The Triple Crown Beckons
Saturday
proved to be something of a watershed for the young three-year-old
Pierre Jourdan as he showed in the Gauteng Guineas that he is one of the
best of his generation.
Piere Jourdan met a field of classy
three-year-olds in the R1-million mile race at Turffontein, a distance
he was attempting for the first time. The son of Parade Leader was the
highest rated horse in the race and confirmed that rating as he easily
beat the opposition by over two lengths.
Jockey Derreck David rode a mature and
competent race as he settled the youngster off the pace in the last
third of the field in the early going, the pairing traveling
comfortably.
Coming into the
home straight Piere Jourdan moved up the inside of the track where the
going on the day had been decidedly poorer than elsewhere on the track.
He moved past the leading horses and under a confident ride went on to
score the victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
The manner in which Pierre Jourdan won
suggested that the next leg of the Triple Crown could well be within his
grasp and from what he has shown to date there appears to be many more
wins in the tank.
Congratulations
to all concerned.
Pierre Jourdan shows his class
Pierre Jourdan, the three-year-old
son of Parade Leader, got back to winning ways at Turffontein on Tuesday
evening 9 February when he won the Grade 3 Tony Ruffle Stakes over
1400m at the city track.
The talented three-year-old came
up against a quality field that included the two Charles Laird imports,
Curved Ball and stable elect for the race, Galileo's Galaxy. The latter
of the two Laird runners went off as favourite for the R200 000 contest
and looked the part based on his Cape form and the 4kg weight advantage
he had over Pierre Jourdan and his stablemate.
However, the weights as well as the
formbook when out the window as the quality stable youngster came from
off the pace to get the better of Galileo's Galaxy by a neck with
Echohawk third and Curved Ball fourth, beaten two lengths by the winner.
With this win under his belt and
the scalps he claimed, Pierre Jourdan looks destined to enjoy a very
good career.
Good
luck to all the connections.
Arabian Mist blows 'em away
Arabian
Mist, a five-year-old son of Muhtafal and half brother to sprinting
star Nhlavini, followed in his now retired sibling's hooves when he
easily captured the Grade Defy Merchants at Turffontein on Saturday 28
November 2009.
The
now seven-time winner had yet to meet a field of sprinters of this class
but he showed in no uncertain terms that he is a quality thoroughbred,
beating the field home by over two lengths. What makes the performance
that much more impressive is that the gelding had the better of the
likes of Red Flyer, winner of the Umgeni Handicap, and Sharks Bay,
runner-up in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint and winner of the Grade 2 Post
Merchants, over six lengths behind him.
The handicapper are sure to raise
his merit rating on that performance but the son of Muhtafal looks
capable of more back-type wins and should ensure his owners and breeder
many more exciting race days. Congratulations to all.
Pierre Jourdan is a class act
Pierre Jourdan, the three-year-old
son fo Parade Leader bred by Summerhill Stud, has established himself as
one of the best of his generation by winning the Peermont Emperor's
Palace Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein on Saturday 7 November.
The strapping bay gelding easily
skipped clear of the opposition in the last 100m of the 1400m contest,
going away from the field to win by an ever increasing margin of two
lengths.
Rider Sean Cormack, a late stand-in
for stable jockey Derreck David who fractured his ankle in two places
in a fall at the Vaal on Thursday, rode a perfect race giving Pierre
Jourdan every chance and showing what class this thoroughbred has.
Purchased for just R60 000, Pierre
Jourdan has won in excess of R855 000 and looks destined to add
substantially to that increasing tally.
Congratulations to owners Emilio
Baisero and Gary Alexander.
(to view the finish of the race go
to http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=4217)
Pierre Jourdan makes it two from
two
Pierre Jourdan, a three-year-old
son fo Parade Leader bred by Summerhill Stud, has been to the track
twice and remains unbeaten, his last win coming at the expense of some
decent sorts, albeit with the assistance of the Sitpendiary Stewards.
Having shown a touch of class when
winning impressively on debut, the youngster comfortably managed the
step up in class to win a Progress Plate over 1450m on the inside track
at Turffontein on Saturday 24 October 2009. The winning margin is
recorded as having been a head, but the verdict had to be delivered in
the board room where the stipes agreed that had Piere Jourdan not been
interferred with he would have won the race, beating feature-race placed
Smanjemanje and two-time winner Winter's Night.
Pierre Jourdan looks destined for
bigger things and is sure to give his owners many exciting moments.
Hidden Rave gives notice
Owner Fred Crabbia's Hidden
Rave, a three-year-old son of Var, gave notice at Turffontein on
Saturday 10 October that he is one to watch.
Bred
by Fred, the youngster made his seasonal debut in the Listed Falcon
Sprint over 1200m on the inside track at Turffontein, knocking heads
with some promising thoroughbreds of his age.
Hidden
Rave had a poor draw to contend with but made light of it and finished a
very creditbale second to unbeaten Massimiliano, but beating home the
likes of Bulsara, Forestation and Storm Crossing, to name a few.
Having
finished fourth in the Nursery last season and now have opened this
season with a listed-race second, Hidden Rave looks destined to carry
the yard's flag with distinction.
Super day at Turffontein
Stable rider Derrek David
booted home two winners for the yard at Turffontein on Saturday 12
September and was unlucky when second on a third of the stable horses.
The
first winner for the stable and David came in the fourth race of the
afternoon. Celestial Blue, a daughter of Jallad owned by Kirk Michael,
Greg Sadie, Myron Berzack and Graham Beck, was a comfortable winner over
1600m in a fillies and mares handicap. (To view this performance,
please click here http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=3858)
The
second winner of the afternoon was Superfederation. The promising son
of Kahal was having his third run after being gelded and battled gamely
to get the better of in-form Iron Curtain over 1800m. There appears to
be a few more in the tank for this youngster and owners Julie Alexander,
Bruce Gardner, Kirk Michael, Len Smart and the Freeracer.co.za
Syndicate look set to have a lot more fun going forward. (To view this
performance, please click here http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=3861)
The
unlucky runner of the day was the imposing Mick's Machine. Fedai
Kahraman's charge looked to have the eighth race in the bag but traffic
problems in the straight saw him being outgunned late, beaten into
second. He is promising and is sure to recoup loses.
Derreck David joins the
team
Apprentice Derrek David has
joined the Gary Alexander Racing team as stable rider. Dean and Gary
confirmed this week that South Africa's Champion
Apprentice had agreed to come on board.
David secured last season's
Champion Apprentice title by winning 78 races over the year and in so
doing taking the title. Although Derreck still has much to learn his
drive and determination, two qualities that secured him the championship
last season, are sure to stand him in good stead as he and the stable
move forward through the season, both benefitting from a relationship
that promises much.
Arabian Mist makes it 6
from 16
Arabian
Mist, a five-year-old son of Muhtafal, recorded his sixth career win
from just 16 outings at Turffontein on Saturday 22 August 2009 as he got
the better of stablemate Mick's Machine over 1160m.
Mick's
Machine, a four-year-old son of Muhtafal, had beaten Arabian Mist in
their last outing when the latter was 5kg better off at the weights.
With just 0,5kg in it on Saturday, the year older son of Muhafal got the
verdict.
The
performances of both horses were noteworthy and their respective owners
look destined to have a lot of fun with these well-related individuals.
Flintlock Fires
Six-year-old Flintlock gave his
owners renewed hope at the Vaal on Thursday 6 August 2009 when over
1000m in the sand he bounced back to best and won the sprint in
impressive fashion.
The son of Dominion Royale injured
himself in last year's running of the Golden Horse Casino Sprint, a race
after he had run the speed machine JJ The Jet Plane to a neck in the
Computaform Sprint, giving the champion 1,5kg.
Flintlock had shown little of that
level of ability following the Golden Horse Sprint, but the move to race
him on the sand proved decisive as he added his seventh career win to
his record, doing it the hard way as he came from last to mow down the
opposition.
This win took the R190 000
purchase's earnings to over the R800 000 mark and this level looks set
to rise based on today's performance.
Best wishes to the owners.
South
Country and Mick's Machine impress
Turffontein this past Sunday proved to be a
good testing ground for promising three-year-olds South Country and
Mick's Machine.
South Country recorded his third win in a row
as he simply spready-eagled the opposition under an easy and confident
ride by Champion Jockey elect, Andrew Fortune.
This was the fifth win for the son of National
Assembly and took his earnings past the R300 000 mark. He appears to be
getting better all the time and a 'big one' looks on the cards. Good
luck to owner John Robertson.
Mick's Machine, the impressive looking son of
Muhtafal, recorded an emphatic win over 1400m at Turffontein on Sunday,
giving the opposition a lesson in racing.
This win was the second in just five outings
for the three-year-old and if he continues on this path he looks set to
many more victories. Best wishes go to owners Fedai Kahraman and Berdan
Yerlikaya, Turkish-based patrons of the stable.
Meydan to open in January 2010
Meydan has announced January 28,
2010 as the date that global racing enters an exciting new era with the
first meeting to be staged at Meydan.
The first meeting will coincide
with the start of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival and
feature the opening round of the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge for
thoroughbreds and Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians.
Commenting on the announcement, the
Chairman of Meydan, Mr. Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said, “It is with great
pleasure and excitement that we announce the first meeting to be held at
Meydan will be on January 28, 2010.”
“The racing facilities will be
ready by October 31st this year,” Mr. Al Tayer added.
“By having it ready on October
31st, all horsemen, whether they are Dubai-based or visitors from abroad
will have time to familiarize themselves with the facility to ensure
they are prepared to compete to the highest standard when racing begins
in January.”
“Meydan was introduced to the world
on the eve of the Dubai World Cup in 2007 and to have it ready for
racing in January 2010 is a remarkable achievement.”
“Horse racing around the world is
showcased at great racecourses with wonderful histories and traditions,
but with Meydan we believe we are taking the sport to a new level and
into a new era.”
Meydan will encompass two tracks, a
1,750m all-weather surface inside a 2,400m turf course, while its
Grandstand is unprecedented in the world of horse racing; accommodating
60,000 people and including a five-star hotel, marina, IMAX cinema, six
haute cuisine restaurants and a museum.
“The opening of Meydan will be a
defining moment in the sport's global history. Unparalleled levels of
luxury, customer comfort and racing technology will be combined to
create the ultimate horseracing experience,” Mr. Al Tayer said.
"We wanted to develop a world-class
facility and I cannot think of any other racecourse in the world that
will rival it.”
"As we are setting the benchmark in
terms of world-class facilities, we want to complement that with
increased prize-money of US$10 million, to continue to entice the best
horses in the world for the 2010 Dubai World Cup.”
Derived from an Arabic word meaning
„where people congregate and race‟, Meydan takes over from Nad Al Sheba
which was Dubai‟s centre of racing from November 13, 1992 until the
2009 Dubai World Cup held earlier this year.
“Nad Al Sheba has had a proud
history of racing in Dubai and that will continue with Meydan,” Mr. Al
Tayer said, "But Meydan is not just for UAE, it's for the whole world."
The opening round of the Al Maktoum
Challenge has been the traditional starting point for the Dubai
International Racing Carnival and the first Carnival to be held at
Meydan will again close with the Super Thursday meeting on March 4,
2010.
The first staging of the Dubai
World Cup at Meydan will be on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
“To build such a facility and have
minimal interruption to our racing has been phenomenal,” said Mr. Frank
Gabriel Jr., CEO of the Dubai Racing Club.
“The Dubai International Racing
Carnival will be held as usual in 2010 and while its growth has been
evident throughout its six year existence, we are expecting
unprecedented numbers next year.” - Dubai Racing Club
'Fourfa' at the Big T
Big City
Life proved too good for the best around as he took top honours in the
Vodacom Durban July this past weekend.
Although not on the scale of
Greyville, Gary Alexander Racing Stables also scored a coup this past
weekend when they saddled four winners at Turffontein on July day.
The first of the victories came in
the second race of the day where Woodland Wild easily accounted for a
maiden field of fillies and mares.
Two races later Arabian Mist
continued his winning ways as he made light of 62kg and ran away from
the opposition under a hand-and-heels ride by Andrew Fortune. Stablemate
Salcedo showed good improvement in finishing third.
The fifth race looked like one of
the more competitive races on the card but the stable pairing of
Connoisseur and Sirius Star proved too good with the latter prevailing
over the former. Sirius Star's win came off the back of a lengthy break
and the performance bodes well for the son of Fantastic Light who
appears to have a few more wins in the tank.
Superfederation was next up and put
up a good effort from a wide draw when finishing third in a handicap
whilst, arguably, the performance of the afternoon came in the eighth
race where promising South Country put up a gallant effort under 65,5kg
to dead-heat with Cappoquin. The young speedster conceded 8kg to
Cappoquin and the manner in which he performed suggests that he has far
greater heights to reach.
Congratulations to all the owners
and may there be many more.
JULY PEN PICS
1.POCKET POWER
Trainer: Mike Bass Jockey:
Bernard Fayd’Herbe
Runs: 30 Wins: 16 Places: 11 Stakes
earned: R8 241 040
Comment: South Africa’s champion. He has
done it all and looks for the July double after dead-heating last year
with Dancer’s Daughter. His preparation has been perfect and he is
unbeaten since winning the Queen’s Plate in January. He is the horse to
beat.
2.OUR GIANT
Trainer: Charles Laird Jockey:
Anton Marcus
Runs: 28 Wins: 11 Places: 12 Stakes
earned: R2 758 005
Comment: Very capable and the stable
elect after he drew well and Smart Banker drew poorly. Has yet to prove
he stays this distance and if the pace is on, which it is likely to be,
then he could be found wanting late. In his favour is jockey Anton
Marcus who has won the July no less than four times. Could make the
frame if there is no pace.
3. BUY AND SELL
Trainer: Sean Tarry Jockey:
Felix Coetzee
Runs: 24 Wins: 7 Places: 9 Stakes
earned: 1 995 755
Comment: Was well beaten by Pocket Power
in the July last year and although he is better off at the weights this
time round, his recent form has not been great and he could battle
here. Looks like a mid-division finisher.
4. KAPIL
Trainer: Stan Elley Jockey:
Piere Strydom
Runs: 20 Wins: 7 Places: 8 Stakes
earned: R897 040
Comment: Has had six runs in South
Africa since campaigning abroad, including a very good run in the
J&B Met where he finished fourth behind Pocket Power, beaten 3,5
lengths. He is 3,5kg better off at the weights now which should put him a
lot closer to his conqueror. Many feel he does not stay but at the age
of six he looks capable of seeing the trip out now and is one for the
placings.
5. SMART BANKER
Trainer: Charles Laird Jockey:
Brian Nyawo
Runs: 14 Wins: 8 Places: Stakes earned:
R2 753 380
Comment: An obviously talented horse
that was the initial stable elect but a draw of 17 changed things. He
has only done enough when winning and the form of recent wins is not
inspiring. He has it all to do from the draw but looks capable of
running up close, but perhaps not making the frame.
6. RIVER JETEZ
Trainer: Mike Bass Jockey:
Glen Hatt
Runs: 24 Wins: 6 Places: 16 Stakes
earned: R1 486 160
Comment: The full sister to Pocket Power
has gotten better as she has gotten older. She was beaten a length by
Pocket Power in the Met and is 2kg better off at the weights now which,
theoretically, puts her right there with him. She has, however, drawn
poorly which is like to see her coming from well off the pace over the
last 400m. She still looks held by her brother but is one for the first
three placings.
7. BIG CITY LIFE
Trainer: Glen Kotzen Jockey: Greg
Cheyne
Runs: 11 Wins: 6 Places: 3 Stakes
earned: R1 620 625
Comment: Arguably the best
three-year-old in the country at the moment. He has taken the classic
route to the July, winning the KZN Guineas and then the Daily News 2000.
He has drawn well and carries a light weight for an improving
three-year-old. Was beaten by 2,25 lengths in the Green Point Stakes by
Pocket Power and meets him at level weights on that performance,
suggesting that he should again be about two lengths off the champion.
Good sort and has place credentials.
8. TROPICAL EMPIRE
Trainer: Duncan Howells
Jockey: Brandon Lerena
Runs: 27 Wins: 7 Places: 11 Stakes
earned: R756 400
Comment: This six-year-old entire has
been at the top of his game of late, winning two of his last three runs,
including the Greyville 1900. He has pole position from which he jumps
which could be problematic if he is slowly away. Enjoys the course and
looks capable of getting into the minor money.
9. FOREST PATH
Trainer: Mike de Kock Jockey: Warren
Kennedy
Runs: 13 Wins: 4 Places: 4 Stakes
earned: R1 840 130
Comment: A talented three-year-old but
he is as hot as a blue flame. He has the worst of draws to overcome and
adding that to his temperament, this looks like a tough ask.
10. LIKEITHOT
Trainer: Charles Laird Jockey: Alec
Forbes
Runs: 31 Wins: 6 Places: 12 Stakes
earned: R1 403 510
Comment: A game campaigner but he might
be past his best. Has a wide draw to tackle and has not won since
November last year. Tough task here.
11 ALUMINIUM
Trainer: Geoff Woodruff
Jockey: Mark Khan
Runs: 18 Wins: 5Places: 9 Stakes earned:
R879 900
Comment: A very game front-runner and
from draw 18 jockey Mark Khan looks to have no choice but to go to the
front and make every post a winning one. Tough ask and looks set to be
swamped late when the big guns start to fire.
12. CATMANDU
Trainer: Andre Kirsten Jockey: Kevin
Derere
Runs: 27 Wins: 5 Places: 13 Stakes
earned: R984 360
Comment: A good handicapper who was
given a chance of winning the July last year. He ran on late but
finished out of the money. Has a better draw this year but there is
little to suggest that he can get any closer this year.
13. THANDOLWAMI
Trainer: Craig Eudey Jockey:
Raymond Danielson
Runs: 25 Wins: 6 Places: 10 Stakes
earned: R820 150
Comment: The first of the KZN runners.
He has shown himself to be very capable on his day and from a good draw
deserves respect. He still has to prove that he can mix it with the very
best around so this will be his acid test. He looks capable of getting
into the money.
14 BOUQUET-GARNI
Trainer: Mike de Kock Jockey: M J
Byleveld
Runs: 11 Wins: 4 Places: 1 Stakes
earned: R1 086 375
Comment: This three-year-old has been
highly touted by his stable and showed his ability when winning the SA
Derby. Put up an eye-catching performance in a sprint last time out and
could be looking to emulate his now-retired stablemate Greys Inn who won
the Derby then the July. Keep an eye out for this one. He could be the
surprise package here.
15 METEOR SHOWER
Trainer: Mike Bass Jockey:
Kelvin Jupp
Runs: 24 Wins: 7 Places: 6 Stakes
earned: R434 060
Comment: Has really done very little to
suggest that he can win, or even place, in this race, He has a good draw
in his favour but that is about all.
16 THUNDERING JET
Trainer: Mike Bass Jockey:
Muzi Yeni
Runs: 22 Wins: 4 Places: 8 Stakes
earned: R385 705
Comment: Looks pretty much in the same
boat as his stablemate Meteor Shower. Also has a good draw but looks
well held in this company.
17 CAPE TOWN
Trainer: Gavin van Zyl Jockey: Karis
Teetan (apprentice)
Runs: 21 Wins: 4 Places: 11 Stakes
earned: R340 630
Comment: This KZN-trained competitor has
come good at the right time and was flying when finishing second to
Tropical Empire in the Greyville 1900. Has drawn well and is ridden by a
very talented apprentice. Could take home one of the lesser stake
cheques.
18 LONDON GUEST
Trainer: Tony Rivalland Jockey: Derryl
Daniels
Runs: 16 Wins: 6 Places: 8 Stakes
earned: R485 760
Comment: A lightly-races six-year-old
who comes into the July off a two-month break. Races well fresh and has a
decent draw but is held on form by Tropical Empire which makes this a
tough ask.
19 OUTCOME
Trainer: Mike Miller Jockey:
Gerrit Schlechter
Runs: 26 Wins: 10 Places: 6 Stakes
earned: R842 890
Comment: A very talented mare trained in
KwaZulu-Natal. She won the Garden Province Stakes last year and might
be deemed best over a mile but she has done well when sent over further.
Well drawn and partnered by Gerrit Schlechter who won this race aboard
Eyeofthetiger in 2006. Definitely one to through into bigger quartets.
20 ZIRCONEUM
Trainer: Mike de Kock Jockey: Anthony
Delpech
Runs: 14 Wins: 4 Places: 9 Stakes
earned: R1 251 550
Comment: The final thoroughbred in the
field and the only three-year-old filly. She was impressive when winning
the Woolavington in her last outing and dispelled any doubts about her
staying but 19 draw asks a lot of this young lass. Stable jockey Anthony
Delpech is the rider and is sure to give of his best but the pairing
look likely to battle from this gate.
Just Julie’s
VODACOM DURBAN JULY PREVIEW
4 JULY 2009
Following is the transcript from
the two Tellytrack shows that Julie Alexander did about the Vodacom
Durban July:
It’s the race every owner, trainer,
jockey thrives to win. It’s where thoroughbred’s become champions and
champion’s become legends –
It’s no other than the Vodacom
Durban July
Standing on the home ground of SA’s
most prestigious horserace it brings to mind how many champions have
graced this Greyville turf in the past, the likes of Sea Cottage,
Numeral, Colorado King, Elevation, Politician, El Picha, London News
& Ipi Tombe to name but a few.
With the Vodacom Durban July less
than 4 weeks away many runners will be having their final preparations
and others will be going out at their very best to win so they too can
take a place in this year’s July.
And what a July it’s going to
be…How unique that both brother and sister will be looking to take the
throne of hierarchy in this year’s race….
Our Reigning King - POCKET POWER
(Clairwood – 24/05/09 Race 8 win)
Dead-heated with Dancer’s Daughter
in last year’s July and with 58kg on his back stands out as the horse to
anchor in all doubles and trebles. His scintillating win over 1450m
recently showed what good form he’s in. He has done it all and looks set
to do it all again.
The Queen - RIVER JETEZ
(Clairwood – 27/05/09 Race 8 win)
Stablemate and sibling to Pocket
Power also gave notice of how well she is when winning over the same
distance at Clairwood last month. On the form of her run in the J&B
Met, she could be the biggest danger to her brother. Weight in the July
will be the real indicator as to how well River Jetez will fare against
Pocket Power.
SMART BANKER (Turffontein –
25/04/09 Race 9 win)
Would have had his prep run on
Saturday, his first run back since winning the Champions Challenge
beating Aluminium and Thandolwami who many considered an unlucky loser.
Albeit, that it was a good win, Thandolwami could not frank the form of
that race in his next outing, the Betting World 1900 in which he
finished 10th..
TROPICAL EMPIRE (Greyville –
22/05/09 Race 7 win)
Winner of the Betting World 1900
and of his last two starts, since relocating to his new stable of Duncan
Howells. A few weeks ago he may not have been considered for the July,
now with this victory behind him he is sure to make up the final field.
An age-old argument that raises its
head at this time of year is how good the three-year-olds are relative
to the older horses. Well, arguably, there has been very little to get
excited about with the three-year-olds. The form of the three-year-old
classic run earlier in the year is something of a mix-and-match.
BIG CITY LIFE (Greyville –
12/05/09 Race 8 win)
However, Big City Life was impressive when winning the KZN
Guineas at Greyville and could be the best of the bunch. He met older
horses early in his three-year-old career, where he finished second to
Pocket Power, beaten just over 2 lengths when receiving 7kg. He will not
be getting that kind of weight in the July but he is a stronger and a
better horse now.
BOUQUET GARNI (Turffontein –
25/04/09 Race 8 win)
A three-year-old that deserves
mention is the SA Derby winner, Bouquet Garni. Prior to his win in the
Derby he had given very little indication that he was a classy
individual, but he won the Derby with authority, beating Magical and
Fenerbahce comfortably. On the face of that form, it is not good enough
to feature in the July this year but Greys Inn won the Derby and went on
to win the July. Same trainer, same path?
CONCLUSION
I have only touched on a few horses
tonight and with the Daily News 2000 and Woolavington having been run
after this show was recorded, a lot more light will have shining on the
three-year-olds. My next July update will be in a fortnight’s where I
hope to give you a closer look at how the July could unveil.
SHOW 2
INTRO SHOW 2
In my first look at how the Vodacom
Durban July could play out, I spoke about Pocket Power, River Jetez,
Smart Banker and Tropical Empire and also looked at two three-year-olds,
Big City Life and Bouquet-Garni.
Since that show we have seen the
running of the Woolavington, the Daily News 2000 and the Gold Challenge.
All three of these races saw July contenders in action. It is not just
over 2 weeks to Africa’s Greatest Race and it is time to make those all
important choices – who will win and who will fill the next three
placings.
Like any good card game, you need
luck and in racing that luck could come in running, so a good draw is
important and this is something to keep in mind once the final field is
announced.
- THE
ACE IN THE PACK
Few will be looking past Pocket
Power as the winner of this year’s July and he does look hard to beat
after winning the Gold Challenge in a very comfortable fashion. He looks
as good as ever, has had a perfect preparation and looks every inch the
champion he is.
- The
Queen
River Jetez also showed in the Gold
Challenge that come Saturday 4 July she will be ready to put her
brother and the rest to the test. She is a quality mare and has to be
one for the minor placings.
- The
Joker in the Pack
A horse that shot to attention in
Gold Challenge was Stan Elley’s Kapil. This six-year-old son of Jallad
found the best of finishes in the Gold Challenge and ran second to
Pocket Power at level weights. He will be better off at the weights in
two weeks time and if he gets the trip he makes a lot of appeal to fill a
first four placing.
The rest of the deck
Big City Life won the Daily News as expected but perhaps left
a few more questions than answers. Was the win good enough to challenge
the great Pocket Power? I guess only the race will tell but for me I
think he might need a little more than he showed in the Daily News but
he still rates as the three-year-old in the field.
Zirconeum dispelled any rumours that she could not stay 2000m
when she easily won the Woolavington and that performance is sure to
garner her support for the July, but she might be found wanting against
the class she meets there.
Charles Laird’s Our Giant was run out of the placings
in the Gold Challenge and has stamina doubts while stablemate Smart
Banker could be the stable elect in the race.
CONCLUSION
Although I have not looked at all
the runners that could possibly make up the final field and I might have
missed one or two that deserved mention, I think that come the end of
the day on Saturday 4 July, Pocket Power will be crowned King again with
River Jetez, Kapil and Smart Banker all having to bow down in the
lesser placings and acknowledge the ruler of the turf.
JULY FINAL FIELD
The field for the continent’s greatest race, the Vodacom Durban July,
was announced at a function at Greyville racecourse on Thursday
afternoon and all went according to plan for South Africa’s champion
race horse, Pocket Power.
The imposing gelding drew barrier
position 12, a draw his trainer, Mike Bass, was not unhappy with. “I am
pleased with his draw, especially relative to the other horses that I
considered his main rivals”, said Bass on Thursday.
Pocket Power shared top honours in
this race last year when he dead-heated with Dancer’s Daughter who is
not in this year’s field due to injury.
One of the country’s top
three-year-olds, Big City Life, drew well at barrier position 10 but has
it all to do in this company.
The final field for the 2009
edition of the Vodacom Durban July, with saddle cloth number, draw,
horse, weight, jockey and trainer, is:
1 12 Pocket
Power 58 B Fayd’Herbe M Bass
2 2 Our
Giant 55 A Marcus C
Laird
3 13 Buy And
Sell 53 F Coetzee S Tarry
4 5
Kapil 52.5 P
Strydom S Elley
5 17 Smart
Banker 52.5 C
Laird
6 15 River
Jetez 51.5 G Hatt M
Bass
7 10 Big
City Life 51 G Cheyne G
Kotzen
8 1
Tropical Empire 51 B Lerena D
Howells
9 20 Forest
Path 51 W Kennedy M de Kock
10 16
Likeithot 51 A
Forbes C Laird
11 18
Aluminium 51 M
Khan G Woodruff
12 8
Catmandu 51 K Derere A
Kirsten
13 7
Thandolwami 51 R Danielson C Eudey
14 14
Bouquet-Garni 51 M Byleveld M de Kock
15 6 Meteor
Shower
51 M Bass
16 3
Thundering Jet 51 M Yeni M
Bass
17 4 Cape
Town 51 K Teetan G van
Zyl
18 11 London
Guest 51 D Daniels T Rivalland
19 9
Outcome 50 G Schlechter M
Miller
20 19
Zirconeum 50 A Delpech M de
Kock
TURFFONTEIN 31 MAY
'Treble at Turffontein'
The stable saddled seven runners
at Turffontein on Sunday 31 May and when all was said and done, three
had been victorious.
The first winner of the afternoon was the Summerhill Stud-bred Mlamuli,
a daughter of Albarahin. The three-year-old filly was having her fifth
career run and under apprentice Derrick David made the most of the best
draw on the inside track and recorded the victory for owners Peter and
Ian Gibson, Ray Chan, J D M Chau, Andrew Yuen, Mark Watling, W Wu
and Gary Alexander.
The second winner of the afternoon was the old 'war horse'Bhekinkosi,
another acquisition from the Summerhill Stud.
This six-year-old son of Kahal recorded his 10th career win when under a
driving ride from apprentice David he came through late to win well.
The R65 000 purchase has now earned in excess of R600 000 and he looks
capable of adding to that tally for his owners Ashnee Devachander, Greg
Sadie, Fred Wilensky, R J Motlogeloa and Mr and Mrs G A Seager.
The last winner of the day came in the last race where the imposing
Mick's Machine scored his first career win in very impressive fashion,
thrashing the opposition by over 5 lengths. Although he has more to do
to show himself as one better than the average, the three-year-old son
of Muhtafal has much in his favour and looks like yet another good
acquisition for Turkish-based owner Fedai Kahraman who this coming
weekend will be in South Afirca to watch his Kahal colt Fenerbahce
contest the Daily News 2000 at Greyville.
CLAIRWOOD 27 MAY
'South Country blows 'em away'
John Robertson's talented
three-year-old South Country had locked horns with the country's best
speedsters in recent outings and had acquitted himself well.
At Clairwood on Thursday he dropped in class but the performance he
delivered was nothing less than scintilating.
South Country easily spread-eagled the oppostion over the Clairwood
1000m and went past the winning post as if on a morning canter.
The youngster is learning to settle and if he continues to mature many
more wins look inevitable.
Well done to all!

South Country
TURFFONTEIN 25 APRIL
'Good day at the office'
Although Arabian Mist was the only
winner on Champions Challenge Day at Turffontein on Saturday 25 April
2009, the stable horses performed well throughout the day and these
performances bode well for the upcoming Champions Season in
KwaZulu-Natal.
Arabian Mist won well over 1100m with the blinekrs on and the manner of
the victory suggests there may be more to come. Good luck to owners Mrs J
P Gardner, & Messrs M Berzack, B Gardner, M Gerber, G Sadie and L
van Rooyen.
Hidden Rave put up yet another good performance in top company and this
son of Var's first win is not far off.
Lightning Lecture and South Country both did well in the Computaform
Sprint, going down to arguably the best three sprinters in the country.
The horse that really came to the fore on the day was the three-year-old
son of Kahal, Fenerbahce. He showed that his last two performances were
not what he is all about and by finishing third in the SA Derby gave
notice that the upcoming Classics are not out of his reach.
TURFFONTEIN 18 April 2009
'Bkekinkosi makes it win number 9'
Bhekinkosi, the six-year-old son of Kahal out of the
Sunny North mare Amabokoboko, recorded his ninth career win at
Turffontein on Saturday April 18.
The evergreen gelding continued to be a stalwart for owners Devachunder,
Sadie, Wilensky, Motlogekia and the Seagars.
Bhekinkosi contested a 92 merit-rated handicap over 1600m and under
apprentice David proved too good on the day under 59,5kg.
There's still a lot of racing in the 'young' six-year-old and more stake
cheques look inevitable.
VODACOM DURBAN JULY ENTRIES
@ 16 APRIL 2009
Greyville racecourse was the
venue where the Champions Season launch took place on Thursday 16 April
2009.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of the unveiling was the announcement of
the first nominations for the continent's greatest race, the Vodacom
Durban July.
Gary Alexander Racing Stables has two nominees at this stage, Fenerbahce
and Spring Garland, and should they progress at the top levels of
ability they have shown, both might be representing the stable come the
first Saturday in July.
The first nominees for the Vodacom Durban July are:
|
HORSE
|
AGE
|
TRAINER
|
|
ALUMINIUM (ARG)
|
(4G)
|
Geoff Woodruff
|
|
ALWAYS
|
(3G)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
BIG CITY LIFE
|
(3C)
|
Glen Kotzen
|
|
BOUQUET-GARNI
|
(3G)
|
Mike de Kock
|
|
BUY AND SELL
|
(5G)
|
Sean Tarry
|
|
CAPTAIN SCOTT
|
(3C)
|
Alec Laird
|
|
CAPTAIN'S TABLE
|
(3G)
|
Dominic Zaki
|
|
CASEY'S SON
|
(4G)
|
James Butterworth
|
|
CATMANDU
|
(5G)
|
Andre Kirsten
|
|
CROWN OF POWER
|
(4G)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
DANCER'S DAUGHTER
|
(5M)
|
Justin Snaith
|
|
DUAL ALLIANCE
|
(3G)
|
Sean Tarry
|
|
EL PADRINO
|
(4G)
|
Dave Goss
|
|
FENERBAHCE
|
(3C)
|
Gary Alexander
|
|
FOREST PATH
|
(3G)
|
Mike de Kock
|
|
FULL POWER (ARG)
|
(4G)
|
Geoff Woodruff
|
|
GILMORE GIRL (BRZ)
|
(3F)
|
Dylan Cunha
|
|
GOAT
|
(3F)
|
Paul Lafferty
|
|
GYPSY'S WARNING
|
(3F)
|
Ormond Ferraris
|
|
JUST LIKE AL
|
(4G)
|
Brett Crawford
|
|
KAPIL
|
(6G)
|
Stan Elley
|
|
KEEN WARRIOR (NZ)
|
(5G)
|
Tony Rivalland
|
|
LIKEITHOT
|
(6G)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
LITTLEREDCORVETTE
|
(4G)
|
Glen Puller
|
|
LONDON GUEST
|
(6G)
|
Tony Rivalland
|
|
MAGICAL
|
(3G)
|
Ormond Ferraris
|
|
METEOR SHOWER (IRE
|
(6H)
|
Mike Bass
|
|
NECO
|
(4G)
|
Sean Tarry
|
|
ORACY (NZ)
|
(3C)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
OUTCOME
|
(5M)
|
Michael Miller
|
|
PIRATE'S GOLD
|
(5G)
|
Glen Kotzen
|
|
POCKET POWER
|
(6G)
|
Mike Bass
|
|
RAY SAUCE
|
(4G)
|
Sean Tarry
|
|
RIVER JETEZ
|
(5M)
|
Mike Bass
|
|
ROYAL REZ
|
(3G)
|
Tyrone Zackey
|
|
SENOR VERSACE
|
(4G)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
SINGING SWORD
|
(6H)
|
Tyrone Zackey
|
|
SMART BANKER
|
(4G)
|
Charles Laird
|
|
SPORTING BOY
|
(3G)
|
Alec Laird
|
|
SPRING GARLAND
|
(5M)
|
Gary Alexander
|
|
SURFIN' USA
|
(5G)
|
Mark Dixon
|
|
THUNDERING JET
|
(4G)
|
Mike Bass
|
|
TROPICAL EMPIRE (A
|
(6H)
|
Duncan Howells
|
|
VISION OF GRANDEUR
|
(5H)
|
Justin Snaith
|
|
ZIRCONEUM
|
(3F)
|
Mike de Kock
|
Total Entries: 45
Please note:
- First
Supplementary Entries close at 11am on Monday, 4 May 2009
- Second Supplementary Entries close at 11am on Monday, 8
June 2009
- Weights Published on Tuesday, 9 June 2009
- Final Field will be announced live on Tellytrack on
Thursday, 18 June 2009
- Public Gallops will take place at Greyville Racecourse on
Thursday, 25 June 2009
VAAL 7 APRIL 2009
'Counter Tenor dominant in dirt'
The National Yearling Sale is history and it was
back to racing on Tuesday where the meeting took place at the Vaal on
the sand.
Counter Tenor contested the sixth race at the Free State track and it
was into the winner's box again for the son of Opera King owned by John
Finlayson and Dave Preston.
This win was the third win on sand for Counter Tenor and the dominant
performance suggests that there could be more to come.
To see the performance, visit: http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=2949
NATIONAL YEARLING SALE
ALTHOUGH the provisional three-day
aggregate of R152,12 million recorded at the end of the 2009 Emperors
Palace National Yearling Sale on Monday was 24% down on the 2008 figure
of R201,05 million, accolades came from local and international buyers.
``In the current economic climate
the South African National Yearling Sale is without a doubt the best
performing thoroughbred sale in the world,’’ said Australian buyer Paul
Guy, echoing auctioneer Steve Davis’ earlier assessment that this was
his “strongest sale in the last six’’ he’d conducted around the globe.
Team Valor International’s Barry
Irwin, on his fifth successive visit, secured eight foals and summed up
the event, saying, “The value here is superb, it is a joy to come to
this sale and I’ll be booking for next year.’’
Irwin, renowned as one of the
shrewdest buyers on the planet, described his purchase of Klawervlei
Stud’s Lot 587, a daughter of Captain Al from Grade 1 winner Roxanne, as
“incredible, because I would have gone to well over R1 million for her
and paid only R600 000.’’ He added: “She’s probably the nicest looking
filly I’ve seen. They don’t come better looking than this.’’
Summerhill Stud enjoyed the honour of selling the top-priced colt and
filly at the sale. Lot 211, Uncle Tommy, a half-brother to Rebel King,
was knocked down to Mike Bass for R2,4 million and Team Valor bought
first-season sire Solskjaer’s daughter Matara Garden for R1,5 million.
Mick Goss of Summerhill commented: “This was a very good sale and we
are delighted with our achievement.’’
Klawervlei Stud was the top vendor
by aggregate and Stud Manager John Koster said: “We are very proud as
Klawervlei had only 13 yearlings at all the sales when we started four
years ago.’’ The Bonnievale stud farm sold 33 lots this year for a
combined total of R14,555 million.
The leading buyer was trainer Mike Azzie, representing Prancing Horse
Stud, who will be taking home 14 yearlings bought for R9,455 million.
Champion Stallion Jet Master
topped the sires list with 47 of his offspring sold for R19,81 million
or an average of R421 489.
BloodStock SA’s CEO, Jan Naudé
said he was most pleased with the results as they were significantly
better than figures posted at thoroughbred auctions around the globe
since the start of the real economic meltdown. He noted also that the
passout rate of 89% was much better than the corresponding rates at
other recent sales worldwide. The average price of R310 449 was only
20.6% down on last year’s record average, R391 000.
BSA’s Sales Manager Caroline
Simpson thanked Emperors Palace for their continued support and wished
Emperors CEO Bob Yearham a speedy recovery from illness. “This was a
good team effort from the top down and I am truly excited that we could
hold our own in these times,’’ she said.
The final statistics for NYS 2009
are available on www.tba.co.za
TURFFONTEIN 4 April 2009
'Spring Time In Autumn'
Spring Garland, a five-year-old mare by Rambo Dancer out of the mare
Garden Verse, showed her class when at the odds of 25-1 she battled
gamely to get the better of well-performed She's On Fire in the Grade 2
Gerald Rosenberg Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday 4 April 2009.
Spring Garland's win was the fifth of her career and by adding the first
stake of R200 000 to her earnings, she has now amassed just over half a
million rand for her owners Greg Sadie, Fred Wilensky, Myron Berzack,
Barry Clements and Mick Goss, the nominee of the Summerhill Stud
Syndicate.
Purchased for R180 000 at the National Yearling Sale in 2005, Spring
Garland has already turned a tidy profit and when her days on the track
are done a career as a broodmare looks inevitable.
Congratulations to the owners and keep those eyes peeled for the
proginey of this talented mare.
TURFFONTEIN 28 MARCH 2009
'SUPER PERFORMANCE'
It might just have been Superfederation's third run but the son of Kahal
showed that he is on his game and won the opening event of Classic day
with ease.
The win was only in maiden company but the manner of the performance
suggested that there could be far more to come.
Congratulations to owners John Finlayson, Bruce Gardner, Kirk Michael
and the Freeracer Syndicate.
Last but not least, congratulations also go to Julie Alexander in whose
colours the Summerhill-bred colt runs.
To see the performance, visit http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=2852
BATTLE LINES
DRAWN FOR CLASSIC
With the withdrawal of Oracy, the
R2 million Triple Crown bonus for winning the Guineas, the SA Classic
and the SA Derby on 25 April will not be won this year.
Nonetheless there is a very strong
field of 14 runners with second-place dead-heaters in the Guineas, Royal
Rez and Cerise Cherry, leading the way.
Trainer Tyrone Zackey will be
confident Royal Rez can get the victory he so narrowly missed in the
Guineas, especially over the extra 200m. Jockey S’manga Khumalo dropped
the rein with 100m to go and that probably cost him more than the
short-head margin that he was beaten.
He is beautifully drawn at No 3 and
will have in-form Gavin Lerena in the irons this time.
Paul Matchett holds a strong hand
with Cerise Cherry, Mount Hood and Broadsword. While Cerise Cherry dead
heated for second, Mount Hood was just a further 0.10-lengths back in
fourth. Marthinus Mienie and Robbie Hill reprise their riding roles on
Cerise Cherry and Mount Hood respectively.
Mike de Kock has Forest Path and
Bouquet-Garni. On merit rating Forest Path is the best-weighted runner
but it is questionable whether he will see out 1800m. He did run a very
good second to Mentor over 1400m last Saturday in a field of older
horses and was running on at the finish.
De Kock will no doubt be looking at
Zirconeum to keep the stable flag flying in the SA Fillies Classic,
also over 1800m. As an impressive winner of the Gauteng Fillies Guineas,
the Jallad filly is in line to claim the R1 million bonus that goes
with winning the Triple Tiara. She will need to win this event as well
as the SA Oaks over 2450m at Turffontein on 25 April.
She will have to get the better of
Gypsy’s Warning, who skipped the Fillies Guineas in favour of the Grade 1
Empress Club Stakes where she finished third to Dancer’s Daughter and
Milk And Honey.
Piere Strydom rides Gypsy’s Warning
for Ormond Ferraris while Johnny Geroudis is up on Zirconeum.
Final fields for the feature to be
run at Turffontein on Saturday, 28 March.
S A CLASSIC (G1) R2 million 1800m
1 - 9 FOREST PATH (M F De Kock) R
Danielson 57.0 - 107
2 - 8 CAPTAIN'S TABLE (D Zaki) P
Strydom 57.0 - 104
3 - 7 BOUQUET-GARNI (M F De Kock) A
Delpech 57.0 - 101
4 - 13 CERISE CHERRY (P F Matchett)
M Mienie 57.0 - 101
5 - 2 MOUNT HOOD (P F Matchett) R
Hill 57.0 - 101
6 - 3 ROYAL REZ (T Zackey) G Lerena
57.0 - 101
7 - 12 SPORTING BOY (A G Laird) G
Wrogemann 57.0 - 101
8 - 11 FENERBAHCE (G M Alexander) A
Fortune 57.0 - 99
9 - 5 DISA LEADER (G V Woodruff) M
Khan 57.0 - 96
10 - 14 ALWAYS (C Laird) A Marcus
57.0 - 94
11 - 4 BROADSWORD (P F Matchett) R
Simons 57.0 - 94
12 - 1 SEATTLE ICE (G V Woodruff) F
Coetzee 57.0 - 93
13 - 6 MPUMELELO (T Zackey) B
Lerena 57.0 - 92
14 - 10 IRON WOOD (A G Laird) J
Geroudis 57.0 - 91
Same Trainer: (1,3) (4,5,11) (6,13)
(7,14) (9,12)
SA FILLIES CLASSIC (G1) R1 million
1800m
1 - 4 GYPSY'S WARNING (O A
Ferraris) P Strydom 57.0 - 105
2 - 8 ZIRCONEUM (M F De Kock) J
Geroudis 57.0 - 100
3 - 11 ON HER TOES (M G Azzie) F
Coetzee 57.0 - 99
4 - 5 SWEET THERESA (O A Ferraris) K
Teetan 57.0 - 96
5 - 14 LOUPE (M F De Kock) A
Delpech 57.0 - 94
6 - 1 SHARP MISTRESS (G V Woodruff)
M Khan 57.0 - 93
7 - 7 FAKAZI (P F Matchett) M
Mienie 57.0 - 92
8 - 2 GOLDEN SCOLD (P F Matchett) R
Hill 57.0 - 92
9 - 9 KIRIBATI (S G Tarry) B Lerena
57.0 - 92
10 - 10 CAPTAIN'S GAL (S G Tarry)
............... 57.0 - 89
11 - 13 BEDLOE'S ISLAND (S G Tarry)
A Fortune 57.0 - 86
12 - 6 AUTUMN GOLD (S G Tarry)
............... 57.0 - 81
13 - 15 BASTILLE BELLE (B Webber) G
Lerena 57.0 - 81
14 - 12 CANDY SINGER (M F De Kock) R
Simons 57.0 - 80
15 - 3 MAJESTIC LEGEND (C Laird) A
Marcus 57.0 - 77
Same Trainer: (1,4) (2,5,14) (7,8)
(9,10,11,12)
- Phumelela 19 March 2009
BROTHER BEAR
A stalwart of the stable and a sentimental friend to his
owners and the yard, Brother Bear, suffered a life-ending bout of collic
this morning and had to be put down.
The quirky son of Hanging Road was purchased by Dean as a weanling and,
although not fashionably bred, went on to win six races from 34 career
runs.
He always gave of his best and was a warrior in every sence of the word.
Although there have been better horses and there will be better horses
than Brother Bear, he was an owner's dream and a sad loss to the stable,
especially to Dean.
March 16, 2009
VAAL THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2009
'TIME AND RESOLVE PAY DIVIDENDS'
Argentinean-bred RESOLUTIVA defied odds of
9-1 and captured the fifth race at the Vaal, a 69 merit-rated fillies
and mares handicap over 1200m. The daughter of Mutakddim put a few
moderate efforts behind her and won well, giving owners John Finlayson
and Dave Preston a good day as their second runner of the afternoon, COUNTER TENOR, finished third after coming off a
break. The second winner of the day for the stable came in the eighth
race, a 76 merit-rated handicap over 1600m, where TRADE
TIME won well under Andrew Fortune. Trade Time was a welcome
winner for stalwart owners Greg Sadie, Myron Berzack and Kirk Michael.
Good luck to all and may there be many more.
TURFFONTEIN SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2009
'LIGHTNING STRIKES'
LIGHTNING LECTURE showed his class as he
simply cruised past the opposition to win the fourth race on the Gauteng
Guineas card. The five-year-old son of Lecture carried a hefty 62.5kg
to victory and gave notice that he is back to best and looks well placed
to add a few more wins to his very credible race record. LIGHTNING
LECTURE is owned by Mrs Ashnee Devachunder who has a number of other
useful thoroughbreds in the stable. Good luck to Ashnee and Lightning
Lecture. Too view the race, go to http://www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=2687

picture: Racing Association
KZN Winter Season
The forthcoming new look
KwaZulu-Natal feature race season, which incorporates Champions Season,
launches on Wednesday, 1 April 2009, and promises punters and racegoers a
four month treat of outstanding horseracing action.
The revised programme is designed
to ensure a better flow of feature races, increased opportunities for
trainers and added earlier incentives to get the juvenile programme
under way. In terms of Gold Circle’s commitment to the Graded Races
Standing Committee’s minimum stakes criteria guidelines, certain of the
Grade 1, Grade 2 and Listed races have enjoyed stakes increases. For
the duration of the season, a feature race has also been scheduled every
weekend to maintain the momentum and public interest.
The Juvenile feature race programme
has been restructured and sees two new races in the R100 000 Sentinel
Stakes and the R100 000 King’s Pact Stakes (Fillies), which will be run
at Clairwood over 1000m on Wednesday 4 March and Sunday 8 March
respectively. The Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes and the Grade 3
Strelitizia Stakes (Fillies), both previously run over 1200m, will now
be contested over 1000m at Clairwood on 1 April.
The Grade 2 Umkomazi Stakes and the
Grade 2 Debutante will now be run on Sunday 3 May at Scottsville over
1200m – these two races were previously run over 1400m one week after
the Grade 1’s at the end of May. They will now form an integral part of
the build-up to the Grade 1 Gold Reef Resorts Medallion and the Grade 1
Allan Robertson Fillies Championship, both of which will, as previously,
be run at the Golden Horse Casino Raceday on the last Saturday of May.
Two brand new races, the R120 000
Gatecrasher Stakes and the R120 000 Devon Air Stakes for fillies, have
been scheduled to be run at Clairwood over 1450m on Saturday 13 June.
These races are strategically placed two weeks after the Golden Horse
Raceday and three weeks prior to the Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe and Grade 1
Golden Slipper for fillies, which will be run at Greyville on Vodacom
Durban July day.
Champions day has lost two feature
races as the Gold Circle Derby and the Gold Circle Oaks will now be run
at Clairwood on Saturday 27 June and no longer at the end of July,
while the KZN Guineas (now the KRA Guineas) moves back into a May slot. A
new race, the R120 000 In Full Flight Handicap, will be run over 1000m
at the Greyville night meeting on Friday 8 May, as a supporting feature
to the Drill Hall Stakes. This new race is designed to give sprinters
an alternate lead-up opportunity to the Golden Horse Casino Sprint run
three weeks later, bearing in mind that the WFA Computaform Sprint is
run at Turffontein on Saturday 25 April.
The 1900m Darley Arabian will now
be run as a race restricted to four year olds at Greyville on Canon Gold
Cup day, which is three weeks after the KZN Breeders 1600m, which has
been moved to July from its original slot in May.
For the record the feature race
stakes adjustments are as follows:
|
Race
|
Venue
|
2009
Date
|
Distance
|
Old Stake
|
New Stake
|
|
GRADE 1
|
|
Golden Horse Sprint
|
Scottsville
|
30 May
|
1200m
|
R500 000
|
R600 000
|
|
Allan Robertson
|
Scottsville
|
30 May
|
1200m
|
R350 000
|
R500 000
|
|
SA Fillies Sprint
|
Scottsville
|
30 May
|
1200m
|
R350 000
|
R500 000
|
|
Gold Challenge
|
Clairwood
|
13 June
|
1600m
|
R600 000
|
R750 000
|
|
Golden Slipper
|
Greyville
|
4 July
|
1400m
|
R350 000
|
R500 000
|
|
Garden Province
|
Greyville
|
4 July
|
1600m
|
R350 000
|
R500 000
|
|
Mercury Sprint
|
Clairwood
|
19 July
|
1200m
|
R500 000
|
R600 000
|
|
Champions Cup
|
Clairwood
|
25 July
|
1800m
|
R500 000
|
R750 000
|
|
Thekweni Fillies Stakes
|
Clairwood
|
25 July
|
1600m
|
R350 000
|
R500 000
|
|
GRADE 2
|
|
Drill Hall Stakes
|
Greyville
|
8 May
|
1400m
|
R300 000
|
R350 000
|
|
KRA Guineas
|
Greyville
|
10 May
|
1600m
|
R300 000
|
R500 000
|
|
Greyville 1900
|
Greyville
|
22 May
|
1900m
|
R300 000
|
R350 000
|
|
Post Merchants
|
Greyville
|
19 June
|
1200m
|
R300 000
|
R350 000
|
|
Gold Circle Derby
|
Clairwood
|
27 June
|
2400m
|
R300 000
|
R350 000
|
|
Gold Vase
|
Greyville
|
4 July
|
3000m
|
R300 000
|
R400 000
|
|
Gold Bracelet
|
Greyville
|
1 August
|
2000m
|
R200 000
|
R250 000
|
|
LISTED
|
|
KZN Stakes
|
Scottsville
|
5 April
|
1000m
|
R100 000
|
R125 000
|
|
The Scarlet Lady
|
Scottsville
|
6 May
|
1800m
|
R100 000
|
R125 000
|
|
East Coast Handicap
|
Clairwood
|
24 May
|
2000m
|
R100 000
|
R125 000
|
|
Queen Palm Handicap
|
Scottsville
|
8 July
|
2400m
|
R100 000
|
R125 000
|
|
Darley Arabian
|
Greyville
|
1 August
|
1900m
|
R125 000
|
R150 000
|
|
Umgeni Handicap
|
Greyville
|
1 August
|
1000m
|
R125 000
|
R150 000
|
- Gold Circle
GAUTENG GUINEAS DAY
Gypsy’s Warning will be fully tested when she takes on Dancer’s Daughter
in the Grade 1 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes on Guineas Day at
Turffontein. The pair will clash over 1600m on Saturday 28 February.
The R1 million race is one of four graded races to take place on Guineas
Day. The others are the Gauteng Guineas, the Gauteng Fillies Guineas
and the Hawaii Stakes, all Grade 2 events.
The R1 million Gauteng Guineas also forms the first leg of the Triple
Crown, the others being the R2 million SA Classic over 1800m on Saturday
28 March and the R1.5 million SA Derby over 2450m on Saturday 25 April.
There is also a bonus of R2 million up for grabs for any horse who can
capture all three races. All the races are scheduled to be run on the
Turffontein standside track.
It could be another Mark Khan v Piere Strydom occasion in the Empress
Club Stakes as the current champion jockey will ride Justin Snaith’s
grey mare who has been in the care of Geoff Woodruff for the past few
weeks.
Vodacom Durban July dead heater Dancer’s Daughter is weighted to win the
race quite comfortably but Gypsy’s Warning has done well since joining
Ormond Ferrais’s Turffontein yard and is one of the best of
three-year-old fillies in the country.
Oracy has accepted for the Gauteng Guineas and is beautifully drawn at
No 2. However, stable jockey Anton Marcus is slated to ride stable
companion Always with no jockey named for the Dingaans winner at this
stage.
Missing from the field is Mike de Kock’s Meet A Malamala as the colt has
been injured and had to be withdrawn. That leaves Bouquet-Garni as the
only stable representative.
Captain’s Table ran second to Oracy in the Dingaans and should be
competitive from a reasonably decent No 9 draw this time. Once again
Piere Strydom gets the ride on Dominic Zaki’s charge.
The Gauteng Fillies Guineas has attracted a top-class field and looks
the most competitive of the four features. De Kock has the talented
Loupe, to be ridden by Anthony Delpech, and the consistent Zirconeum,
Woodruff sends out Sharp Mistress and Charles Laird runs Thin Red Line.
Team Valor have two highly regarded runners in On Her Toes, trained by
Mike Azzie, and newly acquire Sweet Theresa who is under the care of
Ferraris.
Our Giant is weighted to win the Hawaii Stakes over 1400m but there
are a number of runners who will be looking to lower his colours,
including Succesful Bidder, Forest Path and Gliding High.
Final fields
L JAFFEE EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (G1)(Fillies & Mares) R1 million 1600m
1 - 8 DANCER'S DAUGHTER (J S Snaith) M Khan 60.0 - 114
2 - 4 OUTCOME (M D Miller) R Hill 60.0 - 104
3 - 7 ORACLE NEWS (P V Lafferty) F Coetzee 60.0 - 101
4 - 2 GLENROSSAL (D N Stenger) F Naude 60.0 - 98
5 - 1 BLUE SWIFT (C Laird) A Marcus 60.0 - 97
6 - 5 KISS FOR KATE (P F Matchett) M Mienie 60.0 - 97
7 - 10 MOCHACHINO (M G Azzie) G Lerena 60.0 - 95
8 - 3 ANGEL FLIGHT (S G Tarry) A Fortune 60.0 - 92
9 - 6 MILK AND HONEY (M F De Kock) A Delpech 59.5 - 93
10 - 9 GYPSY'S WARNING (O A Ferraris) P Strydom 56.0 - 105
Same Trainer:
GAUTENG GUINEAS (G2) (1st Leg of SA Triple Crown)) R1 million 1600m
1 - 2 ORACY (C Laird) ............... 57.0 - 106
2 - 9 CAPTAIN'S TABLE (D Zaki) P Strydom 57.0 - 104
3 - 12 SPORTING BOY (A G Laird) G Wrogemann 57.0 - 102
4 - 18 BOUQUET-GARNI (M F De Kock) A Delpech 57.0 - 101
5 - 17 CERISE CHERRY (P F Matchett) M Mienie 57.0 - 101
6 - 14 FENERBAHCE (G M Alexander) A Fortune 57.0 - 99
7 - 16 MOUNT HOOD (P F Matchett) R Hill 57.0 - 99
8 - 10 VERTICAL TAKEOFF (S G Tarry) G Figueroa 57.0 - 99
9 - 5 CHOISIR (G V Woodruff) F Coetzee 57.0 - 94
10 - 3 SEATTLE ICE (G V Woodruff) M Khan 57.0 - 93
11 - 11 MPUMELELO (T Zackey) B Lerena 57.0 - 92
12 - 7 ROYAL REZ (T Zackey) S Khumalo 57.0 - 92
13 - 8 IMPERIAL GESTURE (C Laird) G Lerena 57.0 - 91
14 - 4 CAPTAIN SCOTT (A G Laird) J Geroudis 57.0 - 90
15 - 13 GANGSTA FURY (B D Botes) D Habib 57.0 - 89
16 - 1 ALWAYS (C Laird) A Marcus 57.0 - 85
Reserve Runners
17 - 6 HUP-TWO-THREE (S J Gray) Reserve 1 57.0 - 81
18 - 15 AL FELON (J Vos) Reserve 2 57.0 - 80
Same Trainer: (1,13,16) (3,14) (5,7) (9,10) (11,12)
GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (G2) (1st Leg SA Triple Tiara) R500 000 1600m
1 - 4 ZIRCONEUM (M F De Kock) J Geroudis 57.0 - 98
2 - 12 ON HER TOES (M G Azzie) G Lerena 57.0 - 99
3 - 6 SWEET THERESA (O A Ferraris) P Strydom 57.0 - 96
4 - 2 LOUPE (M F De Kock) A Delpech 57.0 - 94
5 - 5 FAKAZI (P F Matchett) M Mienie 57.0 - 92
6 - 14 KIRIBATI (S G Tarry) F Coetzee 57.0 - 92
7 - 11 THIN RED LINE (C Laird) A Marcus 57.0 - 91
8 - 1 SHARP MISTRESS (G V Woodruff) M Khan 57.0 - 88
9 - 9 GOLDEN SCOLD (P F Matchett) G Figueroa 57.0 - 86
10 - 10 RUTANA (S J Gray) S Brown 57.0 - 86
11 - 3 BASTILLE BELLE (B Webber) R Hill 57.0 - 81
12 - 8 AUTUMN GOLD (S G Tarry) A Fortune 57.0 - 81
13 - 7 SMART GIRL (R R Magner) G Wrogemann 57.0 - 75
14 - 13 PACIFIC PRINCESS (D N Stenger) D Mansour 57.0 - 70
Same Trainer: (1,4) (5,9) (6,12)
HAWAII STAKES (G2)(Open) R300 000 1400m
1 - 5 OUR GIANT (C Laird) A Marcus 60.0 - 111
2 - 2 SUCCESFUL BIDDER (S G Tarry) F Coetzee 57.5 - 108
3 - 7 LIKEITHOT (C Laird) P Strydom 57.5 - 104
4 - 13 SMART BANKER (C Laird) G Figueroa 57.5 - 101
5 - 9 FOREST PATH (M F De Kock) A Delpech 57.0 - 107
6 - 8 BUSCADOR (G V Woodruff) J Sampson 57.0 - 105
7 - 3 HORATIO (P F Matchett) D Habib 57.0 - 93
8 - 1 THEREALSLIMSHADY (A G Laird) J Geroudis 56.5 - 106
9 - 6 EARL OF SURREY (A I Harris) F Herholdt 56.0 - 108
10 - 10 GLIDING HIGH (B O Wiid) G Lerena 56.0 - 101
11 - 11 LUCKY BOY (G V Woodruff) M Khan 56.0 - 98
12 - 12 THE BIG ASK (M D Miller) R Hill 56.0 - 92
13 - 4 SURABI (D Zaki) B Lerena 55.5 - 103
Same Trainer: (1,3,4) (6,11)
-Phumelela Gaming & Leisure (20/2/09)
DUBAI
CARNIVAL
Thursday night’s fourth meeting of
the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival, kindly sponsored by His
Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Derrinstown Stud, was
highlighted by the second rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
Godolphin’s My Indy repeated his
win in the first round with a hard fought success in the Thoroughbred
version, a Group 3 contest over 1800m on dirt.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai, was on hand to greet his winner who, under Frankie
Dettori, repelled challenges from Happy Boy and Asiatic Boy to land the
spoils.
Winning trainer Saeed Bin Suroor
said: “That was a very pleasing effort and this horse has really
improved over the winter. We have no rush to decide his future targets
and will sit down and discuss it sometime soon.”
The team completed a quick double
when Hatta Fort won the Marju Trophy, the following 1300m turf handicap
to compensate for an unlucky passage on his previous outing.
Group 3 Cape Verdi, over 1600m and
on the turf, was won in style by the Jerry Barton-trained Deem who was
having her first start on grass and is now unbeaten in four starts.
Fernando Jara was in the saddle and
explained: “I was impressed as she ran quite green in the straight and
should improve for that run.”
Racing opened with the Group 1
Maktoum Challenge Round II, over 2400m on dirt, the only Purebred
Arabian race on the card and was won for the second time by Sheikh
Hamdan’s Al Jalfane – having scored in 2007.
Daragh O’Donohoe was in the saddle
and made all on the eight-year-old, trained by Doug Watson and surely
one of the toughest horses in training.
Watson concurs: “He just does not
like being passed and has fought them all off bravely. He has been a
great servant to the yard and it is lovely to see him win again.”
The Intikhab Trophy, a 1500m grass
handicap, provided Johnny Murtagh with the perfect opportunity to make a
winning return to the UAE and his first ride of the season, Summit
Surge, won well.
The following 1400m dirt handicap,
Bahri, was won by Sheikh Hamdan’s retained jockey Richard Hills, in the
famous blue and white silks, on the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Snaafy.
There were two 2000m grass
handicaps, the Tamayuz and Alhaarth, with the first going to Mick
Channon’s Halicarnassus and Tadhg O’Shea, with Ahmad Ajtebi winning the
latter, the final race, on the Mubarak Bin Shafya-trained Eastern
Anthem. - www.dubairacingclub.com - 6 Feb 2009
The J&B Met
Anyone who has an interest in the
Sport Of Kings and witnessed the J&B Met last Saturday will have
been in awe of the brilliance of Pocket Power.
The South African Horse Of The Year not only set a new record by winning
the Cape's biggest race three times in a row, but he convincingly
showed that he is the best there is.
His win was scintillatiing and he did it the hard way, battling off a
very game Dancer's Daughter to show who the king of the Sport of Kings
is.
Congratulations to all the connections of a magnificent acheivement.
As sad as it is to say, one hopes that Pocket Power is allowed the
opportunity to race abroad and show the world what a wonderful talent he
is and what great horses we breed in this country.
Chad Cooke 2 February 2009
The
J&B Met
Kenilworth 2000m
Saturday 31 March 2009
1. POCKET POWER
South Africa's champion. He will be looking to re-write the
history books and become the first horse to win the Met three times. He
is the worthy favourite, has the form and is the best weighted horse in
the field. History beckons!
2. BUY AND SELL
Has shown himself to be one of the best of his generation. Has locked
horns with them all and has done well. Has Anthony Delpech in the irons
and should again give a good account of himself.
3. AFRICAN APPEAL
Has done little since returning to SA after a campaign abroad.
Will need to improve on recent runs but could make the quartet pay and
might be a worthwhile inclusion.
4. KAPIL
Has good recent form and is one of the best milers around. Has
yet to prove his prowess over this distance but with Felix Coetzee
having stuck with him for this race he should be respected.
5. CATMANDU
A hard-knocking handicapper that has shown himself to be quite capable
on his day. However, he has a lot to do here and could be found wanting.
6. SURFIN' USA
Had a great prep run for this race and on that basis of that has
to be given a big chance. Showed versatility and has to form to back up a
strong claim. Do well.
7. VISION OF GRANDEUR
Has put up some decent efforts since having landed on SA soil but
looks better over further and could be found wanting here.
8. GREAT RHYTHM
Has good form and has come on well since coming back to South
Africa. Has been in the care of 'old man' Brown and with Robbie Hill in
the irons is one to consider strongly. Quartet chance.
9. FLOATYOURBOAT
Has failed to build on the promise he showed as a three-year-old. Looks
set to be the pacemaker here and will be sacrificed for his more
illustrious stablemates.
10. GOLDEN DICE
Good handicapper but has yet to prove his effectiveness in this
company and over this trip.
11. PRINCE ASAD
Wonderfully-bred and winner of the J&B Reserve Stayers last
year. Comes off a break and looks better over further.
12. QUICK MILLIONS
Badly beaten in the Queen's Plate and looks out of his depth in this
class. Could have bitten off more than he can chew.
13. DANCER'S DAUGHTER
Disappointing last time and has to settle to have any chance. Kevin Shea
settled her in the July and we saw what she is capable of. Big danger
if giving herself a chance.
14. IVORY TRAIL
Comes into this contest having won his last three races
impressively, but against far weaker. Up in class substantially but
fancied by the stable and could be worth considering in quartet.
15. CASEY'S SON
Has shown little recently to get excited about and one has to feel that
this is certainly a birdge too far.
16. RIVER JETEZ
A game mare that gives of best most of the time. Has every chance on
recent form to Dancer's Daughter and could claim a place. One for the
quartets.
Chad
Cooke's selections for the Met:
1. Pocket Power
2. Surfin' USA
3. Dancer's Daughter
4. Kapil
CURLIN
January 27, 2009
Still skimming the international
wave of his record-setting Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) victory, Curlin was
crowned Monday night as America’s Horse of the Year for the second
consecutive season, the first horse to earn that distinction since
inaugural World Cup winner Cigar.
The rare honor and further laurels
as American champion older male follow the International Federation of
Horseracing Authorities’ World Thoroughbred Rankings’ designation of
Curlin as the co-best horse in the world last year, along with Princess
Haya's and Darley’s New Approach.
Curlin’s conditioner Steve Asmussen
earned his first Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer, having set a
North American record for wins as well as saddling the World Cup
champion.
Additionally, Dubai Golden Shaheen
(Gr.1) winner Benny the Bull was lauded as America’s champion sprinter,
defeating two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Gr.1) winner Midnight Lute in
the balloting. Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, which
raced Benny the Bull and three-year-old male champion Big Brown,
reported that Benny the Bull will be brought out of retirement to race
again this summer.
But the Eclipse Award celebration,
held in Miami Beach, Florida, clearly belonged to Curlin and his
connections.
“This is an honor beyond the dreams
of somebody who dreamed he would someday own a champion racehorse when I
saw Seabiscuit run in 1938,” said Jess Jackson, majority owner of
Curlin, as he accepted the gold Horse of the Year statue.
Jackson reported that Curlin still
wants to run. In fact, he quipped that Curlin gets depressed when he is
returned from time in his paddock to his stall at William S. Farish’s
Lane’s End, where the son of Smart Strike will begin covering mares next
month.
“He doesn’t know what he’s up for; I
think he’s going to be very pleased,” said Jackson, who suggested that
Curlin's awards have elevated him into the ranks of America’s greatest
racehorses. Some others who earned more than one Horse of the Year title
include Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Affirmed.
Asmussen gave one of the more
touching acceptance speeches of the evening, acknowledging the role of
his parents, trainers Keith and Marilyn, in raising him and his brother
Cash, who won the Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey in
1979.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to
win this award, especially for my parents. To have two kids fortunate
enough to win Eclipse Awards is quite a feat, so congratulations to
you,” Steve Asmussen said before thanking his staff and Jackson as well
as Curlin.
“What a special horse,” Amussen
exclaimed reverently. “We simply got out of his way.”
During his turn at the podium to
accept Benny the Bull’s award, Iavarone praised the six-year-old son of
Lucky Lionel for his trademark last-to-first runs and said he hopes the
horse can repeat as champion sprinter of 2009. Benny the Bull had been
retired last August when a bone chip was discovered in his right front
ankle.
Iavarone also took time to recount
the merits of Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1) and
Preakness Stakes (Gr.1) who earned the Eclipse Award as champion
three-year-old male over Princess Haya’s and Darley’s Breeders’ Cup
Classic (Gr.1) winner Raven’s Pass.
“He was the biggest dream any owner
could ever have,” Iavarone said.
In other awards of note, Breeders’
Cup Juvenile (Gr.1) winner Midshipman, who carried the Darley colors of
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, gained the Eclipse Award as
champion two-year-old male, while Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs and
Stronach Stables earned the prizes as outstanding breeder and owner.
In the other Eclipse Award
categories, winners were:
Two-year-old filly: Undefeated
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly (Gr.1) winner Stardom Bound, who was
purchased by IEAH for $5.7 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale;
Three-year-old filly: Kentucky Oaks
(Gr.1) winner Proud Spell, who won the award over Godolphin’s Music
Note, the ill-fated Eight Belles, Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr.1) winner
Goldikova and Indian Blessing;
Older female: Undefeated Zenyatta, a
daughter of 2002 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry who, along with Big
Brown, were the other finalists for the Horse of the Year title;
Female sprinter: Indian Blessing,
the 2007 champion juvenile filly who is being aimed at this year’s Dubai
Golden Shaheen by trainer Bob Baffert, who also conditioned Midshipman
for his championship campaign. Baffert has now trained ten American
champions as well as Dubai World Cup winners Silver Charm and Captain
Steve;
Male turf horse: Breeders’ Cup Turf
(Gr.1) winner Conduit, also winner of the British classic St. Leger for
Ballymacoll Farm and trainer Sir Michael Stoute;
Female turf horse: Breeders’ Cup
Filly and Mare Turf (Gr.1) winner Forever Together, who prevailed in the
voting over Goldikova and Godolphin’s American Grade 1 winner and UAE
classic winner Cocoa Beach;
Jockey: Garrett Gomez, who led all
American jockeys by mount earnings and took the Eclipse for the second
consecutive year;
Apprentice jockey: Pascacio “Paco”
Lopez, a native of Mexico who was based in Florida and led all
apprentice riders with 171 wins; and
Steeplechase horse: Good Night
Shirt.
In addition, Alice Headley
Chandler, owner of Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, was honored
with the Eclipse Award of Merit for lifetime achievement in the
Thoroughbred industry, while the American Association of Equine
Practitioners was given a Special Eclipse Award for its On Call Program
of public information at major racing events.- Dubai Racing Club
INTERNATIONAL
Dubai Carnival
INTERNATIONALDubai Carnival
Juddmonte Farms’ brilliantly bred
Champs Elysees, already a two-time Grade 1 winner on the turf, is being
guided by American Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel on a path
that could take him to the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program.
A six-year-old son of Danehill out
of Hasili and thus a full brother to American champions Banks Hill and
Intercontinental, Champs Elysees is slated to make his 2009 bow in the
US$200,000 San Antonio Handicap (Gr.2) over Santa Anita Park’s synthetic
track on February 8. Next on his schedule is a second consecutive
effort in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (Gr.1) on March 7, a race
in which he was third in 2008.
Frankel said if all goes well in
those races, he could opt to try the Dubai World Cup even though Champs
Elysees has not competed on a dirt surface to date. However, Frankel
said he could easily shift Champs Elysees to the Dubai Sheema Classic
(Gr.1) as the horse has won both his Grade 1 efforts at 1 ½ miles on the
grass.
“I just have to see him run first,”
Frankel said when asked about the most likely scenario.
When Frankel sends horses to Dubai,
they are always competitive. He dispatched Medaglia d'Oro to be a game
second to Pleasantly Perfect in the 2004 Dubai World Cup and he also
sent out Public Purse for third in the 2000 edition of the race.
Additionally, he trained Marenostrum and Lido Palace, who were second
and third, respectively, in the 2005 and 2001 runnings of the UAE Derby
(Gr.2)
Champs Elysees, who started his
career as a group stakes winner in Europe, wrapped up a career-best
season in 2008 with a victory in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (Gr.1) at
Hollywood Park on December 6. In September, the bay won the Northern
Dancer Turf Stakes (Gr.1) at Woodbine Racetrack in Canada, and in
between those two events, he finished 5 1/4 lengths behind winner
Raven’s Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr.1) at Santa Anita.
Frankel said he has been pleased
with Champs Elysees’ recent training. On Sunday, the horse drilled six
furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:13.40. A week earlier, he had covered the
same distance in 1:13.80.
Overall, Champs Elysees has won or
placed in 16 of 21 career starts and has earned $1,354,761.
While he is the star of the barn,
Champs Elysees is just one of seven horses Frankel has nominated to the
Dubai World Cup program, including Brazilian-bred UAE Derby candidates
Fluke and Runforthedoe. Both colts have solid group stakes credentials,
with Runforthedoe a Group 1 winner in Argentina and Fluke a Group 3
winner and a Group 1 runner-up in Brazil.
Frankel also has nominated
Juddmonte’s French Group 1 winner Zambezi Sun and his own Good Request
to the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic. He said he hasn’t
decided definitely on Zambezi Sun’s first start in the United States,
but added that it could come in the Santa Anita Handicap.
Other Frankel nominees to the Dubai
World Cup program are Midships, who was third in the Hollywood Derby
(Gr.1) last year and who has been nominated to the Dubai Duty Free
(Gr.1) and the Dubai Sheema Classic, and Brother Keith, nominated to the
UAE Derby. Frankel said that a slight illness has altered Midships’
potential schedule while Brother Keith, who is being aimed at a possible
start in the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1), likely will stay in the United
States. -Dubai Racing Club
J&B MET
The eagerly awaited clash
between Vodacom Durban July dead-heaters Pocket Power and Dancer's
Daughter willtake place at Kenilworth racecourse on the last Saturday of
this month when the two lock horns in the J&B Met. Many might
beleive that the contest will be a match race, but the Met has a habit
of throwing up a few surprises and the contest might not be that cut and
dried.
J&B MET
J&B MET
J&B MET
J&B MET
2009 J&B Met Final Field
|
Sc# Horse
|
Mass |
MR |
|
Draw |
B |
A |
T |
Jockey |
Trainer |
|
1 POCKET POWER
|
58.0
|
120
|
(120)
|
10
|
|
A
|
B
|
Fayd'Herbe
|
Mike Bass
|
|
2 BUY AND SELL
|
58.0
|
113
|
(113)
|
5
|
|
A
|
T
|
A Delpech
|
Sean Tarry
|
|
3 AFRICAN APPEAL
|
58.0
|
104
|
(104)
|
15
|
|
A
|
|
G Cheyne
|
Mike Bass
|
|
4 KAPIL
|
56.0
|
110
|
(110)
|
12
|
|
A
|
|
F Coetzee
|
Stan Elley
|
|
5 CATMANDU
|
56.0
|
107
|
(107)
|
6
|
|
A
|
T
|
G Wrogemann
|
Andre Kirsten
|
|
6 SURFIN' USA
|
56.0
|
107
|
(107)
|
11
|
|
A
|
|
P Strydom
|
Mark Dixon
|
|
7 VISION OF GRANDEUR
|
56.0
|
104
|
(104)
|
9
|
B
|
A
|
|
A Fortune
|
Darryl Hodgson
|
|
8 GREAT RHYTHM
|
56.0
|
103
|
(103)
|
4
|
|
A
|
|
R Hill
|
Herman Brown
|
|
9 FLOATYOURBOAT
|
56.0
|
101
|
(101)
|
2
|
|
A
|
T
|
M Byleveld
|
Mike Bass
|
|
10 GOLDEN DICE
|
56.0
|
99
|
( 99)
|
7
|
|
A
|
|
F Anthony
|
Darryl Hodgson
|
|
11 PRINCE ASAD
|
56.0
|
99
|
( 99)
|
1
|
B
|
A
|
|
J Geroudis
|
Geoff Woodruff
|
|
12 QUICK MILLIONS
|
56.0
|
93
|
( 93)
|
8
|
B
|
A
|
|
...............
|
Glen Puller
|
|
13 DANCER'S DAUGHTER
|
55.5
|
114
|
(114)
|
13
|
|
A
|
|
K Shea
|
Justin Snaith
|
|
14 IVORY TRAIL
|
55.5
|
109
|
(108)
|
16
|
|
A
|
|
R Fourie
|
Joey Ramsden
|
|
15 CASEY'S SON
|
55.5
|
101
|
(100)
|
3
|
|
A
|
|
N Roebuck
|
J Butterworth
|
|
16 RIVER JETEZ
|
53.5
|
102
|
(102)
|
14
|
|
A
|
|
G Hatt
|
Mike Bass
|
Couplings: (1,3,9,16) (7,10)
INTERNATIONAL
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL RACING CARNIVAL
South Africans Mike de Kock and
Herman Brown may have the largest individual teams of the international
trainers, but it is Europe who will supply the most trainers throughout
the Carnival.
With handlers from the UK, Ireland,
France, Germany, Greece, Spain and Italy among those confirmed, ‘team
Europe’ looks a strong and versatile one.
With internationally-renowned names
such as Pascal Bary, John Hammond, Jim Bolger, John Oxx, Dermot Weld,
Alain de Royer-Dupre, Mark Johnston, Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden,
Brian Meehan, Jeremy Noseda, Mick Channon, Luca Cumani and Clive
Brittain all set to be represented, the European challenge is sure to be
fierce.
Germany’s Quijano is a Carnival
regular, with three wins in 2007 and he was third in last year’s Dubai
Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
Ralph Beckett, fresh from winning
his first Classic (Epsom Oaks) is set to bring his maiden Breeders’ Cup
winner Muhannak to Dubai.
Brian Meehan’s Cat Junior was
fourth in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat and is set to spearhead a select
team for the trainer who won the 2006 Dubai Duty Free with David Junior.
Group 2 winning juvenile City
Leader is another for Meehan who could bounce back to his very best.
Hearthshead Maison, a Group 3
winner for Mark Johnston, runs tonight at Nad Al Sheba, Apollo Star is a
Group 2 winner in his native Germany, while dual Group 3 winner
Vertigineux will represent France.
Purple Moon, runner-up in the 2007
Melbourne Cup filled the same position in the Hong Kong Vase most
recently and is part of a Luca Cumani team and Spanish Moon has won
three times in Listed company for Sir Michael Stoute.
David Nicholls will have the
largest individual string from Europe with Valery Borzov one to keep an
eye on, while Andrew Balding’s Banknote will be a first UAE runner for
Her Majesty The Queen.
Other first night runners from
Europe include Ireland’s Miss Goricia, Red Eye Express and Varsity,
while France will be represented by Lessing, Estrela Boa, Estrela Do
Oriente, Gloria De Campeao and Far From Old, Clifton Dancer,
representing Tom Dascombe who was formerly de Kock’s assistant here at
Nad Al Sheba, is another runner from the UK. - Dubai Racing Club
L'ORMARINS QUEEN'S PLATE
The anticipated clash between Vodacom Durban
July deadheaters Pocket Power and Dancer's Daughter will not be
realised when the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate is run over 1600m at
weight-for-age terms on Saturday 10 January 2009.
Trainer Justin Snaith has elected to make the Paddock Stakes the aim of
his champion filly, a race she should have at her mercy.
The final fields for the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate and the TBA Paddock
Stakes are:
THE L'ORMARINS QUEENS PLATE
No. Dr Horse Wgt
M/R Jockey Trainer
1 3 POCKET POWER 58.0 120 A B Fayd'Herbe Mike
Bass
2 5 BUY AND SELL 58.0 113 T A G
Lerena Sean Tarry
3 8 OUR GIANT (AUS) 58.0 111 BA A
Marcus Charles Laird
4 10 KAPIL 58.0 110 A F
Coetzee Stan Elley
5 6 VISION OF GRANDEUR 58.0 104 BA A
Fortune Darryl Hodgson
6 9 FLOATYOURBOAT 58.0 103 A *A
Domeyer Mike Bass
7 1 THUNDERING JET 58.0 103 A K
Neisius Mike Bass
8 2 AFRICAN APPEAL 58.0 102 A G
Cheyne Mike Bass
9 11 ALVARO (AUS) 58.0 101 A R
Fourie Justin Snaith
10 4 QUICK MILLIONS (BR 58.0 93 BA P
Botha Glen Puller
11 7 MAJESTIC SUN 58.0 91 A G
Behr Harold Crawford
TTHE TBA PADDOCK STAKES
No. Dr Horse Wgt
M/R Jockey Trainer
1 3 DANCER'S DAUGHTER 58.0 114
A B Fayd'Herbe Justin Snaith
2 1 RIVER JETEZ 58.0 102
A K Neisius Mike Bass
3 4 QUEBEC EXPRESS (US 58.0 90
A R Fourie Justin Snaith
4 2 EMBLEM OF LIBERTY 57.5 102 T
A G Cheyne Geoff Woodruff
5 6 NANIA 57.5 100
A A Fortune Joey Ramsden
6 7 REI REI 57.5 99
A M Byleveld Stan Elley
7 5 GONE WILD 57.5 86
A F Coetzee Basil Marcus
8 8 CONSENSUAL 52.0 102
A G Hatt Mike Bass
INTERNATIONAL
The
Queen will be represented for the first time on a UAE racetrack after
it was revealed Banknote will run at the 2009 Dubai International Racing
Carnival.
The six-year-old had been aimed at the Carnival at Nad Al Sheba
previously but setbacks prevented his participation.
The son of Zafonic showed he was in rude health when winning a
conditions race at Lingfield in the UK on Saturday, and is reportedly
firmly on target for the Carnival.
His trainer Andrew Balding said: “The Queen has been very keen to have a
runner in Dubai and we tried to get him there for the last two
Carnivals but he was never right.
“It might be a blessing in disguise in a way as his rating has dropped
and we can set him off in some handicaps.
“He has won a race every year now and we’re looking forward to seeing
how he gets on in Dubai.”
Banknote has some good form to his name, notably in 2007, when he won
the Group 3 Badener Meile at Baden-Baden, and the Listed Doncaster Mile
at Lingfield.
Another bound for Dubai is Dansant, who won the 2000m Listed race at the
same meeting on the Lingfield Polytrack.
Winning trainer Gerard Butler told the Racing Post: “He was bought to
win a Melbourne Cup. He is going to Dubai and the owner Barbara Keller
has been aiming towards the Maktoum Challenge Series.” - Dubai Racing
Club
Gape Guineas promises much
A crack field of 16 three year olds
has accepted for this year’s running of the R 1 million Bloodstock
South Africa Cape Guineas (Gr 1) that will be run over 1600 m at
Kenilworth on Saturday, December 20. A maximum field is headed by Big
City Life and Jamaican Dream and the two smart fillies in Sparkling Gem
and Mother Russia. Big City Life, out of the Glen Kotzen yard, is a
three-time winner including the Racing Association Stakes (Listed) and
most recently warmed up for the Guineas with a classy second behind
champion Pocket Power. The Brett Crawford-trained Jamaican Dream
numbers the Betting World Cape of Good Hope Nursery, the Betting World
The Langerman and the Investec Cape Classic among his victories. Most
recently he finished unplaced behind Le Drakkar in the Selengor Cup but
is likely to strip at his peak for this event and has also drawn well at
two.
Trainer Justin Snaith made no
bones about what he thought of Sparkling Gem’s chances after her victory
in the Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas last Saturday and she,
along with Mother Russia who finished a close-up second, will be out to
emulate the great Empress Club who was the last filly to win this
important race.
Basil Marcus, who trained Jay Peg
to win this race in 2006, sends out two runners in the highly rated Rudi
Rocks and the talented Flying West. His brother Anton has once again
been booked to ride Rudi Rocks for Markus Jooste and his prospects of
turning some strong-finishing placed efforts into a victory will be
greatly enhanced by the long straight of the Kenilworth summer track.
Only four visiting runners have
made the trip from the Highveld, headed by the Mike de Kock-trained Ant
Of Agasta and the unbeaten Meet At Malamala. Stable first call rider,
Kevin Shea, will be aboard Ant Of Agasta but he has drawn wide at 15.
Anthony Delpech, first call rider when Shea is on international duty,
drove Meet At Malamala to victory in the recent Secretariat Stakes at
Turffontein, the race won by last year’s unbeaten Bloodstock South
Africa Cape Guineas winner Pointing North. Pointing North has since
been shipped overseas and is currently in France where he is being
prepared for the Dubai Carnival.
Port Elizabeth is represented by
Mitch Wiese’s Lizard’s Desire who will be ridden by his regular pilot,
Samango Khumalo. - Gold Circle.
The final field for the R1 million
BloodStock South Africa Cape Guineas (Grade 1) is:
Sc# Horse
Mass MR Draw B A T Jockey Trainer
1 BIG CITY LIFE 57.0
103 ( 91) 10 A B Fayd'Herbe Glen Kotzen
2 JAMAICAN DREAM 57.0 103 (
91) 2 A K Neisius Brett Crawford
3 RUDI ROCKS 57.0
102 ( 90) 8 B A A Marcus Basil Marcus
4 SPORTING BOY 57.0
102 ( 90) 12 A J Geroudis Alec Laird
5 MASTER OF ALL 57.0
99 ( 87) 9 A ............... Alec Laird
6 ANT OF AGASTA 57.0
98 ( 86) 15 A K Shea Mike de Kock
7 BUSH PIRATE
57.0 98 ( 86) 14 A A Fortune Joey Ramsden
8 KINGS CROSS
57.0 98 ( 86) 5 A *A Domeyer Stan Elley
9 LE DRAKKAR
57.0 98 ( 86) 16 A M Byleveld Dean Kannemeyer
10 CHIEF BLACKFOOT 57.0 96 (
84) 18 A M Winnaar Riaan Van Reenen
11 FLYING WEST 57.0
94 ( 82) 6 A G Hatt Basil Marcus
12 VOLPISTA
57.0 91 ( 79) 3 A S Randolph Glen Kotzen
13 LIZARD'S DESIRE 57.0
90 ( 78) 13 A S Khumalo Mitchell Wiese
14 MEET AT MALAMALA 57.0 89 (
77) 1 A A Delpech Mike de Kock
15 SPARKLING GEM 54.5
102 ( 90) 17 A R Fourie Justin Snaith
16 MOTHER RUSSIA 54.5
100 ( 88) 7 A ............... Joey Ramsden
Reserve Runners
17 EXPLORATION 57.0 91 (
79) 4 A Reserve 1 Basil Marcus
18 HEMINGWAY 57.0 89 ( 77) 11 A Reserve
2 Dean Kannemeyer
J&B Met Nominations and weights
Nominations and weights for the
Grade 1 R 2,500,000 J&B Met which will be run over 2000m at
Kenilworth on Saturday 31 January 2009
Open to all Horses
WFA: 3yrs-6.0kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
POCKET POWER (6G) 0.0 120
Mike Bass
DANCER'S DAUGHTER (5M) 0.0 114
Justin Snaith
BUY AND SELL (5G) 0.0 113
Sean Tarry
KAPIL (6G) 0.0 110
Stan Elley
BILL OF RIGHTS (5G) 0.0 107
Mike Bass
CATMANDU (5G) 0.0 107
Andre Kirsten
SURFIN' USA (5G) 0.0 107
Mark Dixon
FLOATYOURBOAT (6G) 0.0 104
Mike Bass
AFRICAN APPEAL (7G) 0.0 103
Mike Bass
BIG CITY LIFE (3C) 0.0 103
Glen Kotzen
GREAT RHYTHM (7G) 0.0 103
Herman Brown
THUNDERING JET (4G) 0.0 103
Mike Bass
RIVER JETEZ (5M) 0.0 102
Mike Bass
ALVARO (AUS) (4G) 0.0 101
Justin Snaith
CASEY'S SON (4G) 0.0 101 J
Butterworth
AL ON THE RUN (5G) 0.0 99 B
Shane Humby
GOLDEN DICE (6G) 0.0 99
Darryl Hodgson
PRINCE ASAD (5G) 0.0 99 B
Geoff Woodruff
LE DRAKKAR (AUS) (3C) 0.0 98
Dean Kannemeyer
ROYAL AIR FORCE (6H) 0.0 96
Geoff Woodruff
BOUND TO TRAVEL (5G) 0.0 94
Justin Snaith
VISION OF GRANDEUR (5H) 0.0 94 B
Darryl Hodgson
QUICK MILLIONS (BR (5G) 0.0 93 B
Glen Puller
WINTER WIZARD (6G) 0.0 93
Brett Crawford
SKY BLASTER (5G) 0.0 92
Mike Bass
TUNA COWBOY (5H) 0.0 91 B
Basil Marcus
LITTLEREDCORVETTE (4G) 0.0 88
Glen Puller
(27)
International news
Caulfield Cup winner leads
O'Brien's Dubai squad
Posted by ADMIN on December 1, 2008
- 10:41 pm
2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master
O’Reilly looks set for a tilt at the US$5m Dubai Sheema Classic
(sponsored by Nakheel), following Danny O’Brien’s reconnaissance trip to
Dubai last week.
The leading Aussie trainer visited
the Nad Al Sheba facilities for the first time, and was suitably
impressed to nominate three horses for the 2009 Dubai International
Racing Carnival.
"Our (Australian) racing is really
struggling now and some other spots around the world are going really
well so you have to have a look at them," said the Flemington trainer.
"Our racing has been stagnant for
the last five years and to keep your business going you have look
overseas to get a better return for your owners.
"With the way the US dollar is,
races over there are worth 50 per cent more than this time last year."
O’Brien also intends to send 2008
Caulfield Cup third Barbaricus for the Dubai Sheema Classic, a
2400-metre race run on turf on Dubai World Cup night on March 28.
He said Master O'Reilly would run
in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7 before being
flown to Dubai, while Barbaricus would leave earlier for suitable
lead-up races, along with Valedictum
"Master O'Reilly will certainly run
and we may take Barbaricus and Valedictum for some lead-up races," said
O'Brien, who bids to follow in the footsteps of fellow Aussies Tony
Vasil and Tony Noonan, who have plundered Dubai races.
"Barbaricus will probably head up
there for the start of the carnival and have two or three lead-up runs
into (the Sheema Classic) as his rating would allow him to do.
"It's a race that's no stronger
than the Caulfield Cup if you go by recent years. It's on turf and early
in the season for the Europeans.
"In the lead up to the World Cup
meeting they have 10 weeks of racing and a lot of what we'd class as
Listed or Group Three class races worth between $US150,000 to $US200,000
which is probably where Valedictum is now," O'Brien told AAP.
"He is probably a length short of
the Group One races here and those were the races Tony Noonan's horses
were very competitive in so he could go as a travelling companion for
Barbaricus."
Noonan sent two horses to Dubai in
2007 with Benedetti winning two of his three starts there and Smart And
Mighty one of his three appearances.
The Vasil-trained Elvstroem became
the first Australian-trained horse to win in Dubai when he led all the
way in the Dubai Duty Free (1777m) in 2005 with Nash Rawiller in the
saddle. - Dubai Racing Club
RACING SEASON 2007/2008
The 2007/2008 racing season
delivered many memorable performances and contests, none finer than the
Vodacom Durban July where Equus Horse Of The Year Pocket Power
dead-heated with the talented Graeme Beck-owned Dancer’s Daughter.
On the home front, Gary Alexander
Racing Stables enjoyed a season that held, more than anything else,
promise.
The yard has a number of young
horses that came through the season well and have laid the foundation
for a 2008/2009 challenge that should see continued growth and bigger
prizes.
The two stalwarts of the yard,
Flintlock and Lightning Lecture, showed that on their day they are as
good as the best around and there should be more to come from these
talented speedsters.
From a statistical point of view,
the 2006/2007 saw the stable end 22nd on the National Trainers Log with
366 runners winning 50 races and place ratio percentage of 55. The
stable amasses R3 052 450 in stake money according to the official
statistics of the National Horse Racing Authority.
In the 2007/2008 racing year, Gary
Alexander Racing Stables moved into the 16th position on the National
Trainers Log. The stable sent out 400 runners for 55 wins and had a
place ratio percentage of 56.
Earnings for last season were 26
percent up on the previous season, with gross stakes finishing on
R4 098 688.
EQUUS
AWARDS 2007/2008
The Equus Awards for the 2007/2008 racing season were announced at a
Gala Dinner at Emperors Palace on Thursday night August 14 and Pocket
Power was the toast of the night.
Not only did the Vodacom Durban July dead-heat
winner secure the most coveted prize of the night, that of Horse Of The
Year, but he also won the Champion Older Mile (male) category and the
Champion Older Middle-Distance Horse awards.
The 2007/2008 Equus Award winners are:
Horse Of
The Year - Pocket Power
Champion
2yo filly - Consensual
Champion
2yo colt - Rocks Off
Champion
Sprinter - JJ The Jet Plane
Champion
3yo "Miler" (Female) - Captain's Lover
Champion
3yo "Miler" (Male) - Pointing North
Champion
3yo Middle-Distance (Female) - Wendywood
Champion
3yo Middle-Distance (Male) - Russian Sage
Champion
Older "Miler" (Female) - Dancer's Daughter
Champion
Older "Miler" (Male) - Pocket Power
Champion
Older Middle-Distance Horse - Pocket Power
Champion
Stayer - Kings Gambit/Thundering Star
Champion
Stallion - Jet Master
Champion
Broodmare - Stormsvlei
Champion
Breeder - Summerhill
Apprentice
Of The Year - Brandon Lerena
Champion
Jockey - Mark Khan
Champions
Trainer - Mike de Kock
Owner Of
The Year - Markus and Ingrid Jooste
Outstanding
Stallion Achievement Award - Camden Park
Breeder
Award for Exceptional International Achievement - High Season Stud
Breeder
of the Year Award - Zandvliet Stud (Dan De Wet)
Work
Rider Award - Msiwakhe Abram Makhubo (Gauteng), Lungese Nhose (Western
Cape)
Special
Achievement - Owner - Marsh Shirtliff
Outstanding
International Achievement (Human) - Trevor Denman
Outstanding
International Achievmeent (Equine) - Jay Peg
Group
Awards - Archipenko; Jay Peg; Sun Classique