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THE BOLD!
4 Met fancy Golden Ducat wins the Glorious Goodwood Premier Trophy
Chase Liebenberg
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JC Photos
Met favourite Belgarion – peak run on Saturday The big day is nearly here. No crowds, masks, purses the same as the turn of the century. The epic race sounds the call for the best to line up. Called The Metropolitan by those who fondly remember when Chappies were ½ cent, the Cape Town Met run for R1 000 000 on Saturday still has the support of owners and punters who love the sport, no matter what. As we count down the days, Tony Mincione counts the lineup: 11. PRINCESS CALLA The Met is kind to the fairer sex with 2.5kgs helping 4 winners since 2010
despite very few participants. And since Gimmethegreenlight cracked the Queens’ Plate as a 3yo in 2012 and now Jet Dark, the realisation that you don't have to be Horse Chestnut to beat older horses. Oh Susanna has already cracked the Met’s glass season and this whole debate should have ended there. A handicap rating of 116 leaves Princess Calla 4.5 to 5.5 kgs off the top 3 men, but who knows what's in the tank as we have only seen her start in 5 races. 10. RUNNING BRAVE A 5yo mare who beat all the boys in the London News 4 weeks ago as favourite, and ran Summer Pudding to 2.5L and
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2kgs in the Summer Cup gives us a 119 plus 5 sex allowance for this Met. She's a few kilos off, but comes in with 3 wins from her last 6 starts and we know the Met smiles on the sex allowance which wasn't there for the Summer Cup. 9. QUEEN SUPREME A formidable mare with 2 Gr1 races banked in only 13 runs. She picked up a 126 rating after beating Chimes by 4L six weeks ago and then booted home the Paddock Stakes powerfully. If that 126 is right, then this mare is expected to be right in the photo on the line with any of them. Looking for weaknesses, her big wins
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have been against fillies, but then she ran Hawwaam to 1.40 L. She also hasn't won over 2000m, but ran Zillzaal to 1.60 L over Turffontein’s Summer Cup so this too is moot. If she’s in touch, then they will be under pressure. 5/1 must be fair odds for anyone looking to back a filly for the Met. 8. SILVER OPERATOR He ran older Belgarion to 0.75 L before winning the Cape Classic and
then was unlucky to be injured after Kilindini’s Guineas. Who knows what could have been? Coming back 14 weeks ago with a place and then a win over 1400m, the Queens’ Plate mile seemed to tire him a bit but he still found a 3 point MR adjustment for 3.5 L off Dark Jet. This 2000m debut will give Silvano’s son a chance to show which way things are going and his rating of 112 is possibly an expression of an interrupted career. He's in the Met
in his 9th start and we would hesitate to leave him out of the quartet. 7. GOLDEN DUCAT Not an easy horse to understand from an ability point of view. Often hangs out within spitting distance of the 108 rated Sachdev, and then the rest of the time doing the same with Belgarion 130 and Rainbow Bridge 132. Out of a mare whose sons, Hawwaam
Chase Liebenberg
Game Cirillo – will he stay? and Rainbow Bridge can contest any finish, one will have to decide how the race might go. If it's an honest race, it's hard to imagine the gigantic grandson of Philanthropist not competitive in his second Kenilworth 2000m since his Derby win only a year ago.
6. SOVEREIGN SPIRIT It's odd to say that a son of Dynasty and grandson of Jet Master is a long-shot, but there it is. A winner of the Consolation July with 53kgs he has built up to a handicap point of 106 and is held every which way. It may be a case of, ‘you can't win if you don't have a ticket’.
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5. AFRICAN NIGHT SKY This is the Belgarion wannabe from 3 years ago. His 6th by 2 L to Oh Susanna in the 2018 Met saw him immediately installed as the 2018 Durban July favourite. The reason was that the top 5 runners within those 2 L went up by many kilos, and the next horses did not get
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Candiese Lenferna
Gauteng raider Running Brave adjusted. The thinking must be...oh, who knows? They should all be held to account.Whatever. However, missing for over 2 years and 2 trainers later, African Night Sky came back 10 weeks ago and after two very modest runs put up a tremendous run against Golden Ducat, only to go down 0.95 L after checking badly within seconds of the line. It was the news of the day but went mostly unnoticed. If karma was foiled there, maybe this time the gaps will open. 4. CIRILLO In 2013 the 7yo Silvano gelding Martial Eagle ran a good Queens’ Plate. Having spent all of his career around 1400m, it was decided to run his swansong as his lifetime debut over 2000m. He had never tried it once even. Drawn 14/15 history records his victory at 80/1 as ‘going away’. In 2021, by a July winner, but out of a mare by sprinting sire Lake Coniston, 5yo stallion Cirillo will try 2000m in his 30th start, and after 0.45 L to Belgar-
ion 6 weeks ago and a good Queens’ Plate 3 weeks ago, maybe drawn 10/11 we will see a battle replayed? It would make an excellent tale. 3. BELGARION The very definition of ‘well campaigned’. On the rare occasion that Belgarion gets beat, you want to go and ask, why? The Foster Dynasty gelding has pretty much beaten all contenders. At level weights with Rainbow Bridge, they are one-all for 1.25 and 0.40 lengths. This should be the tiebreaker. That would be the end of discussion were it not for Do It Again, the stable companion. If you are with Belgarion the 2/1 is going to look generous. Although over this trip, these conditions, and this company, there is no such thing as well in. 2. DO IT AGAIN The real South African heavyweight contender, and so well named because he has done it all. A tiny crack in the visage is that he loses the services of the stable jockey, but then only to retain the other jockey you would want.
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He was the moral victor of the last July, giving Belgarion 6.5kgs and going down 0.90 L, then 0.85 L in the Champions Cup, and now 2.50 L in the Queens’ Plate after a 5 month hiatus. Does he have another top Gr1 in him? Although he has never won over the Kenilworth 2000m, one gets the feeling it’s not an indication of not being able - more a thing on the to-do list. 1.RAINBOW BRIDGE Never say die. Rise after every fall. Try, try, and try again. Fortune favours the bold. He has the form, has had the classic prep in the Greenpoint and especially the Queens’ Plate, with both Belgarion and Do It Again behind him. With 20 runs and 7 jockeys, we know he will be right there. And by right there, if he’s in the first two he’s never more than ½ length from the other horse, win or lose. Enjoy!
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MET – R1BEST HANDICAPPED MILLION GR1 CAPE TOWN MET No
Name
Wght
MR
Jockey
Trainer
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RAINBOW BRIDGE
60
132
Ferraris L J
Sands A E
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QUEEN SUPREME
57.5
126
De Melo K
De Kock M F
2
DO IT AGAIN
60
131
Marcus A
Snaith J S
3
BELGARION
60
130
Fourie R
Snaith J S
7
GOLDEN DUCAT
59.5
128
Kennedy W
Sands A E
4
CIRILLO
60
126
Lerena G
Tarry S G
10
RUNNING BRAVE
57.5
119
Cheyne G
Bronkhorst F
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PRINCESS CALLA
51.5
116
V.Niekerk G
Marcus A N
5
AFRICAN NIGHT SKY
60
115
Khathi R
Snaith J S
8
SILVER OPERATOR
59.5
112
Mbhele S
Marshall V H
6
SOVEREIGN SPIRIT
60
106
Domeyer A
Bass-Robinson
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Terry Lowe
A LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE Form Organisation
Barend Vorster gets Polo Classic home ahead of Grand Jete (Karl Neisius) A veteran of the South African turf, Terry Lowe trained Polo Classic to win the Met in 2002 in the hands of Barend Vorster. After an illustrious career spanning forty years, the top horseman retired three years ago but is very keen to stay involved in a game he loves and knows backwards. Off a slow pace – the Cape Crawl has been around forever– Vorster rode a cracker on Terry Lowe’s Polo Classic to beat Grande Jete, Angus and Free My Heart. A 5yo son of Freedom Land, Polo Classic was raced by Phil Galasso, Phil Kirsten and the trainer, and was bred
by Lionel Cohen. Polo Classic’s winning time of 125,60 secs was 4,60 secs slower than Divine Master’s record at the time. History suggests that Terry Lowe was born to train racehorses - both his Grandfather and Father were trainers. After acting as an assistant trainer in Durban he changed direction temporarily and was licenced as a Stipendiary Steward - the youngest in the world at the time - for three ‘interesting’ years under the likes of Jock Sproule, Frank McGrath, Mike Tillett, and Dudley Feldman. Terry then went back to the stable and as South Africa’s youngest conditioner,
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trained his first winner in 1979. Red Panther was owned by the Liquorish brothers, bred by the Orfords and ridden by present day Summerveld trainer, Gavin van Zyl. The Lowe name would be seen in the winner’s enclosure over the years, including multiple Gr1's, Champion 2yo's,3yo's and older horses. He was crowned Highveld Champion Trainer in 1993 and was runner-up in 1994. He is a straightshooting man of impeccable principles. “I have a clean record as far as doping
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transgressions are concerned. I spent six months in the USA at Hollywood Park, Los Angeles having taken over four South African horses, who did well and made me proud. I was always of the opinion that a good horse is a good horse no matter where they were born – a fact that has since been proven many times,” he tells the Sporting Post as he reflects back.
“Time is always a problem. We need to prioritise and manage it. Over the years, I developed my own process and honed it. I believe that I could add great value in a Racing Manager type capacity, as the educated liaison between owner and trainer. I have no intention of going back to training so I will not be a potential threat to the trainer but rather a knowledgeable colleague that is taking what can be a
tedious task off his hands, and adding value in a chain that often breaks!” Terry Lowe is happy to chat to anybody requiring assistance – please call him on 0834063281.
“I have bought horses, attended sales, seen stud farms, attended racemeetings in many countries all over the world. Although I was not a jockey, I had 3 apprentices indentured to me, all of which became Champions and I understand race riding. I have always tried to be objective and fair.” Terry sold his farm and retired three years ago. “I have been helping out at Heversham Park Stud as a consultant in an advisory capacity. Having been a trainer for 40 years, and having owned and bred many, if not most of my runners, I believe I intimately understand the game and it's problems as well as most,” he smiles. He is keen to get involved with assisting owners. “Having been on both sides of the fence, I also understand the frustrations of both the trainers and the owners. The owners fund this game and if they didn't have the passion that they have, racing would not exist. I know of many owners that feel that they are not always kept up to date about the progress of their horses and often the only time they are notified is just before race day - or if the horse has had a problem. Apart from complaints from friends, I know that this is the case as I was guilty of it, myself!” he adds with a smile. As a trainer with a fairly big string Terry says he didn't always have the time to chat with his client about his horse - especially if the horse wasn't one that was currently racing or it was being given time off.
Flashback to a younger Terry Lowe
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It Feels Like…
ONE WORLD AWAY Chase Liebenberg
MJ drives One World ahead of Rainbow Bridge (Ryan Moore) Incumbent Met champion jockey MJ Byleveld says that it feels like a hundred years ago since he celebrated his champagne career peak moment and steered One World to victory ahead of Ryan Moore and Rainbow Bridge in the 2020 Sun Met on a dizzying sunny afternoon at Kenilworth, On Saturday the still injury sidelined MJ won’t be in the saddle where he’d prefer to be – but in a chair in front of the bright glare of
the studio lights and Tellytrack cameras at Kenilworth. The quietly spoken Avontuur-sponsored jockey must have done something right on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day as he has cracked the nod as a guest again for a few races on Met day. But he concedes, ‘with respect’, that the TV work runs a dirty second to the alternative of a ride in the big race. “It’s no fun sitting watching from the sidelines. I can’t wait to get back – my
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specialist says that could be around the middle of April – that frankly feels like a lifetime away right now,” says the 39 year old Warmbaths-born Blue Bulls fan as he pages through Saturday’s racecard. He was injured at trackwork four months ago on the eve of the Cape summer season, fracturing his tibia and his ankle. He is undergoing biokinetic rehabilitative therapy and says he will be seeing the specialist this week about possibly having a
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‘screw removed’. While MJ has a few Cape Guineas trophies and other Gr1 silverware on the mantelpiece at his neatly appointed Durbanville home, the 2020 Sun Met was the pinnacle of a career of dedication and hard slogging. He had previously endured the frustration of being runner-up on Hill Fifty Four for the Marshall yard in 2013. The gelding would go on to win the Met the next year in the hands of Anton Marcus.
But it all came together for MJ when he produced a top drawer display of power riding on One World to shatter multiple British champion jockey Ryan Moore’s dream of riding a Gr1 winner on African soil. There was plenty of banter afterwards as Moore had the SA flag in his face all the way up the straight, courtesy of MJ’s patriotic skants that shone through as he rode for his life. For MJ, that was great professional satisfaction. But it was sharing the iconic moment with his folks and friends on course that was the real highlight.
We asked him about that Frankie Dettori type rush of blood that saw him drop his breeches and flash his Faf de Klerk SAFFA speedo SA flag to the crowd. “Frankie who? No, it was just such an overwhelming time – the buzz of the crowd. The elation. The groom walked up and I asked him to hold the champion for a moment. I stepped sort of round the corner and just did it. It was one of those moments in a jock’s head when things just happen,” he laughs.
Chase Liebenberg
Marshall assistant Adele Alsop welcomes the winner
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“I don’t think anybody saw it. And the pic was taken by a mainstream news photographer. The Avontuur team saw the fun and good sport in it – thankfully!” The speedo was bought as a Christmas gift for MJ by his partner, Bianca Mincione, and proved to be something of a lucky charm as he also wore them when riding the jackpot at Kenilworth a month prior to the Met! MJ observes that the absence of a crowd is going to be an interesting aspect of Saturday after recalling the buzz he enjoyed last year. “The crowd gets the adrenaline going and lifts a sportsman’s performance. Internationally, live sport seems to have adjusted. We live in extraordinary times!”
On Saturday’s big race, MJ says that his loyalty and heart are naturally with the Marshall stable, who saddle Silver Operator.
It’s a really smart field and there isn’t a horse who won’t have their supporters. I’m looking so forward to the day.”
“I haven’t been riding work so I am not up to speed with the well-being of the various individuals. But Silver Operator showed genuine ability early on and won the Cape Classic in the fashion of a horse going the right way.
Cover Image: On the Sprint cover, MJ shows his patriotism after the big win!
He was rested for almost a year after the Guineas and has his fourth run back, having won one of the previous three. Who knows where he would have been had he raced? So on paper, they do look to be ahead of him. I was really impressed with the way Belgarion won the Green Point Stakes and the Queen’s Plate then came as his possible second run after a rest. But over the 2000m on Saturday and in peak fitness, he is a massive runner.
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Image Credit
Did he take any flak for it from the Stipes or his sponsors?
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MET THE CELEB PICKS v
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Eric Sands’ Met duo of Golden Ducat and Rainbow Bridge have had a great preparation coming into Saturday’s big race and could fight it out
The kid is going places and this could be a big one for him. I also have respect for African Night Sky, despite the tendon injury. He is clearly back to his best, otherwise he wouldn’t be in the race and I liked that last effort. Then Mike de Kock’s mare Queen Supreme is good, but it’s a tough race,” concluded Garth.
Shaheen Shaw
Nico Kritsiotis That’s the opinion of a man who should know a little bit about winning the great race. Garth Puller was aboard Gatecrasher 45 years ago and won it again on Pas De Quoi (1994) and Alastor (2005). “The younger Golden Ducat came through his second run with flying colours, rallying back strongly. But I have a gut feel that it is all going to fall into place for Rainbow Bridge.
Joe Soma Young Luke Ferraris has been thrown in the deep end, but he knows him now and rode a good race in the Queen’s Plate.
Shaheen Shaw is looking no further than Danilo Danilovitch in the first race on the card as his bet of the day to give him a flying start.
Hedley McGrath Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh feels that the Snaiths have a powerful attack and look likely winners – but she is hoping that Garth Puller is on the mark about young Luke Ferraris, who is their sponsored jockey. Gold Circle’s Graeme Hawkins apologised for the ‘lack of creativity’ in his selection.
Zietsman Oosthuizen “It’s going to be a form result in my opinion,” he concluded.
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Fairview-based Zietsman Oosthuizen is on another of his ‘missions’ this weekend with Atyaab targetting the New Turf Carriers Gr2 Western Cape Stayers. Ziets was keen to label Run Fox Run as the value of the day at 8-1 iWn the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship. “Captain’s Ransom is the Pick 6 banker in the Majorca. And Atyaab is set to turn the tables on Silver Host in the tenth race. Pity that’s not in the Pick 6,” he laughed.
Neil Andrews
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THE MET TOP 3 PICKS Garth Puller
Selwyn Elk
Joe Soma
Rainbow Bridge
Queen Supreme (9)
Belgarion (3)
Golden Ducat
Belgarion (3)
Golden Ducat (7)
Belgarion (3)
Cirillo (4)
Queen Supreme (9)
Shaheen Shaw
Nico Kritsiotis
Neil Andrews
Rainbow Bridge (1)
Belgarion (3)
Belgarion (3)
Belgarion (3)
Golden Ducat (7)
Golden Ducat (7)
Silver Operator (8)
Do It Again (2)
Rainbow Bridge (1) Zietsman Oosthuizen Golden Ducat (7) African Night Sky (5)
Rouvaun Smit
Pippa Mickleburgh
Rouvaun Smit
Pippa Mickleburgh
Rainbow Bridge (1)
Belgarion (3)
Belgarion (3)
Rainbow Bridge (1)
Princess Calla (11)
Queen Supreme (9)
Graeme Hawkins
Hedley McGrath
Belgarion (3)
Do It Again (2)
Rainbow Bridge (1)
Belgarion (3)
Golden Ducat (7)
Queen Supreme (9)
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Rainbow Bridge (1)
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Image Credit
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Corne Spies tops the log
SPIES HOLDS TOP SPOT An R80 000 purchase off the 2020 Cape Yearling Sale at Mistico, Captain’s Run is the log leader after publication of the initial standings for the inaugural R550 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup to be run at Kenilworth on Derby Day, 27 February.
The BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup is restricted to eligible graduates of the 2020 BSA Cape Yearling Sale Entries close on Monday 15 February. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 22 February. The log will be published weekly.
Bred by Dr Ian Heyns, Captain’s Run, who is raced by trainer Corne Spies and his son Xander, won at second time of asking after a smart second on debut. The daughter of Captain Of All duly shattered the Vaal 800m course record that stood for 35 years – carrying 4kgs more than the previous holder!
The 2021 BSA Cape Yearling Sale will be held at Mistico on Sunday 28 February at 12h30. In total, 189 horses have been catalogued for this sale, with the majority of the Cape's top farms represented. Successful sires represented at this
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year's Cape Yearling Sale include Count Dubois, Duke Of Marmalade, Elusive Fort, Flower Alley, Gimmethegreenlight (whose progeny include the aforementioned Surcharge), Ideal World, Judpot, Master Of My Fate, Oratorio, Pathfork, Philanthropist, Pomodoro, Querari, Silvano, Trippi, Twice Over, Vercingetorix, Visionaire and What A Winter. There is also an exciting list of stallions with their first local yearlings on offer, including Canford Cliffs, Erupt, Gold Standard and Royal Mo.
Latest log per 27 January click here
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No Seconds For
THE GREEN LIGHT
JC Photos
JC Photos
Second Base streaks home under Chase Maujean An exceptional racemare, Kiss Of Peace was the country's champion three-year-old filly in an outstanding crop which also included such top level winners as Mill Hill, Saintly Lady and Love Of London. A dual classic winner of both the Cape and SA Fillies Guineas and the Paddock Stakes at four, she scored four times at Gr1 level. Her sire Fordham, one of a slew of Forli sons to take up stud duties in South Africa, cut little ice as a stallion, hence it can be argued that Kiss Of Peace inherited her talent from her exceptional female line. Her dam Pax Romana, a Royal Prerogative
half-sister to the Gr1 winning sprinters Harry Hotspur and Rotterdam, lived up to her fine bloodlines at stud as the dam of nine winners from as many foals. In addition to Kiss Of Peace, she also bred At The Savoy (Dancing Champ), who claimed the Gr2 Greyville 1900 and the Gr3 winner Magnolia King (Anono), while her descendants include the Gr1-performed black type winners Deliberation and Gang Related, as well as this season's Gr3 Victory Moon hero Christopher Robin. Kiss Of Peace was acquired by Varsfontein Stud on the recommendation of bloodstock agent
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John Freeman. As Varsfontein Stud manager Carl de Vos recalls: "Susan (Rowett) gave the go-ahead to buy her unseen, just on what we saw on the racetrack. She was a nice mare, not overly big. We did the deal on the proviso that both Harry Hotspur and Rotterdam had won Grade 1’s – in those days you could not check things like that on the internet! What was to be was to be.” History will show that the grey proved an inspired purchase. As prolific a broodmare as her dam, she enjoyed a long and fruitful stud innings, producing no less than 13 foals. That baker's dozen included the Gr2 Gold Bracelet victress Kiss Me Quick
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(Caesour) and Mason Dixon (Foveros), winner of the Gr3 Matchem Stakes. Varsfontein's decision to retain a number of her daughters, all greys like their mum, has paid handsome dividends. Stakes-placed Jet Master daughter Kiss And Fly has to date outperformed her dam as a Gr1 producer, her Silvano colt Kilindini claiming the 2019 Cape Guineas. Also dam of Zimbabwean stakes winner Heir Line (Dynasty) and Gr3-placed Kiss Me Hardy (Captain Al), Kiss And Fly has a Lancaster Bomber colt at foot and is in foal to Second Base's sire Gimmethegreenlight.
Sent to Elliodor, Kiss Of Peace produced Whatsinakiss, the grandam of Second Base. Retained for stud after showing little on the track, she has made up for her lack of racing talent as a broodmare. A mating with Al Mufti produced stakes winner and Gr1 Cape Guineas third Kiss Again, while visits to Jet Master resulted in Gr3-placed stakes winner Top Jet and his good-looking sister Kissimmee, who won three races and currently roams the Varsfontein paddocks with a Silvano colt at her side. Varsfontein also retained Kissimee's Gimmethegreenlight half-sisters Kissaway and Different Light. The former never raced and visited Jet Master's splendid son Master Of My
Fate in her first season, the resultant foal being the cleverly named filly Underthemistletoe, who appropriately broke her maiden at Greyville on Boxing Day! Different Light, a winner at three, is carrying her first foal to Mauritzfontein stalwart Ideal World. Still in training is the mare's last filly Whatsinadream, a placed three-year-old by Judpot. "Whatsinakiss is old now," Carl remarked. "We haven't managed to get a foal out of her since she produced a William Longsword colt, which is a yearling." Varsfontein no doubt rued the day it sold her Fort Wood daughter Whatsinakiss as a yearling. Named Passionate Kiss, she scored once at three for owner Ashley Devachander, who fittingly sent her to Varsfontein and a liaison with Gimmethegreenlight. Whether the mating can be regarded as either logical, a huge stroke of luck or a work of genius, the stars aligned, for the result was Second Base. Now raced by his breeder in partnership with the Wernars, he added to the legacy of Kiss Of Peace with a flawless victory in the Sea Cottage. Successful in five of six starts and still on an upward curve, the three-year-old surely rates a live classic candidate.
Kiss Of Peace wins the Cape Fillies Guineas under Felix Coetzee
The Merits Second Base has had his merit rating increased from 104 to 112 after he defied top weight and ran out a fluent winner of the Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes for three-year-olds over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Fourth-placed Shah Akbar and fifth finisher Bold Jazz were both used as line horses here, which leaves them unchanged on marks of 97 and 91, respectively.
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Runner-up Nartjie was raised from 95 to 100, while third-placed Gimmethegoahead goes up from 90 to 98. The only drop was for Al Muthana, who is down from 105 to 102.
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Legislate
GENUINE QUALITY
Image Credit
HKJC
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Legislate (Dynasty – Champers) Former Horse Of The Year Legislate, one of the very best sons of former top Cape sire Dynasty, has made a promising start to his stud career. Despite being blighted by well documented fertility problems, Legislate’s first crop, small by modern day standards, has made a big impression on South African racetracks. His first crop numbers 23 registered foals, of which 19 have run, and 13 have won. Legislate’s initial crop already numbers a trio of stakes horses in the form of Speed Machine (Sophomore Sprint), Zimbaba (Swallow Stakes), and Veronica Mars (3rd Irridescence Stakes), with impressive debut winner Brianna and the very smart Hoedspruit also members of
Legislate’s first crop of foals. At the time of writing, just one of Legislate’s first crop to race had yet to find the frame, and it is hard not to speculate what the champion may have achieved with better fertility, and, accordingly, better support. There are, however, signs of hope on the horizon for Legislate and his growing band of fans. The strapping bay covered 37 mares this season, and has no less than 86% of his mares in foal this season. A full-brother to Jockey Club Stakes winner Statute and this season’s promising 3yo The Gatekeeper (fifth in the Cape Guineas when beaten narrowly by subsequent G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark), Legislate was South Africa’s Horse Of The Year, Champion 3YO Colt and Champion Middle Distance Horse of 2014, and the
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country’s Champion Miler the following season. Promoted to first in the 2014 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, Legislate was also victorious in the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby, Gr1 Daily News 2000 and Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, with the bay also putting up an electrifying effort in a course record breaking win in the 2014 Gr2 Green Point Stakes. Legislate’s race record bore a striking similarity to that of his sire Dynasty, who also won the Cape Derby, Daily News 2000, July, KZN Guinas and Green Point Stakes, albeit Dynasty won the latter race on two occasions. Legislate’s sire Dynasty has been in the news as a sire of sire over the past 12 months, with other Dynasty sons Act Of War and Futura also showing potential at stud.
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Dazzling Golden Sixty takes the Stewards’ Cup under Vincent Ho
WORLD-CLASS!
Golden Sixty confirmed himself as Hong Kong’s best racehorse and the world’s most exciting miler with a win in Sunday’s HK$12 million Gr1 The Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin.
race in a sizzling 1 minute 7.19 seconds.
Despite being well back in the field in a moderately run feature, Golden Sixty was able to reel in a gallant Southern Legend late in the race and win by a widening head margin.
The win was the 12th in succession for Golden Sixty and his 15th from just 16 career runs.
The performance from Golden Sixty was incredible when one considers he ran his final 1200 metres of the mile
And post-race it was revealed the saddle on Golden Sixty slipped a little when he was asked to quicken shortly after straightening for home.
“They went pretty slow all the way,” regular rider Vincent Ho said after the race. “He was pretty keen, but was able to settle ok before pulling a little.”
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“His sprint home, I knew he would get there but yes it was quite close.” “The saddle slipped back a little bit at about the 300 (metre mark) so it wasn’t as comfortable for me and Golden Sixty of course.” “Top athletes and top horses have to overcome all sorts of circumstances – even something you can’t predict,” Ho added. Trainer Francis Lui said the Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup would most likely be the next run as his star chased 13
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straight wins. “I was a bit worried,” he said. “The pace was a bit slow. I feel OK now after the race.”
• Sold for: A$120,000
The son of Medaglia d’Oro is from the stakes winning mare Gaudeamus. Josh Hutchins purchased her carrying the Hong Kong champion at the National Broodmare Sale.
• Sale: 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale • Vendor: Element Hill
With the latest success, Golden Sixty sent his earnings soaring to almost HK$60 million - that from 15 wins from just 16 starts. Golden Sixty was bred in Queensland and sold through the Element Hill draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$120,000 to Riversley Park and Enigma Farm.
Last week the latest yearling from Gaudeamus, a Capitalist half sister to Golden Sixty, sold to Hong Kong’s All Winners Thoroughbreds for A$425,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
• Buyer: Riversley Park/Enigma Far • Earnings: HK$59,685,000 (approx A$10 million)
About Golden Sixty
• Owner: Stanley Chan Ka Leung
• Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro -Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor)
• Trainer: Francis Lu
PRE-TRAINING “SOLID FOUNDATIONS LEAD TO SUCCESS”
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updated 2021-01-27
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr P F Matche�
650 484 437 297 437
102 68 57 47 44
84 52 43 46 45
64 44 52 31 34
15.7 14.0 13.0 15.8 10.1
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
34.6 30.2 33.0 39.1 27.2
4,874,225 3,527,700 2,778,050 2,459,100 2,007,450
7,010,550 5,053,675 4,442,575 3,731,800 3,407,925
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
5,134,150 2,373,600 3,446,500 3,271,650 2,837,025
7,954,200 3,498,150 4,858,550 5,398,950 3,931,025
77 50 49 39 40
225 146 144 116 119
JOCKEYS Name
Runs Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr L Hewitson Mr G M Cheyne Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr A Marcus
814 431 389 640 318
110 47 39 68 48
99 64 45 75 27
123 84 73 71 71
15.1 19.5 18.8 11.1 22.3
121 58 45 83 46
330 169 129 226 121
40.5 39.2 33.2 35.3 38.1
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
352 237
1312 23,504 849 33,760
98 82
119 111
27.8 34.6
432 286
5 4
5 6
8,273,275 8,001,150
124 189 98
479 44,245 706 24,955 371 35,141
54 53 36
86 74 46
43.5 28 36.7
184 175 125
5 3 5
5 5 8
5,486,325 4,716,513 3,443,825
SIRES Name Master Of My Fate Silvano (GER) Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) What A Winter Querari (GER)
Runrs Runs AEPR 148 130 148 137 163
633 518 579 540 649
31,001 35,093 29,862 31,267 22,501
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 52 50 56 50 46
69 66 74 68 61
35.1 38.5 37.8 36.5 28.2
235 151 178 186 218
See all the detailed standings - Click here 44
3 5 4 2 0
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
3 5 4 2 0
4,588,150 4,562,050 4,419,575 4,283,575 3,667,675
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PIRATES FACE CHIEFS Esgodini SikaMaminzela draws back its curtains to host one of the biggest derbies on the African continent. It’s a rivalry to rival all rivalries when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs lock horns in the Soweto Derby, especially since the last time these sides met, Pirates dumped the Glamour Boys out of the MTN8, beating Amakhosi 5-0 on aggregate. Jesse Nagel writes that this will be Gavin Hunt’s first Soweto derby in
the league, and after a recent upturn in form, the four-time league winning coach will be looking to put Josef Zinnbauer in a familiar position to what he was in a few weeks ago as the fans start to turn their backs on the German tactician. Will this encounter be anything like the two derbies we’ve seen already this season? Or will Hunt have an ace or two up his sleeve this time around? DStv Premiership | Saturday 30 January | Orlando Stadium | 15h30
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To win Orlando Pirates 8/10 Draw 22/10 Kaizer Chiefs 33/10 Orlando Pirates The past few weeks have been rocky for Orlando Pirates. So soon after ending their long-standing trophy drought, the Buccaneers’ ship has sailed south. They managed to pull the wool over Ernst Middendorp and Maritzburg United’s eyes this past weekend, beating the Team of Choice
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1-0, but prior to that result, Pirates had won just one of their last five matches. Josef Zinnbauer’s inconsistencies in his team selection has resulted to inconsistent results. Against Maritzburg United, young talents, Bongani Sam and Azola Tshobeni, shone for Pirates which now gives Zinnbauer even more of a headache when it comes to selecting his best team for this weekend’s showdown. One area of the pitch that Zinnbauer doesn’t need to worry about is in central defence. A few weeks ago, many would have laughed at that statement, but since Happy Jele’s return to the side, Pirates are yet to concede a goal at the time of writing. The Bucs skipper came on during the 2-0 defeat to Black Leopards and has helped his side keep successive clean sheets over Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United. With one area of the pitch sorted, Orlando Pirates’ attackers now need to work on their form with some of their so-called big players letting them down far too often. At the time of writing, the club’s top scorers are Fortune Makaringe, Deon Hotto, Thembinkosi Lorch and Vincent Pule, who all have three goals to their name. Against the biggest opposition in the land, now would be the perfect time to right their wrongs and find their scoring boots. Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs come into the biggest game of their season in relatively superb form. The Glamour Boys have won three of their last four matches at the time of writing, keeping three clean sheets in that run. The resurgence in form has certainly come down to the return of Samir Nurkovic up top, but also in Gavin Hunt’s willingness to switch up his tactics and take certain players out of their comfort zone. Deploying Siyabonga Ngezana at right back, while swapping Daniel Cardoso and Anthony Akumu has made Amakhosi much more solid at the back. This approach also allows Chiefs to outnumber their opposition when building out from the back, while Cardoso’s ability to find his teammates with a diagonal long ball has started many of Chiefs’ attacks this term. But credit must also go the way of Chiefs’ youngsters. Having been hit with a transfer ban, Hunt’s hands were tied behind his back in terms of who he can bring in and ship out, but up steps the kids. Happy Mashiane, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Darrel Matsheke and Njabulo Blom have all had moments to shine this term and now more than ever with Kaizer Chiefs going through their best spell since Hunt’s arrival. With Khama Billiat still out for another month, Nurkovic has taken the sole responsibility up front and has got the best out of those around him. The Serbian, for me, is one of the best players the league has to offer and is
good enough to play top flight football in any country in the world. His movement in and around the box will come as a massive threat for Orlando Pirates, while the trait I enjoy most about Nurkovic is the fact that he doesn’t need to be involved in a goal to have a solid game. If he’s up for it, Kaizer Chiefs have a chance against any team in the country. Probable line-ups: Orlando Pirates: 3-5-2 Ofori; Hlatshwayo, Jele, Maela; Jooste, Makaringe, Monare, Pule, Sam; Lorch, Hotto Kaizer Chiefs: 4-1-4-1 Akpeyi; Ngezana, Mathoho, Akumu, Zulu; Cardoso; Manyama, Matsheke, Ngcobo, Mashiane; Nurkovic Prediction: Draw (22/10) Kaizer Chiefs have looked like the team we’ve known them to be from last season, but have a task and a half on their hands to better their record at Orlando Stadium. In the bio-bubble, Chiefs played their home matches at Orlando and had a torrid run of results, now, Amakhosi have to beat their crosstown rivals at a ground they are unbeaten at this season, while also coming up against The Ghost. I’m putting my money on a Soweto Drawby, priced up at 22/10!
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