Graeme Hawkins

Cape Racing presents a competitive 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, with several well filled wide-open low-grade races set to test punters to the full. The exception in terms of field size is the richest race on the programme, the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1500m, for which the field has been reduced to just eight runners following the scratchings of Major Master and Future Turn. But their absence does not necessarily make the task of narrowing the list of potential winners any easier.

World of Pleasure is the early market leader at 5/2 and the 3yo son of One World trained by Vaughan Marshall is clearly talented. In his most recent outing over 1400m World Of Pleasure was narrowly denied by Captain West and Sean Veale, who rode a double at the course on Monday, retains the ride. The extra 100m is not necessarily in his favour and being drawn on the outside of the small field is also a slight negative. I prefer the chances of Big Unit whose form is solid and from a good draw the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate will have every chance of recording his third career victory for the in-form combination of Louis Mxothwa and Brett & James Crawford.

Strictly on form Mauritius Kestrel should be comfortably held by World Of Pleasure but this will be his peak run after being rested and gelded and there is definite scope for improvement. Song Of The Moon is an eye-catching 4yo son of What A Winter but the Justin Snaith inmate has shown his best form over more ground. That said, the Snaith/Yeni partnership enjoyed a fruitful day on Monday and Song Of The Moon cannot be lightly discarded. Pas De Nom is a 5-time winner but is not the most reliable around and it’s difficult to assess his chances. Innamorare also tends to be a little inconsistent while Aspect has been below par in his last two starts and World Of Pleasure may be the stable elect. Katsu has not raced since June last year due to a pastern injury and is likely to need this run.

It all adds up to being a tricky race, but I am inclined to take a punt on Big Unit with Mauritius Kestrel and World Of Pleasure his principal dangers.

The second race and opening leg of the Bipot, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, sees the return of the promising Rhydian from the Dean Kannemeyer. The 3yo son of Rafeef was placed in all four starts as a juvenile behind several talented sorts but he has not raced since June last year. Fit and well Rhydian would take a lot of beating but the market may be the best guide to his chances. Ocean Sky showed promise on debut when runner-up behind Dawn’s Early Night in a modest maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and has clear scope for significant improvement with the benefit of that run under the belt. The 2yo Day In Day Out also showed ability on his first racetrack appearance and the form of that race has been franked.

The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, has attracted a full field of 20 runners and the layers have priced up Tanneron as the 6/1 favourite. The only sure-fire way of surviving this leg would be to include the field but such a strategy immediately places the cost of the perm beyond the reach of most budgets, and I will take my chances by banking on Tanneron and hoping for the best. Tanneron was runner-up in her last two starts and has always been highly regarded by Candice Bass-Robinson. Captain’s Destiny should also go well and rates the immediate danger to Tanneron but there are others, too many to mention, with winning claims.

Lady Look Alike should be able to take full advantage of a good draw in the fifth race, a Class 5 (F&M) Handicap over 1400m. Her recent form is encouraging, and the stable is presently in fine form. Tres Chic is ideally course and distance suited and may prove a lively threat with Corne Orffer in the irons. Beer With The Boys has the heavy impost of 64 kgs to carry in the eighth race, a Cape D Stakes over 1600m, but the 4yo son of Silvano is consistent and can be expected to go well from a handy barrier position. His opposition here is largely out of form but with only 53,5 to carry for the services of apprentice Bungane, Summer Night City could be the lurker in the pack.

The ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, has attracted a decent field and the leading lights could be Hoodia, Unicorn Alert and King’s Quest, all of which have shown above average ability. Heal And Soul is lightly raced with plenty of upside and could be a threat from pole position while Touchdown appears to have found his best form and cannot be ignored, despite an awkward draw.

Electric Feels doesn’t know what it is to run a bad race and the 5yo mare could register her fifth career victory in the 10th race, a low-grade Cape D Stakes over 1000m. Over The Atlantic re-opposes here and is weighted to go close while Gravity and Champagne Mac could get into the scrum.

Racing gets under way at 11:55 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m and the weather forecast is good. Whatastar and She’s My World are the chief protagonists in the opener with a slight preference for the latter.

RACE 1

2 WHATASTAR is much better than her recent run in the Cape Slipper behind Military Command, she drops back in trip now to 1000m and she gets the blinkers fitted, watch for a massive performance from this well-bred filly. 6 SHE’S MY WORLD has been rested for 81 days, she has only had two runs to date, and both those runs were really good, if she doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday afternoon, she will be right there in the finish. 1 INSIDE VOICE finished her race off really well on debut, she was terribly green early and then stayed on strongly late behind Amen Corner, she can only improve from that performance, include her into all bets. 3 LOVE HER MADLY has been rested for 95 days, she is a lot better than her recent run behind Music Of The Night, she could easily trouble them in the finish, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 1 – 3)

RACE 2

9 DAY IN DAY OUT ran well on debut, he stayed on strongly to the finish just over three lengths behind Military Command, he should improve tons from that performance, include him into all bets. 5 RHYDIAN is interesting, he has been rested for a long time and he has been gelded, he has run behind some very nice horses through his career, this will be on the short side for him, but he could be very hard to beat if he doesn’t need the run badly. 12 OCEAN SKY ran a fair race on debut behind Dawn’s Early Light, it wasn’t a strong Maiden Plate, but he was green and caught the eye late, he should improve nicely from that run, include him into your play. 13 KLEIN KAROO has been rested for 67 days, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 5 – 12 – 13)

RACE 3

15 SUN DAZED finished like a train last time behind Mont Loisir, he was a long way back in running and stayed on strongly for second, he has tumbled in the ratings, with the right run in transit here, he will be very competitive again. 6 TRIPPI’S SILK was very disappointing behind Tambourine Man on the 8th of March, he can be a tricky customer on his day, if the race works out for him and he gets the cover needed early, he will be dangerous in the finish. 13 TAMBOURINE MAN is in great form, his last two wins have been impressive, despite him going up in the ratings, he needs to be respected in this tricky race. 7 TRUE HORIZON is as honest as they come, she tries hard, she should be amongst the places again. (Brandon Bailey: 15 – 6 – 13 – 7)

RACE 4

4 CAPTAIN’S DESTINY has been rested for 67 days, her last two runs have been excellent, she needs some cover early and then she comes with a storming finish late, there is no doubt that she will be competitive. 11 TANNERON ran a cracking second last time behind Pilot Flame, she is in good form at the moment and must be included into all bets. 10 PILOT FLAME was given a top ride by Jockey Richard Fourie on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she fought hard all the way to the line and managed to beat Tanneron in a driving finish, even though she was given two points for that win, she must have a good winning chance again. 14 MIRACULOUS has run two very good races from wide draws in her last two starts, the yard thinks highly of this filly, the drop in trip is no problem at all, she must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 11 – 10 – 14)

RACE 5

2 LADY LOOK ALIKE has dropped in the ratings nicely, she has run some fair races in her last few starts, this looks a golden opportunity for her to get back into the winners box from a good draw, she will be very hard to beat. 11 IM THE BUZZ has dropped even further in the ratings, she ran a lovely race last time behind Mont Loisir, this doesn’t look to be a strong Class 5 event, if she can build on that last performance and get some luck in running from a wide draw, she could earn again for the connections. 12 ENGLISH MISTRESS remains a maiden, she will be switched off early from a wide draw and should be doing some good work late, she must have a good place chance in this field. 13 BRIGHT GOLD won well on the 15th of February, she is still improving and must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 11 – 12 – 13)

RACE 6

4 MAJOR MASTER has been rested and gelded, he is a lovely looking horse with tons of ability, he was beaten just over five lengths in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes on the 25th of January, the yard have always spoken highly of this individual, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he will go very close to winning. 2 BIG UNIT ran a great race from a wide draw last time, he should get the run of the race this time from a good draw, include him into all bet types. 10 WORLD OF PLEASURE has been in great form of late, his last run behind Captain West was good, he looks to be improving with every start, watch him closely, if he can beat the draw, he will be right there in the finish. 3 SONG TO THE MOON stayed on well from a wide draw behind his stable companion on the 25th of January, he will be stalking the speed early and running on powerfully late. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 10 – 3)

RACE 7

11 HAMPSTEAD HEATH ran a fair race in a small field on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she is a decent filly, she has dropped one point in the ratings from her last start, if she gets the luck needed on Wednesday from a wide draw, she will be competitive. 3 PENTOLINA has run two very good races in succession, she should get the perfect run in transit from a good draw, if she can keep building on her recent form, she will have a nice each way chance here. 6 POCKET DIAL finished powerfully last time behind Pilot Flame, there is no doubt she will love the step back up in trip to 1600m, she could be some value in this wide-open looking contest. 9 GOLDEN ANGEL has dropped even further in the ratings, she is a lot better than her form suggests, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 3 – 6 – 9)

RACE 8

13 WEHAVEASITUATION finally got it right last time, she was a long way back in running, and she absolutely took off late to win going away, now that she has the confidence, she could go on from here and win again. 2 BEER WITH THE BOYS never runs a bad race, he stayed on well for second behind My Bestie on the 26th of February, he drops in trip for this Class D stakes and he gets a good draw, if the weight doesn’t catch him out, he will be right there in the finish. 1 MOHANDAS has been rested for 70 days, he ran a much better race on the 5th of February, if he can back that performance up on Wednesday, he could certainly earn again for the connections. 5 SUMMER NIGHT CITY is much better than her recent run behind Lavender Bay, with the apprentice taking off 4kgs, she could bounce back to best. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 2 – 1 – 5)

RACE 9

8 CHASINGTHERAINBOW absolutely flew home to win a good race on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, it was the first time in his career that he was tried over some ground, he will love the extra 200m here, he is still improving, he will go very close to winning again. 5 HOODIA ran a fair race from a wide draw behind Okavango on the 5th of March, from a decent draw, he should get the perfect run with no excuses, include him into all bet types. 12 TOUCHDOWN moved up like a winner in his last start, he travelled well and just found an improving three year old too strong on the day, if he can beat the draw, he will have a good each way chance. 1 HEAL AND SOUL made up good ground from a long way back last time, he should enjoy the 1600m trip, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 5 – 12 – 1)

RACE 10          

3 ELECTRIC FEELS won a super race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of March, she was given four points for that victory, she needs a particular ride, if she gets the cover early, she will be storming home late, at this level, she will always have a good winning chance. 8 COUNTRY TIME has improved nicely in her last two starts, now that she races back up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and she gets 4kgs off her back from the apprentice, she will be right there in the finish. 7 GRAVITY stayed on well for third behind Electric Feels on the 22nd of March, the blinkers have been removed, on his best form, he could certainly remain competitive and must be respected. 12 OVER THE ATLANTIC showed massive improvement to run a good race last time, if she can back that performance up, she could win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 8 – 7 – 12)

David Thiselton

At Turffontein Standside on Saturday the Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody stamped himself as a Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint contender to reckon with when putting in his second fine performance in succession.

On March 20 on Turffontein Inside the son of Buffalo Bill Cody had his first run as a gelding and after looking a picture of alertness and well being in the preliminaries he romped home by 8,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena. On Saturday he had a tougher task in the Non-Black Type Mythical Flight Sprint for three-year-olds and he knuckled down in the final stages to pull clear and win by two lengths under Lerena after being backed in to 4/10, although he was receiving 2kg from the runner up Mount Pinatubo.

The Golden Horse Sprint has been downgraded to a Gr 2 event and it has a benchmark of 52kg equals a 106 merit rating. Buffalo Storm Cody ran off a 102 merit rating on Saturday and he probably ran close to a 110, considering the spread out nature of the finish in the small field. As three-year-olds get 1,5kg in May he will carry 52,5kg in the Golden Horse as things stand, although he might have another outing before then and incur a further merit rating increase.

There was an interesting winner of the first race at Turffontein over 1160m, the Mike de Kock-trained Gimmethegreenlight filly Jingleberry, who was bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and is owned by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. 

She is out of the Western Winter mare Strawberry Line, who is a full sister to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Solo Travellers, and she displayed a fine turn of foot to come from off the pace to win comfortably under Gavin Lerena. 

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Heavenly Blue gelding Royal Force put up a fine performance to win a strongly contested Graduation Plate over 1400m under Piere Strydom. He 98 rated horse carried the same weight as Aristotle, rated 113, and Grand Crescendo, rated 114, and beat them comfortably to the surprise of Houdalakis and Strydom so should pay to follow as he can only get a six point raise. 

The chief overseas action on Saturday was as  Randwick in Australia.

James Steven’s of the Racing Post wrote:

Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record of seven Group 1 victories in one season with another dominant display in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as the British-trained Dubai Honour finished second.

Viva Sistina was a top-level winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh when trained by George Boughey in Newmarket before being bought for 2,700,000gns to race in Australia after her fine second to King Of Steel in the 2023 Champion Stakes. The seven-year-old proved an instant success with victory in the Ranvet Stakes but has gone from strength to strength this campaign.

The evens favourite appeared to be short of room in a bunched field turning for home under James McDonald at Randwick yet surged into the lead when a gap finally appeared to win comfortably.

Her seven Group 1 victories include success over seven furlongs at the start of the season and takes her total career haul to £6.6 million.

Elsewhere at Randwick, the Rachel King-ridden Arapaho landed the Sydney Cup and was cut to 25-1 with Unibet for the Melbourne Cup.

RACE 1     

3 IDEAL SUMMER 5 ETHICAL 4 BOLD ACTION 8 LADY NOIR

Preview: 3 IDEAL SUMMER  ran an improved race when stepped up to 1600m second time out but does have a tricky draw here.5 ETHICAL should improve over this trip and should be in the shake-up. 4 BOLD ACTION has run two fair races and being by Futura should enjoy this step up and trip. 8 LADY NOIR might be able to place here. (David Thiselton 3-5-4-8)

RACE 2     

3 RINGHO 2 ALESIAN BEAU 8 PANNING SILVER 7 MISS TAKES

Preview: 3 RINGHO has run three good races and has a chance here. 2 ALESIAN BEAU was slightly ahead of Ringho last time out and there should not be much in it again but Ringho does have a favourable high draw. 8 PANNING SILVER drops back to a trip which should suit her.7 MISS TAKES made a fair debut and could improve. (David Thiselton 3-2-8-7)

RACE 3     

10 QUIET WINTER 8 CAPTAIN SELVIE 1 DESERT CLOUD 2 PANTHERA UNCIA

Preview: 10 QUIET WINTER made a good debut and could be the one to beat. 8 CAPTAIN SELVIE made a fair debut and might prefer this trip. 1 DESERT CLOUD has promise and should have come on from his last run. 2 PANTHERA UNCIA is knocking on the door and should be involved. (David Thiselton 10-8-1-2)

RACE 4  

3 QUANTUM THEORY 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 5 DANTONFROMSANDTON

Preview: 3 QUANTUM THEORY is in good form and should be right there. 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER Chocolate Soldier is very quick but 1200m might stretch him. 5 DANTONFROMSANDTON is better than his last run and could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 3-2-5)

RACE 5     

8 FUTURE KING 1 GIFT OF ROYAL 9 INCLUSION 2 BLURRED VISION

Preview: 5 FUTURE KING should improve over this trip and should be in the shake-up. 1 GIFT OF ROYAL is no great shakes but has a chance in this line-up. 9 INCLUSION should enjoy the step-up and trip and could also be placed. 2 BLURRED VISION could also be in the shake-up here. (David Thiselton 5-1-9-2)

RACE 6     

8 PLAYER 2 LA MOOHAL 1 MASTER CHRISTMAS 

Preview: 8 PLAYER has plenty of ability and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there. 2 LA MOOHAL is also capable of being in the shake-up. 1 MASTER CHRISTMAS has been facing some good opposition and from pole position should make his presence felt.  (David Thiselton 8-2-1)

RACE 7     

5 SONIC JET 7 POINTER 9 DESTINY OF FIRE

Preview: 5 SONIC JET went well over this trip category last time and has a plum draw on the outside.7 POINTER has plenty of ability and this looks to be a suitable trip. 9 DESTINY OF FIRE is knocking hard but does have a low draw. (David Thiselton 5-7-9)

RACE 8     

1 BLIND AMBITION 2 MOUNTAIN HIGH 4 STORMY SUNDAY 3 LAST CAR TO PASS

Preview: 1 BLIND AMBITION  is knocking on the door and is drawn on the right side. 2 MOUNTAIN HIGH should make a bold bid over a trip he or she should enjoy. 4 STORMY SUNDAY  might enjoy the step-down on the trip but does have a low draw to contend with. 3 LAST CAR TO PASS has shown ability and is capable of placing here. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3)

RACE 9     

6 PRINCESS ILARIA 7 SIGRID SWING 10 MOCHA MACAROON 9 TANA MAREE

Preview: 6 PRINCESS ILARIA is in fine form and from a plum high draw can make it a hat trick. 7 SIGRID SWING is course and distance suited and also has a nice high draw. 10 MOCHA MACAROON is in fine form  and from a middle draw could be in the money. 9 TANA MAREE won well in the maidens but does have a low draw to contend with. (David Thiselton 6-7-10-9)

RACE 10    

4 THUNDERBIRD 5 CHABAL 13 SEA SHANTY 16 SAIL THE SKY

Preview: 4 THUNDERBIRD is drawn on the right side over a suitable trip and is the one to beat. 5 CHABAL has a fair middle draw and if repeating his last dot he should be in the shake-up. 13 SEA SHANTY disappointed last time but is better than that and is drawn on the right side. 16 SAIL THE SKY is knocking hard and has a nice high draw. (David Thiselton 4-5-13-16)

David Thiselton

The BSA National Yearling Sale showed that optimism still prevails in South African racing as the statistics were only slightly down on last year’s phenomenal returns.

There were no fewer than 43 lots sold for seven figure amounts and this was in fact identical to last year’s number of seven figure lots sold.

That was despite there being less horses on this year’s Sale.

The 2024 Sale saw a phenomenal increase in average from R442,672 in 2023 to R581,948 and this year saw a slight decrease to R563,852.

There are some who say the median is a better indicator of the depth of a Sale than the average and the median was unchanged from last year to this year on R400,000.

The aggregate decreased from R200,190,000 to R171,975,000.

However, the only real difference was the top end. The top price last year was R6,000,000 and there were three lots that were R5 million or above, whereas this year’s top lot was R4,250,000.

The number of lots sold decreased from 344 to 305, which mirrors the lament that there are not enough horses being bred in the country at present. The opening of direct travel to Europe proceeded last year’s blockbuster Sale and hopefully it will also lead to more horses being bred. Next year’s Sale numbers should give an indication of whether we are going in the right direction.

The Not Sold figure decreased from 20 last year to eleven this year, which was a positive change.

Form Bloodstock purchased all of the top 4 lots over the two days and were top buyers, their 15 purchases amounting to 27,075,000 for an average of R1,805,000.

The top vendor was Wilgerbosdrift with 20 lots fetching R20,075,000 for an average of R1,003,750.

Vercingetorix was the top sire as expected with 25 lots going for R35,875,000 for a phenomenal average of R1,435,000, a new BSA National Yearling Sale record, although it did not match his Cape Racing Sales March Sale average of R 1,661,364.

It was interesting to see Rafeef in second place at Nationals and he was also the only other sire to average above R1 million.

Freshman sire Hawwaam was third by aggregate, although reigning champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight was third by average.

Malmoos proved popular and was prominent in the statistics.

The highest price was for a Rafeef colt called October Rush, who is out of the Var mare Miss October. This colt is a half-brother to two Gr 1 winners, Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and October Morn (Trippi), and Form Bloodstock went to R4,250,0000 to secure him. The colt was vendored by Avontuur Estate but was bred by Avontuur in partnership with the late David Abery.

Abery passed away last September and was a tremendous loss to the industry as he was instrumental in getting the ban on direct travel lifted.

It is fitting that after the lifting of the ban, and the accompanying Sales buoyancy, Abery has had two horses sold at the BSA National Yearling Sale for massive prices.

The story starts when Abery raced the Var filly Miss October with a big group of friends.

Miss October was very quick, despite her second dam being July winner Devon Air, and she didn’t stay beyond 1000m.

A full sister to Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush, she was trained by Neil Bruss to win two of her first three starts, she then moved to Dennis Drier for whom she won first time out and she later moved to Geoff Woodruff, probably to take advantage of the fast sprint tracks of the Highveld, and for him she won two races including the Gr 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.

All five of her wins were over 1000m.

None of the other owners wanted to breed with Miss October, so David phoned Pippa Mickelburgh, stud manager of Miss October’s breeder Avontuur Estates, and together they bought the other owners out.

Miss October has gone on to breed two Gr 1 winners, Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and October Morn (Trippi) and she has had three seven figure yearlings sold at the BSA National Yearling Sale.

Last year Miss October’s colt by boom sire Vercingetorix fetched R2.8 million and this year, as mentioned, her Rafeef colt was the Sale topper.

Furthermore, October Morn was sold last year, appropriately in October, by the Abery Family Syndicate and was purchased by one of the world’s leading breeders, Australian John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud.

Abery’s decision to breed with Miss October has paid handsome dividends and has been a wonderful investment for his family as Miss October’s family is burgeoning and should provide lucrative financial rewards.

On Day 2 of the Sale the highest priced lot was R3 million for a Lammerskraal Stud-bred filly by Vercingetorix out of the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes-winning Western Winter mare Redberry Lane.

The second highest price on the Sale was actually the first lot of the whole Sale and was also out of a Garden Province winner. This Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt was out of the Master Of My Fate mare Zarina and went for R3,250,000.