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile and the Non-Black Type KZN Breeders Million Mile, as well as finishing third in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge. The yard also had one other Gr 2 win, one other Non-Black Type win and a Listed win.

Mike Azzie finished 13th on the national log with earnings of R6,625,900. At the postponed Super Saturday meeting his exciting pair Rabada and Abashiri finished first and third respectively in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes. The yard also had one Listed and one Non-Black Type victory apiece, while their colt Deputy Jud finished third and second respectively in the Gr 1 SA Classic and Gr 1 SA Derby and their filly Frosted Honey finished second in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery.

Dominic Zaki finished 16th on the national log with earnings of R6,259,275. His colt Arabian Beat won the Gr 1 SA Nursery and then overcame a wide draw to finish just 0,15 lengths back in third in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m. Zaki also had both Gr 1 third and a Gr 1 second with two-year-old filly Prospect Strike. The yard also won a Gr 3, two Listed races and a Non-Black Type feature.

Weiho Marwing, who officially became a KZN trainer during the season, finished 18th on the national log and won the Gr 1 President’s Champions Challenge with Wylie Hall and he also won a Gr 2, a Gr 3, a Listed race and a Non-Black Type feature.

Johan Janse van Vuuren finished nineteenth on the national log and won the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans with Unparalleled. Janse van Vuuren also won a Gr 3 and two Non-Black Type features.

St. John Gray’s gelding Yer-Maan won both the Gr 1 Castle Tankard and the Gr 2 Ok Grand Challenge before failing to become the first horse to land all three of Zimbabwe’s biggest races when finishing third in the Gr 3 Republic Cup.

Stuart Pettigrew and Tyrone Zackey both had one Gr 2 victory apiece. Corné Spies won three Gr 3s, a Listed race and six Non-Black Type features. Louis Goosen won a Gr 3 and two Listed races. Ormond Ferraris and Staneley Ferreira both won a Gr 3 and a Listed race each.

Barend Botes won a Gr 3, Lucky Houdalakis won a Listed race and a Non-Black Type feature, Roy Magner, Leon Erasmus and David Rahilly each won a Listed race apiece and Paul Matchett won a Non-Black Type feature.

By David Thiselton

There is an eight race meeting on the Greyville poly tomorrow and punters look to have more opportunities at a venue that produced favourable results last week.

The first is a competitive maiden over 1200m and Mr McSteamy could be the one to beat from a good draw. He showed good pace over this distance at Scottsville last time, having done well over further before that in two turf races. Destined For Dawn has been knocking on the door and should get another place over a course and distance he loves.

Roy’s Gul Gul Ha has gone close over course and distance before and as a hard knocking, distance suited sort should be thereabouts from a good draw with a 4kg claimer up. King Django could win this if able to overcome his wide draw. Bagger Vance could improve on his fair debut. Super Sonic is an interesting Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred first-timer by the good sire High Chaparal.

In the second over 1200m Mamdooha is an interesting Sheik Hamdan-owned Australian-bred ridden by Anton Marcus and she wouldn’t have to be special to win this race. Cronological is improving and could earn from a good draw. Paix Embleme could earn if repeating her best run over course and distance in which she beat Westerly Wind but the rest of her form is poor. Westerly Wind, Classy Chic and Elusive Lady have to be considered.

In the third over 1600m Grey’s A Rockin is a hard knocker who always seems to find one better but he has faced some fair sorts and this could be a good opportunity. Seattle Wolf made a good debut over 1400m and will be a big threat with natural improvement. Roy’s Rolls Royce will appreciate this step back in trip having pulled over 1800m last time out and Marcus is up.

Red Rebel stayed on behind a good sort over this trip on the turf and should be thereabouts if able to find a comfortable position from a wide draw. Groovy News has a 4kg claimer up and makes most appeal of the rest.

In the fourth over 1600m Queen Of Thrones is presented with a good opportunity over her probable best trip with Marcus aboard. Brian Wiid’s success in raiding this venue could continue with Eye The Countess who ran a fair race in a stronger field than this on the Turffontein Inside track and now has Andrew Fortune up. Princess Varunya ran well over 1400m here last time and should appreciate the step up in trip.

In the fifth over 1600m Roy’s Winter Patch was unlucky last time against a stronger field than this over course and distance and looks to be better than his merit rating suggests. Burnt Orange ran a good race over this trip at Scottsville last time despite coughing and could be involved as he has a strong finish and won’t be inconvenienced by the wide draw. Gulliver’s Travel could earn and others to consider are Military Leader and Fantasy Art.

In the sixth over 1600m King Jace has been in fine form and could be the one to beat. Tell The Take looks to be a fair sort and Jet Masters love this surface so he should be thereabouts. Charles Laird always has them fit upon their returns and Stormy Eclipse should go close over the suitable 1600m with Marcus up. Cat In Command has an excellent record over course and distance and should be involved. The Brian Wiid raider National Key is only two points higher after his good win over 1400m at Turffontein and he will enjoy this trip in the fine hands of Fortune.

In the seventh over 1400m Private Dancer made an eye catching winning debut over 1200m and will appreciate the step up in trip. Intergalactic looks a fair sort and could follow up on her easy win over 1600m on the poly, especially considering the form has been franked. Taking Chances has run some fine races over shorter, including one on the poly, and on pedigree should enjoy this trip. Ire de Fiesta is an honest sort who has won over course and distance. Ninefold has been disappointing and now has something to prove, but she can’t be discounted.

In the last over 1200m, Victoria’s Love was hampered last time over course and distance and could make amends here. National King has dropped to an attractive merit rating and should be right there. There is not much between him and Risky Rosco, but the latter does have a tougher draw to overcome.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Roy’s Winter Patch (Nkosi Hlophe)

Outgoing national champion trainer Justin Snaith was crowned Western Cape Champion Trainer again for the 2014/2015 season, having finished third on the national log, and he and his Cape Town colleagues had many memorable moments during the season.

Snaith is competitive but has always been magnanimous in defeat and he was the first to congratulate the new National Champion trainer Sean Tarry at the Equus Awards ceremony. Snaith, whose season’s earning were R16,234,988, started the Cape Summer Of Champions Seasons well when Legislate broke the Kenilworth Old Course 1600m record in the Gr 2 Lanzerac le General Green Point Stakes.

However, the superstar colt then ran a shock last in Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and was found to be suffering from a serious lung infection. Instead it was the Brett Crawford-trained Futura who won both the Queen’s Plate and the Gr 1 J&B Met. Futura later joined the Snaith yard after a share in him was sold to Drakenstein Stud.

Legislate’s eventual comeback was in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and his victory there earned him the Equus Champion Miler award. He later finished third in both the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint and Gr 1 Champions Cup. Futura, fourth in the Gold Challenge, went on to finish fourth with topweight in the Vodacom Durban July before retaining his Champions Cup crown, although the latter event did officially fall in the new season. Futura was named both Equus and Western Cape Horse Of The Year.

On top of those two Gr 1 wins, the Snaith yard won five Gr 2s, seven Gr 3s and nine Listed races.

Mike Bass earned stakes of R12,136,938 for fourth place on the national log. His yard had the highest earnings (over R10 million) in races held in the Western Cape region. The yard’s mare Hammie’s Hooker retained her Gr 2 Tibouchina crown, having earlier won a Gr 3, and she was named Equus Champion Older Female.

However, her stablemate Fly By Night was named Western Cape Champion Older Female, as well as Champion Sprinter. The latter won the Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes and had a Gr 1 third and fourth and a Gr 2 third. However, the stable star for the season was the three-year-old filly Inara, who won both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes, having finished runner up in the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas. She had a disappointing Champions Season, but was named Western Cape Champion three-year-old filly. Bass overall won two Gr 1s, four Gr 2s, three Gr 3s and five Listed races (although one of the latter was at the postponed Super Saturday meeting).

Joey Ramsden finished fifth on the national with earnings of R10,825,900. His charges Act Of War and Coltrane were named Western Cape Three-Year-Old Male and Champion Stayer Of The Year respectively. Act Of War won his first three races of the season, the Gr 3 Cape Classic over 1400m, the Gr 2 Selangor Cup and the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas. His defeat in the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby, when below par and possibly not staying the 2000m trip, probably cost him an Equus Award. He later won the Gr 3 Tekkie Town Winter Guineas. Coltrane won four races during the season including two Gr 3 staying events in Cape Town.

He was given the award ahead of his stablemate Disco Al, who won a Gr 2 over 2400m as well as a Gr 3 over 2000m. Ramsden’s crack three-year-old filly Cold As Ice unfortunately broke through the stalls and bolted before the Cape Fillies Guineas having previously won the Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship impressively. She went on to win the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes and the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes before being touched off in the Majorca. Another Ramsden three-year-old, The Conglomerate, won the Gr 3 Politician Stakes, the Gr 2 KRA Guineas and then finished third in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 before being unlucky in the July. Overall Ramsden won one Gr 1, six Gr 2s (including one on Super Saturday), nine Gr 3s, three Listed races and one Non-Black Type event.

Dean Kannemeyer finished ninth on the national log with earnings of R7,175,088. The highlight was Power King’s July victory, Kannemeyer’s third win of the country’s premier race. Kannmeyer, whose reopened KZN satellite yard had a tremendous strike rate, also won one a Gr 3, a Listed race and two Non-Black Type events.

Brett Crawford finished tenth on the national log and has cemented himself as a top tier trainer just five seasons after going on his own. Futura provided the highlight by winning Cape Town’s two biggest races, the Queen’s Plate and the Met. Crawford took the subsequent decision by the connections to move Futura in his stride. The yard also won the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes with Captain America and in KZN Alexis won the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas, while Gulf Storm won a Listed race before finishing runner up in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint.

Glen Kotzen finished 15^th on the log with earnings of R6,375,050 and won three G 3s, three Listed races and two Non-Black Type events. His filly Princess Royal was named Western Cape Two-year-old filly Of The Year.

Vaughan Marshall finished in 22^nd position on the national log with earnings of R4,584,338 and won two Listed races and a Non-Black Type event.

Stan Elley ended his 41 year career as a trainer on a high note, finishing first and third in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 with Dynastic Power and Punta Arenas, and the latter then went on to win the Gr 3 Cup Trial before finishing a possibly unlucky second in the July. Elley also won a Listed race.

Adam Marcus won a Gr 3 and a Listed race, Glen Puller and Ronnie Sheehan each won a Gr 3, Daryl Hodgson won two Listed races and Eric Sands, Neil Bruss and Paddy Kruyer each won a Listed event apiece.

By David Thiselton

Mike Bass is seriously ill in a Cape Town hospital where he is in an induced coma.

What was first diagnosed as ‘flu – he began to feel unwell at the Cape Racing & Breeding Awards Dinner ten days ago – developed into severe pneumonia and he was rushed to hospital by ambulance early last Wednesday. He was put into intensive care.

However his condition worsened during the day and he went into septic shock. The doctors put him into an induced coma.

A statement on the Mike Bass Racing website said: “At this stage the prognosis remains serious. The family and medical team are taking things hour by hour.”

Son Mark told the Sporting Post: “We are in such awe and are overwhelmed by the support from friends, family and the entire racing industry who have really come together in trying to keep us so positive through this difficult time. He is so loved. We would like to thank everyone for their amazing support.”

A spokesperson for the family said yesterday: “At the moment all that we can tell you is that Mike is still in a very critical condition but he is fighting hard and the family will try to put out something more detailed when they have more information.”

Bass, 70, has won the Durban July three times and the J & B Met five times during his near 40-year training career with four of those victories coming from the legendary Pocket Power.

By Michael Clower  

Picture: Mike Bass (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela looks classic material after lighting up a rain-soaked Kenilworth on Saturday with an impressive performance that had potential written all over it.

Despite treating the start as if she was out for an afternoon stroll and racing as green as the grass under her feet, the newcomer was able to lead 50m from home without Bernard Fayd’Herbe having to resort to much more than hands and heels. She beat the pace-setting Sandton Rocker by a length and a quarter with the third five lengths back.

The Dynasty filly is a daughter of broodmare extraordinaire Mystic Spring, the Royal Academy mare who has already produced Rabiya, All Is Secret’s dam Secret Of Victoria and Spring Lilac. Her latest Cheveley-bred winner was bought by Varsfontein for R1.4 million at last year’s National Two-Year-Old Sale.

Justin Snaith said: “Whatever she cost, she is worth double and maybe more. I am going to bring her along nicely and wait for the right races when she is ready for them.”

Snaith, who went on to land a treble, reckons there is also more to come from Bianzino who made all under Xavier Carstens in the Giggling Gourmet Handicap.

Seemingly the reason is the bit that the member of the South African polo team put on the colt for the first time in a race – “He was fighting for his head in Durban so I rode him myself in a special polo bit that gives the horse more room for his tongue.”

Another that should prove worth following is Captain Sam who took his score to four out of six in the Betting World Handicap and Vaughan Marshall, who has now had eight winners from the last four Cape Town meetings, confirmed that there is more improvement in the gelding – “He is not a horse that will win by five or six lengths, he just does what he has to.”

Handicappers don’t like horses that keep defying them and so Captain Sam can expect rather more than the kilo that his three-quarter win would indicate. But Greg Cheyne skilfully asked for no more than necessary and that should produce a dividend that is worth backing.

That Cowboy Kid is going to be penalised even more harshly as he ran the opposition ragged under Corne Orffer in the Samara Private Game Reserve Handicap to make it three in a row even though he is fitted with blinkers and a tongue tie.

Brett Crawford explained: “He makes a bit of a noise and gets his tongue over the bit while the blinkers help him to concentrate.”

The Philippi trainer then revealed the reason for the five-year-old’s improvement: “He had soundness issues as a young horse but now he is sound again and I also think that keeping him to a mile helps.”

Crawford promptly followed up with Sea Glass – thanks in no small part to Orffer conjuring up some impossible-looking reserves from the filly to turn what looked certain defeat into last-gasp victory.

Crawford was fighting off ‘flu but had yet more reason to help his recovery when he heard that the Jay Peg filly he is to train made R360 000 when her racing career was auctioned in aid of the Sunflower Fund charity.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Justin Snaith