David Thiselton

The highest rated race at the Vaal Classic track meeting today is the 7th, a MR 96 Handicap over 1200m, and Edward Rye could take advantage of a change in draw fortunes.

The Argentinian-bred Catcher In The Rye gelding was not disgraced in his last two starts, both over 1160m, when beaten 7,50 lengths into fourth and 4,85 lengths into third considering that on the first occasion he had an unfavourable low draw of three out of eleven and on the second occasion in a small four horse Graduation Plate field he was giving the winner, the 116 merit rated Cosmic Speed, 1kg, whereas in a handicap he would have been receiving 10,5kg. He jumps from pole position in this race with championship leader Craig Zackey up. Wyzeact has speed and some class but does have a tricky draw of nine to overcome. However, he has come three points down in the merit ratings and was probably sent for home too soon last time. If getting cover and waited with for longer he could be a threat. Cian The Conqueror finished 2,60 lengths in front of Wyzeact last time and is now only 1,5kg worse off if apprentice claims are ignored and drawn well, so he can make a bold bid. Fastnet Filly is in fine form and only half-a-kilogram under sufferance so could be dangerous from draw five. Chieftain should handle the step up in trip and will be a threat from draw three under Gavin Lerena.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1500m Page Boy made eye-catching late progress over 1200m last time after losing significant ground at the start. He is by Flower Alley out of the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella, so should relish the step up in trip. He has a wide draw but Piere Strydom is up and he will likely be given every chance. Chariot Of Fire showed dome ability in three runs and might have benefited from a four-and-half month layoff. Spy Story is usually thereabouts and can earn again.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1500m Aurora Green was slow away, green and outpaced on debut over 1200m and was well beaten. She should enjoy the step up in trip and as an unexposed sort who received some betting support last time she might improve over this trip where she faces an uninspiring field, although a wide draw makes it tough. Ghostbuster has shown some ability and has in form Ryan Munger aboard. This race will be a good opportunity for Intro, who has run some fair races.

In the fifth race over 1800m Dimako’s Jet won well last time just over two months ago over this trip and the form has been franked, especially by the three length third-placed Mount Etna, who won her next two starts. Rani Of Kittur, like Dimako’s Jet, got five points for a win last time and the form has also been franked, but he was beaten by Mount Etna before that. I Am Regal goes very well for Muzi Yeni and should be in the shake up. Kadizora is an honest hard knocking sort and should be right there. Mount Etna could also earn although her current mark of 88 seems to have anchored her a bit.

In the sixth over 1800m Free In Seattle is distance suited and has been knocking on the door, although a wide draw will make it tough for Muzi Yeni.  Ancient Wisdom won his maiden by ten lengths but it was an uninspiring field and she has to run off an 83 merit rating, so this will be tougher. Gloria Mundi was beaten by over four lengths by Free In Seattle last time but has a better draw this time and Craig Zackey is up. Sensoria tries further which is interesting as she is in form and her pedigree gives her a chance of staying. Great Barrier was not far behind Sensoria last time.

In the eighth race over 1000m Pacific has been knocking on the door and should be right there as the handicapper has not touched his rating for those last three good runs. Smith And Wesson has pace and can stay on , although a number one draw over this course and distance might be the wrong side to be on. Lonely As A Cloud has appreciated being sent sent over the minimum trip and could be involved. Captain Efficient has honest form  and should be in the shake up. In The Ether could also be involved, having beaten Lonely As A Cloud narrowly last time.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1200m Phenisile Mongqawa has a fine chance of adding another win on Like A Prayer, who is improving and has a plum draw.

In the first leg of the PA over 2000m Shes Everyting is knocking hard and will enjoy this trip. Instant Attraction is always involved and from pole position over an ideal trip should go close. Lunar Rainbow should earn if repeating her last start. 

RACE 1     

8 LIKE A PRAYER 4 HIGHVELD STORM 3 OKLAHOMA TWISTER 1 MIZZEN SWORD

Preview: 8 LIKE A PRAYER is drawn well over a suitable trip and is on the up. 4 HIGHVELD STORM is consistently thereabouts and should be again from pole position. 3 OKLAHOMA TWISTER has ability in the context of this race and could be a threat. 1 MIZZEN SWORD has the ability to earn in this field. (David Thiselton 8-4-3-1) 

RACE 2     

3 SHES EVERYTHING 4 INSTANT ATTRACTION 5 LUNAR RAINBOW 2 PASS THE BATON

Preview: 3 SHES EVERYTHING is knocking hard and will enjoy this trip. 4 INSTANT ATTRACTION is always involved and from pole position over an ideal trip should go close. 5 LUNAR RAINBOW should earn if repeating her last start. 2 PASS THE BATON has shown hints of ability. (David Thiselton 93-4-5-2)

RACE 3     

7 PAGE BOY 3 CHARIOT OF FIRE 2 SPY STORY

Preview: 7 PAGE BOY 3 can improve over this trip but does have wide draw. 3 CHARIOT OF FIRE returns from a layoff and might run well fresh in this line up as he has shown some ability. 2 SPY STORY is a regular earner and should exit the maidens soon. (David Thiselton 7-3-2)

RACE 4     

7 AURORA GREEN 1 GHOSTBUSTER 3 INTRO 5 GIMME A GREEN CARD

Preview: 7 AURORA GREEN found some support on debut and was not disgraced and might appreciate the step up in trip although she is by Gimmethegreenlight out of the speedy Franny so is not certain to prefer this trip. 1 GHOSTBUSTER should go close if repeating her last start. 3 INTRO has put in some fair displays and should be in the shake up. 5 GIMME A GREEN CARD showed improvement last time and can improve again. (David Thiselton 7-1-3-5)

RACE 5     

5 DIMAKO’S JET 2 RANI OF KITTUR 4 I AM REGAL 7 KADIZORA

Preview: 5 DIMAKO’S JET won well last time just over two months ago and the form has been franked. 2 RANI OF KITTUR got a five point raise for his last win but the form has been franked. 4 I AM REGAL goes very well for Muzi Yeni and should be in the shake up. 7 KADIZORA is an honest hard knocking sort and should be right there. (David Thiselton 5-2-4-7)

RACE 6     

5 FREE IN SEATTLE 1 ANCIENT WISDOM 6 GLORIA MUNDI

Preview: 5 FREE IN SEATTLE is distance suited and is knocking on the door but has a wide draw. 1 ANCIENT WISDOM won his maiden by ten lengths but it was an uninspiring field and this will be tougher. 6 GLORIA MUNDI is capable of being involved here. (David Thiselton 5-1-6)

RACE 7     

8 EDWARD RYE 6 WYZEACT 7 CIAN THE CONQUEROR

Preview: 8 EDWARD RYE has an easier task here than his last two and can pick up the winning thread again. 6 WYZEACT is having no luck with draws but if ridden more patiently could run on late too earn. 7 CIAN THE CONQUEROR has a good draw and is 1kg better off with Rollwiththepunches for a 0,40 length beating, although the latter looked to have a bit in hand. (David Thiselton 8-6-7)

RACE 8     

9 PACIFIC 1 SMITH AND WESSON 5 LONELY AS A CLOUD 6 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT

Preview: 9 PACIFIC is knocking on the door and should be right there. 1 SMITH AND WESSON is an honest sort who get a good opportunity here although a low draw might be against him. 5 LONELY AS A CLOUD was not disgraced last time and is enjoying going over the minimum trip. 6 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT has honest form and should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 9-1-5-6)

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David Thiselton

Sandy Arundel dispels the common belief that marketing horseracing is unlikely to make an impact as she revealed she did not even know horseracing existed a few years ago and considering how much she and husband Eugene are now getting out of it she now finds that fact “sad.”

On Saturday they were on tenterhooks for a minute or two after initially believing the Glen Kotzen-trained Lancaster Bomber filly Rascova had given them their first Gr 1 victory, because they then learnt it was closer than they had believed. 

She said, “We stood there staring at each other and the angst of those few seconds … did she, or didn’t she?! Then obviously when they said she had won we all just went hysterical … it has been a long time coming. She has always had the ability. Some of the other fillies are bred for a mile and further, whereas she is probably better at 1400m. But anyway, she pulled it off and I think if we stick to that running style, we’ve got a chance to catch a few more.”

Sandy’s confidence was buoyed when Rascova was given a lead for a change.

She said, “There’s never another horse who jumps as quickly as she does and she is out of a mare who won over 1000m, so a mile was always going to be at the end of her range. We felt Gavin is such a master jockey there is no way you can give him instructions; he’s got to do what he’s going to do. Interestingly, when I saw Fatal Flaw going forward, I felt we were really in with a shout. Rascova got to conserve some energy early on for a change. Normally she does not have the energy in reserve for the kick at the end, because she is aggressive and uses up that energy early in the race. It worked out much better with something to chase. She just fought and fought and fought and, on the line, caught Double Grand Slam and got her head down.”

Rascova is a feisty filly and Sandy explained, “She’s kicked the gates before. She has to have three of her own booths in the truck otherwise she wants to kick them. Sometimes they have to unload her and arrange for a two berth to take her on her own to the races. She is a naughty madam. She pulls the blankets off other horses and tears them up, she pulls their tail hairs out! “

Sandy spoke about her introduction to horseracing.

She said, “I had no pony pedigree. I wish we had actually. My husband dabbled in betting, but in a very small way many, many years ago. I didn’t even know horseracing existed, to be honest. It’s quite sad, because if it is not in people’s faces, they don’t even know it exists. But I think it is getting better.”

She added, “My husband was always taken by the idea of horseracing as he had a friend growing up and his father had racehorses. We were friends with Bob Yearham and during Covid I didn’t have an idea what to buy my husband for a birthday present so I ended up buying him a small share in a horse (Mount Laurel) in the syndicate Bob was in.”

It escalated quickly for the Arundels from there. 

Although racing is chiefly marketed around betting the purists will always say it is the traditions and history behind the sport and the fascination of pedigree and conformation etc which are the chief attraction. And for the financially secure here is a sport where you can select your own team according to a specific budget. 

It is clear the Arundels are racing purists.

Sandy said, “I have always been a reader and my husband always says I speak as if I have been in horseracing for 30 years, because somebody would talk about a mare and I would go ‘Yes, that is the dam and these are the sisters and this is that.’ I’m probably quite a detailed person and I find the pedigrees very interesting.”

She continued, “Selecting horses is now something Eugene and I love doing together. It starts with me looking at the pages, I am the pedigree researcher, and Eugene is the specimen analyst.”

Sandy has got to know the various good families in the stud book very well and she added, “I have to say we have typically been stallion snobs. You know you are getting a good winners-to-runners percentage when you are buying the Vercingetorix’s and Gimmethegreenlights and One Worlds. But then just look at Rascova and what Lancaster Bomber has done with just one-and-a-half crops. It makes you think and so I think we will probably dabble a bit in a few of these new sires, although 75% of our crop will probably still be proven stallions.”

They have been mentored by the like of the late Jane Thomas and have consequently learnt a lot and she said, “It is not that difficult anymore to spot a bad walk or an over the knee or back of the knee.”

Sandy also looks at the numbers her trainers have got on their shortlists at any sale and if there is a significant overlap with her list, she knows she is on the right track with those ones.  

The Arundel’s, whose IT business is in Johannesburg, initially had all of their horses in KZN, because they had a holiday home there, so it was actually Summerveld trainer Wendy Whitehead who picked Rascova for them.

Sandy said, “We’ve always worked very well with Wendy and she’s such a lovely woman and we are eternally grateful to her.”

She continued, “After being in racing for close on two years we figured we want to race in different centres. It really coincided very much with Greg’s (Bortz) introducing those early juvenile incentives, so we wanted to put a few in Cape Town and Rascova was one of them.”

The next exciting engagement to look forward to for the Arundels is the Sean Tarry-trained World Of Alice in the Gr 2  Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas on Saturday. 

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