20211006 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.2 Single Pages

v

1

v

2

v

3

v

4

GERMAN STAMINA POWER PAYS! v

5

v

Given the fact that the rest of the thoroughbred business world has concentrated on speed since the mid seventies, and Germany has been producing sires with stamina to the fore, Sunday’s 100th renewal of the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe should hardly have been a surprise in hindsight.

In the most gruelling running in living memory after the heavy Paris rainfall in the build-up, the 80-1 winner Torquator Tasso provided an

unexpected but wonderful cause for celebration. For almost everyone else it initially delivered anti-climax and bewilderment as the outsider swept past leading fancies Tarnawa , Hurricane Lane , and Adayar to achieve something few could possibly have foreseen.

Certainly the result has added another great chapter into the history of this always compelling race, one won this year by a trainer in Marcel Weiss in only his second year in the job. That will be little comfort to Dermot Weld, the

6

master trainer from Ireland.

He had prepared secondplaced Tarnawa to perfection and given his record in races around the globe he will be rueing another missed chance to add this great prize to his collection.

His mare will now set her sights on the Breeders’ Cup Turf - she went to that meeting last year and won the same race. She seems in prime position to repeat that victory next month when the going will be much more suited to her finishing speed.

v

Then Came…

A lot has already been reported about the huge upset by the German-bred son of underrated sire Adlerflug, but here is a brief look at the placed runners.

Second placed 5-year-old, Tarnawa (Ire) won the Gr1 Opera on this card last year as part of an unbeaten season. The Dermot Weld trained mare has arguably furthered her reputation in narrow defeats on her last two starts now, shaping well in the circumstances just as at Leopardstown three weeks earlier.

She managed to recover into mid-division after being slowly into stride on Sunday, but had to wait for a gap from 600m out and was shuffled back early in the straight before making good headway upon darting to the inside at the cutaway just over 400m out, sustaining her run to get upsides the front two, and winning the head-bob with

Hurricane Lane for second.

A defence of her Breeders' Cup Turf crown next month looks likely, and she'll be the one to beat at Del Mar. Hurricane Lane (Ire) improved still further at the end of a season of relentless progress that began in mid-April, as untroubled by a slightly messy Arc as he had been by a truly-run St Leger merely three weeks earlier.

He is a most admirable and hardy three-year-old.

Soon reined back to race alongside the winner in mid-field, he didn't have a clear run under 600m out, but made good headway from the point it opened for him 400m out, getting upsides inside final furlong and only edged out late on for third.

He'll no doubt be back for more in the top races in 2022.

Adayar (Ire) arrived as the winner of the Derby and King George, the form of the latter having been boosted by Mishriff's wide-margin

GET NOTICED

success in the Juddmonte International, but he'd been forced to miss an intended prep run in the Prix Niel with an infection in a hind leg and was just a bit too fresh after 11 weeks off to really give his running, arguably the chief sufferer of the lack of pace in the race, too.

Finding himself in front after four furlongs and taking a strong hold, he kicked on over 400m out and it looked briefly like his class might see him home, but he began to flounder in the final furlong and was headed approaching the final 100 yds, unable to find any extra.

A fine sort physically who was having just the seventh run of his life, the racing public will be hoping to see this son of Frankel back racing as a four-year-old.

email advertising@winningmedia.co.za

7

v

The deceased Adlerflug – sire of the shock Arc winner

HE COST ONLY €24 000!

The breeding behemoths were stunned into silence on Sunday when the German-bred Torquator Tasso showed an abundance of class, courage and stamina to wear down Tarnawa and Hurricane Lane inside the final 50 yards.

The Racing Post reports that

there had been whispers about a son of Adlerflug relishing the conditions at Longchamp, but it speaks to the seismic shock that Torquator Tasso pulled off that he was not even considered the most likely winner out of his sire's two runners, with Alenquer, who finished ninth, much shorter in the betting.

8

The giantkilling nature of the result is only enhanced by a dive into Torquator Tasso's sales history, as he cost his owner Gestut Auenquelle a mere €24,000 at BBAG in October 2018.

The four-year-old was bred

by Paul Vandeberg and is the second foal out of Tijuana, a daughter of the unheralded

v

Cadeaux Genereux stallion Toylsome. Tijuana is a sibling to three black-type performers, most notably the German Group 2 scorer Tusked Wings, who is closely related to Torquator Tasso, being a daughter of Adlerflug.

In turn, Tusked Wings and Tijuana are out of a winning half-sister to Tertullian, a five-time Group 3 winner over six and a half and seven furlongs who went on to become champion sire in Germany in 2014.

Those who delved back into Torquator Tasso's pedigree would have found an important piece of Arc-

winning form, as his third dam is a half-sister to none other than Urban Sea, winner of the race in 1993 and dam of Galileo and Sea The Stars.

Torquator Tasso was already among Adlerflug's five Group 1 winners prior to his career-best effort on Sunday, having won last year's Grosser Preis von Berlin and the Grosser Preis von Baden last month.

Given Torquator Tasso's owners already stand Soldier Hollow, German champion sire in 2016, 2018 and 2019, it seems entirely likely that the Arc winner will get the opportunity to do his bit to help

9

maintain Adlerflug's influence.

The son of In The Wings, who died unexpectedly at the age of 17 after covering a mare at his home Gestut Schlenderhan in early April, is represented by other stallion sons including Gestut Ammerland's Iquitos and Gestut Erftmuhle resident Ito. In Swoop, who came within a neck of supplying Adlerflug with an Arc winner in last year's race, has also found a place at stud, but will be covering jumps mares under the Coolmore National Hunt banner in 2022.

v

10 The 2009 Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sea The Stars

AIM FOR THE STARS

Aga Khan Stallions

v

11

v

This year marks the 12th anniversary of Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) putting up one of the performances of the century to win the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Despite pulling hard early on and not enjoying the easiest of passages, Sea The Stars stamped himself as a truly great champion by accounting for nine individual Gr1 winners.

In winning the Arc, Sea The Stars emulated his dam Urban Sea, who won the same race back in 1993.

The Cape Cross son retired to stud having won eight of nine starts, with his six Gr1 wins headed by the Arc, Investec Derby and 2000 Guineas.

One of the finest racehorses of the century, Sea The Stars always had plenty of appeal as a stallion prospect -not hurt by the fact his dam Urban Sea has been one of the most influential broodmares of all time.

While by no means as dominant a stallion as his remarkable half-brother Galileo, Sea The Stars has more than lived up to expectations since retiring in 2010.

Currently the sire of nearly 90 stakes winners, Sea The Stars’ progeny include multiple champion Stradivarius, Epsom classic winners Harzand and Taghrooda, the Irish Oaks winners Sea Of Class and Star Catcher, German classic winners Miss Yoda and promising sire Sea The Moon,

12

and Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes winner Crystal Ocean.

In total, Sea The Stars is currently the sire of 16 Gr1 winners, with his progeny having won at the top level in all of Australia, Britain, France, Germany, and Ireland.

He has enjoyed notable success with mares from the Sadler’s Wells line, as well as with mares by Kingmambo.

The latter is broodmare sire of Sea The Stars’ Gr1 winners Baaeed, Cloth Of Stars and Zelzal.

Sea The Stars has had another excellent year in 2021.

His star representatives this

v

year include the brilliant, unbeaten Baaeed (whose five wins from five starts include the 2021 Gr1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp), Baaeed’s own brother Hukum, Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille heroine Teona, Stradivarius (who claimed his 17th group win this year), exciting two-yearold Reach For The Moon, and Gr2 Prix de Pomone winner Raabihah.

The once beaten champion’s great run of success continued on Saturday when his sons Hukum and Manobo claimed the Gr3 ABF/BGC Cumberland Lodge Stakes (another son Eagles By Day ran second in the Cumberland Lodge) and Gr2 Qatar Prix

Chaudenay respectively.

Another son of Sea The Stars, star stayer Stradivarius, claimed second spot in Saturday’s Gr1 Qatar Prix Du Cadran while the sire’s daughter Valia took third spot in Saturday’s Gr1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.

As a point of interest, Sea The Stars’ granddam Allegretta ranks as the fourth dam of Sunday’s Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Adlerflug).

Sea The Stars has a single sire son at stud in South Africa in the form of the once beaten Gr3 Bavarian Classic winner Quasillo.

13

The latter, a very close relative of leading Cape sire Querari (both Quasillo and Querari are male line descendants of Green Desert and both horses are out of the Acatenango mare Quetena), has only seven registered South African runners thus far.

Nonetheless, Quasillo’s small first crop have made an impact on the South African turf, and include the stakes placed Miss Putin, debut winner Quasiforsure and eye catching maiden winner Equillo.

v

14 A thrilled Warren Kennedy steers MK’s Pride to victory

JC Photos

v

PRIDE & MAGIC! 15

v

A fairytale that brightened the gloom of 2020, a year that all of us would rather forget, looks set to continue.

Koos Nkale’s tough-as-teak Willow Magic colt MK’S Pride took his earnings over the R1 million mark as he clinched his seventh victory with a typically gutsy showing to win Sunday’s R300 000 Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein.

He has only ever raced one horse. So we probably can’t blame Mr Nkale for believing that owning a racehorse is a fun, easy and profitable pursuit. One arrives, watches the race, lifts the trophy, sips the champers and banks the cheque.

But sometimes it works like that, and for the former schoolteacher, who as a punter dreamt of owning his own racehorse, it has worked a charm.

Carrying his favourite soccer team’s black and gold finery, MK’s Pride (2-1) powered home in the Kaizer Chief strip under regular pilot Warren Kennedy to win his second start of the new season, in the process securing his second Gr2 title and looking set for a profitable term.

With Joey Soma’s champion Got The Greenlight back after a nine week absence and taking his time to unwind down the inside rail, MK’s Pride put his head down and fought on

16

to beat the improved again Bingwa (16-1) by 0,60 lengths in a time of 89,88 secs. The victory meant a feature double on the afternoon for the Peter-Kennedy combination, who earlier had won the fairer sex equivalent with the relentless galloper, Big Burn.

With the Summer Cup as his short-term goal, Got The Greenlight (5-2) emerged with his big reputation intact and was 0,90 lengths away. He will come on lengths with the benefit of this run under his belt and will be infinitely more comfortable over slightly further.

Bred by Summerhill, the winner is a son of Willow

v

Magic (Dubawi) out of the modest one-time winning Admire Main mare, Ikimasu.

He has now won 7 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R1 183 600.

So a horse nobody wanted at sale has earned over a R1 million in these austere times and looks set for plenty more. But we need more of these happy stories!

This was Alistair Cohen’s last feature race call on SA soil

for the next seven months at least. Best of luck to the young man as he moves on to Dubai to pursue his career.

The Merits MK’S PRIDE remains unchanged on a rating of 120 following his win in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track on Sunday 3 October.

The race, originally scheduled for the previous day, was postponed by 24 hours owing to inclement

weather. It was MK’S PRIDE who was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, hence his unchanged rating.

The specific conditions of the race do not allow for an increase to the rating of any horse beyond the winner, and so runner-up BINGWA remains on 111 despite

running to a mark of 117.

However, there were ratings’ drops for three horses. CHIJMES is down from 110 to 108, EXPRESSFROMTHEUS drops from 122 to 118, and lastly TIERRA DEL FUEGO was cut from 114 to 110.

17 MK’s PrideLenferna shows his blanket off Candiese

JC Photos

v

18

v

19

v

20

v

12,4 MILLION REASONS TO BUY BSA!

South Africa’s longest established thoroughbred sales company Bloodstock South Africa have the industry talking after announcing sensational new incentives for their 2022 sales.

That’s an extraordinary R10 million injection for owners.

The very popular BSA Value Added Maiden Juvenile Stakes Programme for 2yo’s has proven a boon for owners and R10 million will be up for grabs, with 100 races of R100 000 each, for 2022 sale graduates.

These races will be contested separately for 3yo’s of both sexes and hosted at Kenilworth, Hollywoodbets Greyville and Turffontein.

The BSA Race Series offers owners R2,4 million by way of six R400 000 races for all graduates of the BSA 2022 sales.

For the convenience of vendors and buyers, the BSA live Sales Calendar for 2022 has been

21

published and commences with the Cape Yearling Sale at Kenilworth on 27 February 2022.

The BSA November 2yo Sale will be held at the TBA Sales Complex on Saturday 20 November.

Find the catalogue online here Read more on www.bsa.co.za and see the advertisements that follow!

v

22

v

23

v

24

EARNING HIS STRIPES v

‘Elusive Fort is a prime example of a stallion who has had to establish himself the hard way, notwithstanding the fact that he sired a Gr1 winning filly in each25of his first two crops’

v

A stallion who is finally being given the respect he deserves is Elusive Fort, the sire of Sunday’s Gr2 Joburg Spring (F&M) Challenge winner Big Burn.

The son of Fort Wood jumped into the top ten for the first time last season when he finished seventh on the General Sires list. A splendid achievement considering he had the second fewest runners.

In what was a sterling season, he sired five individual stakes winners, the star of which was his Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner Kommetdieding.

Elusive Fort is a prime example of a stallion who has had to establish himself the hard way, notwithstanding the fact that he sired a Gr1 winning filly in each of his first two crops.

First-crop daughter Siren’s Call won the first two legs of the Triple Tiara and went down by a neck in the third leg, the (then) Gr1 SA Oaks.

Second-crop daughter Lauderdale proved more precocious and capped her juvenile season with victory in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes. His next two top level winners are both males - the SA Derby hero Out Of Your League, and of course, Kommetdieding.

The hallmark of a versatile stallion is his ability to sire progeny who excel over a wide range of distances, and in that respect, Elusive Fort fits the bill. His 14 stakes winners range from the sprinting siblings Freedom Charter and Ernie, to a classic Derby winner, and also the admirable stayer Chitengo, a dual winner of the Aquanaut Handicap.

That said, Elusive Fort Syndicate manager David Allan was quick to point out that "Big Burn won over 1450m and his other winner on the day scored over a mile. These are his average winning distances and with the colts having caught up the fillies in a bunch of stakes performances over the past couple of seasons, he is putting himself in the shop window big time”.

But back to Big Burn, who was bred by John Everett at his Narrow Creek Stud from the Argonaut mare Ignition Lady.

Elusive Fort appears to have struck up an infinity with the mare, a previous liaison yielding Big Burn's year-older full brother Catch Twentytwo, who proved himself one of the top three-year-olds of last season. Victorious in the Gr2 Dingaans and Gr3 Tony Ruffel stakes, he was runner-up in both the Gr1 SA Classic and Gr2 Gauteng Guineas.

However, arguably his best

26

efforts were in defeat. He ran Horse of the Year Rainbow Bridge to a neck in the Gr1 Gold Challenge and also chased home champion Jet Dark in the Gr1 Champions Cup. What odds Big Burn's trainer Paul Peter will plot a similar classic course for his newlyminted stakes winner, who looks set to add to her sire's status?

In recognition of his earlier achievements, Elusive Fort has covered sizeable books these past three seasons and once again, will work his way through a good book of mares at Black Swan Stud.

“Technically he is not quite full insofar as we could fit in a small number,” added Allan.

“But we certainly couldn’t take more of the kind of block bookings that characterised his pre-season trade which was much appreciated.”

Mindful of the tough economic climate, Elusive Fort stands at R15 000.

That's exceptional value for a stallion who was a champion on the track, boasts a fine pedigree and has done the job as a multiple Gr1 winning sire.

Back to Big Burn’s victory on Sunday. Receiving weight all round in the weight-for-age plus penalties 1450m feature,

v

she is difficult to peg back when flying in front and she stepped up to the more testing trip on the inside track to provide a galloping lesson to her five rivals.

Unbeaten in three starts this term, the Paul Peter-trained Big Burn (3-1) ran on powerfully to beat the 5-10 Under Your Spell (who gave her 2kgs) by 1,60 lengths in a time of 90,88 secs.

Big Burn cost R300 000 at the BSA National 2yo Sale and took her career tally to 4 wins and a place from 5 starts for earnings of R544 250.

The Merits It was 4th placed MISS ELEGANCE who was used as the line horse here, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 102.

Aside from the winner, no changes were made to the rating of any horse which took part in this event.

JC Photos

BIG BURN has had her rating raised from 108 to 110 following victory in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge over the inside track 1450m at Turffontein on Sunday.

27 Big Burn wins the Gr2 Joburg Spring (F&M) Challenge on Sunday Candiese Lenferna

v

28

v

ALI COHEN HEADS TO DUBAI 29 Alistair Cohen – ready for the new challenge

v

In another prestige international acknowledgement for South African horseracing, the country’s leading young commentator Alistair Cohen will be taking up a post with the Emirates Racing Authority later this month.

He called his final SA feature – certainly for the next seven months - when MK’S Pride stormed to victory in the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on Sunday.

In a media release issued early last Saturday, the ERA

announced the appointment of Cohen as their English language race caller for the 2021/22 season.

Dubai has become the destination of choice for a diverse variety of international stars from all corners of the globe and the total prize money for the racing season exceeds $40 million.

A highlight of Alistair’s stint will be the Dubai World Cup, which includes a card of six Gr 1 and three Gr2 contests on 26 March 2022. Prize money has been enhanced to a value of $30,5

30 Happy together – Candice and Ali Candiese Lenferna

million with all races run for at least $1 million.

In an exclusive interview with the Sporting Post, the 30 year old expressed his excitement at the prospects of the move.

“It’s a seasonal post for the 6 months of their season. So I expect to return to South Africa in April. However, I intend to make a great impression in the UAE and become a fixture there,” he explained.

Alistair said that he underwent the interview process just before the Gold Cup.

v

“I had a video call with their HR Department as well as the chief Stipe in the UAE via Microsoft Teams. The wonders of modern technology!”

We asked what his motivation had been to accept the offer.

“I’ve been approached by a few racing jurisdictions over the years and the time hadn’t been right. When I was told there was an opening at ERA I felt I had to follow through.

Dubai racing has always been in the limelight through the success of Mike de Kock, so it feels natural for a South African to pursue it. And I’ve done some homework in the last month since I’ve known I’ll be on my way. Five new racecourses to visit. Loads of famous names and faces to get to know. It’s really an exciting challenge!”

And who played a part in guiding his decision?

“I spoke to a number of people. Obviously those closest to me had a big part to play. Robert Bloomberg was a huge help and pointed out a few things that I needed to clear up. Then Mike de Kock explained what to expect and what a great opportunity I was being presented with.”

Has he had role models in his profession?

“I’ve had a few over the years.

David Raphael was the first caller I wanted to be like after I heard him call London News in the QEII. Then I had an ear for it and wanted to mesh some Clyde Basel, Craig Peters, Graeme Hawkins and Jehan Malherbe. Since international racing became accessible to South Africans, I paid attention to the UK callers, especially Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett and Simon Holt. So it’s a varied mix,” he smiles.

While Alistair called in 2019 at Mussleburgh in Scotland, Dubai represents a brand new challenge. He is one of our most respected and accurate callers – but how does he get to learn the new silks?

“It is always difficult to learn the new colours and adjust. Even when a new owner arrives on the scene in South Africa.

But those are the challenges I enjoy.”

Racecalling is a uniquely skilled function – how does a South African cope in a foreign country with brand new names and dynamics? And we also asked whether it will be butterflies all over again when he calls his first race there and will he change his style?

“There are butterflies for every race. The day you’re not slightly nervous is the day you need to find another passion.

Their season starts on 29 October at Jebel Ali. I wont change my style. Somebody

31

thought it was fine to take me to the UAE in the first place!”

Ali and partner Candice Dawson have just purchased a home together in Johannesburg. Uprooting oneself and moving across the globe has it’s own challenges, surely?

“Candice will hold the fort in South Africa while I’m gone.

We’ve just bought a property together. My life in South Africa will just take a 6 month at a time hiatus. My folks are in Durban. Candice expects to visit for a while after the Summer Cup and I’m already looking forward to that. I hope my folks can also make time to visit. They have never been to Asia. So it’s opening up new worlds for us all.”

A family of dog lovers, Ali and Candice have 4 dogs who will be missed by their ‘Dad’.

“Bentley, Aston, Tikkie and Ragnar keep me sane. It’s going to be tough without them. Bentley has been known to work some Tellytrack shifts with me in the past!”

We asked what he will miss about South Africa.

“I will miss the racing. I really believe we are onto some good things here. It’s scary to see where we are at the moment but we will rise again. South Africa must have

v

the best lifestyle on earth. I will miss the golf school and the friends I’ve made at work and in racing. I will miss Candice, my parents and the dogs most. But they say time flies so six months will hopefully feel like one!”

We asked if he had any message for our local racing industry.

“Keep the faith. Good things are coming. People who love racing and want to fight for the greater good are apparently getting closer. Support the game that has given so many feel good moments and it will flourish. Everybody needs one another more than ever. Stop looking for knives and pull

in one direction. Let the fights happen on the course for the horses to take the glory. Love the game. It will love you back,” he says with emotion.

Alistair says his goals and ambitions right now are to entrench himself as a world class commentator in the UAE and make an impression that this season isn’t his only season.

“Who knows what doors can open up from here!”

In closing, he asked to be given the opportunity to thank a few people.

“I always come back to Owen Heffer. Growing up with his

32 Candiese Lenferna

youngest, Tyson. And my dad and Owen knowing each other forever – his involvement in racing probably sparked mine into something. Also the people at Phumelela who took the chance on me when I was 19 and moved me to Johannesburg. Patrick Davis, Robert Garner, Jack Milner, Vee Moodley, Clyde Basel, Nico Kritsiotis – who showed me the ropes in various facets of the game. I am indebted to them all.”

Good luck Ali Cat. Dubai racing has just become a whole new passion for many SA racing fans!

v

33

‘THE SUN KING’ HEADS TO PORT LOUIS v

34 Geoff Woodruff – new challenges

v

A five time South African champion trainer and a man that earned the tag of ‘The Sun King’ for his extraordinary feat of winning the Gr1 Summer Cup six times in seventeen renewals, iconic horseman Geoff Woodruff takes up a new challenge when he departs for Mauritius on Thursday.

The British-born Woodruff, who turns 65 on Monday 11 October, saddled over 70 Gr1 winners and more than 200 graded stakes winners in an illustrious career that spanned over three decades.

He started out as an assistant to Peter Skinner in England for 9 years and then moved to South Africa and worked for local master Ralph Rixon for 6 years.

In 1988 Geoff took out his licence, starting with a modest 14 horses. But that early attack included the likes of Star Effort and Pas De Quoi and Terrance Millard’s son-in-law was a big league competitor literally from day 1!

‘The Guv’, as he is affectionately known in local racing circles, relocated to Cape Town from Randjesfontein in 2020 and

handed the reins to his long-time assistant and daughter Lucinda from the start of this season.

The young lady has made her Dad proud, having already saddled her first winner from only a handful of runners.

Geoff told the Sporting Post that he will be relocating to Mauritius and training for leading owner Jean-Michel Lee Shim from a private training centre, North of the island’s capital, Port Louis.

“It’s a very exciting venture and an ambitious concept with big plans to race in various international jurisdictions. Carol (my wife) and I are looking forward to the exciting challenge,” he said, confirming that a similar opportunity had arisen in Saudi Arabia.

“From a lifestyle perspective, we opted for Mauritius over Saudi and the island’s location also lends itself to launching raids into Dubai and Hong Kong.”

He explained that their brand new training centre was in process of construction, with 150 boxes already built.

“The tracks are being laid out and I will be contributing to the specific design on arrival.”

35

With exports to Mauritius from South Africa relatively straightforward, Geoff has already purchased yearlings to be shipped to the island.

“We are aiming at buying quality horses here that could be competitive internationally.”

In another interesting move, South African-born Derreck ‘DD’ David, a past Mauritius champion and Hall Of Fame rider, will be joining the new team.

“I am very happy to be able to team up with Derreck again.

We enjoyed terrific success earlier this century and worked very well together,” said Geoff.

We asked the veteran about his surfing and ability to communicate in French.

“Look, I am not a surfer. It’s not a fun hobby in Cape Town waters, anyway! I’m probably more of a beach walker, as such. And I did French at school and thus have the basics. So I am sure I will pick that up as we go along!”

v

36

v

37

v

38 Anton Marcus keeps Seeking The Stars at his task to win well

Chase Liebenberg

v

MARSHALL’S FIFTH MATCHEM STRIKE! 39

v

Milnerton veteran Vaughan Marshall numbers Captain Al and Met winner One World amongst his quintet of Gr3 Matchem Stakes winners and he set the stage for a sizzling summer season when saddling the top two home in Saturday’s 1400m contest.

While sponsors are a worryingly scarce commodity these days, Cape Racing branded the season launch the #thisisracing Matchem Stakes as they showcased the country venue and hosted guests, including 4Racing and Racing Association office-bearers, on a chilly afternoon.

And while Captain’s Ransom made a rollicking return to racing a half hour earlier in the Gr3 Diana Stakes, the afternoon belonged to the Vaughan Marshall-Anton Marcus combination who

grabbed three winners.

The Matchem hero was the handsome Vercingetorix chestnut Seeking The Stars, who jumped from the worst of the draw to produce a powerful front-running display on his season debut following a nine-week break.

While he clearly doesn’t stay the 1800m of the Gr1 Champions Cup – his last appearance of his 3yo season – the colt is lethal at 1400m, and duly produced a winning performance as the best weighted runner in the eleven horse field.

“I thought they had us at the 200m marker but he dug deep,” said Anton Marcus after Seeking The Stars (2-1) had staved off a challenge from his 40-1 stablemate Silver Operator to win by a half length in a time of 83,48 secs.

Cosmic Highway (22-10) was 2,25 lengths back in third in a pleasing effort.

Seeking The Stars, who races in the Ricky Sewgoolam orange and dark blue silks, was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the threetime winning Count Dubois mare Schism, who won up to 2200m.

He cost R1 million on the 2019 Cape Yearling Sale and took his earnings to R1 028 875.

He has won 5 races with 4 places from 12 starts.

This was Vaughan Marshall’s fifth Matchem strike after Captain Al (1999), Play Catch (2004), Tales Of Bravery (2010) and present day Drakenstein sire, One World (2019).

Dean Kannemeyer’s smart 3yo

The Merits SEEKING THE STARS remains unchanged on a rating of 121 after he captured the Grade 3 #ThisIsRacing Matchem

Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville on Saturday.

It was 5th placed WILD COAST – who was unbeaten

40

from three previous career visits to Durbanville – who was used as the line horse here, leaving him unaltered on a mark of 107.

v

41

Cover Image Basie & Suzette Viljoen lead Captain’s Ransom (Richard Fourie) in after her impressive Gr3 Diana Stakes victory at Durbanville on Saturday. Image courtesy of Chase Liebenberg. v

42 Richard Fourie steers Captain’s Ransom to a terrific win

Chase Liebenberg

v

THE RANSOM HAS BEEN PAID! Guaquistador storms to victory under Craig Zackey 43

v

Despite his uncharacteristic conservatism pre-race, Justin Snaith’s Cape Summer Season shares received a welcome fillip when his champion 3yo filly of last season Captain’s Ransom produced a polished term debut to successfully defend her Gr3 Diana Stakes title at a buzzing Durbanville on Saturday.

The daughter of Captain Al’s presence appeared to have scared off any real opposition off and only five other 4yo’s pitched to take her on.

Starting at odds of 9-10 Captain’s Ransom was never under pressure and Richard Fourie produced her with an electrifying turn of foot at the 250m to catch her pacesetting stablemate Major Attraction (8-1) and win by 1,50 lengths in a time of 86,64 secs.

Regular partner Richard Fourie called her a ‘special filly’.

“It’s so nice to have her back somewhere near her best. She switches off so well and when she sees daylight she turns it on. She has furnished beautifully. She is a typical

Captain Al filly and tests us at track.But she has a good head on her shoulders. Thanks to Suzette and Basie Viljoen for the support and patience!” he said.

A relieved Justin Snaith said that it’s early to start a long season in October.

“But her gallop was so impressive. There was a lot of hype going into the Champions Season about her taking on War Of Athena. I took some bad advice in the week going into the Garden Province. She was so sick afterwards – she should never have run. I take full responsibility and I am not too old to learn!” laughed the SA Champion trainer.

Suzette and Basie Viljoen were at the track as part of a roadshow that started in the Eastern Cape on Friday and will culminate at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

“I wasn’t breathing when they came into the straight. But Basie said she was going to win. Thanks to the Snaith team for making her a champion.

And thanks to Richard Fourie for riding a brilliant race,” said SA Champion owner, Suzette Viljoen.

Captain’s Ransom, a R225 000 buy from the 2019 National Yearling Sale, was bred by Moutonshoek.

She is a daughter of deceased champion sire Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the unraced Red Ransom mare Cinna’s Ransom. The latter, dam of multiple winners in Britain, is a half-sister to Gr3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner Black Rock Desert and multiple Japanese stakes winner Toyo Seattle.

Cinna’s Ransom’s own dam, the Plankton Stakes winner, City Dance is a full-sister to multiple Gr1 winner, and successful sire, Slew City Slew.

A winner of 7 races with 1 place from 9 starts, the superb filly has accumulated R991 625 in stakes and has a bright summer season ahead of her.

The Sporting Post Sprint is interactive.

Click on the live links throughout and enjoy the read!

SUGGESTIONS? Please email editor@sportingpost.co.za

The Merits CAPTAIN’S RANSOM remains unaltered on a mark of 126 following her success in the Grade 3 Diana Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m at Durbanville on Saturday. It was runner-up MAJOR ATTRACTION who was

used as the line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 100.

The specific conditions of the race do not allow for any increase to the rating of any 44 horse beyond the winner.

However, 3rd placed

MARMALISA had her rating raised from 96 to 97 after the publication of weights for this race and remains on 97 even though she raced off a mark of 96 in the Diana Stakes. There were no ratings drops as a result of this event.

Brave Tin Soldier v

S to r m C at – B l e S S b y m r P r o S P e C to r

(USA)

Sold for US$3-million as a foal Stakes winning miler in UK & USa - timeform 115 at 2

Classic

Gr1

by Champion Sire & Sires-of-Sires

sire of

producing sire-of-sires

to the core

Rabada

StoRM Cat

won Gr1 Daily News 2000, Gr1 Premier’s Champion S.; sire - first crop will be yearlings

out of full sister to Kentucky Derby winner & G1 sire

bRave MaRy

FuSaiChi PeGaSuS

won Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship

and grandam full sister to Preakness Stakes winner & Gr1 sire

RunninG bRave

won Gr2 Gold Bracelet (2x); 2nd Gr1 Empress Club S. (2x), 2nd Gr1 Summer Cup

Pine bluFF (by Danzig) R5.000 live foal Contact: Jill Fox

45

072 289 8471 • nfo@thefortstud.co.za Property of The Fort Stud

v

PUNTERS’ CHALLENGE THRILLER! Port Elizabeth player John Bekker came within a heartbeat of scooping the R1,8 million Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge progressive jackpot after finding the first seven winners on the Hollywoodbets Greyville card on Sunday.

A racing fan for four years, the 31 year old went into the final event on the Sunday card with Princess Sabrina shouldering his hopes and dreams of a massive windfall.

The free-to-enter competition requires players to select one horse in each race at the KZN racemeetings.

Besides the daily must-bewon prize of R10 000, which is shared by the top twenty players on the leaderboard after the meeting, a massive progressive jackpot offers those players finding all the winners on the card an opportunity to win big.

A father of three, John is a manager at a national company in Uitenhage, and balances a

hectic family and working life with his passion for horseracing.

He says that he finds the horses stimulating and loves the unpredictability of the sport of kings – saying that he regards the four-legged athletes much more fun and rewarding than sports betting.

He wasn’t watching the racing on Sunday as he was relaxing with his family. A friend phoned him after about the fourth race to catch up on the Hollywoodbets Punters

46 Racing fan John Bekker – oh so close as he showed his skills in the popular competition on Sunday!

v

Challenge. That’s when John realised he was four from four and going strong for the big prize.

His punting mate called back after the sixth to tell him he was six from six.

“I am used to ranking in the 3000’s so that’s when I started getting a bit edgy. My wife said let’s just hope and pray that I go all the way. After all, who could not do with that kind of windfall? I told my wife I can’t watch the last race. I went for a snooze. Then you phoned me after the race to share the news that Princess Sabrina had run a gallant fourth, but that I had finished top of the log and was a winner of a very welcome

R4000!”

In typically philosophical fashion, John said he is naturally extremely disappointed that he had not won the R1,8 million, but wouldn’t be losing too much sleep as he had fancied the consistent filly at the weights in the cliffhanger last race.

“I don’t like hard-luck stories.

I made my selection of all eight of my horses with consideration and with purpose. Cowboys don’t cry.

And consider that I finished top of 10 044 odd players – that doesn’t pay the bills, but it’s bragging rights!” he laughed.

When explaining how the ex-

47

citement had unfolded, he told the Sporting Post that he usually gyms at 4am every day, but takes a break on Sundays.

“I don’t usually punt on a Sunday and was up at 04h00 as usual. I sat studying the Hollywoodbets Greyville card and played with various combinations. In the second race, for example, I went against the favourite. I found the sixth race quite tricky – a fillies and mares MR 78 handicap. But the talented Rachel Venniker and Lady Catherine delivered for me.”

John said that in hindsight he probably should have taken a Pick 6 and a Place Accumulator on the afternoon.

v

“I suppose I would have had a really good day. Maiden’s Prayer who won the last race was fancied. But would have should have could have. We move on and look forward to the next racemeeting.”

Wednesday 6 October.

R1 825 000 will be up for grabs and John says he will be out to make good by going one better than his memorable Sunday near miss.

How the final race unfolded…

“Thanks to Hollywoodbets. It’s a great competition, it doesn’t cost a cent and it’s good for racing,” he said.

A dedicated Hollywoodbets customer, John plays at Walmer and Greenacres branches. He particularly enjoys the Greenacres experience and finds the service professional and friendly.

The next leg of the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge is at Hollywoodbets Greyville on

The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge has proven to be South Africa’s most successful horseracing competition ever.

The challenge is straightforward! Players receive points depending on where their selection finishes in a race, and how many actual runners there are in a race.

Points are awarded in accordance with the horses’ finishing positions i.e. – in a 10-horse field, the winner will be awarded ten (10) points, 2nd place is nine (9) points and so on with the last horse being awarded one (1) point.

Points are also awarded according to the price of the winner only. The winning selection receives a bonus of the Hollywoodbets starting price.

Click here to read more about the competition

Candiese Lenferna

48 Rachel Venniker gets Lady Catherine up to keep John’s dream alive

v

49

v

HAYES – WHILE THE SUN SHINES! Elated after extending a remarkable start to the season with a quartet, David Hayes hopes to plot a path to the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint after Super Wealthy threatened Sha Tin’s 1000m course record with a brilliant Gr3 National Day Cup Handicap triumph last Friday. Atop the trainers’ championship with 12 wins – five clear of Danny Shum – Hayes revelled in his most successful day since returning to Hong Kong last season, marking a momentous occasion by posting his 500th Hong Kong victory after emphatic wins by exciting trio Nervous Witness, Lord Thunder and Master Montaro.

SA BLOOD AT ARQANA Avid Sporting Post reader Cliff do Carmo writes to inform racing fans that the Arqana October Yearling Sale will be held on 18 October. 752 yearlings are on offer from top bloodlines and interestingly there are many catalogue pages with South African families, most notably: # 80 – Wootton Bassett out of OLMA (SAF). # 73 and # 636 – The former by Invincible Spirit out of a mare which has the same granddam PRINCIPESSA (SAF) and PELAYA (SAF) – Pelaya has a Silvano filly on the CTS RTR Sale on 31 October. # 174 – Granddam is SALLY BOWLES (SAF), that lovely London News filly.

There are also several lots, including # 84, that have JET DARK (SAF) in the 3rd dam, there is INARA (SAF), NEBRAAS, QUEEN SUPREME and even the mighty DEVON AIR (# 736).

For your reference, please click here for more information

50

WHY 5 MONTHS LATER?

v

The National Horseracing Authority’s drawn out processes mean that jockey Grant van Niekerk is off on suspension from 3 October to 22 October for two transgressions dating back to May. The two penalties of ten days apiece have been confirmed by the Inquiry Review Board. And they seemingly weren’t appealed either! On 2 May the Cape jockey won the KZN Guineas on Linebacker and got ten days for a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 for failing to ensure that he did not cause interference to The Gatekeeper, Russian Rock and Kommetdieding at the 1300m. Then on 29 May Van Niekerk rode Princess Calla to second behind War Of Athena in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000. Once again it was Rule 62.2.7 that was the issue. He caused interference to Netta at the 200m.

ORFFER FINED The Mauritius Turf Club Racing Stewards held numerous inquiries in relation to last Sunday's Maiden Cup meeting.

Former Cape jockey Pierre-Corne Orffer faced a Stewards inquiry into the presence of prohibited substances in a urine sample taken from him. Diazepam, Nordazepam, Oxazepam and Tremazepam were apparently detected in the sample. Orffer was handed a fine of Rs 10 000.

Three jockeys were suspended for two race meetings under MTCSL Rule 208 (f) for careless riding. They were feature race winning jockey Rye Joorawon (Alshibaa - Maiden Cup), Benedict Woodworth (Trip To The Sky - 4th Race) and Nagaraju Darshan (Fort Mchenry - 7th Race).

GRAB A JAB Gold Circle has opened its doors at the Summerveld Clinic for the public and staff to get vaccinated for free as part of the Vooma Vaccination Weekend campaign. Vooma Vaccination Weekends aim to mobilise people living in South Africa to get vaccinated as a means to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. This past weekend was the first Vooma Vaccination Weekend in a series of outreaches under this banner. Besides Gold Circle’s efforts to promote vaccinations, the Sporting Post is aware that East Cape Champion trainer Allan Greeff has vaccinated all of his personnel in a specific drive. Interestingly, the Mauritian authorities are insisting that visitors to the Champ de Mars must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a negative result in a PCR test which must not be dated more than 7 days before the day of 51 the races.

v

O’BRIEN POINTS FINGER AT VETS Champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien says Racing Victoria vets led the decision to give Anthony Van Dyck a nerve block in the lead-up to last year's Caulfield Cup. Anthony Van Dyck ran a close second to Verry Elleegant in the 2020 Caulfield Cup days after having the nerve block, a procedure vets use to determine whether a horse is feeling pain in a particular area.

Anthony Van Dyck subsequently broke down badly in the Melbourne Cup. Vets were unable to save the 2019 English Derby winner’s life with a public outcry following the incident.

O’Brien spoke about Anthony Van Dyck’s tragic death in last year’s Melbourne Cup in an interview

52

v

with UK publication Racing Post. O’Brien said there was nothing wrong with Anthony Van Dyck while the horse was at the Werribee quarantine centre. But RV vets thought otherwise.

“Anthony Van Dyck was never a big mover, but we were always happy with him,” O’Brien told the Post.

“The Racing Victoria vets started looking at him and they suggested that we could do a nerve block on him. “We never do nerve blocks – never – but they suggested we do it because it was the only way they could let him run (in the Caulfield Cup).

“They wanted to see if there was something there. So they did the nerve block, found nothing and let him run. I read afterwards that we had done the nerve block, but we never do – we were led by the Racing Victoria vets.”

However, Racing Victoria issued a statement on Monday advising O’Brien’s private veterinarian had the final say on whether Anthony Van Dyck underwent the nerve block procedure. The statement also noted there was no RV vet present while the nerve block was conducted on Anthony Van Dyck.

“As is done for any horse displaying abnormalities or concerns at the time of an inspection as to its suitability to race, Racing Victoria Veterinary Services consulted with the trainer and private veterinarian with regards to the diagnostic options available,” an RV spokesperson said.

“The final decision on any diagnostic procedures (is) made by the private veterinarian. As a result of the examination, the stable veterinarian determined that there was no lameness in any of the horse’s fetlocks. Thus further diagnostic imaging, including MRI or CT, was not sought by Racing Victoria Veterinary Services or the stable’s veterinarian.”

Anthony Van Dyck’s death produced a strong reaction from Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club. The bodies commissioned a report into Anthony Van Dyck’s death alongside a review into Melbourne Cup fatalities.

The Melbourne Cup review featured input from top racing minds such as champion trainer Chris Waller. RV introduced tough new pre-travel rules for international runners intending to compete at the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Those rules include requirements that horses must pass full body scans and scintigraphy scans before they are allowed to enter quarantine overseas.

The new requirements are the reason O’Brien has not sent a team to Melbourne for this year’s carnival.

“You have to inject this nuclear dye into them, and a person can’t go into them for four days – and they are meant to race after that?” he said.

“Obviously, it’s unfortunate what happened to our horse, but they must be under huge pressure from the ‘antis’ (anti-racing campaigners) or whoever to demand that sort of thing.”

53

v

54

v

55 Design by Winning Media

JC Photos

v

SOPHOMORE REVIEW National Horseracing Authority CEO Vee Moodley advises that the racing regulator’s Handicappers have reviewed the handicap performances of the threeyear-old crop after the first two months of the current Southern Hemisphere season.

The NHA Handicappers are tasked with ensuring that all horses in handicaps have an equal chance of winning as per the rules of the NHA.

Rule: 47.3.2 a handicap, which shall be a RACE in which the weights to be carried by the HORSES are allocated by the handicapper for the purpose of equalising their chances of winning.

However it is a trend that the three-year-old crop consistently outperform their older rivals.

This is likely due to their freshness in racing, their propensity to improve more rapidly than older horses, and

56

the likelihood that trainers take advantage of the favourable WFA for the more mature three-year-old’s early in the season.

The Handicappers have reviewed the handicap performances of the threeyear-old crop after the first two months of the current Southern Hemisphere season.

This review is done regularly to ensure that a balance between crops is maintained

v

and that handicaps remain competitive.

The chart below displays the number of starters in handicaps from the 2017/18 until 2020/21 and is divided

into three-year-old starters in yellow and four years and older starters in blue.

The trend is for the participation by three-year-old’s to steadily increase through the course of

The chart below shows the three-year-old crop win strike rate in yellow, and the four year and older crop win strike rate in blue.

It can be seen that three-yearold crop as a group consistently outperform their older counterparts throughout the season.

The strike rate is calculated by dividing wins for each group by the number of starters of each group and converting to percentages.

In the early months of the season (August through to October) the three-year-old crop win at a significantly higher rate when compared to older competitors.

57

the season with only a small number of early three-yearold starters during the months of August and September.

This is likely mostly because of an advantageous WFA factor at that time of the season for the advanced maturity level of the smaller number of runners in that period.

Click here to read more.

v

58

v

59

v

60

JC Photos

v

Gauteng-based Quantam King is in third place

CTS READY TO RUN STAKES The latest log for the 2021 CTS De Grendel Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m has been published.

eligible graduates of the 2020 CTS Ready To Run Sales and entries will open at 11h00 on Monday, 18 October.

The race is scheduled for Kenilworth on Saturday 30 October.

Supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Friday, 22 October, with declarations due by 11h00 on Monday, 25 October.

The R900 000 race will be preceded by the R2R Gallops on Friday, 29 October, and followed by the 2021 CTS Ready To Run and UnbrokenTwo-Year-Old Sale on Sunday, 31 October.

The race is restricted to

The final field will be determined based on merit ratings.

For those of the same rating, the number of wins prevails; failing that, a random draw will

61

take place. Horses with less than 3 runs which are still maidens do not qualify for an official merit rating, so therefore cannot be ranked on the log.

Click here to view the log.

Keep Up With The

PACE! The Sporting Post Sprint offers winning advertising options

email advertising@winningmedia.co.za

v

62

v

NEW JOINT VENTURE FOR CTS Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) have announced an expansion of their business interests via a joint venture with In2assets, one of South Africa’s leading property auction companies specialising

in commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.

and property owners, provided an ideal opportunity for this venture.

CTS MD, Grant Knowles, said that the company’s location and good database of Cape businessmen, entrepreneurs

He said: “Many of our clients at CTS are from the higher income groups; some are high-profile business people

63

v

with extensive asset portfolios and they all have periodic needs in the property industry.

In combining forces in the greater Cape Town area with its active and buoyant market, CTS and In2assets will provide property sellers with an exclusive database of buyers to streamline their sales experience.”

Durban-based In2assets is a partnership of four individuals, managed by Hein Hattingh – who happens to be a racehorse owner – with Andrew Miller as Group Auctioneer.

Miller, the thoroughbred industry’s most experienced auctioneer, with his own wide-ranging experience in auctions of other commercial natures, commented: “In2assets has been doing business for 9 years. We have a team of marketing experts with over 80 years collective experience in property sales and state-of-the-art

technology, which makes transactions seamless, combining online auction technology with a live auction experience.”

He added: “We have sold in excess of R5-billion worth of properties, including the R120 million Richards Bay Shopping Centre, the R95-million Berg View Complex in Harrismith and, during lockdown, we sold a warehouse complex in Jacobs, Durban, for R85-million via our Live-Studio Online auction platform.”

Miller echoed Knowles’ assessment that CTS is an ideal partner for his concern, and said: “We have offices in Durban, East London, Johannesburg and Gqeberha, and having a base in Cape Town with an established partner like CTS, is the next step in our growth and development.

about creating awareness of our business expertise and our access to high- profile property owners and buyers.

There is a synergy between us which we will employ for the best service and results.”

Any business or property owners seeking advice for the sale of their properties or farms, please get in touch with Grant Knowles or Jacques Chowles at CTS. Grant: grant@cthbs.com or 0828829774 Jacques: jchowles@cthbs. com or 0794593022 Phone: (+27) (0) 21 – 8730734

For them, it is about expansion of their interests; for us it is

Did You Know?

Monique Schabort of Paarl Diamant Stud offers a pair of two-year-olds at the 2021 De Grendel CTS Ready To Run and Unbroken-TwoYear-Old Sale on Sunday, 31 October at Kenilworth Racecourse.

LOT 8: Colloidal Gold – Gold Standard-Cavalleria (Ger) by Galileo (Ire) This is a chestnut colt out of the German mare Cavalleria. He is a very solid individual and is nicely put together.”

LOT 21: Unnamed –

64

Pomodoro-Hold Fast by Jallad (USA) The progeny of former Vodacom Durban July winner, Pomodoro continues to churn out the winners, and Monique has a glint in the eye when she talks about this unnamed bay colt.

Design by Winning Media

v

65

v

66

v

SOETENDAL ARE READY TO RUN! 67

v

Situated 15km north west of Wellington, Soetendal Estate is a beautiful property with the backdrop of the Limietberg offering scenic views from all sides.

Founded in 1852, the farm is a National Heritage Site.

Owner Julia Pilbeam has renovated and extended the original buildings to suit her purposes.

With the CTS Ready To Run Sale around the corner, Julia and her team have been hard at work preparing her draft for the sale.

"We've been privileged to receive fantastic support from our clients and, as has been the case for the last couple of years, we are proud to be presenting a large draft of forty-three quality horses with some impressive pedigrees," comments Julia.

Julia’s smashing draft for the upcoming sale includes horses by the established stallions Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight, What A Winter and Querari, as well as Master Of My Fate, Oratorio, Captain Of All, Pomodoro and Twice Over.

Julia & her team recently spotted at Durbanville for their gallops She also has progeny of the exciting up-and-coming sires Rafeef, Futura and William Longsword.

Julia is also excited about the three two-year-olds by new stallions Royal Mo and Gold Standard, who have impressed her already.

• A William Longsword grandson of Champion Sprinter Val de Ra (lot 12) • A Pomodoro half-sister to Listed winner Paisley Park (lot 16)

She lists a few of the impressive pedigrees in her 2021 draft:

• A Twice Over filly from the immediate family of Jackson (lot 17) • A Futura half-brother to unbeaten three-year-old Prince Of Fire (lot 26)

• A What A Winter half-sister to Champion Sprinter Via Africa (lot 4)

• A William Longsword half-brother to Gr2 winner Caralluma (lot 27)

68

v

• An Oratorio colt from the immediate family of Legislate (lot 32) • A Trippi colt out of a Gr3 winning mare (lot 48) • A three-parts brother to multiple graded race winner Gimme Six (lot 49) • A Captain Of All colt out of a full sister to Trademark (lot 57) • A William Longsword colt from the immediate family of Kilindini and Second Base (lot 59) • A Captain Of All colt out of a full sister to Lizarre (Champion Older Horse in Singapore) (lot 66) While Julia says it is difficult to single out any individual

based on ability when she represents clients, she assured us that there is plenty of talent in the draft!

"We also have horses on the draft that have never been presented at a sale before, through no fault of their own so there is a lot of opportunity in our line-up," she smiles.

The majority of the Soetendal draft have already been to Durbanville for their gallop, and the last few will go next week.

Julia has been happy with what they have shown her, and while some are more forward than others, she prefers to allow them to progress at their own pace.

"The girls and riders at home have been doing a great job this year, and the horses have

been sensible and settled at the track," says Julia of her hard-working staff.

With the sale at Kenilworth racecourse this year, Julia is looking forward to an exciting few days. " I think the sale being at Kenilworth on the weekend of the sales race will create a great vibe, make for excellent viewing and filming of the gallops, and hopefully attract more buyers to come and see both the gallops and attend the sale," explains Julia.

Fortunately, many have become accustomed to using the online platforms to bid, which will be available through CTS for this sale.

This allows more buyers to bid - even if they may not be able to attend the sales themselves.

"Logistically, it's been more challenging for us. The horses won't have seen the Kenilworth course prior to their arrival, but we will take the draft in early on 24 October.

"This will allow them time to settle in there. So our draft will be available for viewing the whole week leading up to the gallops on the 29 October," she explains.

Lot 59 – Love Island (William Longsword x Whatsinakiss)

69

Looking at the upcoming De Grendel CTS Ready To Run Stakes, Soetendal Estate has sold both the 2019 winner

v

(Pure State) and the 2020 winner (Seeking The Stars) so no pressure!

Looking at what Saturday’s stunning Matchem Stakes winner Seeking The Stars has gone on to achieve, just shows the quality of horse that can be purchased on this sale.

Six horses from the Soetendal 2020 draft are in the top 20 on the latest log, including log leader Whatever Next.

Click here to see the latest log

two weeks!

"I believe Whatever Next is coming down from the Eastern Cape for the race, and we're hoping he doesn't find the 1400m a bridge too far, but we'll be rooting for all our graduates!" she says enthusiastically.

Contact Julia for any enquiries regarding more information or videos of specific lots: 082 317 9474 or admin@soetendal.co.za

Julia and her team invite any prospective buyers to make an appointment to visit the farm to view the draft before the sale.

That’s anytime during the next

70

v

71

v

72

v

73

v

74

v

75

Candiese Lenferna

v

Last Winter stands on behalf of Piemonte Stud at Bush Hill in KZN

LAST – TO FIRST!

Last Winter’s electric turn of foot to register the fastest 400m to tape finish of a great day in the 2018 Gr1 Sun Met, to be left a half-length short of the outstanding Oh Susanna, is always worth a revisit.

Before we go on, refresh your memory. Watch the big bay in the yellow and black silks – click here

The lightly raced son of Western Winter – a champion sire of champion sires - was unbeaten in his first 4 starts over 1200m-1600m.

His final run on African soil was that dazzling runner-up finish in the Sun Met. His performances at that stage saw him ranked

by Longines as the joint 5th highest rated turf horse in the world.

76

He was exported to the UK where he ran twice in two features, and placed in the Floodlit Stakes over 2400m.

His was a racing career that could have delivered plenty.

Today he stands on behalf of Piemonte Stud at Bush Hill in KZN, where his first foals have everybody talking.

The handsome athletic specimen is out of local champion and breed-shaper

v

Silvano’s daughter Field Flower, a winner of the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. This is also the family of Inverroche, Hashtag Strat and Origami (’97 f) and sire Fools Holme, and his 4th dam is a full sister to Champion sire Bold Ruler – the sire of amongst others Secretariat.

The handsome horse is an active and healthy young stallion and full of enthusiasm.

According to Bush Hill owner and manager Warwick Render, Last Winter has adapted seamlessly to his tasks in the new season.

"To be honest, the ease with which he coped with the start of last season proved that he would be good to go with

no problems once again this season," informs the lifetime horseman.

Due to circumstances beyond Warwick's control, Last Winter had a rushed beginning to his new career at stud last year.

However, he eventually arrived on the farm out of quarantine on 3 September 2020 and covered his first mare the very next morning!

"As an indication of things to come, the mare was confirmed in foal shortly after," Warwick says with pride.

With the stallion’s late arrival, and little time for promotion, Warwick feels that Last Winter did not get the hype he deserved leading into the season.

77

"Despite this, he still covered some very nice mares – the result is some crackers, including a smashing colt out of the Gr2 Debutante Stakes winner Tempted. The stakes-placed Dynasty mare African Dynasty has also produced an impressive high-quality colt," Warwick informs us.

The five-time winning half-sister to Gr1 performing She's A Dragon and immediate family of Cerise Cherry, Antonia Major, has a strong, well-balanced colt at her feet.

Penthouse Mouse, a daughter of Cataloochee from one of Bush Hill Stud's founding families, also has a scopey and quality colt by Last Winter.

v

"That pairing worked exceptionally well with Mr Prospector lines coming through," informs Warwick.

So despite Last Winter’s late arrival for his first season, he still covered a decent first book of mares.

"Most importantly, he has proved to be exceptionally fertile, achieving the rare feat of getting every mare he covered in foal!" boasts Warwick.

Warwick and his team have been so impressed by the quality of his foals that they

have planned to send the stallion to some of their better mares this season.

a great looking individual who has shown he is passing this on to his first foals.

"The dam of multiple Gr1 performing Neptune's Rain has already been covered by him this year. Still to visit him will be the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Go Indigo, and the eight-time winner Victory Moon mare Lunar Lee has already tested in foal to him!

"I would urge breeders not to miss out," concludes Warwick.

"There will be many more exciting developments as the season progresses," says Warwick with a smile.

Last Winter is standing at Bush Hill Stud for R7000 live foal.

Contact Warwick & Karin Render for more information: bushhillstud@futurenet.co.za

"To round off the package, he is Bush Hill Stud

78 A lovely Last Winter colt out of Penthouse Mouse

Design by Winning Media

v

79

FUTURE STARS

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BUSH v

WIN your wellness!

Vote for your favourite Future Star & stand a chance to win a Bush Hamper!

80

v

CLICK ON THIS PAGE TO WIN!

HOW’S YOUR EYE FOR A WINNER? The Sporting Post is proud to partner with BUSH and offer our breeders and our readers the opportunity of enjoying the new generation of future stars.

This week we are asking our readers to select their choice from this fifteen-strong stunning first class of 2021.

All you have to do is click

this interactive page or visit www.sportingpost.co.za and select your foal of choice by means of a comment on the same post. Please quote the number and tell us why you decided on your pick.

Votes close on Tuesday 12 October at midday.

The winner will be announced in the Sprint on Wednesday

81

‘lucky’ 13 October.

Note: Breeders – please send us your foal pics to editor@ sportingpost.co.za.

Please include the date of birth/sex/breeding/any relevant family information

v

1 Drakenstein Stud Farm – (c) One World x Trip Poker

3

2 Avontuur Estate – (c) Talk Of The Town x Reason To Believe

4

Avontuur Estate – (c) Rafeef x Torra Bay

5

Drakenstein Stud Farm – (f) Lancaster Bomber x 82 Wynnholme Stud – (f) Oratorio x Rainbow Rock Shout Out Loud

6

7

v

Bush Hill Stud – (c) Last Winter x Frosty Friday

8

Summerhill Equestrian – (f) Lance x Delightfull Diva

9

Avontuur Estate – (c) Oratorio x Kitco Avontuur Estate – (c) Oratorio x Esteemal

10

11

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds – (f) Willow Magic x Cinnamon Spice

83

Avontuur Estate – (f) Master Of My Fate x Miss October

12

v

15

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds – (f) Act Of War x Island Girl

13

Bush Hill Stud – (c) Last Winter x Rajasthani Queen

14

Spring Valley Stud – (f) New Predator x Karatage Queen

Drakenstein Stud Farm – (f) One World x Trip To 84 India

v

85

PLAY, HAVE FUN & WIN! v

We’ve been watching Rachel Venniker win yet another race on Lady Catherine, and we’ve been getting more excited to be giving away some prizes for not only the Future Stars competition, sponsored by Bush, but also for our own in-house competition with the Dacha sponsored horses.

Shannon Smith writes that throughout the month of October, there are a few of the Dacha sponsored horses running in various races.

We’re giving you, the Sporting Post readers, a unique opportunity to bet in-house for which one you think will show the best results, or where you think each horse will place.

Like always, we’re not operating through a conventional modus operandi.

Your risk is zero. We want you to win, to feel good and to get rewarded.

On Sunday 10 October at Hollywoodbets Greyville, two Dacha sponsored horses will be running - Spirit Of Dacha (first race) and Silven Park (third race).

You can choose which horse you think will place highest out of the two, or which place you think each horse will run. Play, have fun, enjoy the feeling of getting something for nothing and most of all – shout for your favourite Dacha sponsored horse!

Each winner will receive a gift

86

pack of Dacha CBD Infused Blends. The winner will be announced next week and will be contacted via email.

Don’t worry if you don’t win this one; we will launch another competition next week, for the next set of races!

If you’re feeling thirsty in the meantime, be sure to get your order in and use your promo code SPORTING POST to claim your 10% discount on all Dacha and Bush products.

Your entries for Sunday’s racing can be submitted through filling out this form.

GET YOUR DASH OF DACHA! v

WIN WIN WIN! Competition time! Follow the prompts in the article, complete the form and win your Dash of Dacha! @dacha_afrika

87

v

88

v

HK HORSE OF YEAR RETURNS Looking to enhance an already staggering record, Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Golden Sixty, will make his highly anticipated return to racing in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile on Sunday, 21 November as he prepares to defend his crown in December’s Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Pleasing trainer Francis Lui as his preparation was ramped up on Tuesday

morning, the gelding crossed the line first by three lengths in a barrier trial on the turf at Sha Tin, clocking 57,51 secs for the gallop over 1000m.

“It was a good trial, after the trial I asked Vincent (Ho) and he was happy with him,” Lui said. “Everything was fine, it was all good.”

“I am excited – he’ll start off in the Gr2 Jockey Club Mile in November, he might also need one or two more barrier trials before the race.”

An earner of HK$77,925,600, the gelding is closing in on Beauty Generation’s record haul of HK$106,233,750 – should he follow a similar path to last term – a campaign which could also see him challenge Silent Witness’ winning streak of 17.

Jockey Vincent Ho, who has been in the plate for each of the 131-rater’s starts, was equally pleased with his mount.

Golden Sixty passes the post HKJC

89 Golden Sixty trials under Vincent Ho on Tuesday

v

first this morning on the turf.

“I was happy with him, he had a nice warm-up and a quiet trot down, he jumped well as per usual and there wasn’t much speed in the trial.

“So, with gate one I just let him stretch out nicely and do everything by himself, he was nice and relaxed enough to have a good workout,” Ho said.

Defeated only once in 18 starts, the brilliant son of Medaglia d’Oro is looking to extend his unbeaten run to 15 when he returns next month.

“I’m looking forward to his return, he’s one of the best horses in Hong Kong and I’m just grateful to be on an animal like this, there’s no doubts in him at all – he’s a six-year-old now which is perfect, he will be strong and he’s still getting more mature mentally which is

90

good for him,” Ho said.

“He was normal – he didn’t fire up, he felt relaxed and the other horses weren’t too quick, so that makes him look fresh and a bit better than he was – it’s just his natural speed and in a race there will be much more speed,” the rider added.

v

91

HKJC

v

Oisin Murphy aiming at a third straight title

MURPHY ROWS THE BOAT FOR SURE!

With less than two weeks to go in the British jockey’s championship, the race is still on. At close of play on Tuesday night reigning champion Oisin Murphy leads William Buick 145 wins to 134. The race for the title concludes on

Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on the 16th October.

Oisin Murphy insists the British Flat jockeys' championship is far from over despite leading William Buick by eleven winners with 11 days of the season remaining.

92

Murphy, who is hoping to secure his third straight title, rode a double at Kempton on Tuesday evening with his rival unsuccessful. However, Murphy believes his challenger will have the greater ammunition before the season concludes at Ascot.

v

"It's not over," said Murphy, who leads 145-134. "William has got a lot of good rides and I just need to keep going.

The trainers who have been supporting me have had brilliant seasons but the maidens are starting to get more competitive, so it's going to be tough but I'll keep trying.

"I'm going to have fewer chances than him, he's on four favourites a day and I'm on one, but if I keep riding winners and don't mess up, hopefully it's going to be good enough."

The two riders are set to go head to head this week, competing at Kempton on Wednesday, Chelmsford on Thursday and Newmarket on Friday and Saturday.

Dubai Future Champions Day on Saturday features the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes with Buick set to ride hot favourite Native Trail, but the challenger insisted his priority is the championship.

Buick's agent Tony Hind is singing from the same hymn sheet and insisted that they have not given up on

93

Godolphin’s number one rider landing a first title.

"It's all down to luck now," said Hind, who has guided Ryan Moore, Richard Hughes and Jim Crowley to the jockeys' crown previously.

"Eleven is quite a lot to pull back against Oisin Murphy but I'm the type of person who thinks I can still do it. It's who gets the good run and it can go either way but it's doable."

v

94

v

MUSCUTT MAKES A Emerging sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets has welcomed Newmarketbased rider Daniel Muscutt as their first Northern Hemisphere sponsored jockey.

The 26-year-old Muscutt will perform the role of Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador for the company’s fast developing United Kingdom and Ireland online business.

While both Hollywoodbets

MOVE and Daniel Muscutt proudly have their roots in African soil, there is further synergy that already exists as the promising jockey’s father Peter, a leading trainer in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, is also sponsored by the dynamic purple brand.

The Zimbabwe-born Muscutt hails from a family steeped in horseracing. Besides his father’s credentials as one of South Africa’s most internationally experienced conditioners, his grandfather

95

was a jockey and trainer, and his late uncle also rode professionally.

Daniel grew up in West Wales and realised his childhood ambition, serving as an apprentice jockey under Andrew Balding at Kingsclere.

Daniel credits the foundation phase of his professional career at Newmarket – often labelled the Headquarters of Horseracing – as having provided him with the vitally

v

important connection value and exposure to top stables and some of the world’s best jockeys, to kick-start his climb up the ladder of one of the most demanding sporting professions on earth.

A chance encounter in Dubai led to him joining leading trainer Marco Botti’s stable.

In an early and memorable milestone in the young jockey’s burgeoning career, Botti was to give Daniel his first Gr1 ride in his maiden season. The ambitious youngster partnered Fanciful Angel to a sensational half-length second place in the 2017 Arlington Million behind Beach Patrol.

In a relatively short career, Daniel boasts extraordinarily diverse international exposure. Beyond the UK, Dubai and the USA, he has also experienced race-riding in Australia, China and South Africa.

“I intend to do Hollywoodbets proud and ride many winners to keep their flag at the forefront.

It is a great honour indeed and, depending how things develop on the international travel front, I could be spending some time riding in South Africa during their summer in early 2022,” said Muscutt.

Daniel added that he is very privileged to have been selected to showcase the prestigious Hollywoodbets brand.

96

Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager, Devin Heffer, was excited to welcome Daniel to the Purple Family and said, “This is an exciting step forward for the Hollywoodbets brand, as we look to further extend our footprint in the UK and Ireland.

Daniel is a talented and unassuming young individual who fits the mould for our culture, and we are extremely proud to be associated with both him and his father Peter. We are certain he will assist us in getting a good footing in the UK, and showcasing our brand to the wider racing community.”

v

97

Tattersalls

v

Mockridge didn't have to wait long after missing out on the top lot of the day, striking to secure the Dubawi filly out of Gr2 winning Monsun mare Longina for 800,000 guineas.

Newsells Park Stud consigned the filly on behalf of breeder Al Shahania Stud.

Lot 110: No Nay Never (USA) x Lady Ederle (USA) sold for 825,000 guineas

FILLIES TO THE FORE AT TATTERSALLS The Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale is the finest showcase of yearlings in Europe.

Fillies by No Nay Never and Dubawi headlined the opening day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when selling for 825,000 guineas and 800,000 guineas. The opening session saw a turnover of 25,201,000 guineas at an average of 210,008 guineas and a median of 152,500 guineas.

German pinhooker Philipp Stauffenberg enjoyed his

best-ever return in a sale ring when the No Nay Never sister to the Gr2 Coventry Stakes winner and Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes second Arizona was knocked down for 825,000 guineas to Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson.

The daughter of the English Channel mare Lady Ederle is also a sister to the Gr2 winner Nay Lady Nay and was secured by Richardson after he saw off Juddmonte Farm's Simon Mockridge. She was a 260,000 foal purchase.

Juddmonte Farm's Simon 98

On the opening day, the top-priced colt was the Lope De Vega colt out of the Gr1 Premio Lydie Tesio winner God Given, who was knocked down to Godolphin's Anthony Stround for 725,000 guineas.

The colt, who was consigned by the Player family's Whatton Manor Stud on behalf of Andrew Stone's St Albans Bloodstock, is out of a half-sister to the multiple Gr1 winner Postponed and is a great-grandson of Champion race filly Biance Nera.

MV Magnier secured the Galileo colt out of Dutch Art mare Lightning Thunder for 650,000 guineas. The colt was consigned by Peter and Frances Stanley's New England Stud on behalf of breeder Christopher Hanbury.

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues on Wednesday 6th October and Thursday 7th October.

The October Yearling Sale Book 2 starts on 11th October.

v

99

v

BINGWA AIMS FOR SUMMER CUP While the runners at the top of the Gauteng Gr1 Summer Cup log remain unchanged, there have been a few changes to some of the other hopefuls after last weekend's racing.

from 13th spot into 10th place on the top-20 log while both Expressfromtheus and Tierra Del Fuego, both unplaced in the same race, have dropped four places each into positions 13 and 17 respectively.

The Gr1 race over 2000m on the Turffontein Standside track will be run on Saturday 27 November.

There have also been some adjustments to the alphabetical list.

After his second place behind MK’s Pride in Sunday’s Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m, Bingwa has moved

The maximum size of the final field will be restricted to 20 runners.

Second Entries close at 11:00

100

on Monday 1 November 2021, final entries close at 11:00 on Monday 15 November 2021 after which the weights will be posted.

Declarations must be in by 11:00 on Tuesday 16 November 2021.

Click here to view the second long.

v

results up to: 2021-10-05

TRAINERS Name Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr G D Smith Mr S G Tarry Mr A C Greeff

Runs 178 236 221 131 177

Wins Win% 33 32 30 25 24

18.5 13.6 13.6 19.1 13.6

2nd

3rd

27 29 26 13 17

24 35 21 15 23

2nd

3rd

46 32 42 16 27

47 33 28 18 24

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

40.4 42.8 41.6 30.5 41.2

1,769,250 1,349,025 1,193,750 1,099,500 984,375

2,501,750 2,137,025 1,759,750 1,525,125 1,425,563

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

3,386,938 2,015,325 1,731,813 1,596,000 1,415,300

4,621,438 2,982,075 2,907,938 2,186,875 2,026,700

21 72 37 101 45 92 12 40 33 73

JOCKEYS Name Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr L Hewitson Mr R D Fourie

Rides Wins Win% 353 231 286 131 167

67 44 37 33 33

19.0 19.0 12.9 25.2 19.8

58 45 56 15 23

151 110 126 49 74

42.8 47.6 44.1 37.4 44.3

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

Name

Klawervlei Stud 222 Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein 162 81 Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 85 Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Drakenstein Stud 85 (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

400 301 158 182

14,498 19,144 21,439 19,043

42 40 23 17

46 44 27 20

18.9 152 24.7 130 28.4 72 20.0 62

2 1 0 1

2 1 0 1

3,218,475 3,101,263 1,736,575 1,618,625

153

17,976

22

24

25.9

0

0

1,527,925

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

66

SIRES Name

Runrs Runs AEPR

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs %

Vercingetorix Master Of My Fate Querari (GER) Elusive Fort Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

84 107 102 82

144 196 201 175

22,707 17,040 16,703 20,197

27 20 25 18

30 23 27 22

32.1 18.7 24.5 22.0

60 97 70 78

2 1 0 1

2 1 0 1

1,907,375 1,823,325 1,703,700 1,656,188

100

160

16,192 22

25

22.0

60

0

0

1,619,150

See all the detailed standings - Click here 101

FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS v

102

v

103

v

Yes…we have once again arrived at an impasse – it’s another international break.

So the joys of the league have somewhat died down and with it, the usual ranting and banting from your usual suspects (we all have those friends).

Ryan Liberty writes that, however, we will not be without football and, with it, financial opportunity. So you’ll find my picks for some of the games below. Good luck and enjoy!

Friday 8 October 7/10 Czech Republic | Draw 43/20 | Wales 4/1 (20:45) These two sides both come into the fixture off the back of a draw last time out. The Czech’s aren’t fazed by ball possession but look clinical in the final third. They have 0.83 goals per game average from their previous 10 fixtures, and I think they could ask questions about this Welsh outfit.

Wales are a largely inconsistent side at the moment. Last time out, they bossed possession and only allowed Estonia into their box six times over the 90 minutes and yet, fizzled out to a 0-0 draw (managing just six shots on target themselves).

Back the home side to win.

Saturday 9 October 47/20 Finland | 18/10 |

Ukraine 12/10 (18:00) Ukraine will surely be brimming with confidence after their 1-1 draw with world champions France. But, unfortunately, Finland also played out to a 2-2 draw against Bosnia – a result which would have dented their hopes of qualification considering the current climate in Group D. It’ll be a challenging game, that is for certain. I wouldn’t be surprised to Ukraine just edge it…but for the brave punter: Finland on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20 could offer some mid-month value. I’m not going to read too much into Ukraine’s result against France since their previous three games against Switzerland, Poland, and Germany were horrible. However, if they are flat on Saturday, Finland can take advantage.

58/1 Andorra | 15/1 | England 1/50 (20:45) English fans and punters alike will be pleased to know that England is playing away from home on Saturday! But, wow, they have struggled at home this year. Nevertheless, Andorra cannot score for jam, and England really can take the game away from you if you allow them.

Now at the risk of overcomplicating this fixture, I pick England to win 0:4, 0:5 or 0:6 at 21/20.

104

N/A Poland | 17/1 | San Marino 33/1 (20:45) Poland at home has been unplayable. Winning ten in a row is undoubtedly incredible.

The story is less spectacular when you look at the visitors though, losing ten from their last eighteen trips.

There is nothing to suggest Poland don’t cruise to victory, but the odds don’t allow for such a straightforward call.

So instead, I would suggest looking at under 6.5 in the ‘additional totals’ market.

It’s priced up at a less than modest 9/20 but could give that extra kick every good multiple needs. Get on!

1/3 Switzerland | 31/10 | Northern Ireland 8/1 (20:45) This is a real mismatch if I’m honest. Northern Ireland has secured just a solitary point from the previous thirty-six on offer. Switzerland, in supreme contrast, has enjoyed thirty-four points!

However, I wouldn’t get giddy and start assuming it’ll be a festival of goals. The Swiss hate an exciting fixture, but this compact approach has served them duly, and I guess if it isn’t broke, why fix it?

Switzerland will win the game, but I’m happy to punt under 2.5 goals at 7/10.

Monday 11 October

v

Croatia vs Slovakia (20:45) Croatia still has a seriously talented squad. However, they are a side who have no regard for their opponent, in that they will want to impose their idea of a play on anyone they come up against.

My only reservation is their inability to adequately test the keeper. For example, in their previous game against Russia, they enjoyed 54% of the possession, spent large parts in the final third, and yet only registered two shots on target!

Slovakia, on the other hand, is not a side that deserves your confidence. Winning just once (against Cyprus) in their last five, I can’t see them causing the home side any issues. The home win is a banker.

21/10 Slovenia | 19/10 | Russia 5/4 (20:45) Expect a tight affair to play out here. Russia is yet another European nation to just blow hot and cold, but they can also turn it on and give anyone a game on their day. Slovenia has kept to themselves for the most part in these qualifiers, but the red flag that stares at me is their 1-0 victory over Malta. Yes, because it’s Malta…but more so because they only managed three attempts on that Malta goal.

I wouldn’t call them a sure

bet, but at 5/4, I’m all over the away win. I just think they have the ability to bully teams into submission. If Slovenia moves the ball around the park at a standing pace and looks to poke and prod at the Russians, it’ll end in tears.

North Macedonia vs Germany (20:45) Remember the last these sides clashed? Probably one of the – if not the – biggest win for North Macedonia and their proud football history. That day they played a fully fit German side and absolutely played them off the park in terms of fight, heart and desire.

The German’s have a different look about them this time. However, they will know that they go into this game greeted by a hostile and intense Macedonian crowd.

Nevertheless, Germany has the quality and current confidence to set the record straight – keeping a clean sheet in their previous three, and scoring twelve, is undoubtedly a statement.

But in that, you have something North Macedonia can break, back both teams to score.

Netherlands vs Gibraltar (20:45) The Netherlands are another side littered with talent and the right sort of talent. Depth, experience and a sprinkle of 105

youth may remind Louis van Gaal about his coaching days at club level, but they are everything you want in a national side.

On the other hand, Gibraltar hasn’t won a game since October 2020, and I’m not sure that changes anytime soon. They can’t match the hosts for quality or pace, and I think they’ll be in for the long haul here.

Back the Netherlands to win both halves.

Latvia vs Turkey (20:45) Not the greatest fixture to close off on, considering both sides have been the whipping boys for those around them.

However, I’ve picked the fixture simply because both teams to score could be the ultimate banker.

Turkey has only managed three clean sheets from their previous ten fixtures, whilst Latvia has only managed one in the same timeframe.

However, these statistics won’t affect the way either play, and both will have plenty of chances.

Get on both teams to score, and for the first time (in what feels like forever), my confidence in the bet is born from a severe lack of defensive solidity as opposed to anything else…but we move forward!

v

106