David Thiselton

At Kempton Park in England on Monday night there was one race of particular interest to South African fans as the winner was owned by Hollywoodbets owner Owen Heffer in partnership with Barnane Stud, which is owned by the Kieswetter family who also own South Africa’s Ridgemont breeding and racing operation, while the second-placed horse was owned by prolific Durban-based owner Nick Jonsson.

The Barnane Stud/Heffer-owned Richard Hannon-trained filly Zip It Up is beautifully bred and won by 7,5 lengths in impressive fashion on debut in the Novice Stakes event over six furlongs on the All weather surface. 

The Jonsson-owned William Haggas-trained Zoustar filly Mahato started 10/11 favourite on the grounds of winning on debut over six furlongs at Windsor by a comfortable 2,5 lengths, although she did disappoint in her second start at odds of 8/13 over seven furlongs on the Newcastle all weather track when dwelling at the start and eventually being beaten 6,5 lengths.

Zip It Up, who was bred by Barnane Stud, is by Lope De Vega, who was Europe’s leading sire last year and is leading the standings this year too.

She is out of a Juddmonte British-bred Oasis Dream dam called Button Down, who won a Gr 3 on the turf at Churchill Downs in the USA over a mile and a furlong among other Group placed efforts.

Zip It Up made all under St Leger-winning jockey Sean Levey on Monday night and was still going easily two furlongs out. She went clear at the furlong mark and was ridden out for an easy and impressive win.   

The Kieswetter/Heffer partnership have enjoyed great success together. The dual Gr 1-winning Dynasty filly Make It Snappy, who was bred and leased by Ridgemont, gave Heffer’s Hollywood Syndicate their first Gr 1 winner and the partnership has also enjoyed multiple Gr 1 success with the Willie Mullins-trained jumps horse Il Etait Temps, who has to date won four Gr 1s.

Sean Levey is riding the crest of a wave having landed his second British classic and third classic overall when winning Saturday’s St. Leger on the unbeaten Aidan O’Brien Galileo colt Jan Brueghel.

Levey, unbeknown to many, was born in Swaziland.

Levey, who won the 1000 Guineas on Billesdon Brook in 2018 and this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with Rosallion, said after Saturday’s success: “You’ll take any Classic, any Classic at this stage. Another one on my belt.

“Absolute privilege to get the ride from Aidan and the team. He looks like a very nice horse, he gives me the impression he could be a Gold Cup horse next year maybe, but I’m sure they will find a nice place for him to go next.

“I think he’s just a baby, he’s only a young thing. He ran in snatches a little bit down the back, but I got what I needed from him.

“I thought he might stop if I challenged too early. I always knew I would head him (Illinois) when I needed to.”

Levey, who joined O’Brien as a 17-year-old before moving to England in 2011, added: “No doubt he (O’Brien) has been very good to me. I’ve got him a winner and he’s been happy to use me and give an opportunity like today.”

Levey set two records when winning the 1000 Guineas on the Richard Hannon-trained Billesdon Brook back in 2018.

He became the first black jockey to win a British classic and Billesdon Brook was the longest priced winner in the history of the race.

Levey was born to Swazi mother Tini.

His father Mickey Levey was actually a jockey at one stage for trainer Rob Smyth in Epsom, before diversifying into bookmaking, stable ownership, hotel work and, briefly, a stint running amateur boxing in Swaziland, which led to a trip to the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Sean learnt to ride at a friend’s riding stable in Ezulwini in Swaziland and his father was on hand to give advice.

Andrew Harrison

Punters will need to do their homework on a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. 

One of the better bets could come in the first where Frank Robinson saddles One Path but it will not be easy for the son of One World. Although back from a lengthy break after making a promising debut, Robinson is expecting a big run from his charge. Wendy Whitehead saddles Sun In My Pocket who made a promising debut over course and distance and was then outclassed in feature company when a distant third but was well supported in the market. Blowin In The Wind has come on nicely at recent outings. She takes to the poly for the first time and Alyson Wright’s filly should make a bold bid. Hurricane Cat was a neck behind Blowin In The Wind when they met at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out and there should not be much between them again. Hurricane Cat has a quick action and the poly could bring out the best. 

There is very little form to go on in the second and it may be best to keep a weather eye on the betting. Best could be Oh Mandy who has a deep draw but did show up quite nicely when making her local debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She may have found her last start too far and back over a shorter trip on the poly could see her home in a difficult race. Dashing Duchess disappointed in her poly debut after showing promise at her second outing. She has drawn well and has a chance on her best showing. 

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a wide open handicap with many in with chances. Jazz Diva is at home on this surface and is over her optimum trip. With some luck in running she can go all the way for Andre Nel. Miss Paget goes well over course and distance but does have a deep draw and a big weight to contend with. However, she is in good form and should be competitive. Poursomesugaronme has shown her best form on the poly and was close-up in her last two over course and distance. She gets first time blinkers which could see her improve a length or two. Tomyris has hardly been out of the money at recent outings and has improved in blinkers. She switches to the poly. 

Nel has two chances in the fourth with Summer Song and Spring Kiss. Summer Song is lightly raced and her poly form is excellent. She got a six-point shunt up the handicap for her last win but even though she is a five-year-old she could still be improving. Spring Kiss finished behind State Secret last time out and is 1kg better off in the handicap. State Secret made a cracking handicap debut when touched off by Care Forgot. A wide draw is of concern but she has a handy galloping weight and looks progressive. Green Valkyrie steps up in trip but she is seldom far back and she well improve over this trip. 

Peter Muscutt appears to have found the key to Shoefella and although taking on stronger in the fifth, blinkers and the poly track appear to have got the best out of him. The best of the draw and a handy galloping weight will make him competitive. Lucky Dollar has done well over course and distance and he is holding form well. He is again up against El Dante who beat him last time out but MJ Odendaal has booked Rachel Venniker for the ride to nullify the difference in the official weights. El Dante does switch to the poly and older horses often take to the surface. Dynalley had made steady improvement before getting the better of stable companion Royal Swan Master last time out. He got a six-point penalty for that win which could hamper his chances. 

Moya Wa Linga has been costly to follow having started favourite at his last four starts. But he has placed in all four and is due a change of fortune in another competitive handicap. Run To Rio has another deep draw to contend with but he goes well over course and distance and can go one better. Winter Waves took on much stronger when third to Proud Master last time out. His most recent win was over course and distance and he gets some relief from top weight with Venniker booked to ride. Aberdeen has been disappointing but his best recent effort has been on the poly and the drop in trip could bring out the best. 

The striking grey Voldemort has been knocking on the door for some time now but his consistency has been his worst enemy with his handicap rating hardly moving. He got one point relief for his effort behind the useful The Shepherd last time out but the drop in trip against a weaker field could see him finally earn his fifth victory. Knight Warrior ran out an eye-catching winner over course and distance last time out and although he got a six-point rise in the handicap a repeat effort can see him close again. Double Olympic made a promising debut for his new stable. He comes off some fair Cape form and the switch to poly could suit. 

Arilena can round off the afternoon for Lorenzo Kariem. The mare is a lightly raced mare and was an easy winner last run in the Highveld, her first run back after a long break. She could be way under the handicapping radar and the switch to poly should suit. Lou Lou The Legend has his third run after a short break and was close-up at his last two. He has a handy draw and loves the poly. Hippocrates was touched off over course and distance last time out when starting at long odds. He is down in class but carries the corresponding jump in the weights. 

RACE 1

1 ONE PATH   7 SUN IN MY POCKET   6 BLOWIN IN THE WIND   2 HURRICANE CAT

Summary: Although back from a lengthy break after making a promising debut, Frank Robinson is expecting a big run from ONE PATH (1). Wendy Whitehead saddles SUN IN MY POCKET (7) who made a promising debut over course and distance and was then outclassed in feature company when a distant third but was well supported in the market. BLOWIN IN THE WIND (6) has come on nicely at recent outings. She takes to the poly for the first time and Alyson Wright’s filly should make a bold bid. HURRICANE CAT (2) was a neck behind Blowin In The Wind when they met at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out and there should not be much between them again. Hurricane Cat has a quick action and the poly could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-6-2).

RACE 2

10 OH MANDY   3 DASHING DUCHESS   4 JOAN THE WAD   6 FATE DECREED

Summary: Very little form to go on here so it may be best to keep a weather eye on the betting. OH MANDY (10) has a deep draw but did show up quite nicely when making her local debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She may have found her last start too far and back over a shorter trip on the poly could see her home in a difficult race. DASHING DUCHESS (3) disappointed in her poly debut after showing promise at her second outing. She has drawn well and has a chance on her best showing. Gary Rich is of the opinion that JOAN THE WAD (4) may just need it as she has not been out since April but she has shown some ability, albeit over further. FATE DECREED (6) has shown some improvement at recent outings and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-4-6).

RACE 3

7 JAZZ DIVA   11 MISS PAGET   9 POURSOMESUGARONME   6 TOMYRIS

Summary:  Wide open handicap with many in with chances. JAZZ DIVA (7) is at home on this surface and is over her optimum trip. With some luck in running she can go all the way for Andre Nel. MISS PAGET (11) goes well over course and distance but does have a deep draw and a big weight to contend with. However, she is in good form and should be competitive. POURSOMESUGARONME (9) has shown her best form on the poly and was close-up in her last two over course and distance. She gets first time blinkers which could see her improve a length or two. TOMYRIS (6) has hardly been out of the money at recent outings and has improved in blinkers. She switches to the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 7-11-9-6).

RACE 4

6 SUMMER SONG   7 GREEN VALKYRIE   5 SPRING KISS   11 STATE SECRET

Summary: Competitive handicap. SUMMER SONG (6) is lightly raced and her poly form is excellent. She got a six-point shunt up the handicap for her last win but even though she is a five-year-old she could still be improving. GREEN VALKYRIE (7) steps up in trip but she is seldom far back and she well improve over this trip. SPRING KISS (5), stable companion to Summer Song, finished behind State Secret last time out and is 1kg better off in the handicap. STATE SECRET (11) made a cracking handicap debut when touched off by Care Forgot. A wide draw is of concern but she has a handy galloping weight and looks progressive. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-5-11).

RACE 5

1 SHOEFELLA   3 LUCKY DOLLAR   7 EL DANTE   6 DYNALLEY

Summary: Peter Muscutt appears to have found the key to SHOEFELLA (1). Although taking on stronger, blinkers and the poly track appear to have got the best out of him. The best of the draw and a handy galloping weight will make him competitive. LUCKY DOLLAR (3) has done well over course and distance and he is holding form well. He is again up against EL DANTE (7) who beat him last time out but MJ Odendaal has booked Rachel Venniker for the ride to nullify the difference in the official weights. He does switch to the poly and older horses often take to the surface. DYNALLEY (6) had made steady improvement before getting the better of stable companion Royal Swan Master last time out. He got a six-point penalty for that win which could hamper his chances. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-7-6).

RACE 6

8 MOYA WA LINGA    11 RUN TO RIO   6 WINTER WAVES   10 ABERDEEN

Summary: MOYA WA LALIGA (8) has been costly to follow having started favourite at his last four starts. But he has placed in all four and is due a change of fortune in another competitive handicap. RUN TO RIO (11) has another deep draw to contend with but he goes well over course and distance and can go one better. WINTER WAVES (6) took on much stronger when third to Proud Master last time out. His most recent win was over course and distance and he gets some relief from top weight with Rachel Venniker booked to ride. ABERDEEN (10) has been disappointing but his best recent effort has been on the poly and the drop in trip could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 8-11-6-10).

RACE 7

10 VOLDEMORT   5 KNIGHT WARRIOR   4 DOUBLE OLYMPIC   7 KHSNYISA INDLELA

Summary: The striking grey VOLDEMORT (10) has been knocking on the door for some time now but his consistency has been his worst enemy with his handicap rating hardly moving. He got one point relief for his effort behind the useful The Shepherd last time out and the drop in trip against a weaker field could see him finally earn his fifth victory. KNIGHT WARRIOR (5) ran out an eye-catching winner over course and distance last time out and although he got a six-point raise in the handicap a repeat effort can see him close again. DOUBLE OLYMPIC (4) made a promising debut for his new stable. He comes off some fair Cape form and the switch to poly could suit. KHANYISA INDLELA (7) has not been out since surprising back in June but the stable is in good form. (Andrew Harrison: 10-5-4-7).

RACE 8

7 ARILENA   3 LOU LOU THE LEGEND   1 HIPPOCRATES   8 TEEREX

Summary: ARILENA (7) is a lightly raced mare who was an easy winner last run in the Highveld, her first run back after a long break. She could be way under the handicapping radar and the switch to poly should suit. LOU LOU THE LEGEND (3) has his third run after a short break and was close-up at his last two. He has a handy draw and loves the poly. HIPPOCRATES (10 was touched off over course and distance last time out when starting at long odds. He is down in class but carries the corresponding jump in the weights. TEEREX (8) was much improved in blinkers last run. He has a fair weight to shoulder but can run into the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-1-8).

David Thiselton

Zac Purton is closing in on the Hong Kong record number of winners held by Douglas Whyte as he clinched a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday to make it nine wins from 24 rides this season and 1749 Hong Kong career wins, 64 short of Whyte’s record of 1813.

It looks like more of the same this season with Purton dominating, although Hugh Bowman was making his presence felt last season before injury and had a double on Sunday to get his season going. However, he is already seven wins behind Purton after just three meetings. 

Matthew Poon is in second place on four wins in 18 rides while last season’s runner up Karis Teetan has had the same number of rides as Purton but is yet to record a win.

It could be another uphill battle for the South African riders on the island.

Luke Ferraris started off the season well with a win at each of the first two meetings for the burgeoning ex-pat Australian trainer Mark Newnham. However, of those who have had at least one win this season, and there are 13 of them, he has had the second least number of rides, just 12 rides in three meetings.

It has been even tougher going for Keagan de Melo, who only had one ride on Sunday and has had just fives rides this season with one fourth place being his only cheque. 

Lyle Hewitson is the one SA jockey who is threatening to break through, although the same could have been said at the beginning of last season in which his return of 40 was less than his previous season. Lyle has had 18 rides this season for one win, three seconds, one third, three fourths and a fifth. However, one of the statistics from last season shows the dearth of quality mounts the island’s leading ex-pat South African rider is getting. Of his 616 rides in the season, which was the third most on the log, he only had 14 rides in Graded events, seven Gr 3s, four Gr 2s and three Gr 1s, and none of his mounts in those events were good enough to win with his returns being a Gr 1 4th, two Gr 2 5ths, a Gr 3 2nd, a Gr 3 3^rd and three Gr 3 4ths. 

Compare that to the foreign rider Andrea Atzeni, who had total rides of 595 for 48 wins. Atzeni had 28 rides in Graded events, including ten rides in Gr 1 events, for a winning return of two Gr 3s.

Being in favour on the island relies largely on how lucky a rider is viewed to be and it would appear Hewitson has not cracked it as a lucky big race rider even if he is a popular choice for minor events.

Luke Ferraris only had 416 rides last season and only six were in Graded events.

De Melo had 419 rides and only seven were in Graded events.

The great Piere Strydom has ridden in Hong Kong with success, but soon chucked it in and said he would rather ride in jurisdictions where skill rather than luck was viewed as the best credential.

How long will the South Africans on the island manage to endure the relative lack of support or will things change?

Luke Ferraris’ association with Mark Newnham augurs well. Newnham sent out an excellent 31 wins in his first season last term and he is joint leader on four wins this season. Of Newnham’s 31 wins last season, Ferraris rode 12 of them, so that represented a good proportion of Ferraris’ 28 wins in total last season.

However, the short-priced favourite of Newnham’s that won on Sunday was ridden by Purton. 

Purton can be compared to Richard Fourie out here. It seems apparent that if connections can get him they will do, so with Newnham’s burgeoning profile Purton might muscle in and take the cream. 

Of course the plus side of Hong Kong is the massive stakes and this can set up a jockey and his family for life.

Hewitson’s earnings last season were $76,313,830 (R173,232,394), Ferraris’ were $37,026,775 (R84,050,779) and De Melo’s $39,398,025 (R89,433,517). 

Compare that to the R44,651,019 stakes earnings of Richard Fourie in his record-breaking 2023/2024 season.

So it is tough on one side for the foreign jockeys, but plenty would be willing to take their place given the opportunity.