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4 Malmoos takes on his biggest challenge on Saturday

Chase Liebenberg

BIG CLASH YOUNG GUN TO FIRE! 5

WHAT A

WEEKEND! Ten local feature races over two days, including a race billed as the clash of the decade, and the opening of the SA Champions Season, presents racing fans with one of the great weekends of the year! The quality and excitement is not confined to Turffontein and Hollywoodbets Greyville on African soil, with the first Gr1 of the British flat racing season and the Kentucky Derby and Oaks also run on Saturday. In a terrific boost for the local racing operator, Got The Greenlight, Summer Pudding and Malmoos have all accepted to run in the 4Racing Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday in a contest billed as the battle of the generations.

The Equus Award winning Champion Three-Year-Olds of last season take on the recent SA Triple Crown winner. Nine runners have been declared to go to post for this weight-for-age race on the Standside track, but most eyes will be focused on the top three who will be meeting for the first time. There was some doubt as to whether Equus Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding would take her place after winning the Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m on 17 April but trainer Paul Peter said he would run her if she had suffered no ill-effects. Trainer Paul Peter initially had his doubts about the Gr1 clash just a fortnight on and told the Sporting Post the Monday after

her big last win that he felt that the Premier’s Champions Challenge was too closely spaced to that run. But after a meeting on Friday with Steve and Jess Jell of Mauritzfontein, a decision was made to go for the spectacular three-way clash of the local giants. Peter said that his charge had come through her race well and was in the pink of health this week. “Let’s take them on!” he said. That sets the stage for a great race! The daughter of Silvano is unbeaten in nine starts at the course, has won four Grade 1 races and is the best handicapped runner based on merit ratings. Got The Greenlight clinched

his fourth Gr1 race with victory in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m. He also was runner-up in last year’s Vodacom Durban July. His record at the course is three wins and four places from seven starts. This will be his third run back after a layoff and Joe Soma’s runner will be at peak fitness. Malmoos became the fourth horse to clinch the SA Triple Crown when he won the WSB SA Derby. This son of Cap-

tain Al has proven to be among the best three-year-olds in the country and is another who is unbeaten at Turffontein. The 4Racing Premier’s Champions Challenge will be an interesting test for the Mike de Kock-trained runner as this will be the first time he will be taking on older horses. The 4Racing Gr1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m looks equally exciting as Justin Snaith will be bringing Gr1 Cape Flying Championship runner-up Rio

Querari to take on the likes of Chimichuri Run, Russet Air, True To Life, last year’s champion Rivarine, and a host of other speedsters. Also run at the meeting are the 4Racing Gr2 SA Nursery, the 4Racing Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery and the 4Racing Gr2 Camellia Stakes for fillies and mares – all over 1160m, the 4Racing Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m, and the 4Racing Gr3 Gold Bowl over 3200m.

8 Cape Met hero Rainbow Bridge steps out at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday

Chase Liebenberg

THE BRIDGE IS BACK! 9

IT’S A GO FOR SA CHAMPIONS SEASON Unbeaten Cape star and Vodacom Durban July entry Kommetdieding will line up under regular pilot Sihle Cele at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday as the 2021 South Africa’s Champion Season gets under way on the East Coast. With R16-million in feature race stakes on offer during the three-month festival of high-class thoroughbred racing from May to July, South Africa’s Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal will launch in style with the traditional running of the Independent On Saturday race meeting featuring the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, the World Sports Betting Guineas and the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas at the Theatre of Champions. A number of Vodacom Durban July hopefuls will commence their stake of a claim for a chance to line up

in the tightly contested final field on 3 July.

who is likely to just be in need of it.

The unbeaten Crawford-Rix trained colt Kommetdieding jumps from gate 8 in the WSB Guineas where he takes on Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock, Cape Derby hero Linebacker, as well as Paul Peter’s top-class MK’s Pride.

The log-leading trainer also saddles last term’s Gr2 KZN Guineas winner Wild Coast, a son of superstar Beach Beauty. His recent third in a prep run on 11 April, and the advantage of a better draw than his stablemate, suggests he could be the joker in the pack. Grant van Niekerk rides the son of Trippi.

Cape Met winner Rainbow Bridge and his stablemate and half-brother Golden Ducat will commence their SA Champions Season onslaught in the Drill Hall Stakes, where they have drawn alongside each other in midfield. This is the race that Justin Snaith opened his SA Champions Season campaign in last year when his Dynasty gelding Bunker Hunt produced a sustained finish to record his first stakes success and there could be a pointer in that as Snaith saddles another horse of a similar profile in Pinkerton,

Owner Suzette Viljoen celebrates a birthday today (Wednesday) and she could receive a belated present with her own champion Captain’s Ransom lining up in the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas on the same afternoon. Even in need of the run, the dual Gr1 winner should take a power of beating. Follow all the feature action on www.sportingpost.co.za

4RACING LAUNCH ON

CHAMPIONS DAY 4Racing’s Colin Gordon Phumelela has announced that 4Racing, the new racing operator in waiting, will sponsor Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday. The purpose of the

sponsorship is to launch the 4Racing brand to the wider industry, while simultaneously bolstering prize money for the day’s seven feature races. 4Racing’s Colin Gordon Colin Gordon of 4Racing said:

“We are extremely excited to launch 4Racing at a race meeting that sees the equine champions congregate at Turffontein for the climax of the Highveld SummerAutumn Feature Race Season. The Premier’s

Champions Challenge looks like it’s going to be an absolute thriller with the likes of Gotthegreenlight and Malmoos hopefully set to lock horns. “Equally exciting, and in line with 4Racing’s commitment to the upliftment of all horseracing’s participants, the day will also play host to the inaugural Highveld Work Riders versus Jockeys

Challenge, which we have decided to name The James Maree Challenge in appreciation of the enormous commitment he has made to this initiative over many years. This event will see the top eight work riders take on the eight leading jockeys in a pointsbased competition in a R150 000 race down the Turffontein straight,” added Gordon. Looking to the future he said:

“While there are still a number of regulatory approvals to be concluded before the Phumelela transaction completes, we believe that the time is right to come to the party by sponsoring this major race meeting in the interests of the stakeholders in the sport.” Details of 4Racing’s sponsorship of Champions Day are below:

4RACING’S SPONSORSHIP OF CHAMPIONS DAY Race

Grade

Premier’s Champions Challenge Computaform Sprint SA Nursery SA Fillies Nursery Camelia Stakes Gerald Rosenberg Stakes Gold Bowl

Advertised Stake

Added Stake

Revised Stake

1 1 2 2 2 2

R500 000,00 R500 000,00 R200 000,00 R200 000,00 R200 000,00 R200 000,00

R250 000,00 R250 000,00 R50 000,00 R50 000,00 R50 000,00 R50 000,00

R750 000,00 R750 000,00 R250 000,00 R250 000,00 R250 000,00 R250 000,00

R150 000,00

R50 000,00

R200 000,00

R1 950 000,00

R750 000,00

R2 700 000,00

A Big BUT For Owners

There is no formal stakes agreement in place for the Phumelela regions, nor is there sight of the performance of the tote, from where all stakes monies are received.

The recent announcement that sponsors had boosted the stakes of feature races on Champions Day 2021 saw longstanding racing fan Steve Reid penning a few thoughts for the Sporting Post Mailbag.

When stakes from the same meeting in 2019 are compared to this year’s ‘boosted’ numbers, it makes for some very sombre reading should you be an owner, trainer or jockey.

The question that now must be asked is: are owners being fairly treated with regards to stakes being raced for seeing that there is no transparency?

He writes that upon perusing these increases, he was struck by the pitiful stakes that our top horses race for on one of the Gauteng premier race days.

Read the Reid rant – click on this link

Chase Liebenberg

MURRAY

ON THE MOVE 14

JC Photos

Magic day as Rafeef (Callan Murray) wins the 2017 Gr1 Computaform Sprint The Cape’s newest jockey, Ridgemont-Highlands sponsored Callan Murray has ridden Got The Greenlight to a third place in the 2020 SA Derby, partnered Malmoos in work, and admired Paul Peter star Summer Pudding since she first ran. We asked him to nominate one of them to win Saturday’s R750 000 Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. “That’s a very difficult and you are putting me on the spot!

I can’t see there being much between three fantastic horses. I’m going to take the fifth and rather enjoy what should be a humdinger of a race. I think the debate will be raging this week as each of the three has their own fan club amongst the public. It’s great for horseracing to have the different age groups and both sexes taking each other on, and I am looking so forward to the race.” Time flies when you’re having fun. It will unbelievably be four

years since the then 20 year old Callan Murray celebrated the rare and heady feat of three Gr1 successes on this very Champions Day in 2017. Fast forward to 2021, the Ridgemont-Highlands jockey celebrated a career move from Gauteng to join the powerful Brett Crawford yard at Philippi in the Cape with a cracking winner aboard the Drakenstein owned and bred Quick Breeze, the only 2yo taking on older horses, in the first race at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The now 24 year old’s whatsapp profile pic shows a smiling and proud Uncle Callan holding his gorgeous niece Mia Paige De Melo – and plenty else has changed in the tall rider’s life over the two years since his return to SA from Singapore. While his older sister Demi recently married KZN jockey Keagan de Melo, and his former agent Toffa Santos ties the knot with Katherine Ralphs on 22 May, Callan moves to the Cape an eligible and unattached bachelor, and ready to make the most of what he describes as a ‘terrific professional opportunity’ with a top yard. When taxed on why he opted

to make the move South, he explained what we can probably already see in the raw stats – and that certainly don’t reflect his great talent in the saddle. “Johannesburg was quiet. I wasn’t getting the rides and when the offer from a top trainer presented itself, I think I would have been foolish to decline,” he says sincerely. A respected top judge of a decent rider, trainer Brett Crawford said that he noticed that Callan was underutilised in Johannesburg, sometimes only getting a couple of rides at a meeting and his confidence was taking a knock in the process.

“He already has a good record for a young jockey with multiple Gr1 victories and plenty of experience around the world. So, I approached him with an offer to ride for Crawford Racing - and within a couple of days he’d made his decision to join our team,” Crawford told Tabnews. Callan, who modestly describes himself as ‘a keen but erratic golfer’, is upbeat about the geographics that most Gautengers in the corporate world would give their eye teeth for - and he has already settled in at his Claremont residence. “Claremont is central and within a short drive of Mr Crawford’s yard at Philippi,

where I will be doing the majority of my work-riding.” We asked what he’d miss most about Joburg. “My family and friends are very important to me. I will miss them. But we have active social media facilities and the world is a small place today!” Callan was quick to add a word about Mike de Kock. “I must say thanks again to Mr Mike de Kock. Nothing was cast in stone and we had no arrangements this term. But he has been the springboard for the great opportunities and high-points in my short career to date, and I am eternally grateful for the chances I have been given. It’s an honour and a privilege to have ridden for an internationally respected trainer, and that association will always be on my CV.” And Callan’s top-level record to date clearly shows the De Kock stamp of achievement. He has won nine Gr1 races and was South African Champion Apprentice in the 2015/16 season. The boy has certainly become a man since his first race ride on 3 November 2013, when he steered the since exported De Kock charge Captain Lars to fifth place in a Graduation Plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It only took two more rides for

Callan to register his first win. That milestone came aboard the Charles Laird-trained Tennessee Strategy on 12 November 2013. Fast forward and 4554 rides later to the present, he finds himself on 33 winners this season at a strike-rate of 9,68%. A number, along with his golf handicap, that he is very keen to improve upon. Callan can ride comfortably at 53kgs and says that work and race-riding, as well as playing golf mean that he is active and doesn’t have to spend a lot of time in the gym. A 13 handicap golfer, he was off to join his new boss’ son James Crawford for a round at Devonvale Golf Course in Stellenbosch on Sunday when we chatted to him. While he is very keen to travel and up his ride-rate where possible, Callan will be utilising the services of local veteran Rob Champion, an agent for the likes of legends like Karl Neisius and Gerrit Schlechter over the years, as well as Stuart Randolph in KZN, to source his engagements. While it may take him a lifetime to repeat the feat of his extraordinary three Gr1’s on that Champions Day in 2017 when he steered Mustaqueem (SA Nursery), Rafeef (Computaform Sprint) and Deo Juvente (Premiers Champions

Challenge) to victory, Callan has grown in stature and confidence with some valuable overseas experience riding in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia – serious career defining destinations. He returned to SA, cutting short his Singapore contract in 2019, citing a combination of personal reasons and opportunities back home. Prior to that he enjoyed two short stints in Hong Kong, with mixed results. He won two Gr3 features from a decent haul of four winners at the first one in 2017, before returning for a longer term the next season. For the sushi loving Callan Rosser Murray it’s now all about becoming a retreaded Capetonian, while looking ahead at lots of hard work and booting home the winners. And the Kensington Johannesburg-born Reddam House graduate will soon discover that Cape Town can only improve over the next five months, with winter already showing its teeth in the early morning hours at Philippi.

Willow Magic is a son of Dubawi

A CLASSIC WEEKEND AHEAD

JC Photos

Saturday sees the running of both the first two British classics for 2021 and the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. A number of contenders for these four breed-shaping classics boast ties to South African former and current thoroughbreds. Scat Daddy's SA links Legendary South African champion Hawaii is found in the pedigrees of such standout international stars as Ghostzapper (Horse Of The Year), Justify (US Triple Crown), Lil E. Tee (Kentucky Derby), City Zip (top class sire) and Mystic Guide (2021 Dubai World Cup) - and the former US/SA champion also appears in the pedigree of top-class three-year-old filly, Alcohol Free. The latter, a daughter of increasingly successful Scat Daddy horse, No Nay Never, is currently among the leading fancies for Sunday's Gr1 Qipco 1000 Guineas. To

date, Alcohol Free has won three of her four starts, including the recent Gr3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (registered as the Fred Darling Stakes) and last year's Gr1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

Interestingly, Master Of The Seas' third dam, the high-class Rimosa's Pet (Petingo), also features as the third dam of former Klawervlei Stud sire, and dual Guineas winner, Dupont (Zafonic).

Hawaii is the broodmare sire of Hennessy, whose son Johannesburg is the grandsire of No Nay Never.

Enaad's half-brother at Newmarket

Dubawi - 2000 Guineas Outstanding sire Dubawi, whose sons, Erupt and Willow Magic, both stand at stud here, could well come up with his third 2000 Guineas winner this weekend. His sons One Ruler (Gr3 Emirates Autumn Stakes) and Master Of The Seas (Gr3 bet365 Craven Stakes, Gr2 bet365 Superlative Stakes) are both strong contenders for Saturday's Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas, with Dubawi's sons, Makfi and Night Of Thunder, having captured the 2000 Guineas of 2010 and 2014 respectively.

Pride Of Dubai, a half-brother to Enaad (High Chaparral), South Africa's Champion Stayer of 2015-2016, has made a bright start to his stud career and the dual Gr1 winning son of Street Cry could be represented in Sunday's Gr1 Qipco 1000 Guineas by his Gr3 Betway Sweet Solera Stakes winning daughter, Star Of Emaraaty. The latter is one of five stakes winners to have emerged from Pride Of Dubai's first Northern Hemisphere crop. Pride Of Dubai, who hails from the same family as all of Mishriff, Pinatubo, Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, was Australia's Leading First Season Sire of 2019-2020.

Florida Derby winner a boost for SA mare

Fire Away relative in Derby mix

Top class US 3yo, Known Agenda (Curlin), who at the time of writing ranks among the leading contenders for this year's Gr1 Kentucky Derby, hails from the same immediate family as Cape broodmare My Claire (Piccolo).

Wilgerbosdrift's Gr3 Dixie Stakes winning stallion, Fire Away (War Front), comes from a family which produces top-class horses year in and year out.

A winner of three of six starts, including the Gr1 Curlin Florida Derby, Known Agenda is out of Gr1 Vanity Handicap winner, Byrama (Byron), a half-sister to local broodmare, My Claire. The latter has had two runners in South Africa thus far, including the winning Tiger's Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar).

Latest high-class product of this family is the very smart US3yo, and recent Gr2 Wood Memorial Stakes runner up, Dynamic One (Union Rags). Dynamic One is out of the Smart Strike mare, Beat The Drums, herself a daughter of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, and US champion, Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat). The latter, whose dam My

Flag won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, sports unbeaten Breeders' Cup winning champion, Personal Ensign (Private Account), as her granddam, with Personal Ensign also ranking as the granddam of Fire Away. Other notable recent representatives of this family include recently retired Gr3 Discovery Stakes winner Performer (Speightstown) and Fire Away's stakes winning half-sister, Vigilantes Way (Medaglia D'Oro).

A PROUD HISTORY 27

READY TO RUN FOR THE ROSES? Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Champion 2yo Male Essential Quality leads the 20-horse field as the 2-1 favourite from the 14 gate in the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The undefeated grey colt is trained by Brad Cox, who looks to become the first Louisville resident to win the Derby. Jockey Luis Saez seeks

redemption after finishing first in the 2019 Derby aboard Maximum Security, whose historic Kentucky Derby disqualification snaked through the courts for over a year. Saez didn’t ride in last year’s race. Bourbonic (30-1) will be ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, the first Black jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby since Kevin Krigger in 2013. A Black rider hasn’t won the Derby since Jimmy Winkfield went back-to-back in 1901 and 1902.

28 1957 Kentucky Derby winner Iron Liege

Bourbonic made waves when he pulled off the biggest Wood Memorial upset in history at 72-1 on April 3. He will start on the far outside in the No. 20 post position. Trainer Vicki Oliver makes her Kentucky Derby debut with 50-1 longshot Hidden Stash from the No. 13. She becomes the first woman to saddle a Derby contender since Carla Gaines with Bolo in 2015. No female trainer has ever won in the race’s 147 editions.

147 Great Years and by formally organizing a group of local race fans to be named the Louisville Jockey Club, Clark and his new club raised funds to build a permanent racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.

There are few American sporting events with the history and popularity of the Kentucky Derby. It’s rich traditions – sipping a mint julep, donning a beautiful hat, and joining fellow race fans in singing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ – transcend the Kentucky Derby from just a sporting event, making it a celebration of southern culture and a true icon of Americana. The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. The race is often referred to as ‘The Run for the Roses’ and has continuously produced ‘the most exciting two minutes in sports’; uninterrupted, even when coinciding with profound historical events like The Great Depression and

World Wars I & II. The Kentucky Derby’s long history began in 1872, when Meriwether Lewis Clark, the grandson of William Clark – of the famed pair Lewis and Clark – travelled to Europe. While there, Clark attended the Epsom Derby in England, a well-known horse race run since 1780, and also fraternized with the French Jockey Club, a group that developed another popular horse race, the Grand Prix de Paris Longchamps. Clark was inspired by his travels and experiences, and, upon his return, was determined to create a spectacle horse racing event in the States. With the help of his uncle’s John & Henry Churchill, who gifted Clark the necessary land to develop a racetrack,

On 17 May 1875, the racetrack opened its gates and the Louisville Jockey Club sponsored the very first Kentucky Derby. A total of fifteen three-year-old Thoroughbred horses raced one and a half miles in front of a cheering crowd of approximately 10 000 spectators. Aristides was the first winner of the Kentucky Derby. As with any major event, the Kentucky Derby has undergone various changes over the course of three centuries. From shortening the distance of the race, the introduction of traditions like draping the winning horse in a garland of roses, to the growing size of Derby crowds, the Kentucky Derby has embraced the change of time, while honouring the integrity of the spectacle race set forth by Meriwether Lewis Clark.

Candiese Lenferna

SAVE THE

DATE!

The Cape Breeders Club will be hosting the ever popular CBC Golf Day this year at the Pearl Valley Golf Estate. Parties interested in

attending the Golf Day are asked to click on the image below to book their attendance.

the club's annual stallion services auction, will take place on 24 May.

The Cape Breeders Club Golf Day, which will be followed by

Watch this space for more details!

BRITISH FLAT IS FLYING! 32

Aidan O'Brien - another big season ahead

The QIPCO 2000 Guineas, the first Gr1 of the British flat season, will commence at 16h40 on Saturday over the Rowley mile at Newmarket. At time of writing eighteen horses have accepted and the draw to be finalised later this week will be very closely monitored. Shamrock writes that ante-post favourite is the Godolphin owned and Char-

lie Appleby trained One Ruler who finished second, threequarters of a length behind the Jim Bolger trained Mac Swiney from Ireland at Doncaster in the Gr1 Futurity Trophy over a mile. One Ruler had been prominently ridden that day in heavy going, but previously had won comfortably from off the pace over Saturday’s course and distance in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes beating the promising Aiden O’ Brien

trained Van Gogh comfortably. Thunder Moon is the second favourite from the Joseph O’Brien yard. An impressive winner of the Gr 1 National stakes at the Curragh over 1400m on good going beating a few re-opposing rivals including Wembley, St Mark’s Basilica and Master Of The Sea’s to be ridden by retained jock William Buick (and sent off favourite) but couldn’t quicken like the first Godolphin

One Ruler has been heavily backed for Saturday's Gr1

three home. Thunder Moon finished best of all on that occasion and good ground would be to his advantage. St Mark’s Basilica, Wembley and Battleground are the next three in the betting and all form part of the Aiden O’Brien battalion. St Mark’s Basilica followed up his fine third to Thunder Moon by securing a stunning but close victory in the Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes over the Newmarket 1400m late last season. Stable mate Wembley was a fast finishing second beaten ¾ length and

Thunder Moon a further length back. The winner, a son of Siyouni, was ridden to victory by Frankie Dettori that day with retained rider Ryan Moore on the second placed and fast finishing Galileo colt Wembley who also finished strongly for a 1 and a half-length second behind Thunder Moon in the National Stakes. Lastly, Battleground, a beautifully bred son of War Front, won at Royal Ascot and Goodwood over 1400m before travelling to America for the Breeder’s

Cup juvenile Turf over a mile at Keenland where he was a staying on second. Ryan Moore’s choice of ride will be of interest. Mutasaabeq has been supplemented ( a fee of £30,000) for the race after an impressive win earlier this month over the Newmarket 1400m on good going. Trained by Charlie Hills for the Hamdan family, the son of Invincible Spirit will have no problem with the trip according to his jockey Jim Crowley.

Chindit from the Hannon stable who has won three from four starts and would appreciate the likely fast ground and Mac Swiney must also be considered in an open looking race. On Sunday, it’s the fillies equivalent, the 1000 Guineas for which sixteen runners have accepted. Santa Barbara, Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Camelot has only been seen on a racetrack once in her life,

when making a winning debut at the Curragh in September. However, huge ante-post support has seen her odds tumble to favourite with 4/1 and upwards the balance. The hype may be right but the second favourite Pretty Gorgeous has three wins and two seconds including a commanding course and distance Gr1 win on soft going. She contested all the major two old features in Ireland prior to that win and the Joseph O’Brien runner has the highest rating in the field.

The front running Gr3 winner Alcohol Free 7/1 from the Andrew Balding stable has also won on the course and must be considered along with the Exceed and excel filly Sacred 7/1 trained by William Haggas who ran on well to win the Group 3 Nell Gwyn on good ground here over 1400m a few days later. Please note – betting quoted is a guide only

Chase Liebenberg

Richard Fourie gets Warrior up to beat the pacemaker Firealley (Greg Cheyne)

SNAITH WARRIOR FIGHTS ON While Richard Fourie was walloped with a R2 000 fine for exceeding the twelve-strike whip rule, Justin Snaith celebrated a feature double at Kenilworth on Saturday as Warrior nabbed the front-running Firealley late to win the R125 000 WSB Gr3 World Sports Betting Variety Club Mile. Starting at 3-1, Warrior was a fifth first crop stakes winner for Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning sire Futura (Dynasty), when he won the first leg of the newly sponsored World Sports Betting Cape Winter Series. An impressive winner of his two previous starts, the Ridgemont Highlands bred Warrior stormed home, under a determined Richard Fourie to beat the gallant frontrunning Firealley by a neck in

a time of 102,54 secs. Candice Bass-Robinson’s smart filly Marina (4-1) was not disgraced a half length back in third. The winning rider was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) for misusing his crop by striking Warrior more than 12 times. Fourie signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2000. In determining penalty, the Board took into account his recent record in relation to this rule, the distance over and manner in which he used his crop, and the number of strikes (16) over the permissible level. In a race of mixed fortunes for the national championship table topping yard, their fancied Hoedspruit (18-10) ran a 6,75 length last. The Stipes asked the Vet to 37

examine this gelding and the top yard was asked to report back. condition of this gelding on his return to the stables In his first meeting as a newly resident Cape jockey, Callan Murray won the opener with a powerful ride on Quick Breeze but had a tough time here with Adios Amigos breaking through the front gate, but managing to be restrained. The colt’s starting stall certificate has been withdrawn and he was suspended in terms of Rule 61.6.10 until such time as he proves to be tractable with a companion. Warrior was the second leg of a feature double Justin Snaith and has now won three of just six starts for stakes of R172 050. Warrior was Futura’s top lot when sold off the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale and

knocked down to Peter Doyle and Diane Nagle for R1,2 million. He is the fifth stakes winner to have emerged from Futura’s first crop, which includes Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe victor Nourbese (recently sold in Mauritius),

WARRIOR has had his rating raised from 92 to 102 following his success in the Gr3 Variety Club Mile. The Handicappers were of the opinion that consistent 5th placed HYDE PARK made for the most suitable line horse here, and accordingly his rating remains unchanged on 95. The only other increase was for runner-up FIREALLEY, who

once beaten Bauhinia Handicap queen Sweet Future, and Zimbabwe stars Dindingwe and Diesel And Dust.

The R125 000 WSB Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes rounds off the series over 2400m on Saturday 26 June.

The second leg is the R125 000 WSB Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes to be run over 1800m on Saturday 22 May.

A bonus of R200 000 will be paid to the connections of the horse that wins all three legs.

The Merits

goes from 92 to 97. In fact, in rating the race this way FIREALLEY runs to a mark of 101, but the Handicappers believed that he enjoyed the run of the race in a contest which was run slowly and that he is probably flattered by his proximity to the winner. This was also observed in the race time which was a full 3.8 seconds slower than the class average time and 0.81 slower

than the Sweet Chestnut Stakes. As such, it was decided to adopt a cautious approach with FIREALLEY and he was effectively given half the ostensibly achieved ratings increase. The only drop was for 4th placed CRIMSON KING, who is down from 103 to 100 to at least make him two pounds lower than the winner for the time being.

Chase Liebenberg

HAIL FUTURA!

Warrior's dashing victory in the Gr3 Variety Club Mile, his third on the bounce, confirmed he's a young horse going places. Raced by an international partnership, the Ridgemont Highlands-bred is also the second stakes winner in the space of a week for his young sire Futura. A son of Dynasty, Futura entered stud at Drakenstein boasting a combination of looks, pedigree and race record that gave him a license to be any kind of sire. He had emulated his sire as a Horse of the Year recipient, his four Gr1 successes included the coveted Met/ Queen's Plate double and he had banked over R4,3-million in a career

Champion Futura in action

spanning three seasons. As regards pedigree, Futura's dam is the juvenile winner Scribblin’ The Cat, a daughter of Badger’s Drift, who garnered the classic Gr1 treble of the SA Derby, SA Classic and Daily News 2000. He was by champion sire Badger Land out of Broodmare of the Year, On The Roof, a daughter of Thatching. Scribblin’ The Cat's grandam Winter Fox ran second in the SA Fillies Nursery and was a daughter of champion Western Winter and Fox Of Gold, who was sired by Thatching's own brother, the high-class Golden Thatch. Scribblin’ The Cat therefore carries a duplication of the full brothers, who are inbred

to the fabulous taproot mare Dalmary, ancestress of both their sire Thatch and dam Abella, not to mention Sadler's Wells, the grandsire of Dynasty. Futura made a fruitful start to his stallion career with a stakes winner amongst seven juvenile winners, quite an accomplishment for a horse who was unraced at two. The Corné Spies-trained Nourbese became his first stakes winner when landing the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe barely two weeks after cracking his maiden at Turffontein. He followed up with a fine second in the Gr1 Premier's Champion Stakes before his export to Saudi Arabia. That failed to come to

fruition and he will continue his career from Ricky Maingard's Mauritius stable. He is the first living foal out of Golden Pathway (Victory Moon) while his grandam Golden Falcon is a daughter of Golden Thatch, thus reinforcing the Dalmary influence. Warrior's stakes success followed a week after paternal half-brother Diesel And Dust's score in the Zimbabwe 2000, a race which proved a triumph for Futura, with third place going to his stakes winning daughter

Dindingwe. Unbeaten in two starts, the winner had made a strong impression with a smart four-length debut win over 1700m in late February. Remarkably, both were produced by daughters of former Highlands champ Jallad, a son of Blushing Groom. It so happens that Abriyna, the grandam of Badger's Drift, is a three-part sister to Blushing Groom! Diesel and Dust's dam Jalinga, hails from a solid Argentinian female line. Dindingwe, a six-time winner, has yet to finish out of the

first three in eight starts and defeated male rivals in the Zimbabwe Guineas. Out of Jallad's daughter Miss Delish, her success has not gone unnoticed and her yearling full brother was recently snapped up for R300 000 by bloodstock agent John Freeman at the National Sale. Freeman also purchased Futura's highest-priced lot at the Nationals, giving R600 000 for a Drakenstein-bred colt out of a Trippi mare. Standing alongside the champion at Drakenstein Stud, it was always a given

that Futura would have access to his daughters and he features as the broodmare sire of Futura's fleet-footed daughter Sweet Future, who carried the Drakenstein silks to victory in the Listed Bauhinia Handicap. That brings us to Warrior's pedigree. He is a three-part brother in blood to the talented filly Pretty Young Thing, who is by another son of Dynasty, the Highlands-based Jackson. A dual Gr3 winner of the Poinsettia Stakes and Prix du Cap, she also placed at Gr1 level when third in the Garden

Province Stakes. The duo's dam, the Listed Swallow Stakes winner Nona In Command, is a granddaughter of Danehill, while third dam Rainscene was sired by Scenic, a son of Sadler's Wells. Significantly, Nona In Command hails from the same female line and is bred on similar lines to Sabine Plattner's dual champion sprinter Laisserfaire. By Danehill she is a grandaughter of Reigntaine, who also features as the third dam of Nona In Command. Warrior is clearly on an upward curve and notwithstanding his speed-laden female line, his

strong finish in the Variety Club suggests the 1800m of the Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes on May 22 could be within his scope. With two new stakes winners in the space of a week, Futura continues to bolster his standing amongst the leading second-crop stallions. His place as a young sire to note will no doubt gather pace throughout the remainder of the season.

Candiese Lenferna

Nourbese set to race in Mauritius

FUTURA STAR STAYS ON ISLAND A first stakes winner for Drakenstein stallion Futura when winning the 2020 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe, former Corne Spies galloper Nourbese has

been sold into the powerful Ricky Maingard stable in Mauritius for an undisclosed sum. The transaction was

brokered by Central Route Trading and followed the plans for Nourbese to compete for the rich prizes on offer at the Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racetrack

in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia being aborted after a delay in quarantine in Mauritius. Nourbese and dual Gr1 winner Van Halen, as well as Cape unbeaten star Katak, were literally on the apron at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport destined for Europe when an AHS positive at another quarantine station some 70km away saw the UK veterinary authority withdraw permission to enter Britain. While the AHS ‘positive’ subsequently proved to be a phantom false positive, the damage was done and the dreams of the owners were in tatters, with the budgeted costs – already astronomical – soaring out of all proportion. A dual Gr1 winner, Oratorio’s fast son Van Halen was bought for a mere R100 000 at the 2017 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, while the exciting 3yo Nourbese was a R140 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale. A talented son of Potala Palace, The Ridgemont Highlands-bred 2020 Cape Winter Triple Crown winner Katak was purchased privately by owner Marsh Shirtliff. The Sporting Post has learnt that Van Halen and Katak are

currently in France. “Rather than let him stand in his box, we intend to race Van Halen in France through the summer and then look to Saudi Arabia and Dubai next season,” said Corne Spies. Looking at the local racing model, Spies again urged the authorities to provide some form of strategic plan for racing going ahead. He said that it was heartening to see buyers digging as deep as they did at the recent National Yearling Sale, in a climate where nobody really knows what to expect tomorrow. He pointed out that with ever rising costs, the average owner asks first about what the plan is for stakes before discussing further investment. “What do we as trainers tell our owners?” he asks, adding that stakes had been on the decline pre-covid for over a decade. “Billionaires may be happy to race for rosettes. But the core middle-class owner base at the bottom of the pyramid is diminishing fast. While nobody enters the sport with his eyes open, and genuinely expecting to get rich, when one sells racehorse ownership, the fun aspect has to be balanced with the bonus of a break-even, or a possible return on investment, however nominal.”

“I hope that the powers-thatbe can do something soon. I don’t have the answers. We need to find professionals to do a professional job of marketing the sport. Once stakes are in order and remotely realistic again, I feel things can resume to something reasonable,” he adds. “MOD has the right values. We now need to get the right guys into the right positions and start taking much less out of the game than has been the case in recent years. Looking after all of our customers, introducing transparency and planning, and making the right calls for racing, and racing alone, will get the engines firing again.” There are plans to start racing again in Mauritius on 15 May.

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50 Luyolo Mxothwa gets Really Royal going down the inside to hold Rain In Newmarket (Richard Fourie) in a thriller

1-2-3 FOR SNAITH 51

Chase Liebenberg

Klawervlei Stud’s promising young stallion William Longsword gained a handsome update to his pedigree when his full-sister Really Royal won the R85 000 Listed World Sports Betting Sweet Chestnut Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday. Under a fine ride by the in-form Luyolo Mxothwa, the Klawervlei Stud bred Really Royal launched a strong late run down the inside which saw the filly hit the wire a short-head in front of her stablemate Rain In Newmarket. The winner clocked 101,73 secs and capped a terrific race for the Justin Snaith team who saddled the

REALLY ROYAL has had her rating raised from 86 to 100 after she won the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes. The Handicappers were of the view that 6th placed VERONICA MARS had run her usual honest race and that she made for the best line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 94.

trifecta with 12-1 La Quinta back in third. The odds-on favourite Chat Ching never showed and ran a disappointing seventh and 3,75 lengths off the winner. Now a winner of two of her five starts, the Klawervlei Stud bred Really Royal was the top lot sold at the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, when fetching R4 million. She races in the international silks of Bjorn Nielsen and is one of 104 stakes winners for Klawervlei’s late sire, Captain Al (Al Mufti). Really Royal is the fourth stakes winner produced by the winning Fort Wood mare Pagan Princess, with the latter also

The Merits

Runner-up RAIN IN NEWMARKET had her rating increased from 95 to 99, while 3rd finisher LA QUINTA is up from 96 to 98. The only other increase was for 5th placed PINK TOURMALINE, who is up slightly from 94 to 95. Four fillies were given a ratings drop. 4th placed MALEDIMO

responsible for Gr1 Cape Guineas winning sire William Longsword, Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint victress Real Princess and Wolf Power 1600 hero, Silver God. William Longsword, whose first 2yo runners this season include the impressive Safe Return, proved popular at the recent National Yearling Sale where his yearlings fetched up to R1 million. The Stipes reported: Approaching the 300m Rain In Newmarket (R Fourie) became unbalanced when bumped by a tiring Helen’s Blush (C Murray) which rolled in away from Veronica Mars (R Khathi) which rolled in slightly.

is down from 105 to 98 to make her the equal of the 3rd placed runner LA QUINTA for now. LEMON DELIGHT goes from 104 to 98 for much the same reason. TALLAHASSEE drops from 82 to 80, and lastly IN A HUFF is down from 81 to 77.

MARE FOR STUD

16.3hh | 5YO BAY MARE | 5 WINS INCLUDING: GR3 FLAMBOYANT STAKES

A TOP CLASS MARE FOR STUD, CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION PETER MUSCUTT Tel:0765843996 Email: petermuscutt77@gmail.com

Candiese Lenferna

Champion All Is Secret's dam is offered on this sale!

CTS MARE AND MIXED SALE

A POWERHOUSE CATALOGUE!

There are some striking pedigrees on the auction sheet for the 2021 CTS Mare and Mixed Sale, due to be held on Thursday 20 May at De Grendel Estate, with online participation enabled via Meerkat. The entries can be viewed on https://capethoroughbredsales.com/sales/2021-mix Grant Knowles, Marketing and Bloodstock Director of CTS, described this as a

‘power catalogue for breeders’, and on inspection it is easy to see why. Three of the regular Top 5 broodmare sires of the last four racing seasons are well represented in Jet Master (3 lots), Western Winter (3) and Captain Al (11), with regular Top 10ers Silvano (5), Trippi (6) and Dynasty (3) adding to the quality. The majority of the mares on

offer were covered during the 2020 breeding season. Add to this the names of well performed fillies Helen’s Ideal, Kissable and Mrs O, a host of well-bred weanlings, three unraced two-year-olds, and a promising threeyear-old in training, and this auction becomes an item to be diarised in capital letters! Notable lots include:

Lot 74 : Secret Of Victoria : one of South Africa’s best-performed broodmares, dam of champions All Is Secret and The Secret Is out, has been covered by Vercingetorix, and is being sold by the BBP Syndicate, along with her available progeny :

been covered by the young Uncle Mo sire, Royal Mo.

Lot 109 : Unnamed 2020 Secret Of Victoria, by William Longsword, and Lot 119 : Naval Secret, who was a winner as a two-year-old last season, and looks to have plenty of racing left in him.

Lot 60 : Penny Royal : a Listed-placed mare, hails from the family of champion fillies Princess Victoria and Princess Calla, and is on offer by Maine Chance Farms. She has been covered by What A Winter.

Lot 83 : Transcend : Arguably the most promising of champion broodmare sire Jet Master’s daughters, who has had her first covering by Dubawi’s son, Erupt. She comes from a family of good European stayers and is being offered by Maine Chance Farms.

Lot 3 : Always Dancing : a winning mare by Oratorio from Ridgemont/Highlands, comes from an impeccable female line of Sarabande (Mardi Gras, Chesalon, She’s A Giver, La Volta, et al). She has been covered by Danon Platina.

Lot 49 : Leste : is an unraced mare from the close family of sire-of-sires Lomitas, also from Maine Chance Farms. She has been covered by Danon Platina (JPN). Lot 57 : New Money : a young unraced mare from the family of Cinnamon Sugar and Greenacre, is among a wide variety of Captain Al mares from champion breeders, Klawervlei Stud. She has

Lot 78 : Storm Report : another young Captain Al mare from Klawervlei, whose relations include Polar Moon, Silver Operator and Putontheredlight. She has been covered by Potala Palace.

Lot 16 : Circle Of Speed : dam to a winner over the past weekend – Full Velocity – who looks destined for better. Lot 93 : Unnamed 2020 Consequentially : a nicely-bred filly on offer by Klawervlei, sired by William Longsword, and just the second foal of Consequentially,whose own dam, Consensual, produced champion filly Just Sensual. Lot 118 : Girl Interrupted : an unraced daughter of promising and recently off-the-mark

stallion Quasillo from Girl From Grenada, whose eight winners so far include Girl On The Run and Sabadell. The variety at this sale means that breeders from the entire spectrum, big or small, will be able to find something suitable for their respective farms. For more information please contact : Grant Knowles: grant@cthbs.com Amanda Carey: amanda@cthbs.com Download the Meerkat app to register (before 19 May), in order to bid on 20 May. Samsung and Android: Click here iPhone and IOS Apple: Click here Or Register, bid and follow acutions LIVE on the Meerkat website: Click here

Anthony Grote/ Candiese Gameplan Lenferna Media

AND 2021 AGAIN?

AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN…

Justin Snaith is going all out to equal the 108 year-old record of Fred Murray, the only trainer to have won four Durban July’s in succession, and has entered eleven runners in this year’s renewal which will be sponsored by Vodacom for the 20th time.

best is yet to be seen of him and he still has a bit to do to qualify.

David Thiselton writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that Murray won the race every year from 1910 to 1913 with four different horses including Nobleman, who was ridden by Hall Of Fame trainer Syd Laird’s father Alec Laird.

Snaith’s five other entries are last year’s winner Belgarion, the star filly Captain’s Ransom, Hoedspruit, Doublemint and African Night Sky.

The famous race has attracted an entry of 54 this year and the strength in depth will ensure that its 122nd renewal is one of the strongest in its fabled history. Six of Snaith’s entries are owned or part-owned by top Durban Businessman Nick Jonsson, including twice winner Do It Again, who will have a second crack at becoming the first horse to win the race three-times, L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark, The Gatekeeper, Crown Towers, Sachdev and Silver Host. The Gatekeeper is a full brother to Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate and has for a long time been one of Snaith’s chief July hopes this season. However, he is a slow maturing type, so the

Snaith regards Silver Host as one of the dark horses, although he would appreciate further than 2200m and was not as impressive as The Gatekeeper in last Wednesday’s racecourse gallop.

The highest rated horse in the race is the Eric Sands-trained dual Met winner Rainbow Bridge on 134. Runner-up two years ago, he carried topweight last year and ran the first 2000m in a quicker time than the Hollywoodbets Greyville course record for 2000, so he will have a fine chance if ridden more conservatively.

His stablemate Golden Ducat ran a cracking fourth last year and is a lot better Captain’s Ransom is by speed than his Met sixth place, a influence Captain Al and her two disappointing run which might Gr1 wins have been over a mile. have been the result of However, she is a half-sister to a having had too hard a race Sir Percy gelding who has won when winning the Gr2 over two miles on the allGlorious Goodwood Premier weather in the UK. Trophy. Both horses are owned by Mike Rattray, a Snaith will be going for a sixth nonagenarian who has had VDJ win in total and he will thus a lifelong ambition to win this be attempting to join the race. legendary Terrance Millard as the second-most prolific winner Four-time VDJ-winner Mike of the race behind seven-time de Kock has two entries winner Syd Laird. including the WSB SA Triple Crown hero Malmoos. Twice Vodacom Durban July winner and reigning national The Wilgerbosdrift SA champion trainer Sean Tarry Triple Tiara heroine, the Paul has eight entries but does not Matchett-trained War Of have a very strong hand. Cirillo Athena is also among the is the highest rated among them entries. but has a stamina doubt, so the most exciting of his entries are Three-times VDJ-winner probably the progressive filly Dean Kannemeyer has Seehaam, who will relish the three entries including the step up in trip, and the classy Gr1 Cape Guineas winner three-year-old Flying Carpet, Russian Rock and the Gr3 who was a fast finishing fourth Politician Stakes runner-up in the Gr1 WSB SA Classic. Legitimate. Russian Rock

Candiese Lenferna

Snaith’s dual July champion, Do It Again is a son of 2012 VDJ winner Pomodoro and Legitimate is a son of Kannemeyer’s first July winner Dynasty. The latter got home from draw 20 out of 20 in 2003 ahead of the Mike

Rattray-owned Yard-Arm and it is regarded as one of the race’s greatest performances. Dynasty has already produced two July winners, Legislate (2014) and Belgarion (2020).

Veteran Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall has two entries including Gr1 Cape Derby winner Linebacker and the hard-knocking Gr1 performer Rascallion.

Another top Cape threeyear-old entered is the Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained Kommetdieding, the unbeaten Gr3 Politician Stakes winner. He is third favourite in the Hollywoodbets betting. Last year’s runner-up, the Joe Soma-trained Got The Greenlight, is also entered. He might come in well weighted and is the current second favourite behind Malmoos. Leading Johannesburg trainer Paul Peter has three entries, including the darling of the SA turf and current Equus Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding. Johan Janse van Vuuren has three entries including Second Base, who was placed in every leg of the WSB SA Triple Crown, and the progressive three-year-old Puerto Manzano.

Candice Bass-Robinson, the only lady to have ever won the VDJ (with Marinaresco in 2017) has entered Met third-placed Sovereign Spirit. The Cape’s Adam Marcus has entered Princess Calla, third in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and fifth in the Met. KZN have eight entries but all of them will need something of a miracle to qualify considering this year’s strength. The Zietsman Oosthuizentrained Gr2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers winner Atyaab is the sole entry from the Eastern Cape. • First declarations for the July will close at 11h00 on Monday 10 May, while first supplementary entries close 24 hours later. • Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 31 May.

• Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 15 June. • Weights will be published on the same day. • Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 21 June. • The announcement of the final field of 18 plus 2 reserve runners, and their barrier draws, will take place on Tuesday 22 June. • Compulsory public gallops are a condition of acceptance and are scheduled for Thursday, 24 June.

Candiese Lenferna

A jockey has been suspended for eight years for betting on races while also competing under a false name. The Racing Post reports that Daniel Jack Smith bet in races he was involved with and also horses he partnered in them when riding under his birth name of Terry Treichel, which he had legally changed, as well as betting in races he was not connected to.

Banned! Smith pleaded guilty to 32 charges from stewards, including 27 breaches of betting on any race he was involved with between July 2019 and December 2020, risking a total of A$1,840, He also pleaded guilty to betting on other races he was not involved in between April 2019 and July 2020 with 168 bets placed for a total of A$10,500. "This is a unique set of circumstances not seen before in Australian racing,"

the stewards' report read. "The covering of a change of identity and subsequent volume of betting whilst licensed as a jockey is unprecedented." Smith was banned for eight years for the betting offences and three years for false declarations, with the rider serving them concurrently. The ban started on December 18, 2020, the day his licence was suspended.

FWD CHAMPIONS DAY

TURNOVER HITS HK$1,611 BILLION! v

66 This to win the HK$20 million Gr1 FWD Golden Sixty (Vincent Ho) beats stablemate More Than Champions Mile

67 HKJC

A landmark FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, crowned by Vincent Ho’s G1 double, record turnover and the emergence of a potential future champion are evidence of Hong Kong racing’s resilience and attractiveness, according to Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. Pointing to Ho’s effort to extend Golden Sixty’s winning streak to 14 with victory in the FWD Champions Mile before partnering Japan’s Loves Only You to success in the FWD QEII Cup, EngelbrechtBresges predicted Courier Wonder could eventually follow Wellington – winner of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize – to stardom.

“I would like to thank everyone who has kept the Racing Bubble going and it was especially satisfying that our Japanese friends trusted our systems enough to come here and, with the support of the HKSAR Government, we have been able to stage an incredible FWD Champions Day. “We saw some amazing performances from the Japanese horses, who have again shown at distances of 2000m and above they are

superior. For Loves Only You to come here from Dubai and win was terrific.” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said turnover of HK$1.611 billion showed the attractiveness and resilience of Hong Kong racing. “With the support of the Government – and the way they trust us – and the support of our sponsor, we were able to have our fans back at the track,” Mr EngelbrechtBresges said before turning his attention to three-year-old Courier Wonder, who maintained his unbeaten run in the Class 2 FWD Insurance My Legend Handicap to earn a HK$1 million High Achievement Bonus. The bonus is available to horses with a minimum rating of 80 who win a Class 2 race HKJC

“It’s great to have people coming back to the racecourse for a meeting of this quality,”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said, acknowledging the 5719 Sha Tin attendees who observed stringent biosecurity controls. “Golden Sixty kept his unbeaten record and, if you look at the performances of Loves Only You and Wellington, it was an amazing day.

68 An elated HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges

before turning five. Stretched to the limit, Golden Sixty bravely extended his unbeaten run to 14 with a slender victory in the HK$20 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile. Undefeated since July, 2019, the brilliant son of Medaglia d’Oro also grabbed his fourth triumph at the top-level in succession, following on from his past two victories this year in the Stewards’ Cup and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, the first and second legs of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown. Yoshito Yahagi savoured redemption and Vincent Ho jubilated in the best day of his burgeoning career after the

veteran Japanese trainer and the young Hong Kong jockey combined with devastating effect as Loves Only You triumphed in the HK$25 million Gr1 FWD QEII Cup. Confirming Japan’s towering status as an international staying powerhouse, Loves Only You crowned a stunning domination of the race by the visitors with Glory Vase, Daring Tact and Kiseki filling the minor placings. Trainer Richard Gibson claimed a second HK$18 million Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize with potentially outstanding four-year-old Wellington as Japan’s race favourite Danon Smash performed below expectations.

The Australian-bred gelding, a Privately Purchased Griffin for Mr and Mrs Michael Cheng Wing On and Jeffrey Cheng Man Cheong, was the least experienced runner in the 13-horse field; contesting a Gr1 for the first time, and ridden by Hong Kong-based Frenchman Alexis Badel who had not previously ridden in any FWD Champions Day Gr1 races. Wellington scored his seventh win from just ten starts and his sixth from seven starts at the course and di stance as he added to Gibson’s previous success with Gold-Fun in 2015.

ARLINGTON SOLD

Phumelela Gaming and Leisure’s defunct Arlington Racecourse in Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Bay sold on auction last Friday for R25,7-million, and is to be redeveloped as a residential estate. The sale of the embattled horseracing and tote-betting operator’s prime land around the country forms part of their business rescue plan. Ish Hendricks, group auctioneer at Broll Auctions opened bidding for the 62-hectare piece of land at R10-million and the price quickly escalated to R19-million.

“It was a three-man race, between a local Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) developer, a Johannesburg investor and a Durban consortium,” Hendricks said.

The auction was held in Gqeberha on Friday, with out of town bidders joining via video conferencing. The hammer went down in favour of the Durban consortium, which has a large commercial property portfolio in KwaZulu-Natal. Hendricks said market expectations for the property, a centrally-located greenfields site which could be used for either industrial or residential development, had been in the

late teens.

“We are satisfied that we have realised its true value with this sale.” Business recuse practitioner of Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, John Evans, said he was happy with the outcome of the auction, which ‘presents an exciting opportunity for the winning bidder’. “The proceeds, once received, will be distributed to creditors in accordance with the business rescue plan,” Evans said.

SIMPLY GLORIOUS Goodwood has restored the stakes of its three Gr1 races to pre-coronavirus levels, with the £1 million Sussex Stakes once again the centrepiece of the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July. The Goodwood Cup will again be worth £500 000 and the Nassau Stakes will be run for £600 000, while more than £4,8m will be offered in total prize-money across the five days of the Glorious meeting.

JOE - ON THE GO!

Joe Gwingwizha sealed his victory after Leg 3 of the Work Riders’ Challenge at Turffontein on Tuesday. Gwingwizha, who was defending the title he won last year, went into the Leg 3 with a 27-point lead over Phenisile Mongqawa, who in turn was five points clear of Chamu Mabaya. And that is how they finished. That saw Gwingwizha claim the R20 000 winner’s cheque, Mongqawa earned R10 000 for second place. Mabaya banked R5 000 for finishing third and another R5 000 for accumulating the most points at this meeting.

DOWNGRADE Tuesday’s Work Riders’ Challenge was a less memorable one for Donovan Cooper. The Stipendiary Board was of the opinion that the standard of riding displayed by him throughout the day was not of an acceptable level. The Board recommended to James Maree that Cooper attend a refresher course at the Thoroughbred Development Trust, and that he be restricted to riding in races up the straight only. Acting in terms of Rule 4.2.18, the Board removed Cooper from his remaining rides after the fifth race on the day and replacement Work Riders were found.

GOVERNMENT LOVES RACING The Gold Coast Turf Club’s A$38 million transformation into an international night racing attraction is under way. Racingqueensland.com.au reports that at the last election, the Premier announced a re-elected Palaszczuk Government would deliver a multi-million-dollar transformation of Aquis Park and, on Monday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the approval of A$31.5 million to redevelop the 75-year-old racecourse into Australia’s most impressive night racing venue.

MAURITIUS – MAYBE 15 MAY

The strife-torn Mauritius horseracing could start their season on Saturday 15 May. That was the word from the President of MTC Sports & Leisure Jean Michel Giraud during a meeting with trainers and assistants earlier this week. Giraud cautioned that all the conditions to commence, including finances and covid protocols, have not yet been finalised.

HALL OF FAME

The QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame was launched last week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of QIPCO British Champions Series and will immortalise the greats, equine and human, who have achieved remarkable things within horseracing since 1970. The inaugural Hall of Famers in the Class of 2021 are the highest-rated racehorse in Flat racing history, Frankel, and one of the most successful jockeys of all time, Lester Piggott. 73

QUERARI QUALITY Maine Chance Farms’ sire Querari enjoyed another notable day on Saturday when providing three individual winners. Querari fillies won the first two races at Kenilworth on Saturday, before Querari’s gelded son Back To Black saluted at Turffontein later in the day. Sire of this season’s top flight sprinter Rio Querari, and South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2yo’s for 2018/19, Querari is currently sixth on the General Sires List for 2020/21.

MARCUS REPLACED An injured Anton Marcus will not be taking up his engagements at the opening meeting of the SA Champions Season on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Keagan de Melo now rides Silver Operator in the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, while Luke Ferraris has picked up the ride on Princess Calla in the WSB Fillies Guineas and on Seeking The Stars in the WSB Guineas.

STILL THE CUP, BUT… Fewer international horses will be invited to contest the Victorian spring carnival under wide-ranging changes to be implemented. But the Melbourne Cup will retain its current capacity. A report by Racing Victoria into deaths of overseas horses, instigated after Anthony Van Dyck’s fatal injury in last year’s race, has made 44 recommendations, with all but three to be adopted. One change is that international horses based at Werribee during the Spring Racing Carnival will be limited to only one start in Australia before competing in the Melbourne Cup. 74

horses like Flirtation, Kingmambo’s Legacy, Noble Secret and Port Key. In 2010, Costa finally got his major winner when Flirtation beat Mother Russia in the Gr1 Summer Cup and delightedly exclaimed: “Speechless, I am speechless! Recently I took a back seat, I tried not to get too emotionally involved with my runners because it distressed me and my family and now look, the tide has turned!”

Costa Livanos loved his horses and racing

A SAD DAY FOR SA RACING Mike de Kock Racing has sadly announced that longstanding stable patron Costa Livanos passed away on Saturday night, following an illness. Costa was one of South Africa’s major racehorse owners in the 1970’s and 80’s with runners including Ulterior Motive, Mighty Mandarin, Oliva’s Joy and Coldstream Guard, racing

around the country. In later years he continued his regular racing investments and owned the stakes winner Admiral Bolitho. He joined us in the early 2000’s with the grey Gang Related, who won seven races including the Java Handicap and the Drum Star Handicap, and finished second in the 204 Summer Cup to Tyson. More recently, he raced

Mike de Kock commented at the time: “It seems that Costa has found the secret to staying youthful. He looks more or less exactly the same that he did 30 years ago. Costa and his brother Lolly were already local legends when most of us, the current industry workers, entered the game in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I am very pleased and proud to have trained this big winner for him and I speak on behalf of my team too.” Ironically Flirtation died just a week ago, after the National Yearling Sale at which her beautiful chestnut filly, Alice May, did not reach her reserve price. Steven Jell of Mauritzfontein said: “Our condolences to the Livanos family. We will be racing Alice May ourselves in partnership with friends.”

Speaking on Sunday, Mike said: “Costa was a stable stalwart, a faithful supporter and he will be sorely missed. He and his wife Billie-Anne often visited us at the stable until he got sick. But we still communicated on the phone. He loved his horses and he enjoyed a good bet. We always had fun on and off the track. He was especially close to Mathew. Our deepest sympathies to Billie-Ann, Peter and the rest of the Livanos family. Speaking from Cranbourne, Australia, Mathew de Kock said: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Costa, Billie-Anne

and the Livanos family my entire career in racing. They were loyal clients even before I joined the yard. “In recent times Costa, Billie-Anne and I got very close and this was a direct result of their passion for horses and racing. Costa was a true gentleman and great example for us young men. He loved his racing, soccer, and most of all his family. He will be sorely missed by all of us. “Our best wishes to Billie-Anne and the Livanos family during this tough time. Rest in peace, my dear friend!”

Costa was also known for his business acumen. He started Livanos Brothers (Electrical) over 40 years ago and this business electrified in excess of 100 000 houses all over the country – and approximately 50 000 houses in Soweto. The family business evolved and expanded their enterprises over time. The Livanos Group was formally founded in 2001 by Costa’s son, Peter Livanos, who manages the group today.

updated 2021-04-28

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�

932 726 766 452 633

148 109 99 68 61

122 90 81 58 65

96 71 87 49 44

15.9 15.0 12.9 15.0 9.6

Other Places Place % 114 70 93 56 59

332 231 261 163 168

Win Stake (R)

35.6 31.8 34.1 36.1 26.5

Total Stakes (R)

7,185,575 10,866,050 5,965,200 8,877,050 4,719,050 7,817,325 4,460,600 6,272,050 3,429,388 5,367,613

JOCKEYS Name

Runs Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr L Hewitson Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr G M Cheyne Mr A Marcus

1210 805 586 626 456

159 107 58 81 70

131 97 70 99 44

179 120 114 112 103

14.8 14.9 19.5 17.9 22.6

Other Places Place % 185 119 67 84 63

475 323 195 264 177

Win Stake (R)

39.3 40.1 33.3 42.2 38.8

Total Stakes (R)

7,649,975 11,759,100 7,031,975 10,232,125 5,301,000 7,545,363 3,381,600 5,361,250 4,995,425 6,832,750

BREEDERS Name

B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %

Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Varsfontein Stud

269 402 209

1341 50,932 1975 32,792 1059 39,934

127 131 66

180 179 112

47.2 32.6 31.6

453 659 278

8 10 6

12 13,700,838 11 13,182,288 12 8,346,138

146 118

695 53,825 600 55,652

71 47

120 76

48.6 39.8

258 204

8 5

8 11

7,858,400 6,566,925

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

9 5 7 3 2

8,184,450 7,217,050 6,945,500 6,815,475 6,236,050

SIRES Name Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Master Of My Fate Silvano (GER) What A Winter Querari (GER)

Runrs Runs AEPR 179 171 149 157 185

882 983 765 817 951

45,723 42,205 46,614 43,411 33,708

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 79 74 64 68 66

120 103 93 104 95

44.1 43.3 43.0 43.3 35.7

285 365 222 283 330

See all the detailed standings - Click here 78

9 4 5 3 2

12/10

LEICESTER A LAUGH! A massive clash in the league on Sunday when United welcome Liverpool to the Theatre of Dreams, but what an exciting weekend of Premier League action. Fresh and pure for the new month on the back of a tough weekend of predictions last time out, Ryan Liberty returns with his predictions, insight and betting tips for the weekend’s Premier League fixtures. Friday 30 April 39/20 Southampton | Draw 11/4 | Leicester City 12/10 (21:00) At the time of writing,

Leicester is yet to play Palace at the King Power – a game which would have been a massive one for Leicester. Brendan Rodgers will want to get maximum points from his side’s encounter with Palace and Southampton and not leave too much work to do going into their final three fixtures – United (away), Chelsea (away) and Spurs (home). James Maddison should be interesting to watch here, he seems to have taken to a free role in-behind the strikers and I think he really could impact the game and constantly drive his side forward (for the punter looking for something different – back the English midfielder in the Anytime Goalscorer market

at 19/10.) With no disrespect intended to Southampton, Leicester at 12/10 is a laugh and certainly one for the multiples. Saturday 1 May 15/2 Crystal Palace | 4/1 | Manchester City 1/3 (13:30) I enjoyed my time in the clouds – if you know, you know (if you don’t, why aren’t you purchasing your weekly SBN?) – but City will be duly crowned champions of the land. Palace are a bore and sleep-inviting team to watch. They lack any real impotence,

find themselves riddled with uncertainty in terms of who will take over from Roy Hodgson next season and will have been soundly beaten by City at Selhurst Park on the 1st of May by approximately 15:00. City are at even money to Win To Nil, I say get on it as soon as possible. 61210 Brighton | 24/10 | Leeds 9/4 (16:00) Leeds have gone on an impressive little run of form, and I know what you’re thinking: “He’s going to go on about how they play again”. Well, if that’s the case you are on the money my dear friend! Marcelo Bielsa has stuck to his approach and the evident philosophy instilled at Leeds and earned valuable back-to-back points against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

the banana skin side for sides, they are relegated, and their last couple games don’t count for much other than Championship preparation. Nevertheless, Chelsea have been incredible and if I’m honest I really enjoy watching them play these days. The defensive prowess which is beautifully complemented by a sophisticated attack is incredible to watch. Back the Blues – yes with provident fund confidence. 19/20 Everton | 26/10 | Aston Villa 26/10 (21:00) This could be a rather interesting game of football, there is something about Everton which suggests they are a supreme side with a supreme manager, but they just always fall short of that assessment on the pitch.

Brighton is inconsistent and I can’t see them troubling this Leeds side playing with some real confidence. Back the visitors at more than generous odds.

Villa are often – and rightly so – criticized as being nothing without Jack Grealish but that is changing somewhat. Ollie Watkins, Ross Barkley and Anwar El Ghazi are all exiting young talents, but they just often blow hot and cold.

9/20 Chelsea | 33/10 | Fulham 56/10 (18:30)

I won’t separate them, back the draw between two sides.

Fulham are all but done and relegated, which makes them a rather dangerous side to play against. I said last week that Sheffield could become

Sunday 2 May 31/10 Newcastle | 28/10 | Arsenal 8/10 (15:00)

Let me give you an exclusive, if you listen to the Hit the Target Podcast (powered by Hollywoodbets) you are bound to hear me accused of an agenda, vaccine overdose, lacking any sort of credibility or indeed all of the above come Friday morning! But this is all I’m going to say, Newcastle have been competitive and a rather intriguing side going forward. Arsenal have struggled recently and with their added injury concerns, is there any real argument to suggest Newcastle won’t come away with something here? Alas, back the Magpies on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/10. 16/10 Manchester United | 26/10 | Liverpool 31/20 (17:30) The cracker of the weekend is without any doubt at Old Trafford this weekend. I cannot wait for this game, United have every chance to absolutely dismantle the champions of England and send them back over the highway with their tails between their legs. Now don’t get me wrong, Liverpool have been embarrassed enough lately, brought down to earth if you will and their supporters have stopped dreaming. But they

are a wounded animal and will be up for this game. Nevertheless, their eagerness to turn their fortunes around might play right into the hands of the devils, United have blistering pace upfront with a solid midfield base and if the game is indeed open, I can only see it going one way. The only variable which could rubbish everything I’ve just said is whether or not Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to go for the win. At 16/10 pile on! 3/10 Tottenham | 42/10 | Sheffield United 8/1 (20:15) I don’t trust Tottenham; they are still the mediocre side Mourinho was dismissed for failing to achieve anything spectacular with. Ryan Mason coming in makes for an awesome story and as is natural the players will ride the new manager vibe for as long as possible but at its core nothing in north London really changes… Sheffield is at immense

odds to cause an upset, but I wouldn’t get involved there, this game certainly isn’t one for any multiple and I would stay clear, but if you must have a punt Both Teams To Score looks enchanting at 11/10. Monday 3 May 43/20 West Brom | 47/20 | Wolves 5/4 (19:00) West Brom are a side you can register good chances against when they aren’t playing with a balance between their forwards and defensive approach but there’s no way anyone can have any confidence in Wolves. If I’m honest I’m still trying to understand what went wrong for the Pack against Burnley but for this encounter I’m happy to back West Brom on the Win/Draw Double Chance. At 11/20 you could get enough to fund any midweek bets you might have penciled in. 23/10 Burnley | 51/20 | West Ham 11/10 (21:15)

This could be an absolute cracker of a game; Burnley have shown they can cause some real problems when they are on the front foot. The most impressive part of their entire win against Wolves last time out, was the manner in which they saw the game out: without taking their foot off of the throat… West Ham could feel hard done by with their result against Chelsea but I’m not sure they should really. Social media has had their say with the red card for Fabian Balbuena, “he got a red card for kicking the ball”. Well, I think if you can’t see why Ben Chilwell’s kneecap isn’t a ball, well then you Sir are rank, rotten and rubbish. Back West on the Win/Draw Double Chance + Both Teams To Score at 12/10. TREBLE @ 10/1 Leicester Win 12/10 City to nil Win 1/1 Man United Win 16/10

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