v
1
v
2
v
Honouring A
SON OF AFRICA message from Australia, from a colleague that he has reciprocal respect for. “That’s really a lovely gesture and an honour. Jeff was one of the greats. I will definitely be finding a copy of his book as I’d love to read it – and with Covid and lockdown, many of us have gone back to the old fashioned pursuit of reading a good book – which is a really good thing,” he laughs. He recalled that his own biography, ‘Michael Roberts: A Champion's Story’ written by Michael Tanner, was published 26 years ago. Muis says that the apprentices at the SA Jockey Academy and many of his colleagues have borrowed the book over time.
Kwazulu-Natal horseracing honours one of their greatest ever sons this weekend when the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap is the headliner on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card on Sunday. While a few have laid claim to the title of South African horseracing’s greatest ambassador, nobody matches the inimitable Michael Leonard Roberts.
Guv- Overcoming The Odds’. “In all sports you have people you look up to, and Michael Roberts was definitely that person for me in the South African racing fraternity. What he achieved throughout his career is exactly what any jockey would hope to emulate.
At the age of 66, and training a string of just under 50 horses out of his Summerveld base these days , Cape Town-born Michael Roberts projects the same cucumber calm demeanour that saw him ride some of the greatest finishes internationally over two decades ago.
Winning 11 jockey titles and then the UK title, which incidentally I was in the UK to witness, took great determination and commitment. These attributes are exactly why he was so admired. In my eyes he was probably tactically the smartest and shrewdest competitor I rode against and definitely one of the hardest jockeys to beat in a finish. I wish him well on his special day,” said Jeff.
He was taken aback when we opened our chat and read him a message sent to us by his one-time colleague and good friend, Jeff Lloyd, who recently published his biography ‘The
Despite enjoying the following of a legion of fans, and having rubbed shoulders with royalty, heads of state and movie stars in an illustrious career, Muis was clearly moved by the short
3
“I still have the original leather-bound version thankfully which I will hand on to my daughters. A lot of water has flown under the bridge in the ensuing years. Maybe in a few years, I will sit down and catch up on life in the last three decades,” he muses. We asked the eleven-time SA champion and 1992 champion of Britain how he was enjoying training horses in the bread-and-butter mill of KZN racing, as opposed to the relative glamour life of a champion jockey. “It’s a strange variation that I have long pondered over. When I rode champion Gr1 horses for some of the world’s biggest owners in front of massive crowds, I was strangely calm and confident. Today I saddle a maiden prospect at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and I am a bundle of nerves and hyped up stress! The thing is that each and every one of our horses are our children. You know what it’s like when your son or daughter runs in the athletics at school – it’s an emotional event. They are on their
v
4
v
own and we are helpless when they come out of the blocks. That’s how it is for me as a trainer. It takes months to prep them and I still take enormous pride in saddling a routine midweek maiden winner. Just think again what goes into preparing a horse to win a race!” he adds seriously. As for ‘his’ racemeeting on Sunday, Muis says that he will have a few runners. In years gone by, he has interacted with the public on course, told stories about great horses like Mtoto, and signed autographs. He acknowledges that it will be very different this year. “I will be there but it will be very
different to the great days that Gold Circle have put on for me in years past. I noticed over the weekend how the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate organisers adjusted the goal posts and cleverly focussed on the use of social media and television to project the festival to the world. It came across really well and brought the festival into our homes. I suppose that’s what they call the ‘new normal’ for now and if one considers it, the human being is an amazingly adaptive creature. We adjust. We accept. We make the most of it. That’s the spirit and we will get through this!” Muis has won his own race five times – both as a jockey and a trainer. A neck injury resulting from a fall in the UK in 2001 led to him retiring from riding at the age of 48, just 32 winners short of his 4000 milestone.
It is appropriate that his tribute raceday is hosted at Hollywoodbets Scottsville – the racecourse where he rode the first of 3968 career winners at the 1968 on a horse called Smyrna. On Sunday, the majority of the races on the card are again named in honour of special players in his life. These include his first winner at the age of 14, Smyrna, Lando, on whom he won the Japan Cup in 1995, the great Mtoto who won the 1987 and 1988 Coral Eclipse stakes and went on to add the King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes to his impressive record, the Fred Rickaby-trained Sledgehammer, a horse he describes as ‘better than Barathea (Breeders Cup) and Mystiko (2000 Guineas), he was world-class!’
PRE-TRAINING “SOLID FOUNDATIONS LEAD TO SUCCESS”
● Backing ● Pre-Training ● Spelling ● Rehab ● Sales Prep ●Weanlings ● Free Transport to & from Summerveld & Ashburton Training Centre’s
● CONTACT: ROSIE – 082 460 3554 HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED JANE TROTTER
PROUDLY ENDORSED BY THE LEGENDARY
5
v
A grey Muis at 66
6
v
The Michael Roberts story will be told 100 years from now. He held the record for the most winners as an apprentice for many years and won the first of his eleven South African Jockeys Championships while still an apprentice. He later became only the sixth non-British or Irish jockey to win the British Jockeys Championship, which began in 1840 and is regarded as the hardest championship to win in world racing. In doing so he became only the third jockey in history after Sir Gordon Richards and Pat Eddery to ride over 200 winners in a British flat racing season.
Michael Roberts and Terimon after the 1991 Juddmonte The racing behind closed doors is in vast contrast to the legend’s greatest moment. “That was the sight of 200 000 people cheering when I turned to canter back after winning the Japan Cup on Lando in 1995. What a memory!”
A legendary son of Africa!
just kept a little bit in reserve. We sat and waited for him and in 3 strides my filly went bang and got him on the line. The Hollywoodbets Greyville crowd went bananas,” he smiles broadly – although he is adamant that Indian Skimmer is the best filly he has ridden – ‘by a street’.
On Sunday , the fourth race, a modest maiden plate is named in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. “Meeting the Queen after winning the King George and Q.E. Stakes was the greatest honour in my career,” he recalls. He says that Mtoto was the best horse he has ever ridden. “He was 3 to 5 lengths better than Lando at 2000m, which is the true test of a great horse.” While his 1997 July win on Super Quality was described as the pinnacle of his career, Muis says that the Winning Form Challenge was probably the race he is best known for. “It was the last match race in South Africa on December 30, 1989. It was a mile race between a son and daughter of Northern Guest – Senor Santa and Northern Princess. There was a capacity crowd on course to witness it - even with a cricket test and a major surfing competition underway on the same day. Everyone said Senor Santa would win it, but I
Muis wins the 1997 Durban July on Super Quality
7
v
8
v
9
Candiese Lenferna
v
Raymond Danielson – rides Blackball in Sunday’s feature
BIG MONEY ON MUIS’ DAY R1 075 000 will be up grabs for a 100% clean sheet in the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap heads a tricky nine-race card programme. Guest of honour – albeit behind closed doors – will be riding legend Michael ‘Muis’ Roberts who is honoured annually on this day. A field of ten lines up in the 1750m feature, and includes rather optimistic Cape Town Met entry Baby Shooz, who finished 0,05 lengths behind Shane Humby’s Mr Fitz last time. He is 0,5kgs better off at the weights and there should not be much separating the pair in the run
down to the wire. Mr Fitz ran a good race when finishing second in the Listed Christmas Handicap last time. He has won twice and finished second twice from six starts on this course. He jumps from a good draw and merits healthy respect as a fit contender. One of a pair of Gavin van Zyl contenders, the 6yo Blackball ran fourth in this race last year behind GG’s Dynasty and was ultra-impressive when winning his last start over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He caught the eye in the style that he drew off at the finish and comes in fit. Blackball has won three times and finished second once from six starts
10
on this course. He has a good record under ‘super sub’ Raymond Danielson and should take a power of beating. The rejuvenated Trip To Africa will be ridden by ‘Tubs’ Gumeded and comes in off two victories over a mile on the polytrack. He faces his toughest test to date, but has found a new lease on life and can notch up the hat-trick. That said, he is unlikely to have his own way in front and it could be a fascinating tactical contest. A reminder that the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge closes at 12h05 – that’s 5 minutes before the off of the first -don’t miss out on your free entry!
v
11
Jetting
INTO THE v
12
Chase Liebenberg
BLUE v
13
v
Justin Snaith saddled only the second 3yo winner of the R1 million Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate this century when the Drakenstein-bred Trippi colt Jet Dark became his sire’s ninth individual Gr1 winner and bounded home in a KZN partnership of Nic Jonsson and Tommy Crowe to win South Africa’s premier weight-for-age mile at Kenilworth on Saturday. Snaith, who coincidentally also saddled the previous 3yo to win the big one in present day Varsfontein sire Gimmethegreenlight in 2012, came to the LQP party with all guns loaded. And besides his two anchor seniors in Do It Again and Belgarion, included optimistic entry pacesetter Hurricane Harry, and the Cape Guineas low-flying fourth-placer, Jet Dark. And in an unlikely result, Jet Dark (12-1) became Justin Snaith’s third L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, when he came forward strongly down the inside rail under the ever alert Drakenstein-sponsored Grant van Niekerk to beat the powerful galloping and luckless Rainbow Bridge (7-2), who built on two past thirds in the blue ‘n white mile, to gain a meritorious second place, and show that he is well on track for the Cape Met in three weeks’ time.
(2018), 97, 73 secs in 2017 – and the slowest in five years of 99,23 secs in 2016. The Snaith tactical plan worked a dream on Saturday, as the Cape Champion outfit filled the first, third and fourth spot, and with Hurricane Harry doing the donkey work and ensuring a reasonable pace. Backed into 9-10, recent WSB Green Point Stakes winner Belgarion was a bit flat-footed late, and ran into a 1,25 length third. The extra 400m of the Cape Met will be right up his alley. Past winner Do It Again is still battling to regain his past fire, and ran a further 1,25 lengths back into fourth. Sean Tarry’s consistent and game entire Cirillo was given every chance by Gavin Lerena, but had nothing to come and had to be content with a 3,25 length fifth. In an interesting observation, Mike de Kock, who saddled 3yo Soqrat as runner-up behind Do It Again in 2019, said that overseas ‘they are queuing up to take on the older horses with their
3yo’s at weight-for-age.’ It’s easy to be wise after the event, but Justin Snaith’s move to include the 3yo is obviously to be lauded. Looking ahead, Snaith described Jet Dark as a ‘Cape Town type who is immature and needs to be looked after’. That suggests that Jet Dark won’t be on the Snaith 2021 SA Champions Season bus to the East Coast. A 200 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, Jet Dark was the 77th stakes winner sired by Drakenstein Stud’s resident sire Trippi when he won the Langerman last term. Justin reaffirmed after the race on Saturday that he still couldn’t work out how they bought the colt for that price. He is out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare Night Jet, a half-sister to Thukela Handicap winner Brown Penny and Gr1 Mercury Sprint runner-up Night Trip (Trippi). Jet Dark has won 4 races with 2 places from 7 starts for stakes of R759 100.
Chase Liebenberg
Receiving 5kgs for weight-for-age, Jet Dark beat Rainbow Bridge by 0,75 lengths in a time of 98,38 secs. While his contemporary of the 2012/13 season, Gimmethegreenlight, won the Queen’s Plate in 97,61 secs, Jet Dark’s time on Saturday was the second slowest in the past five years, with Vardy clocking 97 secs flat last year, Do It Again 97,29 secs the previous year, while Legal Eagle’s hat-trick was recorded in 98,14 secs
The Merits Jet Dark has had his merit rating raised from 109 to 130 after the solitary three-year-old in the line-up saw off a high class field of older horses on WFA terms in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. In assessing the race, the
Jet Dark storms home under Grant van Niekerk Handicappers felt that runner-up Rainbow Bridge had performed very similarly as when finishing second in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes in his most recent start, and accordingly used him to the mark of 128 he actually achieved on that occasion. That said, it was deemed premature to drop Rainbow Bridge to a mark of 128 and accordingly his rating was trimmed from 134 to 132.
14
4th placed Do It Again was dropped from 133 to 131 in order to make him lower than Rainbow Bridge, while the only other change was for Silver Operator, who is up from 109 to 112, which equates to his previous career best achieved rating.
v
15
Chase Liebenberg
v
Queen Supreme registers the double under Keagan de Melo
SUPREME DE KOCK
Mike de Kock has been lurking in the shadows of the beach umbrella this Cape Summer Season – but the master trainer produced yet another Gr1 winner when the Irish-bred Queen Supreme galloped into the record books at Kenilworth on Saturday to join the likes of 21st century dual Paddock Stakes winners Beach Beauty and Oh Susanna.
De Kock, whose previous Paddock Stakes winners include Mother Russia (2010), Angelina (2004), Escoleta Fitz (2002) and Dog Wood (1999), saddled one of the two yellow and black clad Mauritzfontein flagbearers in Saturday’s race, with Paul Peter’s younger Summer Pudding going off an even money favourite to register her tenth career victory and maintain her unbeaten record. But the honours fell to the 5yo Queen Supreme, who made it back-to-back victories in the prestigious R500 000 Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes when she drew clear at the 300m to give KZN jockey Keagan de Melo the easiest
The Merits Oueen Supreme remains unchanged on a mark of 126 after she recorded a second successive win in the Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes. As the line horse, the Handicappers opted to use runner-up Clouds Un-
Gr1 winner that he’d ride – that in his words. The frenetic early pace set by Summer Pudding’s stablemate Heart Stwings and the Snaith mare Silvano’s Pride made it a more than true-run affair – almost too quick in the minds of some jockeys – with Queen Supreme (3-1) asserting herself to beat Gr1 winner Clouds Unfold (6-1) by 2,25 lengths in a time of 110,32 secs. Adam Marcus’ Princess Calla (16-1) was the first of the 3yo’s home and the daughter of Flower Alley produced a superb effort. Summer Pudding was ideally placed but never quickened from midfield and she had to be content with seventh position, just under 5 lengths off the winner. Mike de Kock, who said this was mission accomplished for Queen Supreme, expressed empathy with his colleague Paul Peter.
get lucky. Then first time from a wide gate on a new course in a field of this calibre. I’m sure Summer Pudding will be back,” he added. Bred by Thomas Hassett, Queen Supreme is a daughter Exceed And Excel out of the unraced Gone West mare Call Later, who has now produced three Stakes winners including Be Ready, a son of New Approach who won the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes. Queen Supreme was purchased as a yearling at Goffs by Mayfair Speculators for €130 000. Mike de Kock acknowledged Markus Jooste as having been instrumental in the purchase of the winner – “We picked her up afterwards off a dispersal sale,” he added. She has now won 7 races with 5 places from 13 starts for stakes of R1 595 700.
“It’s not easy to travel – sometimes we fold to the 119 she actually achieved when finishing 4th in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes at her previous start. Here too the Handicappers felt it is too soon to drop Clouds Unfold to a rating of 119 and opted to trim her mark from 124 to 122. In rating the race this way, Queen Supreme actually runs two pounds below her rating of 126. 3rd placed Princess Calla was raised
16
from 111 to 116, while her fellow three-year-old and 4th finisher Chat Ching is up from 108 to 114, keeping her in line with Princess Calla. The only other increase was for Sing Out Loud, who is up from 105 to 109, while in contrast Driving Miss Daisy was dropped from 115 to 112.
v
17
Chase Liebenberg
v
Team de Kock returns after the Gr1 success
BLOOD RULES!
Queen Supreme, an impressive repeat winner of Saturday's Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, has a very impressive female line Queen Supreme is a half or three-parts sister to a pair of stakes winners in Be Ready (New Approach) and Call Me Handsome (Kodiac) and her dam Call Later is a Gone West half-sister to multiple G1 winner, and Breeders' Cup scorer, Ventura (Chester House) - dam of French Gr3 winner Fount (Frankel). The Irish bred is a direct descendant of one of the most important and influential broodmares in the stud book, with Queen Supreme tracing back in female line to Illuminata.
Illuminata produced Epsom Derby winner Ladas (Hampton)- the sire of Baroness La Fleche (dam of immortal mare Cinna) and classic winners Gorgos and Troutbeck, and she formed a remarkable dynasty of her own. Illuminata's 1000 Guineas winning daughter Chelandry (Goldfinch) bred 2000 Guineas winner Neil Gow and
dual classic placed filly Skyscraper, and became head of a dynasty, with Chelandry also ancestress of the likes of Australian champions Flight and Heroic (the latter a multiple champion sire), French champion and influential sire Clarion, dual classic winner Saucy Sue, champion Australian sire Magpie, and English classic winners Book Law, Galatea, Ocean Swell, Pay Up and Pogrom. Chelandry was not the only daughter of Illuminata to excel as a broodmare. Illuminata's daughter Gas (Ayrshire), a nervous type who was third in both the 1000 Guineas and July Cup, produced Epsom Derby winner Cicero - whose Middle Park Stakes winning son Friar Marcus ranks as the broodmare sire of Triple Crown winner Bahram - and the high-class broodmare Valve (dam of, among others, 1000 Guineas winner Vaucluse). Gas ranks as the ancestress of triple classic placed Ribbon, Arc/King George winner Hurricane Run, Champion Stakes winner Hippius, and Gold Cup winner Aquino among many others. The charmingly named Gas also ranks
18
as the fourth dam of CCA Oaks and Acorn Stakes winner Damaged Goods (Jacopo) -the ancestress of US champion Caledonia Road (Quality Road) as well as the Gr1 winners Data Link (War Front) and Hymn Book (Arch). Queen Supreme's first three dams were sired by the top sires and broodmares Gone West, Be My Guest and Vaguely Noble respectively. To add to her already considerable attraction as a broodmare prospect, Queen Supreme shares her champion sire Exceed And Excel with outstanding broodmare Essaouira dam of four stakes horses including the Gr1 winners Alizee and Astern - as well as the dams of ill-fated Gr1 Investec Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and July Cup winning sire Ten Sovereigns.
v
19
Chase Liebenberg
v
Celtic Sea (Gavin Lerena) charges to victory ahead of Favorita
POWER OF THE SEA!
Sean Tarry’s champion Captain Al mare Celtic Sea delivered the goods yet again for exotic players, and made it a sparkling double to win the R200 000 Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes at Kenilworth on Friday for the second consecutive year, with a powerful display of galloping. Gauteng jockey Gavin Lerena vindicated a difficult decision to forego his home province rides in terms of the revised NHRA protocols, and made it a sixth victory from ten starts on the evergreen 5yo, when she came out far more forward than usual, carrying the hopes of many players at 5-10. “She came out well and going through the 700m she started picking it up. That’s never ideal in this wind and I didn’t want to hold on – so I held her for 50m and then let her go. She is real class,” enthused Lerena, after
The Merits Celtic Sea remains unchanged on a rating of 126 after she won the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m for a second year in succession at Kenilworth on Friday. Runner-up Favorita and 3rd placed Hello Winter Hello were both used as line horses here,
conceding that it was ‘a big decision’ to let his Joburg rides go.
Hello (10-1), who was a short-head away in third.
Trainer Sean Tarry said the mare ‘thrives in Cape Town’.
Trainer Adam Marcus duly objected on behalf of his charge on the grounds of interference, but the Stipes didn’t see it his way and the result remain unchanged.
“It’s a happy team and being based at Eric Sands feels like home from home”. The SA champion congratulated the breeders and said that it was an honour and privilege to train for Antony and Angela Beck. “These colours are steeped in tradition,” he added. Celtic Sea won mostly unchallenged in a time of 71,52 secs. There was plenty of action behind the champion, with second-placed Favorita (40-1) finishing well and 1,75 lengths behind, but hanging right in and almost colliding with third-placed Hello Winter
which leaves them both unchanged on a mark of 100. In assessing the race this way, Celtic Sea only runs to a mark of 108, hence her unchanged rating. The only increase was for 4th placed Veronica Mars, who is up from 95 to 96, but there were drops for a number of runners. Pretty Young Thing is down from 116 to 115, Roll In The Hay drops from 102 to 100,
20
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the multiple Equus champion mare is by Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the two-time winner Ireland (Mark Of Esteem). A R325 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the multiple Gr1 winner took her stakes total to R3 289 412 with 12 wins and 10 places from her 26 starts. Celtic Sea doesn’t look to have completed her business down in the Cape this season.
Point Of Sale is down from 102 to 99, Third Runway drops to 107 from 109, and Trickster drops from 104 to 102.
v
21
Chase Liebenberg
v
Golden Ducat (Warren Kennedy) comes right back to beat Sachdev (Richard Fourie)
GLORIOUS ‘N GOLDEN
Despite things not going according to plan, Eric Sands’ dual Gr1 winner Golden Ducat ran a dream Cape Met prep when he rallied in a thriller to grab top honours in the R200 000 Glorious Goodwood Gr2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth on Saturday.
With the Pick 6 falling short of target at R9 249 000, the result of the first feature proved a popular one for many exotic players with Winning Form jockey Warren Kennedy riding a pearler at his first appearance at the festival. Kennedy steered the even money favourite Golden Ducat, who came again to head the determined 8-1 shot Sachdev, who boxed well above his division. The KZN-based jockey didn’t hesitate to show the way early on Golden Ducat, with nobody seemingly prepared
to go out and do the donkey work. The 4yo gelding was stalked all the way by Richard Fourie and Sachdev, and after being passed at around the 250m looked a beaten horse. But Kennedy had a plan up his sleeve and he got Golden Ducat to come right back to secure a popular victory by 0,20 lengths in a time of 112,16 secs. Longshot African Night Sky stayed on well a further three quarters of a length back, and was the subject of a race review after appearing to be hemmed in in on the rail momentarily. The Stipes took no further action. The race was a bitter-sweet one for the Snaiths, who had Sachdev run so well. His stablemate Nexus was never in it off a cleverly judged pace and his customary kick was lacking when called for.
closer by Grant van Niekerk. The handsome Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein-bred winner injured his hock as a youngster and thus wasn’t considered for sale. He stands at 17,2 hh and is a son of Drakenstein’s well performed Kris S sire Philanthropist. The winner’s champion dam Halfway To Heaven – a daughter of Jet Master – is out of the Rambo Dancer mare Pas De Basque and is inbred 3x3 to Northern Dancer. Golden Ducat has won 4 races with 7 places from 11 starts for stakes of R1 241 875. While Sachdev gave Golden Ducat a fright, trainer Eric Sands confirmed that his charge was off his peak still and will strip much stronger on 30 January.
He might well have been better placed
The Merits
Golden Ducat remains unchanged on a rating of 128 after he fought on gamely to win the Gr2 Glorious Goodwood Premier Trophy over 1800m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed Super Silvano who was deemed to make for the best line horse, which
leaves him unchanged on a mark of 104. In rating this way, Golden Ducat only runs to a mark of 113, hence his unchanged rating. The only increase was for runner-up Sachdev, who is up from 107 to 108, while African Night Sky was given the
22
sole decrease and is down from 120 to 115.
v
23
Chase Liebenberg
v
Silver Host comes home lonely under Richard Fourie
TOAST THE HOST
With seven winners, including a feature treble, the Snaith Racing Team rounded off the 2021 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival in style as the shadows lengthened over Kenilworth on Saturday, when the improving stayer Silver Host ran out an impressive winner of the R150 000 Okapi Gr3 Chairman’s Cup.
The Snaiths are well-known for grandstanding their prized armoury on the big days, and would have looked back with some satisfaction on a plan come together – particularly with the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate silverware on its way back to the Cape Flats, from Adam Marcus on the West Coast. The final event of the two day festival was run over 2500m on conditions terms, and saw the East Cape
raider Atyaab being obliged to make his own pace, in a province notorious for a canter-and-sprint approach over the staying trips. But Warren Kennedy and the Zietsman Oosthuizen-trained 5yo had expected the dawdle and looked comfortable as they led the way for most of the trip. However, despite a bold forward move at the top of the straight, Atyaab (12-1) came under fire from Kannemeyer’s Azores (8-1) and the stalking Silver Host (2-1) in the final stages. Despite coming under pressure, Atyaab managed to rally back in a Golden Ducat type move, to regain second as Silver Host powered home to give Richard Fourie his third winner of the day, as he stayed on best by 2,25 lengths in a time of 159,53 secs.
The good-looking grey Azores maintained his consistent form to run third. Silver Host is a son of champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the French Deputy mare Hosta – a US-bred half sister to Gr1 winner Colstar (Opening Verse). He is thus a half -brother the 2015 Gr2 Diadem Stakes winner Lanner Falcon (Trippi), who raced out of the Bass yard. Bred by Drakenstein, and raced in partnership by the top breeders, with Queen’s Plate winning owner Nic Johnsson , nd the Estate of the late Jack Mitchell, Silver Host was a R2,6 million National Yearling Sale graduate. He has earned R329 950 with 4 wins and 3 places from 12 starts.
The Merits
Silver Host has seen his rating increased from 102 to 107 after he won the Gr3 Okapi Chairman’s Cup over 2500m at Kenilworth on Saturday. It was 3rd placed Azores who was considered to make for the best line horse, and as such he remains unaltered on a mark of
101. Runner-up Atyaab was given a drop from 115 to 113, while 4th finisher Holy Warrior remains unchanged on a rating of 90 despite running to 97 as the specific conditions of this event do not allow for an increase for placed horses. Two other runners were however given a
24
drop, with Cat Daddy going from 100 to 97 and Troop The Colour dropping from 92 to 89
v
25
Chase Liebenberg
v
Elusive Fortune shows her courage to win the Jamaica
FIND A FORTUNE
Candice Bass-Robinson and Justin Snaith shared the first six races on the opening day of the 2021 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival. The Snaith team grabbed the first feature cherry though as Elusive Fortune rallied gamely under a cracking ride by Grant van Niekerk to win the R100 000 Ardmore Listed Jamaica Handicap. With 59 runners between them over the two days, the two powerful local yards always looked set to dominate and picked up three winners apiece
with two races left, as the Cape Doctor did his rounds at a sun-drenched, but deserted, Kenilworth.
In a tricky looking fillies and mares handicap, Grant van Niekerk produced a great tactical piece of race-riding over the 2000m, as he led the eight-horse charge on Elusive Fortune (5-1), and then gave his mount a breather halfway down the home straight, before coming right back to snare her topweighted favourite stablemate Sleeping Single (4-1) late and win by 0,20 lengths in a time of 126,05 secs.
Glen Kotzen’s handily weighted Catchafallingstar (8-1) produced a smart late effort up the centre, but just failed to go on with her run and finished a further 0,30 length away in third. The Ambiance Stud-bred winner is a daughter of SA Champion Stayer Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the Al Mufti mare, Muhtaram. She cost R40 000 on the 2017 CTS March Yearling Sale and has won 7 races with 9 places from 28 starts for stakes of R356 875.
The Merits Elusive Fortune has had her rating raised from 90 to 93 following her courageous success in the Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m at Kenilworth on Friday 8 January. 4th placed Jacqueline was used as the line horse here, and as such she remains unchanged on a mark of
90.
to her mark and remains as is on 90, having carried 1 kg overweight.
2nd placed Sleeping Single goes up from 107 to 109, while 3rd finisher Catchafallingstar (who was 7 pounds or 3.5 kgs under sufferance at the weights) was raised from 83 to 92. 5th placed Follow The Star also runs
26
Two horses were given a drop. Rattle Mouse is down from 95 to 92, while Flame Tree was cut from 97 to 93.
v
27
Chase Liebenberg
v
Elusive Fortune (Grant van Niekerk) slips up the rail to beat stablemate Sleeping Single (Richard Fourie)
SNAITH GOT THIS ONE WRONG!
NO BLUES IN BARBADOS
When Elusive Fortune won Friday's Listed Jamaica Handicap at Kenilworth, it marked an auspicious moment for owner Pamela Isdell, who watched the race all the way from sun-drenched Barbados. Pamela and husband Neville spend three months of the year in South Africa and also live in Florida and France. The racing bug bit Neville at an early age. He followed racing as a young boy in Zambia and when his family moved to South Africa, would go racing with his dad at Turffontein. That passion for the Sport of Kings continued when he married Pamela, to the extent that in addition to
Elusive Fort, the couple also has shares in quite a few horses, amongst which the Dynasty three-year-old Salvator Mundi, an own brother to Gr2 winner Bunker Hunt Trainer Justin Snaith admitted in the post-race interview that all credit for Elusive Fortune's success has to go to Pamela for it was she who insisted that the daughter of Elusive Fort remain in training when he recommended retirement at age three! Patience paid off in a big way, for the five-year-old is now a valuable commodity as a stakes winner of seven races! Memories being as short as they are in the bloodstock world, Elusive Fortune's
28
success took us back in time, to the nineties to be exact. That's when Dr Marianne Thomson of Ambiance Stud acquired the multiple Gr3 winner Jessamine, the third dam of Elusive Fortune. Marianne remembers her fondly: "I bought her from Jean Heming, for whom she had won the Oaks Trial Futurity and the Gerald Rosenberg. She was a big, bold mare with a big head, a typical Del Sarto." Jessamine also boasted a pedigree out of the top drawer. A half-sister to the Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner Shoe Express, she was out of Try Your Best, a stakes winning half-sister to the top stayer Art De Vivre, while the
v
29
v
family descends from Ofa, the dam of supreme champion Politician. Jessamine proved an inspired purchase. Rarely does a broodmare produce two Gr1 winners with her first two foals, yet Jessamine could lay claim to that achievement as the dam of the outstanding Al Mufti brothers The Sheik and Al Nitak. The former was a classic winner of the Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 SA Guineas for Dennis Drier, while Al Nitak excelled at the other end of the stamina spectrum. Trained by the late Buddy Maroun, he won both the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint and the Gr1 Merchants and was voted the country's Champion Older Sprinter in the same year Jessamine received the accolade as Broodmare of the Year. Marianne retained most of Jessamine's daughters, including Oyez, sired by National Assembly. "She proved a difficult breeder and I eventually gave her away," she said of the mare, who produced just three foals, one of which a filly by Al Mufti called Muhtaram. In contrast to her illustrious three-part brothers, she
showed little on the track and after foaling Elusive Fortune, Marianne gave her to fellow veterinarian Dr Ashley Parker of Ascot Stud, where she produced foals by Vercingetorix and Global View before her death last year.
As fortune would have it, Marianne still has Jessamine's last foal, the Jet Master mare Hi Jessie, whose Silvano daughter Hi Jessie carried Mary Liley's silks to a third career victory as recently as last week. Hi Jessie is currently in foal to Rafeef.
Neville & Patricia Isdell celebrating Queen’s Plate day in Barbados – with a winner!
30
v
31
JC Photos
v
Legislate daughter Zimbaba storms to victory under Calvin Habib
DRAKENSTEIN END WEEKEND ON HIGH After two glorious days at a sun-drenched Kenilworth, the Drakenstein Stud team continued on their winning ways at a gloomy Turffontein on Sunday when Legislate’s talented daughter Zimbaba stormed to victory in the R95 000 Listed Swallow Stakes. Going off the lesser fancied of the Sean Tarry duo in the small field, Calvin Habib had Zimbaba relaxed off the pace set by the snow white Anna Capril early on. Calling on his mount for an effort at
around the 250m marker, Zimbaba (14-1) came forward powerfully to cut the whole lot down and beat the speedy Celestial Love by 3,50 lengths in a time of 68,95 secs for the 1160m. Anna Capri was full of bounce early but could not sustain her effort and went flat late – a further 1,75 lengths back in third.
Pin Turn, is credited with one win in the USA. The winner has two victories to her credit with 1 place from her 4 starts. She has earned R113 000. The fancied previously unbeaten Bequest beat herself in the preliminaries and should not be written off just yet.
Bred and raced by Drakenstein, the winner is a daughter of former SA Horse Of The Year Legislate (Dynasty) out of a Pivotal daughter of Zim Champion Ipi Tombe. The dam, named
The Merits Zimbaba has had her rating raised from 89 to 98 after she comfortably won the Listed Swallow Stakes for three-year-old fillies over the 1160m straight course at Turffontein. In a race
rendered awkward to assess by soft going and a consequent strung-out finish, it was decided to use runner-up Celestial Love as the line horse and so she remains unchanged on 90.
32
Aside from the winner there was no other increases, but two fillies were given a ratings’ drop. Anna Capri is down from 110 to 107, while Ecstatic Green was cut from 103 to 101.
v
33
Chase Liebenberg
v
Gr1 Paddock Stakes placer Princess Calla – Cape Town Met supplementary
MET – PRINCESS IN, PUDDING OUT SA Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding arrived back home at Turffontein on Tuesday and will be prepared for the Gr1 Premiers’ Champions Challenge on 1 May. She was withdrawn at 13h54 on the same afternoon from the Cape Town Met. The star Paul Peter winning machine was disappointing in Saturday’s Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and after finishing in midfield, was reported to be coughing and had evidence of mucuous in her respiratory tracts. “It would have been too much of a rush to get her better for the Met. She is a very valuable filly and we thought it best to take her home and regroup for the Highveld Season,” confirmed trainer Paul Peter. Adam Marcus made an interesting
move when he supplemented Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes third-placer Princess Calla at the final supplementary stage for the R1 million Gr1 Cape Town Met on Monday. With the scratching of the Andre Nel-trained Capoiera, Princess Calla was the only new card on the table. While all the Hollywoodbets Cape Met ante-post money prior to the running of the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday was for Belgarion, who had steadily shortened in, the two day royal festival not unexpectedly changed the complexion of the big race betting. “After Saturday we shortened Paddock Stakes dual winner Queen Supreme in to 8-1, and the possibility is that she could still opt for the Majorca ahead of the Met. Also shortening were stablemates
34
Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, as well as Do It Again, who ran fourth in the Queen’s PlateThe biggest shorteners were Premier Trophy placers African Night Sky and stablemate Sachdev into 25’s,” Hollywoodbets spokesman Patrick Bradley summed up matters to the Sporting Post. Declarations for the Cape Town Met are due on Wednesday 20 January. Draws will be done electronically.
Click on the image below to see the latest Cape Town Met Betting
v
35
v
36
v
37
v
38
v
39
v
40
Pauline Herman
v
Chase Maujean - cleared
WERNARS – ‘JUSTICE DONE’ A unanimous ruling by an NHRA inquiry board to find jockey Chase Maujean guilty with a fine imposed of R60 000 for what the racing regulator deemed an unsatisfactory ride when he got Puerto Manzano up to dead-heat with stablemate, Thumbs Up, at
Turffontein on 26 September 2020, was quietly set aside by an Inquiry Review Board early last month. The Maujean incident led indirectly to leading South African owner and breeder Laurence Wernars, whose famous silks were carried in the historic
41
dead-heat in the race under review, resigning his directorship on the NHRA board, and also deciding to reduce his substantial racehorse holdings. The turnover of the original guilty finding aside, there are several
v
42
v
interesting facets of the operational processes of our racing regulator that have been highlighted by the events at play in the Maujean matter. These include the fact that the NHRA issued a press release regarding the original hearing outcome within 24 hours of the matter being heard on 21 October 2020, The Sporting Post has been informed that the subsequent setting aside of the matter by the NHRA Review Board was known to the parties some three weeks ago. Yet the same vigour and enthusiasm, which effectively placed Maujean in the spotlight, was clearly not evident in the subsequent setting aside verdict. Despite a happy ending, the Maujean matter has left a bitter taste for the parties involved. The inquiry review board, whose reasons, despite numerous written requests, have not been provided, subsequently set aside both the guilty finding and penalty after considering the video and evidence. Despite written requests to do so, the NHRA have not applied the same enthusiasm to publicising the review committee’s findings, as they did when the guilty finding and penalty
was disseminated in the media. “It seems clear that the original decision was based upon the opinion of an ex-jockey and a trainer, and opinions can clearly differ regarding the riding instructions and the split decisions a jockey needs to make in the heat of a race. It is now patently clear that Chase Maujean was cleared of all the charges and the least one would expect, especially where we are dealing with the racing public and perceptions, is that if a finding is overturned that the NHRA would disseminate the end result and finding, with reasons provided in the same format as the original press release. Despite numerous requests the NHRA have declined to publish same,” said Advocate Mannie Witz. Owner Laurence Wernars said that he was pleased that justice had been done. “The accessibility of the ordinary recourse processes to ensure a genuine fair hearing are once again shown to be restricted to budgets and the opportunity of access to legal counsel. I am glad that we took up the cudgels of principle for the team and threw our weight behind Chase’s quest to clear his name.” Wernars went on to say that he believed that the Constitution enshrined a protection of personal reputation. “I hope that the NHRA will revisit the
43
manner in which they access the media to trump a guilty finding, but then show none of the same vigour when their own internal processes turn the decision around. The defendant, related parties and racing stakeholders are entitled to be informed in what should be a world of no vested interests, neutrality and of transparency,” he added. A highly successful businessman, and one of our biggest owners, Wernars said that the end decision had gone some way to restoring his personal confidence in the justice processes, and that he would be willing to continue supporting the racing and breeding industry. “In these testing times, the industry must demand integrity and answers from the racing regulator. We don’t need sideshows to hamper the excellent efforts of so many passionate and dedicated people to try and right the ship and get SA racing on an even keel again,” he concluded.
Click here to read the full story
v
44
v
Rupert & Diana Langerman
LANGERMANS WILL BE MISSED Rupert Langerman, for many years the racing editor of the Cape Times, passed away peacefully at his home in Hermanus on Friday 8 January. Over the years he provided plenty of tips both good and bad. He wrote with great wit and was not always beloved by all in racing as he was not afraid to take on a cause. At the start of his racing editing career he said he had been given the choice between writing about politicians or horses and chose four
legged animals. He was also a judge at the races.
sympathies to his family,” added Harrison.
Gold Circle Publishing Manager Andrew Harrison expressed deep sadness on the news that South African horseracing had lost a legend of the news ranks.
Mr Langerman’s retirement to Hermanus gave him the chance to take walks through Fernkloof and along the sea and read his many beloved books.
“A true gentleman and, as Recondite, he was fiercely critical of the powers that ran Cape Racing back in the day. When he retired after his whole life in the game, the industry didn’t even acknowledge him. I know he loved his wine and his dogs. I have fond memories and great respect for a man of true principle. My deepest
45
He would have turned 90 in February. His wife of sixty years, Diana Langerman (nee Green) passed away on Monday 11 January 2021. They are deeply missed by their children and grandchildren.
v
46
v
updated 2021-01-11
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr P F Matche�
616 446 385 267 409
Wins Win% 98 62 51 42 41
15.9 13.9 13.2 15.7 10.0
2nd
3rd
78 49 39 38 43
61 41 46 26 31
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
34.1 31.2 32.2 37.5 26.9
4,481,875 3,266,700 2,499,050 2,235,600 1,876,950
6,462,500 4,705,550 4,005,575 3,301,550 3,204,425
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
4,806,525 2,244,600 2,597,175 3,218,500 3,099,150
7,465,075 3,275,850 3,533,175 4,551,800 5,133,825
71 49 39 36 36
210 139 124 100 110
JOCKEYS Name
Runs Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr L Hewitson Mr G M Cheyne Mr A Marcus Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni
778 412 302 368 611
108 45 46 36 67
91 61 25 44 71
118 81 69 68 67
15.2 19.7 22.8 18.5 11.0
113 49 45 41 75
312 155 116 121 213
40.1 37.6 38.4 32.9 34.9
BREEDERS Name
B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %
Klawervlei Stud Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Varsfontein Stud
340 228
1194 21,598 778 31,307
92 71
109 98
27.1 31.1
377 265
5 4
5 6
7,343,325 7,138,050
122 184 93
453 41,810 654 23,551 337 33,443
54 51 32
83 68 41
44.3 27.7 34.4
174 162 111
5 3 5
5 5 8
5,100,775 4,333,413 3,110,200
SIRES Name Master Of My Fate Silvano (GER) What A Winter Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Querari (GER)
Runrs Runs AEPR 145 130 135 145 157
589 482 498 538 596
29,418 30,807 28,321 26,124 20,815
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 51 45 47 50 44
64 58 63 65 58
35.2 34.6 34.8 34.5 28.0
220 141 168 166 198
See all the detailed standings - Click here 47
3 5 2 3 0
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
3 5 2 3 0
4,265,625 4,004,950 3,823,350 3,787,975 3,268,025
v
SOLSKJAER’S
BROAD SHOULDERS Two of England’s biggest heavyweights take to the Anfield ring this Sunday, both in heavyweight form as Liverpool and Manchester United challenge strongly to separate themselves as contenders from the pretenders. Jurgen Klopp’s men come into this tie with the best home form in the division, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils have the best away record in the top flight. But can Solskjaer do what no club has managed to do since April 2017 and beat Liverpool at Anfield? Jesse Nagel writes that the Norwegian boss has managed some unthink-
able results in his tenure at United, but winning Sunday’s showdown would certainly top the charts, while it would also be a massive statement to the rest of the league. To win Liverpool 1/1 Draw 11/4 Manchester United 26/10 Liverpool At the start of the week, before Manchester United’s fixture against Burnley, Liverpool lead the standings in the English Premier League. Despite enduring a winless run of three matches, the Reds still lead the way with
48
no team taking advantage of Liverpool’s unusual blip in form. After a dire spell, perhaps the biggest game of the season is exactly what Klopp and Liverpool need, just to remind the football world of what they’re truly capable of and also to remind their rivals to know their place in the race for the title – most notably their opponents this weekend, who have punched above their weight, surprising many pundits and fans by challenging for the league. Liverpool have shown that they have the big match temperament to bounce back which has already been highlighted this season as they beat
v
Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester City and Wolves, conceding just twice against those teams, while they also held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium. After an injury-plagued period, Liverpool seem to be welcoming back some of their star players one by one as Joel Matip faces a race to fitness this weekend to partner the ever-reliable Fabinho in the heart of defence. The Reds’ dynamic full-backs have been fit and ready for a while now, while their preferred midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara will be looking to win their battle against arguably the best midfield in the league. Diogo Jota remains a notable absentee from Klopp’s squad, which makes selection much easier with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane likely to make up the front three. As straightforward as it may seem to name Liverpool’s best team, finding a formula to beat the Reds is what proves to be most tricky – something Solskjaer will have to try master by Sunday. Manchester United Manchester United have the opportunity to silence all their critics and put all negative talk behind them as they gear up to face the champions and their bitter rivals, Liverpool. Despite their blistering form and their
position on the log standings, many are struggling to take United serious as title chasers and believe that its just a stellar run of results whilst other teams in the race are dropping off. But this is their chance to mute all that.
in his Man United managerial career, while many would argue that it could be the club’s biggest result post-Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since Bruno Fernandes’ arrival in January last year, no team has picked up more points than Manchester United which suggests the Red Devils have every right to believe that this is their season.
Liverpool: 4-3-3 Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane
If they are to achieve any sort of success this term, they’ll need Fernandes to be at his best with the Portuguese magician already showing his capabilities of taking a big game by the scruff of its neck. His partnership with Paul Pogba in recent weeks has been well-documented with the French World Cup winner showing signs of returning to his best form. Their dynamism in midfield is well-protected by Scott McTominay, who has re-established himself in the anchoring role for Manchester United. For this tie, the trio are expected to form a five-man midfield alongside two operating wing-backs with Solskjaer likely to adopt a 3-5-2 formation – as he does away to some of the tougher opponents he faces. With that being said, Solskjaer will need pace up front to catch the Reds on the counter with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial playing the roles they have mastered in recent months, playing in a front two alongside each other.
Probable line-ups:
Manchester United: 3-5-2 De Gea; Bailly, Lindelof, Maguire; Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, McTominay, Fernandes, Shaw; Martial, Rashford Prediction: Liverpool (1/1) Very seldomly would you see Liverpool priced up at even money on home soil, but Manchester United’s form justifies the Reds’ value at Anfield. That run of form will come to an end someday and Sunday may be their time to relinquish their sublime form. Liverpool are unbeaten at home since 2017 and have relished games of this magnitude. Solskjaer has a fantastic record against the big guns, but has never beaten Liverpool ever as a manager – the only top flight team in England who have never fallen victim to the Norwegian’s tactics. It seems like the easy way out, but I can’t see anything other than a Liverpool victory.
If all goes according to plan, this will definitely be Solskjaer’s biggest victory
CAN YOU HELP? CARING FOR EQUINES COSTS PLENTY! Please visit us at www.coastalhorsecareunit.org.za
49