20211124 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.3 Single Pages by Sporting Post

ATHENA - PUT THE SCOTCH ON ICE! v

4 Roy and Rose lead in their superstar with Muzi saluting

Chase Liebenberg

Cover Image Neil Andrews and Alson Ndzilana at the big race draw. Image courtesy of Troy Finch

A repeat of history and a fairer sex double could be on the cards in Saturday’s R2 million World Sports Betting presents the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup at Turffontein.

second time in her career.

It was as recent as 2010 that Flirtation won the big one under Randall Simons and St John Gray’s superstar Dancewiththedevil followed up the following year under Gavin Lerena.

“That is not really surprising. Athena is just amazing really and apparently gliding over the ground,” says Dr Rose, as she beams with pride over her star galloper.

In a Covid-ravaged 2020, Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy celebrated as their dream came true at a deserted Turffontein on the back of the gallant champion Summer Pudding. On Saturday, the vaccinated limited crowds are back and there are three roses amongst the thorns. If we had to pick a popular winner from War Of Athena, Sparkling Water and Seehaam, it would have to be the first mentioned – with all respect to the connections of the others. The unfashionably bred – hey, that tag adds to the romance of the story - Act Of War filly already entered her name into our history books last season when she became the fourth winner of the prestigious SA Triple Tiara. On Saturday she wears the mantle of race favourite and takes on the boys for only the

Co-owner Dr Rose WatermanWentzel told the Sporting Post that both trainer Paul Matchett and jockey Muzi Yeni are ‘very, very happy’ with Athena.

“We are all very respectful of the fact there are some absolute stars, household names, and talent lining up against us - but we all are expecting Athena to run as she always does, full of heart and courage. She has been described by a very well known overseas gentleman as being a ‘consummate professional’ and that really does sum her up!” The passionate owner added that both her and husband Roy are ‘obviously a bit nervous’. “Whatever happens, I know Roy will need his Scotch after the race!” she laughs. The Wentzels also have their speed merchant Battle Force running in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Merchants a few hours earlier. “Battle is in a brilliant place too and while we are again respectful of our competition we are also confident of a really good run from him. What would

be very nice is for both Battle and Athena to win - if that is not too rude or greedy! But it’s all in the lap of the Gods and we love them win, lose or draw! It should be a wonderful day’s racing,” she concluded Already boasting earnings of close on R2 million – her Tiara bonus excluded – War Of Athena caught the eye of the Wentzels when they saw the video sent out by breeder Summerhill Stud prior to the Ready To Run Sale. “We went to the sale and they showed the videos again. We looked at various horses but the thing that caught our eye was her action,” explained Roy. “When we went to look at her, she had quite a deep cut on her shoulder. That may have chased a few people away and also, she was not the most striking horse. I opened the bidding at R20 000 and got her for R30 000.” The rest is history in progress. Roll on Saturday!

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Troy Finch

Barrier Draw host Neil Andrews gets the green light from Joey Soma

It's A Summer Sizzler! A repeat of history and a fairer sex double could be on the cards in Saturday’s R2 million World Sports Betting presents the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup at Turffontein. It was as recent as 2010 that Flirtation won the big one under Randall Simons and St John Gray’s superstar Dancewiththedevil followed up the following year under Gavin Lerena. In a Covid-ravaged 2020, Paul

Peter and Warren Kennedy celebrated as their dream came true at a deserted Turffontein on the back of the gallant champion Summer Pudding. On Saturday, the vaccinated limited crowds are back and there are three roses amongst the thorns. If we had to pick a popular winner from War Of Athena, Sparkling Water and Seehaam, it would have to be the first mentioned – with all respect to the connections of the others.

The unfashionably bred – hey, that tag adds to the romance of the story - Act Of War filly already entered her name into our history books last season when she became the fourth winner of the prestigious SA Triple Tiara. On Saturday she wears the mantle of race favourite and takes on the boys for only the second time in her career. Co-owner Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel told the Sporting Post that both

trainer Paul Matchett and jockey Muzi Yeni are ‘very, very happy’ with Athena. “That is not really surprising. Athena is just amazing really and apparently gliding over the ground,” says Dr Rose, as she beams with pride over her star galloper. “We are all very respectful of the fact there are some absolute stars, household names, and talent lining up against us - but we all are expecting Athena to run as she always does, full of heart and courage. She has been described by a very well known overseas gentleman as being a ‘consummate professional’ and that really does sum her up!” The passionate owner added that both her and husband

Roy are ‘obviously a bit nervous’. “Whatever happens, I know Roy will need his Scotch after the race!” she laughs. The Wentzels also have their speed merchant Battle Force running in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Merchants a few hours earlier. “Battle is in a brilliant place too and while we are again respectful of our competition we are also confident of a really good run from him. What would be very nice is for both Battle and Athena to win - if that is not too rude or greedy! But it’s all in the lap of the Gods and we love them win, lose or draw! It should be a wonderful day’s racing,” she concluded Already boasting earnings of

close on R2 million – her Tiara bonus excluded – War Of Athena caught the eye of the Wentzels when they saw the video sent out by breeder Summerhill Stud prior to the Ready To Run Sale. “We went to the sale and they showed the videos again. We looked at various horses but the thing that caught our eye was her action,” explained Roy. “When we went to look at her, she had quite a deep cut on her shoulder. That may have chased a few people away and also, she was not the most striking horse. I opened the bidding at R20 000 and got her for R30 000.” The rest is history in progress. Roll on Saturday!

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TWO LADIES & A SUMMER PLAN… 12 Dreaming of a Mozart summer! Alphat Fovohoro, Ash Fortune & Andrew Fortune at the draw function on Monday

Troy Finch

Managing one of South Africa’s fastest growing stables, Vaal-based trainer Ashley Fortune didn’t have her heart set on lifting the historic Summer Cup silverware this season. That is, not until an enigmatically talented 6yo son of Dynasty put his hoof on Vereeniging soil and just a few weeks later stuck his big-race hand up with a smart win. In what could be the year of a fairytale South-North tactical joining of the minds by two of South Africa’s top lady trainers, Majestic Mozart lines up in Saturday’s R2 million World Sports Betting presents the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup, with a handy galloping weight and a more than outside chance of toppling the big guns. At 25-1 earlier this week, the patience-sapping gelding will certainly have his supporters! His is a long story of patience – and even some patients along the way. Through the miserable grey Cape winters and the blustery summers in the shadow of the magic mountain that forms a backdrop to his Milnerton stable, Majestic Mozart’s

hard-core nucleus of owners hung tough. Bred at Ridgemont Highlands, Majestic Mozart looked to be something really special when he cracked his maiden for his former boss Candice Bass-Robinson at his second time of asking in the late winter of 2018 at Kenilworth over 1400m. His ecstatic connections realised that they had something decent on their hands and looked forward to his future with excitement. But it was a long road to that next winner’s cheque - two years and two months to be exact. With a few genuine blue-chip performances along the way – just look at his run behind Soqrat in the Cape Guineas as one show - Majestic Mozart finally found his mojo when winning his second race – a Pinnacle Stakes at Durbanville in October 2020. Chatting to the Sporting Post earlier this week, Candice Bass-Robinson said that she was making no excuses for her former gelding and was thrilled that he would have another shot at a Gr1 in handicap company on Saturday.

“He has done really well and earned over R1,1 million along the way. He really has been a much-loved horse in our yard. The Cape programme does not have the Graduations and Progress Plates like they do in Johannesburg. So he was always taking on the best at level weights and finishing just off them. His rating was also very high, so we had to take our chances. I think that the Turffontein long straight also suits him down to the ground. Ashley (Fortune) loves him and he is in good hands,” added Candice. Ashley echoed Candice’ thoughts and said Majestic Mozart was an uncomplicated gentleman of a racehorse. “He does everything right. He is no problem at all. He empties the manger. He does his work. When he won that Progress Plate for us on 13 November, he was coming in off his Gr3 Matchem Stakes fourth-placed finish on 2 October at Durbanville. So that puts the fact that we are stepping up to a 2000m race from a mile a fortnight later into perspective.” Ashley said that if Majestic Mozart hadn’t pulled up as

well as he did from his previous run, they wouldn’t have taken the plunge on Saturday. “We really left it till late to make the decision – that is why he won’t be ridden by Calvin Habib on Saturday. We didn’t want Calvin to be without a ride in such a big race, so he took another ride. But Diego de Gouveia has done nothing wrong and has ridden some nice winners for us. I was actually surprised that he was still available so late!” added Ashley. Majestic Mozart won’t be whinging – he is not a one jockey kind of horse! He has had eleven of them ride him over his career. “Majestic Mozart has already

vindicated the decision to move him to Joburg. So if he wins on Saturday, it will be a brilliant call. If he doesn’t, we still have the programme options here – and life goes on!”said Ashley, who rates War Of Athena as the horse to beat. “She clearly needed her season debut run and look how she coped with that. She really is something special and could even be a stronger girl as a 4yo. She must be the horse to beat!” Ashley has three other runners on the day. “Winter Smoke runs in the Magnolia. She is the best of our other runners on the day. She has had her break and is nearing fitness levels now after a nice return run last time. She

should go well.We also have Before The Dawn in the same race. She is a hardknocking six-time winner and we are trying so hard to get her some black-type. I will be thrilled if she manages it,” added Ashley.

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Chase Liebenberg

15 Candice Bass-Robinson is hoping her old charge can put it all together on Saturday!

THE MERCHANTS OF MENACE! a 18

Sandile Mbhele drives Vikram ahead of the Merchants stampede

Chase Liebenberg

a 19

Trainer Andre Nel marked his twentieth anniversary in the employ of leading owner Sabine Plattner with one of the feature knockouts of the year at Kenilworth on Saturday as longshot Vikram silenced the stands with a career peak success in the R175 000 Gr2 Cape Merchants. Running over a distance marginally short of his best, and fresh off a 40 week break after doing a tendon when winning his last start on 13 February, Vikram turned his 13 draw into a lucky charm for the remaining six Pick 6 ticket holders that survived the blowout. The outsider of the thirteenstrong field in the 1200m handicap that has produced its fair share of upsets over the years, Vikram finished like an express train under an enthusiastic Sandile Mbhele and got the better late of the consistent 4yo Bereave

(10-1) by 0,40 lengths in a time of 72,06 secs. The 5-2 KZN raider and favourite Captain Fontane, suffered his first defeat, but was not disgraced at his maiden Cape start when running third a further length back. The handsome son of Captain Al remains on track for a bid at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, via the Green Point Stakes. Trainer Andre Nel, who also saddled the fourth-placed finisher in a memorable race for the Rondeberg team, said that Vikram had only had one short gallop as he had not wanted to risk further damage to his tendon. “I had a feeling he’d run a good race today,” Nel told presenter Fiona Ramsden of the 6yo past winner of the low-key Founders Trophy at Fairview, who paid a few cents short of R50 for a win on the tote.

“Going into the final stages, I thought, hey, we can steal this if he keeps this up – it was a good win and I am thankful to Mr Nel, Mrs Plattner and their team,” said Mbhele, a jockey who often hasn’t had the greatest luck in his career so far. Bred by Lammerskraal Stud, Vikram is a son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the four-time winning Western Winter mare, Vermillion. Vikram, who had previously won from 1400m to 1800m, cost R675 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and took his stakes tally to R440 788 with his fifth win and ninth place from eighteen starts. Credit to Chief Handicapper Lennon Maharaj and his team. Just over 6 lengths covered the entire field.

The Merits VIKRAM has had his rating raised from 105 to 109 after he returned from an absence of more than nine months to win the Grade 2 Cape Merchants (handicap) over 1200m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed PLEASEDTOMEETYOU who was used as the line horse, which

leaves him unaltered on a mark of 105. Second-placed BEREAVE – who was 2 pounds or 1 kg under sufferance at the weights – was raised from a rating of 98 to 103, while 3rd finisher CAPTAIN FONTANE goes up to 105 from 104.

There were no other rating increases out of this race, but three horses received a drop. HIS CHOICE is down from 100 to 98, RUSSET AIR goes from 117 to 114, and lastly SPEED MACHINE was dropped from 111 to 110.

Captain Heads To Green Point KZN rising star Captain Fontane is still on track for a tilt at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in January after taking an awkward stride in the final 50m of Saturday’s Gr2 Cape Merchants and falling back to run a 1,40 length third off surprise winner, Vikram.

Captain Fontane started moving forward and stepped badly, breaking his momentum completely,” said trainer Garth Puller.

“He found the only hole or divot on what was such a good and clean course when he moved out for a run. When the leader started falling back,

“Eric Sands trotted him on Sunday afternoon and reports that there is some heat in the off-fore knee and joint, with some swelling on the joint. He will be treated with ice and

Watch the clip of the final stages here – Captain Fontane has the white blaze and orange/ yellow spotted cap on outside:

linament. I think that given the awkward nature of the stride at the moment that he stepped in the hole, we got away relatively lightly and this shouldn’t set us back too much and we can look to the Green Point Stakes next.” Of the run itself, Garth said that his charge was probably a little bit closer to the pace than he would have preferred to be.

‘Breeding racehorses is clearly not for the faint-hearted’ 24 Plattner Racing assistant Callum Dixon and Shakes Tshbane welcome Vikram (Sandile Mbhele) after the big win on Saturday

Chase Liebenberg

AGE & ODDS JUST NUMBERS! 25

Six-year-old Vikram showed age was no barrier to stakes success when he stormed to his first black type victory in the Gr2 Cape Merchants at Kenilworth on Saturday.

even realise he was running, so I'm thrilled to bits," she remarked. She has reason to be - as she bred both the newly-minted Gr2 winner and his dam Vermilion while working at Lammerskraal.

The gelded son of Gimmethegreenlight, who races for Sabine Plattner, defeated a classy field of tip top sprinters which included the Gr1 winning trio of Russet Air, Ambiorix and Russian Rock.

Sally owned both Vermilion and her dam, the remarkable broodmare Nacarat. As she recalls: "Nacarat was due to be sold at auction, so I approached Mr Rattray (then owner of Lammerskraal) and bought her for myself. She was a tank of a mare, not very tall at the withers, but deep and roomy, very typical of her sire Pas De Quoi.”

Vikram's breakthrough at stakes level was also met with delight by former Lammerskraal manager Sally Jourdan, who was attending the November 2YO Sale, where she purchased the R800 000 top-priced lot on behalf of the Hollywood Syndicate. "With the sale on, I didn't

A four-time winner, Nacarat may have lacked the black type of her siblings, the Gr1 winners Set Afire and Rudra and stakes winners, Splendid Red and Aquila Rapax but by golly, she went on to become a veritable blue hen at stud, her progeny

Vikram pictured just before he became a yearling

making their mark both on the racetrack and in the sales ring. Ten of her eleven runners won, of which seven were black type performers and all but one were sired by the farm's champion sire Western Winter. Those included the Gr1 winning duo Nania and Red Ray, Gr1placed Gr2 winner Brutal Force (a R4.5-million yearling), the Gr2 winning sprinter Bishops Bounty, and the Listed stakes winner, Valor Red. Sally retained their Gr3placed own sister Vermilion, as well as her stakes winning Go Deputy half-sister Adobe Pink, as well as the dual winner Chambre. Sired by Rakeen, Chambre has produced eight winners from as many runners to

date, amongst which the Western Winter gelding Mr Roy, Gr3-placed winner of seven races. "He was built like his dam, who is a huge bodied mare," Sally mused. "He was a seriously good horse but badly needed gelding. He was only gelded at age six, who knows what more he could have achieved had it been done earlier." Chambre has been joined

at Windy River by her What A Winter daughter Scarlet Chill, "a big, plain mare". A three-time winner, she is in foal to Soqrat, while mum has a Fire Away colt and will visit The United States. Adobe Pink, a triple stakes winner over ground, is also a big bodied mare, but a taller version of her dam Nacarat. She has yet to transfer her racetrack brilliance to the broodmare paddocks but as Sally pointed out: "She was unlucky as her first foal died as

an unraced two-year-old. The next foal, a What A Winter colt, is a winner. She has been a tricky mare to get in foal, but fortunately now has a Fire Away filly at foot and will next visit Soqrat." Then there is Vikram's dam Vermilion. Trained by Shane Humby, she was runner-up in the Gr3 Prix du Cap and was all set for a Durban winter campaign when she suffered a career-ending suspensory injury.

Retired to stud, she produced three multiple winners to Adobe Pink's sire Go Deputy before Sally sent her to Gimmethegreenlight in successive years. First time round, the mare gave birth to a filly who raced as Marsala. Highly regarded, she won two of her first three starts and had the distinction of defeating subsequent Guineas winner and Gr1 Woolavington runner-up Fiorella at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Vikram was born twelve months later. "He was a very nice foal, full of substance," Sally recalls. Blessed with a fine physique, the then colt sold for the princely sum of R650 000 as a yearling.

Remarkably, the Merchants was Vikram's first run since he injured a tendon when he won at Kenilworth in February. "I couldn't believe he was running. You know how tricky a tendon injury can be, but Andre Nel told me afterwards that he was walked in the cold Atlantic, which no doubt did the trick. He's turned into a monster of a horse!" Nel trains for Sabine Plattner at her private training establishment on the West Coast. Sadly, Vermilion died of laminitis shortly after foaling the juvenile Visionaire colt Victor Rail. Sally has retained Vikram's three-yearold half-sister by Querari, who is currently in training with Candice Bass-Robinson.

Fate dealt Sally another cruel blow however, for Vikram's Gr2 success came just days after she lost both his Go Deputy half-sister Ventura and her Rafeef colt at foot. "The foal broke a leg and I think the stress of losing him caused her to colic three days later. We couldn't save her. She was in foal to Master Of My Fate." At least Vikram's first stakes win provided some solace: "That was great news, I really needed that." Breeding racehorses is clearly not for the fainthearted.

30 Grant van Niekerk played them on the break getting Pomp And Power home to beat Keagan de Melo and Cosmic Highway

Chase Liebenberg

POMP & CEREMONY! 31

Jockey Grant van Niekerk deserves all the credit for a peach of ride as he dictated matters and went all the way to win the R175 000 Gr2 Concorde Cup in fighting fashion on Justin Snaith’s Pomp And Power at Kenilworth on Saturday. The 1600m feature is a traditional Cape Guineas stepping-stone and the intriguingly named Pomp And Power, winner of the Listed Langerman as a 2yo, threw his name into the hat as a classic contender with a lionhearted performance. Allowed to dictate matters, Van Niekerk had Pomp And Power (8-1) in front and despite the favourite Cosmic Highway (2-1) unleashing a threatening challenge from way back last into the summer course home run, the Snaith charge dug deep

to hold the Kannemeyer challenger to a reducing margin of 0,30 lengths in a time of 98,28 secs. The only Gr1 winner in the eight-horse field, Good Traveller (4-1) gave them all 2kgs and was not disgraced, a further 1,50 lengths away in third. The winner is raced by the big hitting trio of Greg Bortz, Etienne Braun and Marsh Shirtliff and again looks full value for his R250 000 National Yearling Sale price tag. Jockey Grant van Niekerk stood in for Richard Fourie and rode a top race. “He is a temperamental but gutsy horse – the pony helped. I was meant to drop him right out. But I said to Justin there was no pace in the race and we changed tactics. Justin

always comes to my rescue,” laughed Van Niekerk. Snaith said that all his horses had needed their first season run. “He had excuses last time – it was a feature. Cosmic Highway was low-level flying. But I liked the way our horse showed fight,” said the SA Champion trainer. Pomp And Power was bred by Maine Chance Farms and is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the wellrelated unraced Candy Stripes mare, Peru. The is the family of Paraca and Punta Arenas. Pomp And Power has now won 4 races from 6 starts for stakes of R237 775. The Cape Guineas will be run on 18 December.

The Merits POMP AND POWER has had his merit rating raised from 101 to 109 following his success in the Grade 2 Concorde Cup for threeyear-olds over 1600m on the Kenilworth summer course on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that runner-up COSMIC HIGHWAY made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him

unchanged on a mark of 108. Third finisher GOOD TRAVELLER was raised from 106 to 109. It needs to be borne in mind that GOOD TRAVELLER carried 2 kgs more than any other horse in the race as a consequence of being the sole Gr1 winner in the line-up, and by finishing 1.80 lengths (or four pounds/ two kgs) behind the winner

he effectively put up a performance equal to that of POMP AND POWER. Fourth-placed NEVER ENDING RAIN goes up from 88 to 100, while 5th finisher WAITING FOR SUMMER was raised from 96 to 99 to make him the equal of the 99-rated 6th finisher BUSH TRACKER.

4RACING’S 'SEASONAL' APPROACH 34

On Friday last week 4Racing announced its strategy around fixtures and stakes for the 2022 calendar year, which will see 240 fixtures proposed at 4Racing venues, and stakes increased from R186 million in 2021 to R207 million in 2022.

The racing seasons in the two major regions have been identified by 4Racing as follows:

As 4Racing prepares to take over the assets and business of horseracing from Phumelela on 1 December 2021, the strategy around fixtures and stakes will be to develop a seasonal approach to stakes, whereby the minor races in each region will carry an enhanced stakes level in-season as compared to out-of-season.

After further consultation with Eastern Cape racing stakeholders, 4Racing has agreed that whilst the fixtures, feature race stakes and total stakes pot for the region remain unchanged, minor race stakes will be paid at the same consistent level all year round, as opposed to an in and out of season basis.

It is anticipated that 4Racing will assume the management of Kenilworth Racing in due course via a management agreement.

Highveld – 1 November to 30 April Western Cape – 1 November to 28 February

The main reason for this change is the fact that the Eastern Cape will remain a secondary racing centre – providing a much needed outlet for slightly weaker horses.

As such, the national roadshow applicable to the three major regions, whereby the best horses will be encouraged to follow the seasonal feature races and stakes, will not apply to the Eastern Cape. The 40 annual feature races (made up of Listed and Non Black Type races) in the region will take place all year round. Eastern Cape Racing will effectively still have two ‘mini feature race seasons’ – one from February to May, culminating in East Cape Derby day – and the other from August to October, culminating in Algoa Cup day. Please read the initial media release here Please read the follow-up release here

Hamish Niven Photography

a Flashback! Rumya (NZ) wins the 2012 Gr1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas under Anthony Delpech

DE KOCK HAS AWAY RECORD Mike de Kock’s fast rising star Desert Miracle heads a first entry of 14 for the R500 000 WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas to be run at Kenilworth on 4 December.

prized silverware, then Mike de Kock is the trainer to do that.

The race is an alternative first leg of the prestigious Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.

Anthony Delpech rode both De Kock winners in the Australianbred Majmu in 2014 and the New Zealand product Rumya in 2012. De Kock also has

If there is a raider to lift the

The only two away winners in recent memory were saddled by the multiple champion.

Clafoutis entered. Justin Snaith won the classic last year with the top notch Captain’s Ransom, and the new SA Champion trainer has a quartet entered. WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas entries:

Horse

Trainer

Amanzimtoti Chansonette Clafoutis Dancetildaylight Desert Miracle Forries Forever Homely Girl Jet For Time Kailene Maria Querol Marigold Hotel Mercury Rising Queen Of Shadows She's A Rainbow Stiptelik (AUS)

Candice Bass-Robinson Andre Nel Mike de Kock Candice Bass-Robinson Mike de Kock Candice Bass-Robinson Justin Snaith Candice Bass-Robinson Glen Kotzen Justin Snaith Sean Tarry Justin Snaith Justin Snaith Brett Crawford Brett Crawford

Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on 26 November, with declarations due by 11h00 on Monday 29 November.

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SUPER SIX TRIAL

Super Six Racing (SSR) will be hosting a night-time trial event live trial to the general public on Friday 26 November from 18h30 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. “We are so excited to be putting our latest iteration of this new fast paced, team-based product in front of fans at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 26 November” says Angus Campbell, who heads up the local Super Six Racing team. “We are immensely grateful to the trainers and owners who have walked this journey with us and especially to Gold Circle who have supported us since the beginning. We still have a few spaces available and those trainers who wish to gallop their horses under lights on Friday should reach out to Graeme Hawkins at Gold Circle” On Friday night you can expect to see two teams competing head-to-head to walk away with the grand prize. Each team will run four horses over six races in a short format racing event that takes place over no more than two hours. Expect cheerleaders, music, and entertainment as well as a jumping castle and face painting for the kids. Tickets are available by contacting the team through info@supersixracing.com

CHANGE FOR CHAD With wife Hannah expecting a child early next year, the time is thought to be right for Chad Schofield to head back to Sydney. “My wife’s due in February and we decided we’d like to have the baby in Australia given the Covid situation in Hong Kong, Hannah’s family are English and they aren’t able to come to Hong Kong,” Schofield said. “Things aren’t going the best here for me on the track either so we just feel like it’s a new chapter in our lives starting, it’s time to go home.” Recent struggles aside, the move has been a great success for Schofield who’s ridden 208 winners, including the 2018 Hong Kong Classic Cup aboard Singapore Sling. 44

A ROYAL MOMENT v

Klawervlei Stud’s well performed young stallion Royal Mo looks set to be represented by his first runner at Kenilworth on Saturday. The programme hosts the first two of this season’s juvenile ‘scurries’ in the Cape. Trainer Piet Botha has the Royal Mo filly Bella Mo running in the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 900m. Bred by the Stone Hill Stud, Bella Mo will be the very first starter for her exciting young sire, winner of the 2017 Gr3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and third in the same year’s Gr1 Santa Anita Derby. Royal Mo will be bidding to continue the great success that his star sire Uncle Mo has had as a young sire of sires. Also responsible for dual Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal, Uncle Mo is already the sire of such promising sires as Nyquist and Outwork, as well as the ill-fated Laoban. North America’s Leading Sire of 2YOs and Leading First Season Sire in 2015, Uncle Mo is currently the sire of 75 stakes winners, with his runners having already amassed more than $182 million in stakes. His top-class son Royal Mo is out of a daughter of US champion sire Saint Ballado and the remarkably tough racemare Irish Linnet.

NEW TRACK As Southwell prepares to reopen with a new all-weather track next month executive director Mark Clayton believes one of the pioneers of racing on an artificial surface in Britain can put a "troublesome" few months behind them. The course's Fibresand track has been removed and replaced with Tapeta, which just needs to be levelled up and come through a BHA trial before the first meeting on December 7. The track's debut, which will have more than £100,000 in prize-money on offer, is ten days later than originally scheduled and Clayton said: "It's been troublesome with the supply chain problems that everyone has had.”

AUSSIE COPS FLEX MUSCLE South Africa is not the only country where horse movement can be a challenge. Take the experience of champion Incentivise, who is back 'home' in Queensland but not before police intervened in travel plans in a sequence of events which left Air Horse Transport boss Chris Calthorpe scratching his head and pleading for common sense to prevail. The Peter Moody-trained Caulfield Cup champion and three-time Gr1 winner arrived back in Toowoomba on Tuesday night after the flight from Victoria was already delayed a week due to Covid-19 red-tape. The good news is Incentivise is safely back in the care of his original trainer and managing owner Steve Tregea who had been anxiously awaiting his arrival for a summer spell before potentially targeting next year’s Queensland winter carnival. The bad news is the travel logistics and mixed messaging from Queensland Health and Queensland Police became a nightmare. It would be hoped a more common sense and straightforward approach could be taken to future horse flights to Queensland, with Victorian horses intending to fly north in the coming month to target the rich Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival. Calthorpe, a Gr1 winning trainer in his own right, explains how Incentivise was ticked off to travel with a groom on the flight but then there was last minute confusion when Queensland Police became involved. “This was a lot harder trying to get a horse up there to Queensland than it was in May when Covid was more rife,” Calthorpe said. “We went through the Health Department, we did everything right, but then the coppers got involved. When we asked for an exemption from Queensland Health, we asked for an exemption under airfreight crew and the groom who travelled with Incentivise was booked into a quarantine hotel for crew. “I initially told Toowoomba Police that we had been approved by the Health Department and they were happy, but then I get a call from Brisbane Police and they said they were running the show. “Brisbane Police said the groom was staying at the wrong joint (quarantine hotel).They said he was not considered crew and they didn’t want him at that particular hotel. We had to change hotels three times in ten hours for him.”

Chase Liebenberg

NHA Chair Susan Rowett

HOW THEY VOTED If you didn’t know the difference between a Special General Meeting and racemeeting when 2021 arrived, you’ve probably learnt a little bit in the past eleven months.

same day at the Head Office of the National Horseracing Authority, the three resolutions were voted upon as follows:

The move by the SA National Trainers Association to table three resolutions as they attempted to secure a more representative racing regulator had a sequel on Tuesday.

Proposed by members as co-ordinated by SANTA that the NHA Constitution be amended to change the appointment process and composition of the NATIONAL BOARD to one that predominantly consists of representatives of industry stakeholders.

National Horseracing Authority Chairperson Susan Rowett issued a statement on Tuesday that at the Special General Meeting held on the

• Special Resolution Number 1: Not Passed

• Special Resolution Number 2: Not Passed

Proposed by members as co-ordinated by SANTA that the NHA Constitution be amended to remove various references to the RACING CONTROL EXECUTIVE. • Special Resolution Number 3: Passed A proposal by the National Board that the NHA Constitution be amended regarding the composition and functions of the Nominations Committee and to give flexibility regarding the appointment of a second executive director.

The changes to the Constitution will be with immediate effect. In terms of Clause 14.3.1 of the amended Constitution, the two National Board

Directors who will serve on the Nominations Committee will be Mr Rikesh Sewgoolam (Member) and Mr N Nalliah (Independent). The process as per

resolution 3 in terms of Clauses 14.3.2, 14.3.3 and 14.3.4 of the amended Constitution will commence on 24 November 2021 and shall be finalised by 15 December 2021.

Santa – ‘Dawn Of A New Era’

The SA National Trainers Association said in a press release published late on Tuesday that the approval of Resolution 3 at the SGM on 23 November 2021 following negotiations and consensus reached between the SANTA/ Members SGM team and the NHA SGM Committee is a historicand groundbreaking moment in the annals of the horseracing industry in SA.

The demise of the previous Nominations Committee comprising ex-chairs of the NHA who had the sole discretion in appointing National Board Directors in terms of the Constitution, sees the end of a perceived elitist old-guard and the dawn of a new era. The new Nominations Committee which will

comprise 2 directors of the NHA, one of whom will be an independently elected director, together with an Operator, Owner and Trainer/ Jockey representative comprising the 5 Committee members, bearing in mind that the Constitution already has a Breeders representative as an entrenched position on the National Board, finally sees a truly representative selfgoverning industry.

In regard to the appointment of a second executive director to the National Board, the first being the Managing Director (CEO), the Racing Control Executive will no longer be an automatic appointment, and which will now finally ensure proper accountability to the Board. SANTA is indebted to its chairman, Tony Rivalland, for his unwavering drive and

determination, consultative prowess, and astounding work ethic and without whom this monumental ach evement would not have been possible. Whilst there are a number of vitally important changes that must still be implemented, and which are massively overdue, SANTA looks forward to endeavouring to affect these necessary changes at an industry representative Rules Committee through a spirit of goodwill, understanding and consultation and in working together with the National Board in the best interests of the horseracing industry.

ELEVATION – WHAT A HAT TRICK! v

The Jack Butler – trained Java pulled off a remarkable Summer Cup hat-trick from 1956 as a four-year-old, before going on to claim the honours again the following two years. The great Elevation was to repeat Java’s exploits. He was a son of High Veldt out of Distiller and was a grandson of Sweet Wine. Trained by George Azzie, who went to R24 000 to buy him on behalf of famous international owner Charles Engelhard at the 1970 National Yearling Sale, Elevation landed his first victory in 1972, when the race was run as the Holiday Inns for the first time. He went on to score again in 1973 before completing a fantastic hat-trick under a big weight in 1974. He was retired to stud soon afterwards as our highest money earner and proved a great success as a sire. He won the South African Sires Championship in the 198485 season, one of only two SA-bred horses to do so in the 20th century.

Elevation is led in by George Azzie

- Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden

n Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies -

Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies

Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golde

Candiese Lenferna

The Hemel ‘n Aarde bred What A Winter filly – sold to Hollywood Syndicate for R800 000

BSA SALE MAINTAINS POSITIVE TREND Buoyed by some muchneeded stability and direction following the generally positively received announcement of stakes and season restructuring by new Gauteng-based racing operator 4Racing on Friday, the BSA November 2yo Sale produced pleasing results at the TBA Sales

Complex on Saturday. While year-on-year comparisons are largely hitand-miss given the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in 2020, Saturday’s aggregate of R18 800 000, with an average of R140 299 and a median of R100 000, was encouraging. With 8 lots withdrawn, 148 lots were

catalogued 135 found an owner. The Hollywood Syndicate, under the guidance of Racing Manager Anthony Delpech and Bloodstock Consultant Sally Jourdan, was the purchaser of the top lot, a magnificent What A Winter full-sister to Gr2 Camellia Stakes winner Celestial Love,

who was bred and consigned by Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud. She was knocked down to the yellow and purple flagged syndicate for R800 000. “Lot 29 was the standout filly on the sale for us and if we only walked away with one horse, she was the one we came for,” said Anthony Delpech, who confirmed that they had also purchased lot 61, a daughter of Querari for R280 000 from Boland Stud. “We had a few others in mind, but bidding was keen and they went beyond our valuation benchmarks. Overall, it was another terrific team effort and I think we can

be well pleased with the two fillies that we secured,” added the former Champion jockey.

of their eleven strong draft grossing R2 105 000 at an average of R210 500.

The top lot is likely to be trained by former multiple SA Champion Trainer Sean Tarry, who conditions a substantial string for the Hollywood Syndicate after the Chris van Niekerk dispersal recently.

Top sire on aggregate was Varsfontein’s Master Of My Fate, whose 9 lots grossed R2 195 000 at an average of R243 889.

Top purchaser on aggregate was Cape-based Greg Bortz who signed for ten at an aggregate of R3,2 million. Mr Bortz is part-owner of Saturday’s gutsy Gr2 Concorde Cup winner, Pomp And Power.

Please click here to see all the sale prices

The Armitage family’s Sandown Stud was the top vendor on aggregate, with ten Candiese Lenferna

56 Anthony Delpech & Sally Jourdan – represented the Hollywood Syndicate

58 Design by Winning Media

IMAGINE FIRST… REASON LATER!

We live in a world where convenience is literally at our fingertips. At the push of a button, you can have almost whatever you want. Groceries? No problem. A ride to the other side of the city? Sure.

Education is key here, and we can still catch up. With the amount of transformation within the industry, we have no reason not to meet and raise them. In the time Canada has legalized cannabis, the industry has made over £4billion.

Those shoes you’ve been wanting all year and can now get on a Black Friday sale they’re yours now.

Billion. Imagine the potential South Africa can grow with our rich natural resources and the increasing need for this plant (for both medicinal and textile use) in this beautiful country?

Shannon Smith writes that some of the craziest and most successful humans today stride with the saying ‘Imagine First, Reason Later’. Thanks to Uber, residents in Canada can now even get their cannabis delivered to them through the Uber Eats platform. For some, this is huge. Those relying on cannabis for medical reasons - combating seizures, major anxiety, pain etc, no longer need to leave the comfort of their home to get the benefit of something that was only legalised in their country a mere 3 years ago... Why am I telling you this? Mainly because South Africa is a bit behind the curb from the rest of the world when it comes to CBD, but that’s completely okay.

While Dacha is doing what we can within our capacity, it takes a nation to make waves. The good old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” similarly, it takes a nation to raise a movement, to raise standards and to raise awareness. This is part of the reason why we have named some of our sponsored horses Pineapple Express, Cannatonic, Sour Diesel, and the list goes on.. All named after cannabis strains, we’re trying to normalise these as household names. These are all very young horses, but it looks like after a few races where they’ve been learning the ropes, December will be their time to really get confident on the track. It’s a process, and we’re 59

supporting them through every gallop. In fact, Pineapple Express is racing on Saturday 27 November at Kenilworth if you want to cheer him on! We won’t be running a competition this week, but in light of Black Friday, we’d like to offer you something a little cooler. It’s no secret that you can get your 10% discount on our products by using the discount code “SPORTINGPOST”. We’re going to take it one step further and offer you this: ● Buy a Dacha Blend 2-pack & receive an extra free bottle ● Buy 3 Bush products & get the cheapest one free Discount, plus free stuff, all delivered to your door. We’re not quite Uber-ing cannabis to your home, but we figured with the amount of pure high grade CBD in our products, we’re close enough. Check out our online shop, and feel free to connect with us directly at info@ dachacorp.com if you have any queries.

Use your SPORTINGPOST discount code for an extra discount!

BUSH BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

BUY 3 & GET YOUR CHEAPEST FREE! 60

A NATIONAL QUARTET!

The Sporting Post is proud to partner with BUSH to bring you the cream of this season’s foal crop – our future stars.

Outstanding prizes will be offered every month to readers, who will be asked to select the foal of the month. Our next monthly competition runs in the SPRINT on

Wednesday 1 December – so look out for that!

We have a very diverse quartet to showcase this week, including an Oratorio half sister to Carioca from Pippa Mickleburgh at magnificent Avontuur, to Leon Lotz’ handsome Skitt Skizzle half-brother to Mr Bombastic all the way in Middelburg, to a

Danon Platina dazzling duo from the beautiful The Fort Stud in KZN. • Breeders are invited to email their foal images to editor@sportingpost.co.za and provide the date of birth, sex, breeding and any family or background information.

Heuningfontein Stud (c) Skitt Skizzle ex Celebration – born 2 November

Avontuur (f) Oratorio ex Miss Ipanema - born 17 October

The Fort Stud (c) Danon Platina ex Wild Encounter – born 30 August

The Fort Stud (c) Danon Platina ex Rosey’s Song – born 27 September

Love The Racing! Loves Only You is among a stellar line-up of 49 horses selected for the HK$100 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 12 December. Fresh off Breeders' Cup success in the United States of America, Yoshito Yahagi's mare is just one of 22 Gr1 winners set to compete. Returning to Hong Kong in a bid for a second Gr1 success in the city, the daughter of Deep Impact is looking to cap a superb year and she is just one of the exciting contingent of overseas raiders aiming at

this year's "Turf World Championships". Featuring prominently once more, Aidan O'Brien will return to Hong Kong in strength with 2020 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) winner Mogul while stablemates Broome, Japan, Bolshoi Ballet and Mother Earth also feature. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty around many international racing events, the strength of the international presence in this year's line-up confirms that the Sha Tin showpiece 62 retains its pre-eminent

position at the top of the agenda for international horsemen. The LONGINES HKIR is the sport's global year-end spectacular and features the HK$30 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), the HK$26 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), the HK$24 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and the HK$20 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m). The Cup, Mile and Sprint are the world's richest Gr1 races on turf over their respective distances.

Details in Dacha Article

Black Friday Specials

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Tattersalls

Lot 30: Sea The Stars (IRE) x Holy Moon (IRE)

SEA THE STARS COLT TOPS CHARTS The Tattersalls December Sale got off to a strong start with the one-day Tattersalls December Yearling Sale mirroring the strength of the October Yearling Sale with turnover of 5,067,500 guineas, which has only

been bettered once before, and a record median. Leading the way at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale was the SEA THE STARS own brother to the Irish Oaks winner and Prix de l’Arc de 65

Triomphe second SEA OF CLASS, who was purchased by John Clarke on behalf of Sunderland Holding’s Ling Tsui for 240,000 guineas. "He is a lovely horse, we really liked him. He is a very

late foal but Sea Of Class was a very late May foal, so we hope we can do the same again," commented Clarke. "Time will tell!" The son of the Listed winning HERNANDO mare HOLY MOON was consigned to the sale by Oak Lodge & Springfield House Stud and is a sibling to three individual Group 1 winners including the aforementioned SEA OF

CLASS and the Group 1 Premio Lydia Tesio winning pair of CHARITY LINE and FINAL SCORE. HOLY MOON is also the dam of the Group 2 Oaks d’Italia winner CHERRY COLLECT and the Group 3 winner WORDLESS.

time to develop and we will take it from there. Ling Tsui is absolutely thrilled, she had so much success with Sea Of Class! There is a lot of the sire in him – he is an athletic horse but a baby, we will just have to wait."

Of plans for the colt, Clarke outlined: "He will eventually go to William Haggas but it is far too early to think of that now – he will probably go back to Ireland and be given some

The underbidder on the Razza Del Velino bred colt was locally based trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.

EUROPE’S P R E M I E R BREEDING STOCK SALE v

featuring major consignments from

Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates

TAT T E R SA L L S DEC E M BE R SA L E 2021 YEARLINGS: November 22nd FOALS: November 24th-27th BROODMARES, FILLIES IN TRAINING, etc: November 29th-December 2nd

Jeremy Nelson T: +2783 2617953 jeremy.nelson@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com 67

Moutonshoek stallion The United States - out of Pivotal's speedy Gr2 winner Beauty As Truth

A PIVOTAL INFLUENCE Pivotal, who was 28 at the time of his death, rose to prominence despite beginning his stud career at the relatively low stud fee of 6 000 pounds. At the time of writing, Pivotal has been responsible for 32 Gr1 winners, with his daughters currently responsible for 26 Gr1 winners – this tally includes a number of young sires such as Advertise and Cracksman.

The 1996 Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner’s current tally of stakes winners stands at over 150, with Pivotal having supplied Gr1 winners in all of Australia, Britain, Dubai, France, Germany, Ireland, South Africa and the USA. Pivotal’s Gr1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winning son, Siyouni, was Champion Sire in France in 2020, and is also the sire of 2021 Cartier Horse Of The Year, St Mark’s Basilica.

The latter recently retired to Coolmore having won five G1 races, including both the French 2000 Guineas and Derby in 2021. From a relatively small number of runners, Pivotal has also made his mark in South Africa. His local representatives were headed by dual Guineas winner, Noordhoek Flyer, Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner, Amanee, useful gallopers

Jean Roi and Life Of Pi, and top-class racemare Headstrong. The latter, who hails from the same female line as this season’s star filly, Desert Miracle, won nine times, including the 2011 Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes. Amanee, also victorious in the Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas, is represented on the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by a Deep Field filly. Pivotal’s Gr2 Dante Stakes winning son, and Heversham Park Farm resident, Wings Of Desire – who is from the same female line as St Mark’s Basilica – is set to have his first runners this season. A full-brother to group winners, Eagle Top and The Lark, and three-parts brother to the Pivotal sired dual Oaks

winner, Sariska, Wings Of Desire is directly descended in female line from the great mare Selene. Despite being a sprinter, Pivotal made his mark in the Gr1 Epsom Oaks – now known as the Cazoo Oaks. Not only did Pivotal daughter Sariska win the Oaks in 2009, but his granddaughter, Love (by Galileo out of the Pivotal mare Pikaboo) stormed home to land the 2020 Oaks by nine lengths. Pivotal daughters have also enjoyed notable success when mated to Galileo’s great son, Frankel, with this mating having produced such Gr1 winners as Cracksman, Hungry Heart, Veracious and Wild Beauty. Pivotal is also represented in South Africa as a broodmare

sire by Galileo’s sire sons, Flying The Flag and The United States, with the latter having made a bright start to his stud career as the sire of Gr2 4Racing SA Nursery winner Sheela. Flying The Flag was produced by Pivotal’s triple Gr1 winning daughter, Halfway To Heaven, and he is a full-brother to triple Gr1 winner Rhododendron, as well as to seven time Gr1 winner Magical. The United States is equally well bred, being a son of Galileo and Pivotal’s speedy Gr2 winner, Beauty As Truth, and he is a full-brother to the Gr1 winners Hermosa and Hydrangea.

Haydock Park

A Plus Tard produces a scintillating performance in the Gr1 Betfair Chase

A PLUS... WHAT ELSE? The 2021 Gr1 Betfair Chase run over the weekend was won for the first time by an Irish trained runner. The Henry de Bromhead trained A Plus Tard, a well backed 11/10 favourite, was imperious in victory, running out a 22-length winner. Bookmakers were quick to react and priced him up a general 4/1 ante-post favourite for Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham next year.

Saturday’s field, the biggest since 2014, started with the triple winner of the race, the grey Bristol De Mai attempting to make all from the front. Royale Pagaille followed in second throughout the race until jumping to the front around the halfway mark after a mistake by the leader. Rachael Blackmore was content to bide her time on the Irish raider in fourth place until picking up the leaders going 71

towards the fourth last fence. Tanking his way into the race 4 out, he loomed up to the leaders and with a fine leap, and settled the contest in no time. A wide margin victory with the jockey barely moving in the saddle throughout. The Savills Chase at Leopardstown is the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding’s next target.

On Monday, the trainer said: “He’s great. He got home on Sunday morning and he was really good. He’s out in the field today and we’re happy with him.” Eklat De Rire will bid to continue Henry de Bromhead’s domination of the major jumps’ prizes in Britain this season with victory in the £250,000 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday. The County Waterford handler became the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Gold Cup in the same

year at Cheltenham last season. “It’s incredible to have the horses we have now. When you list those races, they’re races I’d have dreamt of winning – it’s unreal, incredible,” he said. In Eklat De Rire, De Bromhead fields a leading contender for this weekend’s Gr3 feature. De Bromhead noted: “There’s a bit of concern on the ground, obviously. They’re saying it’s good to soft and I think they’re watering at the moment.”

Eklat De Rire won a Gr3 novice chase at Naas last season, before unseating Rachael Blackmore in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. On his seasonal return last month, he made a successful reappearance at Wexford. “He’s got good form and won well the other day. He had some very good runs over fences last year and was very impressive in his novice chase at Naas. He’s a horse we have high hopes for.” A formidable Irish challenge is likely with champion Haydock Park

72 Rachael Blackmore lifts the prized trophy

trainer Willie Mullins declaring ante-post favourite Onetheropes, as well as Brahma Bull and Annamix. The English challenge include Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof, the Paul Nicholls-trained Enrilo and last year’s winner Cloth Cap, trained by Jonjo O’Neill. Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen expects the ground to be on the “easy side of good” come the weekend. He stated: “Saturday is a bit uncertain, but there’s no ground concerns in terms of it getting quick – it should be fair for everybody.” Another eye-catching performance over the weekend was the victory by

the Nicky Henderson trained Buzz, who justified confidence to win the Ascot Coral Hurdle going away. The grey is on track to return to the Berkshire venue for the Long Walk Hurdle next month, after taking Saturday’s exertions well. Following the cosy three length success in the extended two-mile-three-furlong Group Two contest, connections feel the seven-year-old, who was previously seen winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket under Oisin Murphy, should continue to progress. Owner James Stafford stated: “It was a great thrill to see him do that, especially as there is always the worry that he may not bounce back after his exertions in the Cesarewitch.

They went a good pace on Saturday, and it was a good test for them.” “He jumped three or four flights of hurdles in his build-up to this race and he just takes things very naturally. He is a natural athlete and it is very exciting." “Buzz will tell us when he is ready, but the Long Walk is the target and he is back on his favourite track – he has won two of three at Ascot, so let’s see if he can make it three from four.”

Candiese Lenferna

5 YEARS AFTER GAVIN – LYLE STEPS IN 76

Lyle Hewitson – set to make us proud in December

South Africa will be represented in the LONGINES IJC for the first time since Gavin Lerena’s appearance in 2016 with Lyle Hewitson slated to make his debut. The 24-year-old rider, after spending six months riding in Hong Kong through the 2019/2020 season, not only scored a pair of Gr2 triumphs in Japan but also captured his third South Africa Champion Jockey title in the 2020/2021 season. He has returned to Hong Kong to ride this term. A stellar line-up featuring established greats and riders with red hot recent form will contest the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, 8 December, 2021. The exciting line-up includes three previous winners of the world’s most coveted jockey challenge crown, including Zac Purton and reigning Hong Kong Champion Jockey Joao Moreira, both multiple champions on the world’s most intensely competitive circuit. Reigning LONGINES IJC champion Zac Purton and Ryan Moore will both chase a record-equalling third IJC title. The HK$800 000 LONGINES IJC is a four-race competition for 12 elite jockeys, and this year’s edition features eight overseas riders and four

based in Hong Kong, all battling for the HK$500 000 top prize, the most lucrative jockeys’ challenge winner’s cheque in the world. Ryan Moore is no stranger to the LONGINES IJC, readying for his 15th appearance in the prestigious event at the iconic city circuit. Currently sitting at the top of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey standings, Moore will have another opportunity to add further gloss to his already incredible record in the saddle at Happy Valley next month. In-form James McDonald joins the star-studded list, having performed at an exceptional level this year. Hailing from New Zealand, McDonald recently broke the record for the most wins in a Melbourne Cup Carnival week, securing 10 victories – including the Gr1 Melbourne Cup – across the four meetings to surpass Brett Prebble’s record of nine. McDonald, who ranks third in the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey standings behind Ryan Moore (112 points) with 96 points, in the best form of his career, having plundered four Gr1 victories during the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival and is also a clear leader in both the New South Wales and Sydney jockeys’ championships.

Yuga Kawada – one of Japan’s leading riders – is also performing at the top of his game and arrives in Hong Kong at the end of a year highlighted by his historic win with Loves Only You – the first Japanese-trained runner to score a Breeders’ Cup triumph, claiming the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar earlier this month. Through the current JRA season, Kawada is riding in sublime form with a win strike rate above 28%. Meanwhile, Australian talent Damian Lane will join the contest for the first time. The 27-year-old rider has firmly established himself as one of the world’s rising talents, winning three out of the four legs of Australian racing’s ‘Grand Slam’ by securing the Golden Slipper aboard Kiamichi, Caulfield Cup aboard Mer De Glace and W.S. Cox Plate with Lys Gracieux in 2019. Please read more here

results up to: 2021-11-23

TRAINERS Name Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith Mr A C Greeﬀ

Runs

Wins Win%

319 439 144 363 287

61 67 37 44 41

19.1 15.3 25.7 12.1 14.3

2nd

3rd

52 58 27 42 29

38 62 13 38 35

2nd

3rd

82 57 65 49 38

73 57 53 44 42

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

46.4 46.5 44.4 40.5 39.4

3,383,313 3,108,400 2,088,375 1,831,250 1,675,000

5,073,063 4,681,700 2,803,625 2,794,375 2,417,313

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

104 87 95 50 63

5,246,313 3,914,075 3,022,438 2,602,175 1,812,550

7,542,938 5,690,838 4,980,913 3,778,450 3,022,663

58 84 24 67 49

148 204 64 147 113

JOCKEYS Name Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr R D Fourie Mr C Zackey

Rides Wins Win% 557 452 477 288 349

101 80 60 58 41

18.1 17.7 12.6 20.1 11.7

259 201 213 143 143

46.5 44.5 44.7 49.7 41.0

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

Name

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

212 262

581 711

32,169 20,404

71 59

92 69

33.5 250 22.5 275

6 2

6,819,813 5,345,900

114 105 107

295 288 331

29,951 28,728 24,490

36 34 25

51 43 30

31.6 121 32.4 125 23.4 114

3 1 1

3,414,413 3,016,388 2,620,438

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

4 3 1 0 2

3,810,263 3,740,613 3,389,500 3,173,625 3,148,163

SIRES Name

Runrs Runs AEPR

Vercingetorix * Silvano (GER) Master Of My Fate Querari (GER) Flower Alley (USA)

114 126 132 130 91

285 319 384 373 243

33,423 29,687 25,678 24,413 34,595

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 41 45 34 39 36

52 52 41 45 47

36.0 35.7 25.8 30.0 39.6

123 136 187 142 91

See all the detailed standings - Click here 79

4 3 1 0 2

POLES APART...BUT A HUMDINGER LIKELY! 80

It’s a football game with enough domestic history to get you intrigued, but it’s no surprise that these two sides come into the game from drastically different positions. Ryan Liberty writes that Chelsea is currently living in the land of milk and honey, there’s almost a rhythm and beat to life at Stamford Bridge now. United are a bit of a wounded animal, they’ve lost their manager and will once again attempt to rebuild. Some might even suggest this is the perfect game for them to play… Chelsea vs Manchester United | Sunday 28 November | Stamford Bridge | 18h30 To Win (90 mins) Chelsea 11/20 Draw 3/1 Manchester United 46/10 Chelsea How silly did we look! What were we thinking suggesting that the Chelsea defence was vulnerable and ready to be taken advantage of? I thought Leicester would be a real threat in the final third and ask real questions of Thomas Tuchel’s defensive wall, we all knew the Foxes leak goals and so ultimately both teams to score was a set bet.

The reality, however, is that Chelsea suffocated Leicester, suffocated them to the point that there was no point in that game where the home side looked like they could score. This is a side who under Brendan Rodgers have an average of 3.11 total goals per match over their past two seasons. We’ve all heard the lamentation that Championship winning teams can grind out results, and I completely agree, but in this Chelsea team, you have a side who continue to be clinical and comfortable in front of goal whilst maintaining a seemingly unmatchable aggression in defence.

stature and pedigree which underpins Old Trafford is also accepted…but none of that really makes a difference if there is a disconnect between management and the team on the ground. United have lost a bit of their identity on the field, and I say that with the greatest amount of respect. Solskjaer did an incredible job in restoring the culture and heartbeat, he’ll always be a club legend, but the football was difficult to watch at times.

United have no base to launch any sort of potent attack, and inevitably that eliminates their best players from the game. There is a severe lack of intensity when I must be honest, I’m not sure they lose the ball and in the what else I can say about this Premier League that will Chelsea side without sounding always be punished. The Red like a bit of a stuck record. But when you have a side who have Devils have won just once not conceded more than a single from their last five games – goal in a game so far this season shipping an embarrassing 15 goals in the process! (twelve in total), with defenders have scored 43% of the goals and a team who have conceded I know we haven’t even reached December yet, but just one more goal that surely the focus is now to Mourinho’s 2004/05 side – you almost save face or selvage start to get the picture… a degree of self-respect and look forward to the next Manchester United season (listen at me, I’m starting to sound like those It’s difficult to ascertain United’s position at the moment. I think it ‘next season’ fans already). was the correct decision to part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Prediction: Chelsea + Over 2.5 (15/10) but the issues at that football club run much deeper than that. Chelsea wins this game, The individual brilliance available there’s no two ways about it, at United is well documented, the but at the same time I think

goals might be the order of the day. The Blues have such a variety to their attacking nuances, I just can’t see how United deal with it – and believe me I’m trying. From a betting point of view, backing the over 2.5 goal adage not only gets us a 15/10 price…it also just makes sense. Nobody would

be surprised to see Chelsea boss the fixture, especially playing at the Bridge. United have the attacking quality to contribute to the goals on the day should they get the chance. Oh, and did I mention United haven’t seen a single game, away from home, end with less than three goals since travelling to Wolves in August?

Get stuck into this, and add it to the weekend multiples and the odd double, treble or quad too!