SP Sprint - Wednesday 2 November 2022

STAR-SPANGLED BANNERS!

Racing is very much a numbers game. Hence any interruption to a stallion's career is not to be taken lightly and when it strikes early, can be catastrophic. It was therefore particularly satisfying that Moutonshoek resident The United States celebrated not one, but two, individual stakes winners this past weekend.

To refresh everyone's memory, the Gr1 winning son of Galileo had covered no more than a

dozen mares in his maiden season when a foot injury sent him to the sidelines, resulting in a small first crop which numbered just 11 foals.

Be that as it may, history will show that despite this lack of early representation, The United States made a dream start to his stallion career with his very first runner. Who will forget the spectacular winning debut by his daughter Sheela in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes, where she ran her male rivals off their feet to score by the best part of four lengths? Trained by the Azzies, the Drakenstein

Sheela (Khumalo) storms home to beat Constable (Maujean) in Saturday’s The Citizen Listed Golden Loom Handicap

‘Moutonshoek’s The United States is now starting to make waves with his sizeable second crop’

homebred showed that effort was no flash in the pan when she followed up with another splendid win in the Gr2 SA Nursery over subsequent Senor Santa winner Smorgasbord.

By the way, her sire's small first crop has also yielded the three-time winners Alabama Anna and Mel's Princess, as well as the dual winner Texas Red.

Thankfully, The United States is now starting to make waves with his sizeable second crop. On Friday, Khaya's Hope became his second stakes winner when claiming

Fairview's Listed ROA Stakes.

One of a staggering seven winners on the day for the rampant Gavin Smith stable, the three-year-old races as a homebred for Lady Laidlaw's Khaya Stables and was a deserving winner, considering he had scored twice as a juvenile and reached the frame in three Listed events, notably when beaten a shorthead in the Champion Juvenile Cup.

For the pedigree pundits out there, Khaya's Hope is bred on the hugely successful Galileo x Danehill cross, being out of the Danehill Dancer mare Miss Khaya.

Another second-crop colt worthy of mention is the talented Sun Blushed, who failed by a whisker

in last season's Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes.

The colt is trained by former champion jockey Michael Roberts, and he gave some insights as to the future: "We are still up in the air. He's a very light horse, tall and lanky, but very balanced and a beautiful mover. At this stage, I will probably give him a couple of runs in KZN and I'm leaning more towards taking him to Joburg. This is a proper horse and I'm just taking my time with him."

Mike de Kock also has a talented colt on his hands in East Coast, who made a

Beautiful and talented! Sheela warms down after her win

JC Photos

fine start to his sophomore season when handing Gr1-placed Platinum Sky and Zimbabwean stakes winner Diesel And Dust a three-length drubbing over 1700m at the Vaal. He surely has bigger fish to fry as the season progresses.

Twenty four hours after the success of Khaya's Hope, The United States again had his name up in lights, following the running of the Listed Golden Loom Handicap at Turffontein. There was no doubt a sense of déjà vu, as it was Sheela who again blitzed male rivals, whilst making amends for her second place twelve

months ago. The four-year-old has matured into a formidable sprinter and barring her unplaced effort in last season's Gr3 Magnolia Stakes, has yet to finish out of the first three.

Maestro Aidan O'Brien, who trained both Galileo and the majority of his finest offspring, has never been shy to extol the fighting spirit of the grand stallion's descendants, remarking: "They try so hard … they will give their absolute 150% every day. It's very strange. It's a mental trait, not a physical trait. Of all the horses we've ever trained, we've never seen it in another horse before. It's a gene that will carry on. It's a pure remind of him."

That's Sheela in a nutshell.

Not even top weight and sticky underfoot conditions could deny the chestnut in the Golden Loom, and she showed great determination to repel Constable, who it must be pointed out, was in receipt of 8.5 kgs. Third in the Allan Robertson as a juvenile, she already has Gr1 small black type to her name, so a proper Gr1 success would be just reward.

It's no coincidence that The United States can sire a sprinter of her calibre. Albeit that he is by classic influence Galileo, his dam

The United States (Galileo – Beauty Is Truth by Pivotal) on his arrival in SA

Halfway To Heaven was a brilliantly fast daughter of Pivotal, whilst his female line is that of champion sprinter/ miler Last Tycoon.

By the way, Galileo also featured as the broodmare sire of Anfields Rocket, somewhat of a surprise

winner of the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes. It was always a given that Galileo would go on to become a potent broodmare sire and it is clear that he will continue to exert his influence through his daughters for a long time to come.

That Galileo filled the role of kingmaker goes without saying,

as Anfields Rocket is the sole stakes winner sired by the average stallion Coup De Grace. It would be fair to say that the former Klawervlei resident enjoyed a day in the limelight thanks to the late Coolmore supremo!

COUNTDOWN TO A GOLDEN SUMMER

The R2,5 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November 2022 was published on Tuesday.

Johannesburg’s flagship race will have the theme of ‘The Golden Summer’ and while Cape champion Justin Snaith has abandoned his plans with the Suzette Viljoen-owned Hoedspruit, Mike de Kock looks to have a power hand with his smart Gr1 champion Safe Passage having moved into the number 1 slot after an eyecatching third

in Saturday’s Allied SteelrodeOnamission Gr2 Charity Mile.

That was Safe Passage’s first start after finishing third behind stablemate Sparkling Water in the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July last term.

The Charity Mile top four, including Johan Janse van Vuuren’s dual winner Bingwa and runner-up stablemate Puerto Manzano, have all established top positions on the log.

Sean Tarry’s SA Triple Tiara star Rain In Holland ran a quiet return on Saturdaybut heads the multiple

champion trainer’s attack in sixth position.

The only visiting trainer in the top echelon is Brett Crawford’s Pink Tourmaline, who holds the 14 slot.

Cover Image Mark Zahra is all emotion as Gold Trip storms home to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Photo courtesy of Victoria Racing Club.

Gavin Lerena rides a confident race on Bingwa in his title defence

The Epworth Children’s Home joined the Bingwa supporters as an elated beneficiary charity as the Stonebridge family celebrated a successful title defence in Saturday’s R800 000 Allied SteelrodeOnamission Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein.

Trained by Dorrie Sham and ridden by Chase Maujean when winning in 2021, Bingwa - now with Johan Janse van Vuuren - had not won a race in the interim but found his best stride under Gavin Lerena on Saturday to go off at 10-1 and beat Puerto Manzano (16-1) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 98,02 secs.

The fancied Safe Passage (33-10) was having his first start since a third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July last season, and ran on well to grab third, while Joey Soma would have been pleased with Red Saxon’s (16-1) return for fourth, just a half-length back.

Bingwa has now won 5 races with 12 places from his 27 starts for stakes of R1 405 850.

Bred by Tanzania residents Colin and Lynne Stonebridge, the winner is a son of Sandown Stud-based Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the two-time winning Century Stand mare, Marauding Lady.

Interesting bit of trivia - Gavin Lerena has been lucky for the Stonebridge family and won the

Zimbabwe Fillies Nursery on Bingwa’s Grandmother!

Bingwa is likely to line up next in the Betway Summer Cup on 26 November.

Second entries for the Betway Summer Cup close at 11am on Tuesday 1 November and final entries at 9am on Friday 18 November after which the weights will be announced. Declarations must be in by 11am on Monday 21 November.

A triumphant Gavin Lerena returns

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren celebrates the Charity Mile exacta with jockeys Gavin Lerena and Keagan de Melo

JC Photos

JC Photos

FINDING WATER ON THE MOON

The Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m this Saturday is not only a key warm-up race for the Betway Summer Cup, it’s also the last chance for several would-be Cup runners to secure a berth in the R2,5-million Gr1 race to be run over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November.

A number of Cup hopefuls used last week’s Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile for their final preparations and there are a host of key Cup contenders in the field for the Victory Moon.

Topping the list is this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July heroine Sparkling Water, who will be looking to win the Victory Moon for the second successive year. This is the ideal race for the Mike de Kock-trained runner because

although she carries a 2kg penalty for her Grade 1 triumph in the Durban July, it is more than offset by a 2.5kg sex allowance.

She will be reunited with jockey S’manga Khumalo in Saturday’s contest, in which she will start out wide from No 14 draw. But she will not be out to prove anything on Saturday because she is No 3 on the Betway Summer

Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water – season debut on Saturday

Cup log so her place in the final field is not under threat.

De Kock is also giving SA Derby winner Aragosta his warm-up in this race and it will be his first outing since finishing unplaced in the Gold Cup. He has only once run a bad race at Turffontein and there were excuses for that performance. He will be ridden by Julius Mariba but is drawn No 16.

Trainer Corne Spies firmly

believes William Robertson, winner of the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring Challenge, will see out the 2000m distance of the Betway Summer Cup if ridden more patiently and this view will be tested on Saturday.

The Rafeef gelding is nicely drawn at No 2 but has top weight of 61kg.

Others high on the log who will be in action on Saturday are Astrix (8), Nebraas (12) and Second Base (13), but those lower down such as Perfect Witness (16) and Zeus (17)

will need to run well in order to hold off challenges from those looking in.

The most important of that bunch are Zillzaal, Outofthedarkness and Super Silvano but they would virtually need to win the Victory Moon Stakes to be considered for the final field for the Cup.

Breeders Cup

Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm and Woodford Racing’s undefeated Flightline was installed as the 3-5 morning line favourite in a field of eight for the 39TH running of the $6 million Gr1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic to be run on Saturday 5 November at Keeneland.

The 2000m Classic is the richest of 14 Championship races worth more than $31 million in purses and awards to be run over two days at Keeneland.

Five Championship races will be run on Future Stars Friday with all Breeders’

Cup tests that day being for 2-year-olds.

Highlighting the day will be the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), races that will determine early favouritism for the 2023 Gr1 Kentucky Derby and Longines Gr1 Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively.

A total of 177 horses were entered including six winners from last year’s Championships at Del Mar with three seeking to defend their titles.

Trained by John Sadler, Flightline has won his five starts by a combined 62 ¾ lengths with Flavien Prat aboard for all the victories. Flightline will break from post position four.

The eight runners in the Classic have combined for a record of 84-43-17-9 with almost $20.9 million in earnings. In all, the entrants have accounted for 14 Grade 1 victories and 12 Grade 2s.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter, the front-runner for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top 3-year-old, is the second choice on the morning line at 5-1. Runaway winner of the Travers (G1) in his most recent start, Epicenter is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Joel Rosario from post position six.

Third choice on the line at 6-1 is WinStar Farm and

CHC Inc.’s Life Is Good. A four-time Grade 1 winner trained by Todd Pletcher, Life Is Good won last year’s Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) by 5 ¾ lengths and enters the Classic on a three-race win streak. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will break from post position two.

Pletcher has the two favourites for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) that drew a field of eight in Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest (9-5), the leading 3-year-old in the country, and Shadwell Stable’s Malathaat (3-1), who was third in this race last year.

brilliant granddaughter Highfield Princess goes for the Turf Sprint

Outstanding sire Dubawi has long featured as among the top sires in the world. The son of Dubai Millennium has reached new levels of success in 2022, however, not only having already been responsible for more than 40 black type winners this year, but also on track to claim his first British/Irish sires title in 2022.

Dubawi's 40 plus stakes winners this year include no fewer than 7 Gr1 winners. In comparison, South Africa's most successful sire of black type winners last season, Vercingetorix, had 14 individual stakes winners during the 20212022 racing season. North America's Leading Sire of

Stakes winners in 2022 thus far is Into Mischief - whose tally of 23 black type winners for the year, at the time of writing, lags someway off Dubawi's total.

Dubawi's success is all the more notable given the fact in 2022 he has been responsible for Gr1 winners over distances ranging from six furlongs (Naval Crown Platinum Jubilee Stakes) to one mile six and a half furlongs (Eldar Eldarov Cazoo St Leger Stakes).

His other Gr1 winners this year include Rebel's Romance (Grosser Preis von Berlin, Preis von Europa), In Italian (First Lady Stakes, Diana Stakes), Modern Games (French 2000 Guineas, Ricoh Woodbine Mile) and the ill-fated Coroebus. The latter became Dubawi's third 2000 Guineas when he won the 2022 G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas

before going on to win the G1 St James's Palace Stakes.

An increasingly successful broodmare sire (in South Africa alone, he is damsire of the smart filly Time Fo Orchids among others), Dubawi has also enjoyed notable success as a sire of sires this year, thanks largely to his sons Night Of Thunder and New Bay.

Night Of Thunder, currently his sire's most accomplished stallion son to date, is the sire of this year's outstanding sprinter Highfield Princess, winner of the G1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest, Gr1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes and Gr1 Al Basti

Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five in her last three starts. Highfield Princess is one of more than 10 stakes winners for her sire, who is also responsible for 2022 group winners Isaac Shelby and Rumbles Of Thunder.

From the same family as top sires Oasis Dream and Kingman, the Dubawi sired French Derby winner New Bay was the toast of Ascot recently when his sons Bayside Boy and Bay Bridge captured the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Gr1 Qipco Champion Stakes respectively on the same card.

Dubawi, who made headlines at the 2021 Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar when supplying a trio of winners, looks to be headed for potentially

more success at this weekend's Breeders' Cup meeting.

The sire of 2021 Breeders' Cup winners Space Blues (Mile), Yibir (Turf) and Modern Games (Juvenile Turf), fields several strong chances for this year's world championships. His son Modern Games will be looking for a second Breeders Cup win as he lines up in the Gr1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF this weekend, Dubawi's dual Gr1 winning daughter In Italian (who hails from the same female line as South African sires Pathfork and Talk Of The Town) heads for the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, his Gr1 winning sons Creative Force and Naval Crown both head for the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (as does his brilliant granddaughter Highfield Princess), while Dubawi's two-year-old daughter Never Ending Story is likely to bid for the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Dubawi, whose dual Gr1 winning granddaughter Saffron Beach is a likely contender for the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, will also be well represented in the Gr1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. Not only does Dubawi's son Rebel's Romance, a dual Gr1 winner in Germany this year, look likely to start in the Turf, Dubawi's great grandson Mishriff is another likely Turf contender.

Dubawi has two Gr1 winning sons at stud in South Africa in the form of SA Nursery winner Willow Magic and Gr1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris/Gr1 Pattison Canadian International victor Erupt.

The Breeders’ Cup is horse racing’s last hurrah of the year. Horses from around the globe will compete in 14 races over two days, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic closing out the weekend.

The Breeders’ Cup originated in 1984 as a year-end championship for North American Thoroughbred horses and their breeders.

The brainchild of the late John Gaines, the former owner of Gainesway Farm, the Breeders’ Cup was built by Thoroughbred breeders, for Thoroughbred breeders.

In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup was expanded from one day to two. Now, the first day of the weekend is called Future Stars Friday, with many of racing’s most promising colts

and fillies running on both the dirt and the turf.

Championship Saturday will give out more than $22 million in purse money over nine races, including the $6 million Classic!

Sales veterans Dean Kannemeyer and Jehan Malherbe striding out at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday

Lionmanemedia

The inaugural Cape Racing Sales Ready To Run & Unbroken 2yo Sale held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday proved a commercial and all-round logistical success according to Kenilworth Racing’s Head Of Racing Operations, Justin Vermaak.

The relatively sudden announcement in early September that the eleven year old local sales company Cape Thoroughbred Sales were to exit the thoroughbred sales arena following an announcement by Cape Racing that they were to launch their own thoroughbred sales division has clearly caused few ripples in the market, and Saturday’s sale was the first platform for the new operation to showcase their skills.

“For a first holding of our sale at relatively short notice, I feel that things went really well and that showed not only in the numbers, but with the vibe, the good attendance, and the overall reception to the day, with the gallops going smoothly and kicking

things off at 10h00 this morning,” Vermaak told the Sporting Post, adding that he was pleased with a reasonably solid clearance rate and an average just a shade under the R200 000 mark.

He also said that the presence of a mixed buying bench that included a number of syndicates, was highly encouraging.

The mixed sale saw 109 lots catalogued, with 103 offered and 86 selling at an aggregate of R16 855 000.

Brett Crawford purchased the top lot, Irish-bred The Abdicator (#48), a son of Gr1 winner No Nay Never out of a full-sister to Equus Champion and triple Gr1 winner Alboran Sea for R1,1 million for Mauritius-based, Mukund Gujadhur.

Top priced filly, and the second highest lot was the very wellrelated Klawervlei consigned Vercingetorix filly (#36) out of a half-sister to champion sprinter Mythical Flight, who was purchased by leading Gauteng owner Laurence Wernars for R750 000. She will also be trained by Brett Crawford.

Maine Chance kingpin Vercingetorix (Silvano) was the leading sire with his 9 lots fetching R3 925 000 at an average of R436 111.

Maine Chance Farms, who were a late withdrawal from the National 2yo Sale due to health and travel precautions, bounced back strongly as top vendors, with their 17 lots boasting an aggregate of R4 230 000 at an average of R248 823.

Julia Pilbeam’s top class Soetendal Estate sold 16 lots for R4 030 000 at an average of R251 875.

Grant Knowles’ Central Route Trading topped the buyers log with 7 purchases grossing R2 395 000 at an average of R342 142, followed closely by Brett Crawford with 6 in the basket at R1 790 000 – an average of R298 333.

The Hollywood Syndicate bought 4 horses for R1 370 000 at an average of R342 500.

The Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale will be held on 12 January 2023.

See all the prices and buyers – click here.

Maine Chance Farms’ Dr Andreas Jacobs – a successful sale

Lionmanemedia

AUDIT – ANOTHER MONTH, AT LEAST

South African horseracing stakeholders will have to wait approximately a further 30 days for the draft report of the European Union audit into animal health controls in South Africa in relation to the export of equidae, which was

completed earlier this week.

Adrian Todd, managing director of SA Equine Health and Protocols NPC (SAEHP) confirmed to the Sporting Post on Friday that the auditors have completed their onthe-ground investigation and that it will be 30 odd days for the draft report, whereafter South Africa

will have an opportunity to comment.

A successful conclusion of the audit will mean the direct export of horses from South Africa to the European Union.

Chase Liebenberg

WHAT A WINTER COLT BEATS 13 DRAW TO BANK THE BOOTY

A 13 saddle-cloth and barrier gate proved the lucky omen for the Klawervlei-bred Seeking The One as the son of What A Winter stormed home at any price to win the R600 000 Ready To Run Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

Restricted to eligible graduates of the 2021 Ready To Run Sales of the now defunct Cape Thoroughbred Sales, the

1400m contest produced a thrilling finish, with Louis Mxothwa riding a patient corker from the wide gate on the jointly most expensive purchase in the line-up.

Into the final 100m Aldo Domeyer looked to have done enough on the cruising Piroshka, who went past the pacesetting Royal Aussie looking a winner. But the rampant Mxothwa had other ideas as Seeking The One (20-1), one of a trio of Brett Crawford flagbearers dug down deep and turned on the jets to cause the upset, beating Piroshka (33-10) by 0,20 lengths in

a time of 85,66 secs.

The game Royal Aussie (9-4) was a neck back in third, with Robyn Klaasen’s Turffontein raider Johnny Dogs (66-1) staying on well for the R32 000 fourth cheque. Stakes were paid down to eighth finisher, with Vaughan Marshall’s Ensuing enjoying the honour of the R10 000 final consolation cheque.

The winner was picked by Grant Knowles, who

Seeking The One (Mxothwa) powers home in a thrilling finish to Ready To Run contest

races him with Messrs Paul Barrett, Jacques Chowles, Ross Kieswetter, Ricky Sewgoolam, and Mesdames Gwen MacGregor and B A Moody.

Bred by Klawervlei Stud, the winner is a son of Equus champion What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the three-time winning Count Dubois mare, Schism. That makes him a half-brother to the

2021 Gr3 Matchem Stakes/ Gr2 Green Point Stakes winner, Seeking The Stars (Vercingetorix).

Craig Du Plooy and the Workriders' team pose for our photographer

Experienced workrider

Bazile Nkunzi, the man who is part of the team behind leading local classic hope Charles Dickens, drew first blood in the 2022/23 Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

The first of 4 legs of the series which culminates on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day in January, produced an exciting finish as Bazile,

riding the Andries Steyn-trained Wylie Jack (10-1), caught the favourite Carriacou (8-10) and Johnny Tamela out of their ground and held on in a driving finish to win in a time of 60,06 secs.

Cider House Rules (13-2) was 1,50 lengths back in third under Andile Ndlela, with Rafiki (5-1) fading late under Callum Dixon to finish fourth.

In an unfortunate incident, the wayward Janneman – a stablemate to the winner – dumped Sawutini

Qhwaba shortly after the start.

A beautifully balanced rider, Bzile Nkunzi has now ridden 7 career winners and takes an early lead in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series.

Ed – a suspension of one workrider race incurred here won’t do his prospects any good.

The next three races are Chase Liebenberg

Bazile Nkunzi keeps Wylie Jack going to beat the obscured odds-on favourite

A momentous day for Bazile Nkunzi and Hollywoodbets’s Jackson Masengesho scheduled for 27 November, 17 December, and the series culminates on 7 January on the 2023 L’Ormarins King’s Plate Day with the running of the R135 000 Workrider’s Maiden Plate.

Besides earning the standard riding commissions in each of the four races, a grand prize of R25 000 is up for grabs, with points being earned by individual

workriders in each of the four races.

Cape Racing will publish a log on the Monday following each of the races, and this will reflect the standings of the various competitors as they bid for glory

Following the final race on Saturday, 7 January 2023 and once the log has been updated and finalised, the R25 000 prize pool will be apportioned as follows:

• Winner earns R12 000 and will receive a beautiful trophy as a momento

• Runner-up earns R6 000

• Third placer earns R4 000

• Fourth placer earns R2 000

• Fifth placer earns R1 000

Chase Liebenberg

MAROUN ROCKET STAMPS HIS CLASS

The son of a stallion who didn’t quite make the grade, Anfield’s Rocket stepped up with aplomb at his first serious test at Turffontein on Saturday when he scythed through the middle to win the R250 000 Allied Steelrode Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes, and in so doing making it 4 wins on the trot.

Beautifully ridden by 19-year-old Ludeimsponsored apprentice Kaidan Brewer, Anfields Rocket took off and made-

up lengths over the final 300m to hold off a storming late challenge by Richard Fourie and the highly regarded Shoemaker.

Kaidan Brewer rides a perfectly judged race to get Anfields Rocket home (Pic - JC Photos)

The dogs have been barking about this fellow, but he still went off at 10-1 and had plenty in reserve to hold off the flying previously unbeaten Shoemaker (10-1) by a half-length in a time of 85,56 secs.

Runner up behind Cousin Casey in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes

last term, KZN raider Royal Victory ran a good race after a break to hold on for third a further 1,25 lengths back.

“Anfields Rocket was off the bit at the 1200m – and I was worried! It was Kaydan and my son’s call to drop him out – I thought we’d have him up with the pace. But it worked out – we are very happy as this horse doesn’t know what he is doing yet,” added an elated owner and trainer Grant Maroun.

Kaidan Brewer rides a perfectly judged race to get Anfields Rocket home

KAIDAN’S A ROCKET MAN!

“Anfields Rocket hit the front and pricked his ears. I know some of those behind us had some bad luck in running. But I think if my mount was challenged, he would have found more. He is learning and learning fast – he is very good!” The words of one of our most progressive young jockeys.

Saturday 29 October 2022 will go down as a watershed day in the career of 19 year

old Ludeim-sponsored Kaidan Brewer. The talented young jockey booted home his feature winner – and then did it again for good measure.

His first leg of the dazzling Turffontein double – on Anfields Rocket in the Allied Steelrode Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes – was a sensational exhibition of raw talent and bravado by rider and horse.

“He is a lovely horse. A pleasure to ride. He shows less than nothing in his work. But he sure wakes up

when he gets to the races. Ryan Maroun suggested we ride him from off the pace. He was off the bit at the 1200m – and I know Mr Grant Maroun said afterwards that he was worried at that stage. I was a bit worried too, as he was so relaxed. But when I asked him he gave me – and more!” added the young Brewer, who enjoyed the pleasure of having his sister Kiara, her fiancé Michael Ebrahim, and his cousins

Kaidin Brewer’s proud sister Kiara and Ryan Maroun lead Anfields Rocket in, followed by Kiara’s fiance Michael Ebrahim, Aron McDonald, Amber McDonald and Grant Maroun

Aron and Amber McDonald on course to enjoy the big day. His number 1 fan – his Dad – watched the race from East London where he was working.

“My move up to the Gauteng Academy in November last year has been a turning point for me. I am based there during the week, and then sometimes spend the weekend with my sister. I am really enjoying my career and naturally breaking the feature ice on Saturday is a boost and I’m more fired up than ever.”

With 67 career winners to his name, Kaidan is not chasing and focussing on the Apprentice Championship.

“I’m young and inexperienced still but I’m keen to ride good horses. So while I ride to win on every horse I throw my leg over, I’m keen to look for quality above quantity. I’m fortunate that I can ride at any weight and have trainers that trust me to ride their good horses in feature races,” he adds.

The manner in which he judged his victory on Arumugam in the Gauteng Summer Cup 26 November Listed Java Stakes was mature for his years.

“I remember Arumugam

from KZN. He always stayed well. Mr Marwing instructed me to give him a chance and let him build up. I did that and it is lovely to experience that in a staying race as you feel your horse just getting stronger and stronger. That said, I thought Kabelo (Matsunyane) had me when Raiseahallelujah moved up so strongly and seemed to be going past. But Arumugam showed heart and fight. One needs horses like him to make us look good,” laughed Kaidan.

And the news that Anfields Rocket may travel South for the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas?

“Mr Maroun knows exactly what he is doing. That is very exciting news. And as I said before, Anfields Rocket is good – he’s very good!” smiled Kaidan.

Randjesfontein owner-trainer Grant Maroun only trains 20 odd horses but is in the game for love and not the money. He also knows what it takes to win the Cape Guineas – he was a member of the MAD Racing Syndicate who raced the Riverton-bred Domino Man who caused the upset of the century when he won the 2003 Cape Guineas beating the 1-5 favourite Dynasty.

“One can’t compare the stakes or the prestige of the Cape Grade 1 races. And, naturally I’d love to test Anfields Rocket against the local stars, Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey. One doesn’t get a decent sort like this very often and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas only comes around once in a

horse’s life. But let’s see how he draws for the Dingaans. If we stay at home, then we will go the Gauteng Guineas route,” added Maroun of the Klawervlei-bred gelding that cost him just R11 000 off the 2020 BSA July Online Auction!

The handicappers might think the astute Mr Maroun is still a member of the ‘MAD’ syndicate! They have given Anfields Rocket a rating of 96 versus Charles Dickens on 115 and Cousin Casey, who makes his seasonal debut in the Selangor Cup, off a 113. Hollywoodbets think similarly – South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator have Anfields Rocket at 50-1 in the big race ante-post.

But Grant Maroun has been there – he has got the racing veterans t-shirt and he knows he has a really decent horse on his hands. We take our hat off to him for even considering the long trek to the Cape to take on the local hotshots in their own backyard. Cape Racing and the new sponsors should be making the call to make sure he does!

Kaidan Brewer is all smiles

BILLY AND STINCKY POP THE CHAMPAGNE

Hollywoodbets-sponsored Turffontein trainer Billy Ruiters celebrated a career peak moment at Turffontein on Saturday when Ryan Munger rode a cracker to keep Miss Daisy at her task to thwart the favourite Feather Boa in the R200 000 HSH Princess Charlene Gr3 Starling Stakes.

With the carryover Pick 6 falling just under 10% short of the R6 million projection ,

the opening feature on the Charity Mile raceday produced a thriller, with the Ruiters runner reversing the record of their last clash and holding Feather Boa to 0,20 lengths in a time of 86,75 secs.

JP van der Merwe produced the 20-1 Gimme A Shot down the outside and she ran a decent race to finish a further 0,30 lengths back in third.

Always in touch after Berengaria and None Other had set the pace, the gutsy R40 000 buy from the

small yard got first run on the favourite and held her advantage to the wire to give owner Stincky Pooe and her trainer their biggest success to date.

Ryan Munger rode a great race to get Miss Daisy home

JC Photos

Thrilled owner Stincky Pooe kisses Miss Daisy

JC Photos

PETTIGREW'S HIGHFLYING BUTTERFLY

Owner Willem Ackerman has not looked back in the two years since joining the Stuart Pettigrew yard and celebrated a glorious double in the R200 000 4Racing Gr3 Yellowwwood Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday when Gilded Butterfly saw her consistency rewarded with a maiden stakes victory.

Mr Ackerman is also a part-owner in the 2021 Yellowwood winner Bold Fortune and marked a sentimental repeat victory

with another year younger daughter of Flower Alley, and also trained by the Hollywoodbetssponsored Stuart Pettigrew.

The Winning Form-sponsored Kabelo Matsunyane did the honours, producing the wellsupported Gilded Butterfly (2-1) with a sustained effort to beat Crimson Princess (16-1) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 112,58 secs.

Terra Time (16-1) came out of the pack to snare third, a further halflength back.

A R50 000 National Yearling Sale buy, the Maine Chance bred Gilded Butterfly is a daughter of Flower Alley (Distorted Humor ) out of the six-time winning Silvano mare, Gallica Rose.

Now a winner of 4 races with 7 places from 11 starts, she has banked R377 000 and has never been out of the money.

Kabelo Matsunyane and Gilded Butterfly cruise home

Owner Willem Ackerman celebrates his Yellowwood double

ARUMUGAM THE CHERRY ON TOP OF R1 545 000 PICK 6

The former KZN-based Arumugam sealed the deal on a massive R1 545 890 Pick 6 payout on Charity Mile Day at Turffontein on Saturday when he scraped home under another exemplary ride by young Kaidan Brewer to win the R175 000 Gauteng Summer Cup 26 November Listed Java Stakes.

The 19-year-old Brewer had earlier registered a career first Gr3 success when booting Grant Maroun’s Anfields Rocket home in the Graham Beck Stakes.

He thus rounded off a memorable day with a feature double, care of the previously largely polytrackexposed Arumugam.

“Horses were meant to run on grass,” quipped the winner’s new trainer Weiho Marwing, who has only had the former Peter Muscutttrained gelding for a month.

“Owner-breeder Steve Chetty is a good friend of mine. He said there wasn’t much racing opportunity for Arumugam down in Durban. We knew he stays well, so we thought we could take a chance on the Highveld. We got lucky first up,” added Marwing.

In a grandstand finish in the 2400m event, the race changed complexion dramatically after the pacesetting favourite Light Of The Moon folded, and the consistent Black Thorn pulled out 350m out.

That left Jaimala looking dangerous down the inside, until Brewer pressed the launch button on Arumugam.

The son of Duke Of Marmalade took off at 20-1 to hold Raiseahallelujah (51) by a nose, with Jaimala

A nail-biting finish, but Kaidan Brewer succeeds in getting Arumugam (10) home

(7-1) another short head back in third. The 20-1 Motown Magic completed the quartet, with under a length covering the top four home.The winner’s time was 154,25 secs.

Bred by Steven Chetty, the winner is a son of the late Danehill stallion Duke Of Marmalade out of the thrice winning Black Minnaloushe mare, Freudiana. A winner of 3 races with 13 places from his 18 starts, Arumugam

has earned R341 375. Arumugam was a first blacktype winner backed at Grace Stables.

VAAL – 4RACING TAKES ACTION

After a forgettable racemeeting at the Vaal on Tuesday, where the jockeys lodged a protest about track conditions after the first race and the event was subsequently run on the classic track, only to be rained out 4 races later, 4Racing advise that a decision has been made to move the Vaal Work Riders meeting scheduled for Tuesday 8 November and the Vaal meeting scheduled for Thursday 24 November to the Vaal Classic Track.

All 1400m races will now be run over 1450m and there will be no other distance changes. This means our next meeting on the Vaal Main Track will take place on 1 December, which is ten days prior to the WSB Grand Heritage meeting on 10 December.

They have announced that the 4Racing board has approved a major project on the Vaal Main Track which will take place straight after the Heritage. They will be lifting, levelling and replanting the grass from the 1000m mark right through to the finish as well as scarifying the entire track.

This has been long overdue and they state that they are confident this will make all the difference in assisting the tracks recovery going forward. They have also made a decision to change the scarifying schedule for the tracks next year.

They will be scarifying the Standside Track in it’s usual August slot but the remaining three tracks will all be used and available at our most trying times of the year. The

additional track through this period will hopefully lessen the damage of the tracks through the Winter and Spring months.

These tracks will then be scarified through the summer months when growth is at its peak. Unfortunately, what has been done in the past has clearly not worked and we always seem to find ourselves under pressure with one of the tracks at some point of the year.

4Racing indicate that they believe this is the logical step to avoid a similar situation next year.

THE UNITED STATES ON THE MARK AGAIN

Just 24 hours after his son Khaya’s Hope won the Listed ROA Stakes at Fairview, Moutonshoek’s beautifully bred Galileo horse The United States was in the news again at Turffontein on Saturday when his quicksilver daughter Sheela lumped topweight to beat the boys in the R175 000 The Citizen Listed Golden Loom Handicap.

It’s been quite some time between the champagne for the 4yo Drakenstein homebred, a winner of the 2021 4Racing Gr2 SA Nursery.

But the good-looking chestnut was primed to fire here and she duly delivered under Smanga Khumalo to produce a meritorious performance under her 60,5kgs.

Showing plenty of her signature pace, Sheela was easy to back at 9-2 and was always in the firing line. She took off late to hold the persistent Constable (10-1), who was in receipt of 8,5kgs, to 0,70 lengths in a time of 57,94 secs.

Corrie Lensley’s 3yo Now I Got You (7-1) was 1,55 lengths adrift in third.

The winner's stablemate and race favourite Far Away Winter never

recovered from a tardy start and was never seen with a chance.

Bred and raced by Drakenstein Stud, Sheela is out of the one-time winning Trippi mare, Trip To India.

Sheela (Khumalo) powers home to beat Constable (Maujean)

JC Photos

Adam Azzie and Simphiwe Midiyana enjoy Sheela's great win

KOTZEN FAMILY'S ALGOA CUP JOY

The Woodhill Racing machine has kicked into top gear ahead of their big home season and just a week after saddling a Fairview feature exacta, Glen Kotzen brought the whole family to Gqeberha town – including his beloved Mom In Law - and ended up winning the 102nd renewal of the R350 000 Listed TAB4Racing Algoa Cup.

The race known in days of yore as the ‘PE July’, has

been dominated by the Cape raiders, with the last local headline grabber being Surfin ‘USA all the way back in 2009.

And as it turned out again on Friday, the locals will have to patiently wait another 12 months after Calvin Habib produced the game as gold Han Solo, one of a quartet of 'Woodhill Warriors', down the inside rail with a sustained late charge.

Burying the disappointment of his connections losing the top cheque for the Listed Hollywoodbets

Settlers Trophy to Somerset Maugham in the boardroom at Hollywoodbets

Durbanville just over a month ago, Han Solo (4-1) maintained his impeccable form since being pushed up in trip, when he grabbed Jaeger Moon (14-1) to win by three quarters of a length in a time of 124,10 secs.

The runner-up’s stablemate Never Ending Rain (5-1) was 0,75 lengths back in third with Candice Bass-

Calvin Habib steers Han Solo home for career peak victory

Robinson charge Arctic Drift (20-1) flying late for fourth. Bred by octagenarian Judy Wintle, who was on course as a part-owner and family matriarch to enjoy the celebrations, Han Solo hails from a solid Wintle family.

A son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), he is out of the Model Man one-time winner I’m Too Sexy, who also produced the cleverly named Cathy Specific, Judith Anne (that’s Gran!) and Revelry.

Han Solo is a winner of 5 races with 8 places from 19 starts for stakes of R 577 213.

It was Glen Kotzen’s second Algoa Cup win after Cat Daddy won in 2019.

GAVIN SMITH TEAM HIT THE HIGH NOTES

On a red letter day for the high-riding Gavin Smith Racing Team, promising 3yo Khaya’s Hope showed his class and courage with a lionhearted victory in the R250 000 Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes at Fairview on Friday.

Under Khaya Stables’ retained national logleading rider Keagan de Melo, Khaya’s Hope made it 5 winners on the glorious afternoon for the Hollywoodbets-sponsored Smith team as he took up the running early off a

sedentary gallop and stayed on powerfully at 5-2 to beat Kotzen challenger Famous And Rich (33-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 98,03 secs.

Cape raiders also filled the next two places with Allez Morris (9-2) and Iconic Destination (4-1) in fourth.

Described as the best 3yo in Gqeberha by Keagan de Melo, Khaya’s Hope is a son of Moutonshoek Galileo stallion The United States out of the UK-placed Danehill Dancer mare, Miss Khaya.

A winner of 3 races with 6 places from 9 starts, Khaya’s Hope has banked stakes of R359 375.

Keagan de Melo has Khaya's Hope in front after an exciting chase up the straight

THE WEEKEND RATINGS UPS ‘N DOWNS

BINGWA has seen his merit rating increased from 118 to 123 after the defending champion ran out an easy winner of the Gr2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 29 October.

The Handicappers were of the unanimous opinion that runner-up PUERTO MANZANO made for the ideal line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a

mark of 120.

The winner aside, there were no ratings increase for any other runner in this event, but five horses were given a rating’s drop.

PYROMANIAC is down from 110 to 108, ASTRIX was trimmed from 125 to 124, INDLAMU is down to 99 from 100, LITIGATION drops from 101 to 99, and lastly WILLOW EXPRESS drops from 102 to 101.

Gr3 4Racing Yellowwood Handicap

GILDED BUTTERFLY has had her rating upped from 91 to 100

after winning the Grade 3 4Racing Yellowwood Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.

Part of this increase is due to the fact that GILDED BUTTERFLY was 3 pounds or 1.50 kgs under sufferance at the weights. It was 3rd placed TERRA TIME who was deemed to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 96.

Arumugam (Brewer) flies late to beat Raiseahallelujah (Matsunyane) in the Java

JC Photos

The only other increase was for 2nd placed CRIMSON PRINCESS, who was 4 pounds or 2 kgs under sufferance at the weights and beat the line horse by 1 pound, accordingly, CRIMSON PRINCESS goes up from 88 to 93.

There were however ratings drops for no fewer than five horses. ULULATE is down from 95 to 94, SOUTHERN SONG is down to 89 from 91, BOLD FORTUNE drops from 102 to 100, OPERA GLASS is down from 91 to 88, and lastly CLAFOUTIS drops from 100 to 95.

Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes

MISS DAISY has had her rating picked up from 105 to 108 following her win in the Grade 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was runner-up FEATHER BOA who was considered to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 108.

The specific conditions of this race do not allow for an increase in the rating of any runner besides the winner. As such, 3rd placed GIMME A SHOT and 4th finisher BERENGARIA remain unchanged on marks of 102 and 84, respectively, despite actually running to a rating of 108 and 104, respectively. Similarly, 5th placed NONE OTHER remains on 97 despite running to a mark of 102.

The ratings protection mentioned above has the undesirable handicapping consequence of an unexposed horse, like 4th placed BERENGARIA, remaining by far the lowest rated horse that contested this event despite beating nine of her dozen rivals at level weights and would receive considerable weight from these nine runners in a handicap situation.

Furthermore, the pecking order of the runners in this race are compromised which may complicate eliminations in similar Graded races. In essence lower rated horse, which will receive weight in a Handicap, may enjoy getting preference in eliminations over horses

that would have to concede weight to these horses in a handicap. Horses deemed to be of higher ability for handicapping purposes would be treated as inferior for elimination purposes.

Three horses received a drop on their ratings. ROCK THE FOX is down from 104 to 102, RIVER QUERARESS drops from 111 to 108, and lastly TIME FOR GLORY is down from 92 to 90.

Gr3 Allied Steelrode Graham Beck Stakes

ANFIELDS ROCKET has had his rating raised from 96 to 102 after winning the Grade 3 Allied Steelrode Graham Beck Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was 3rd placed ROYAL VICTORY who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 109.

Here, too, the specific race conditions do not permit an increase of more than six pounds for the winner and no increase for any other runner. ANFIELDS ROCKET in fact achieved a mark of 113 but remains rated seven pounds lower than the line horse despite comfortably beating the latter at level weights and would only be placed 7th in the pecking order of the race.

Likewise, the luckless 2nd placed SHOEMAKER (now 12th in the pecking order), 4th placed UNION SQUARE and 5th finisher BILLY BOWLEGS remain unchanged on ratings of 96, 100, and 96, respectively, despite actually running to marks of 112, 108, and 107, respectively, accordingly these unexposed sorts will enjoy a considerable handicapping edge over their rivals.

These conditions also have the undesirable effect of making the best weighted columns in the form guides misleading to the betting public as the top 2 finishers in this race, ANFIELDS ROCKET and SHOEMAKER, would not feature in the top 4 in the best weight column in similar events.

There were ratings drops for two horses, LAGUNA VERDE is down from 104 to 101, while EYJAFJALLAJOKULL goes from 94 to 89.

Listed The Citizen Golden Loom Handicap

SHEELA has had her rating raised from 111 to 117 after winning the Listed Golden Loom Handicap over the straight 1000m course at Turffontein on Saturday. It was 4th placed VASEEM who was used as the line horse here, leaving him unaltered on a rating of 105.

Runner-up CONSTABLE, who was 4 pounds or 2 kgs under sufferance at the weights, was raised from 90 to 98, while 3rd placed NOW I GOT YOU, who was 2 pounds or 1 kg under sufferance at the weights and beat the line horse by

1 pound, is up from 103 to 106.

There were no other ratings increases, but three horses received a drop. BELLA CHICA is down to 100 from 102, GALLIC CHIEF also goes from 102 to 100, while KWITE A TRIP drops from 99 to 96.

Listed Gauteng Summer Cup 26 November Java Stakes

ARUMUGAM has had his rating raised from 82 to 88 following his success in the Gauteng Summer Cup 26 November Java Stakes over 2400m at Turffontein on Saturday. It was 3rd placed JAIMALA who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 101, the specific race conditions only permit a maximum six-pound ratings rise for the winner and no increase for any other runner. In rating the race this way, ARUMUGAM actually achieves a mark of 96, but the Handicappers were obliged to cap his rating at 88.

Likewise, runner-up RAISEAHALLELUJAH remains unchanged on a mark of 99 although actually running to a rating of 101.

There were drops for two horses.

MARCHINGONTOGETHER is down from 101 to 99,

while OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE drops from 100 to 97.

Listed Tab4Racing Algoa Cup

HAN SOLO has had his rating raised from 96 to 100 after capturing the Listed Tab4Racing Algoa Cup (handicap) over 2000m on the turf course at Fairview on Friday 28 October. It was 3rd placed NEVER ENDING RAIN who was deemed to make for the best line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 101. Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for runner-up JAGER MOON, who goes from 102 to 103, but there were drops for four horses.

4th placed ARCTIC DRIFT is down from 92 to 91, FOLLOW THE STAR drops from 99 to 97, CRIMSON KING is down to 102 from 104, and lastly CHOLLIMA was trimmed from 102 to 101.

Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes

Best weighted KHAYA’S HOPE remains unchanged on a rating of 107 after winning the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes for three-year-olds over 1600m at Fairview on Friday. It was 4th placed ICONIC DESTINATION who was used as the line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 96. In assessing the race this way, KHAYA’S HOPE only runs to a mark of 100, hence his unchanged rating.

There were however increases for four horses. FAMOUS AND RICH is up from 88 to 96, ALLEZ MORIS goes up from 88 to 96 as well, DOWSER was raised from 88 to 92 and PREVALENCE is up from 85 to 90.

Three horses received a drop. DOUBLE DESTINY is down from 94 to 91, SAND BANK goes to 91 from 95, and COASTAL PATH was dropped from 86 to 82.

• Press release by NHA on 1 November 2022

UNBEATEN FLYER’S DAM IN FOAL TO EQUUS CHAMP

One filly to catch the eye recently was the beautifully bred Mythical Dream. A three-year-old daughter of Querari (also sire of another unbeaten three-year-old filly this season in the form of Gobsmacked), Mythical Dream recently made it three wins from three starts when she won over 1000m at the Vaal.

The filly is yet another well above average performer bred by Narrow Creek Stud, who were responsible for breeding nine black type winners from 58 runners last season, including Gr1 WSB SA Classic winner Red Saxon.

Mythical Dream is a very wellrelated filly, being a half-sister to three smart winners notably speedy Gr2 Pospack SA Fillies Nursery runner up Miracle Flight. A daughter of Var, Miracle Flight also finished third in the 2020 Gr3 Lebelo Sprint and runner up in the Listed The Citizen Ruffian Stakes of 2020. Miracle Flight herself had a neat first foal by Snitzel's Gr1 winning son Heavenly Blue.

Her dam, the Jet Master mare Lightning Bird, a full-sister to Mythical Flight, South Africa's Champion 3YO Male Sprinter of 2007, won once from just five starts when victorious over 1000m on debut.

Lightning Bird's Gr3 Man O'War Sprint winning half-sister Mana Mou is the dam of the top-priced

filly sold at Saturday's Cape Racing Ready To Run & 2YO Unbroken Sale, with Mana Mou's Vercingetorix sired daughter the second top priced lot sold at that auction.

Narrow Creek's John Everett remembers Mythical Dream as being ‘very neat and well put together, but, like all Lightning Bird's progeny, lacked size.’

Her dam Lightning Bird has a Vercingetorix yearling filly this year, and she is back in foal to Hawwaam, whose dam, like Lightning Bird, was sired by Jet Master.

CHESTER IS HOME

British Jockey Chester Williams has returned home from hospital and is due to start a rehabilitation programme in the next phase of his recovery from a bleed on the brain sustained in a fall on the gallops. Williams, 25, was taken to intensive

care in Plymouth following a schooling accident while he was riding work for his mother and trainer Jane at her South Molton yard in Devon on September 13.

After making progress –when he was "really fighting"

according to his mother – he was moved to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple so his family could avoid a 170-mile round trip to visit him.

GLORY VASE CHASES THIRD GR1 AT SHA TIN

Glory Vase, Kinross and Panthalassa head an impressive array of decorated international horses who have been invited to compete at the HK$110 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on 11 December.

Fellow Gr1 winners Gendarme, Naran Huleg, Schnell Meister, Saffron Beach and Mendocino have also been issued invitations

by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to contest the “Turf World Championships”.

A cast of Gr1 champions is among 127 overseas entrants for the four Group 1 features – the HK$34 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$30 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$24 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$22 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Emerging Japanese stayer Jack d’Or runs in the Gr1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (30 October) against several other LONGINES HKIR entrants, including Gr1 Dubai Turf (1800m) deadheater Panthalassa and Geoglyph.

Japan’s Danon The Kid, Britain’s Sir Busker and Ireland’s Stone Age are also among the Club invitees.

Glory Vase

Tuesday’s (1 November) Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington Racecourse features another invitee – LONGINES Hong Kong Vase entrant Deauville Legend, who is not only the ruling favourite for “the race that stops a nation” but is raced by Hong Kong owner Boniface Ho, who previously raced Southern Legend and Classique Legend.

Glory Vase, who will chase a third G1 win at Sha Tin, is among an illustrious cluster of horses – including Deauville Legend, Mendocino, Tuesday, Iresine, Broome and Gufo – invited to run in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase.

Gr1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) winner Gendarme and G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) victor Naran Huleg head Japan’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint assault, while G1 Kings Stand Stakes (1006m) winner and the highestplaced sprinter in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Nature Strip, heads Australia’s sprint

invitees along with The Everest (1200m) champion Giga Kick and Eduardo, while US speedster Golden Pal has also been invited.

British-trained dual Gr1 winner Kinross, who is raced by Hong Kong owner Marc Chan, is entered for both the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Kinross this month added the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (1200m) to the G1 Prix de la Foret (1400m) he won at Paris Longchamp on 2 October.

Connections of Jane ChappleHyam’s Saffron Beach, a LONGINES Hong Kong Mile contender, and talented Japanese galloper Schnell Meister are also invitees. Japanese stars Salios, Danon Scorpion and Great Britain’s Dreamloper have also been invited for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Hong Kong’s entry is spearheaded by Golden Sixty, Wellington, California Spangle, Sky Field and Russian Emperor with nine individual group G1 winners spread among 45 entries.

Overall, there are 172 entrants for LONGINES HKIR, crowned by 53 individual Group 1 winners.

The Gr1 Tenno Sho Autumn on Sunday (30 October) and Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 1 November) will be simulcast for betting by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

LONGINES HKIR invitations (As of 28 October 2022):

LONGINES Hong Kong

Sprint: Gendarme, Naran Huleg, Nature Strip, Eduardo, Giga Kick, Golden Pal.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile: Kinross, Schnell Meister, Saffron Beach, Danon Scorpion, Dreamloper, Salios.

LONGINES Hong Kong

Cup: Panthalassa, Sir Busker, Stone Age, Jack d’Or, Danon The Kid, Geoglyph.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase: Glory Vase, Mendocino, Broome, Deauville Legend, Gufo, Tuesday, Iresine.

BADEL LOOKS TO DOUBLE HIS PURSE

Alexis Badel will chase back-to-back wins in Sunday’s HK$3.9 million Gr3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap at Sha Tin when he links with Excellent Proposal for 11-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer John Size.

Successful last year aboard Tourbillon Diamond, Badel will get the leg-up on Excellent Proposal for the first time in his career as he looks to end the chestnut’s lengthy run of outs dating

back to the 2021 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – over 600 days ago – by giving Size a second win in this weekend’s race after Endowing in 2013.

“I thought his first run looked terrific – he’s a horse who has certainly got good potential, so he might be a good chance in this one,” Badel said.

Excellent Proposal made up an eye-catching amount of ground first-up in the HK$5 million G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) last month

to get within two and a half lengths of California Spangle.

“I will try to keep my crown but it seems to be an open race, a small field might be tactical but I’m sure my horse is going to run well,” Badel said. “You have to consider everything because usually with a smaller field they can go a bit slower.”

Beauty Joy, Ka Ying Star, Senor Toba, Columbus County, Butterfield, Savvy

Alexis Badel returns victorious after winning the 2021 Gr3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap

Nine, Turin Redsun, Money Catcher and Celestial Power are also entered to run.

Size, 68, sits on 10 wins this season and has 11 runners entered for Sunday’s fixture, led by Excellent Proposal who achieved one of his career highs when finishing third behind Golden Sixty in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at odds of 40/1 last season. “His (Excellent Proposal) run was good – it was a handicap so he probably had some help there. The horse has come up nice, he seems ok and he’s done

everything right,” Size said. Excellent Proposal won a Class 2 over 1800m in October, 2020, defeating a strong group of gallopers including Savvy Nine, Reliable Team, Butterfield and Ho Ho Khan.

“It’s probably a suitable race, he’s won a good race here (at Sha Tin) over 1800 metres previously,” Size said. “He’s been struggling to win another race but he seems to be in good shape and he’s got a chance.”

This season Badel is third in the jockeys’ championship with 10 wins.

Wednesday’s eight-race fixture at Happy Valley was abandoned due to a storm threat.

Mark Zahra reaches out to the crowds after the Cup victory

GOLD STOPS THE NATION

Crowds roared and connections cheered as Gold Trip became the first top weight since the legendary Makybe Diva in 2005 to take the A$8 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.

Prepared by Victoria’s champion trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and partnered by jockey Mark Zahra, Gold Trip defied his impost to race clear for a two-length success over Geelong Cup winner Emissary, representing Flemington horseman Michael Moroney.

Maher and Eustace, who brought up their first Cup triumph, followed in Moroney’s footsteps by sending out first and third – just as Moroney did in 2000 with Brew and Second

Coming – with the duo’s Bendigo Cup winner High Emocean finishing powerfully for third.

It represented a first Lexus Melbourne Cup victory for a number of Australia’s leading racing identities, with connections behind champion sprinting mare Black Caviar, Neil Werrett and Colin Madden, joining with Australian Bloodstock in the ownership of Gold Trip. Also among the ownership group are the likes of prolific investors Noel and Maria Greenhalgh and Frank and Christine Cook.

Victoria Racing Club Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said it was a thrilling performance enhanced by the return of crowds to Flemington for ‘the race that stops a nation’.

“Congratulations to Ciaron Maher, David Eustace, Mark Zahra and all of the owners of Gold Trip,” Mr Rosich said.

“It takes a very special horse to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup as top weight – Gold Trip becomes only the 11th horse to win the Cup with the number one saddlecloth, joining greats like Makybe Diva, Rising Fast, Phar Lap, Carbine and Archer.

“It was a performance for the ages and it shows just how the Lexus Melbourne Cup manages to produce an amazing story every year, just as it has done since 1861.

“Thank you to every VRC member and patron that attended Flemington today for the162nd running of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. The weather was challenging but we were delighted that the weather shone for the pre Cup and the running of

Gold Trip bounds home to a thrilling success in front of a large Flemington crowd

Australia’s greatest race to ensure everyone enjoyed it to the highest degree.”

Mr Rosich also congratulated the community of Gold Coast which was the winning Lexus Melbourne Cup National Sweep destination.

“The VRC is proud to present the community of Gold Coast with A$50,000 which will be split between their two nominated charities – The Griffith University Institute for Glycomics and the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” Mr Rosich said.

Maher and Eustace also prepared the quinella in the race after the Lexus Melbourne Cup, the first of two races dedicated

to Queen Elizabeth II this week. The In Memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1400m) was taken out by Detonator Jack, defeating stablemate Nugget who dead-heated with Nick Ryan’s Munhamek.

It was a day that saw some of Australia’s emerging trainers shine across the card. Flemington trainer Simon Zahra scored early, taking the Gr3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) with Krakarib, while young British expats Archie Alexander and Annabel Neasham scored Listed victories with High Approach (TAB Trophy) and Bartholomeu Dias (Furphy Plate) respectively.

Flemington trainer James Cummings took the Gr3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) with Larkspur Run, while Grahame

Begg and Michael Dee combined to take the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) with Vespertine. Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained White Marlin looks to be on track for next year’s Cup after his five and a half length success in The Macca’s Run (2800m).

Following Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, James McDonald continues to lead the Ron Hutchinson Award for jockeys during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, while Maher and Eustace lead the JB Cummings Award for trainer.

The SPRINT is interactive –please watch the replay by clicking here.

BACK TO WINNING WAYS!

Bravemansgame avenged his Aintree defeat when soundly beaten by Ahoy Senor in April with a sparkling return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

The pair had clashed on three previous occasions, with Ahoy Senor having a win over both hurdles and fences to his credit, while Bravemansgame had proved best when the pair clashed in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day last year.

Ahoy Senor had Bravemansgame 30 lengths back at Aintree on their last start but opened 2/1 second favourite behind Paul Nicholls’s runner who was priced up 11/10 by the layers. A surge of Saturday morning support for Ahoy Senor saw the two ‘flip flop’ in the market, but that was made to look foolish after a poor round of jumping.

Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor bowled along happily in the early stages, with Paint The Dream racing on his heels as he put in a particularly exuberant leap at the first open ditch. However, when Paint The Dream renewed his challenge five fences from home, Ahoy Senor found little in the hands of Derek Fox, and it was Bravemansgame who was cantering all over his rivals

under Harry Cobden.

Taking it up two from home, Bravemansgame only had to clear the final obstacle to ease home by three and a half lengths from the staying-on Eldorado Allen, with Ahoy Senor trailing in last of the five runners.

The winner now looks destined for a return to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Gr1 King George VI Chase.

Paul Nicholls confirmed the festive showpiece is very much the target. “He as good as any of my previous Charlie Hall winners,” said the trainer. “The King George is absolutely made for him. I’ve left plenty to work on for Kempton and he’s a very smart horse when he’s right.”

Lucinda Russell says she is looking forward to Ahoy Senor having a rematch with Bravemansgame following her stable star’s belowpar run.

“Ahoy Senor is absolutely fine, but of course we will check him and keep an eye on him,” said Russell. “He was too fresh, and his jumping got him into trouble.”

She added: “Bravemansgame was very impressive. I thought he looked fantastic, and Paul Nicholls has done a great job. I’m just

sorry it wasn’t our horse that was fighting out the finish with him, but these things happen, and we look forward to the next rematch.”

Earlier on day, Proschema was delivered with a perfectly-timed run to go one place better than last year in the Gr2 bet365 Hurdle.

Beaten just under three lengths by Indefatigable last year, Proschema powered to a 10-length victory over Thomas Darby.

Threeunderthrufive set out to make all in the three-mile contest, with Harry Skelton content to settle Proschema at the back through the early exchanges, biding his time for a run in the straight.

A couple of jumping errors at the fifth and fourth flights from home put Threeunderthrufive under pressure, allowing Thomas Derby to hit the front, but all the while Skelton was stalking the leader and he was travelling by far the best approaching the last. Proschema accelerated away to claim a stylish success, with 7-4 favourite Sporting John failing to land a blow.

CHELSEA AND ARSENAL TO LOCK HORNS

Sunday 6 November |

Stamford Bridge | 14:00

It’s a massive London derby! Both these two teams have been there and there about so far this season – with Arsenal obviously competing at the very heights of the league.

For the fan among us – this promises to have every bit of dramatic detail. The history, the players and the fans all wanting to ensure they come away with

bragging rights. But for the purist, these two managers also offer a subtle intrigue of approach – enjoy it!

To Win (90 mins)

Chelsea 33/20 Draw 47/20 Arsenal 17/10 Chelsea

Graham Potter’s return to Brighton – the club he contributed to in such a glorious way – was anything but glorious. Chelsea was well beaten 4-1 at the Amex, but even

more concerning than the loss was the way they lost…

They were completely outplayed in the early stages of the game and just could not handle the attacking prowess of Brighton. Yes, you could say the Brighton players would have been up for it and wanted the win badly, but you don’t go nine games unbeaten with Chelsea only to see it crashing down within 45 minutes, writes Ryan Liberty.

The Blues had European duty at home to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and given that they had already secured first spot in their group, that might explain the slight rotation we saw. However, there is rotation forced on Graham Potter…Wesley Fofana, Kalidou

Koulibaly and Reece James are all sidelined due to injury and the defensive insecurity of that backline might give Arsenal a sniff of blood in the water.

Arsenal will certainly want to capitalize on any opportunity that comes their way, Chelsea will know this. Chelsea will want to ensure the game isn’t lost early on (especially playing at home) and Arsenal will certainly know that. It really could explode into a manic game of football!

Arsenal

I know enough has already been made of it, but Arsenal have been fantastic so far this season. Their reaction to last season, where they

fell short of the Champions League places to Spurs, and the general inconsistency of performance has been well put to bed.

Arsenal have shown they can be beaten though, and with City not going anywhere, these next few games between now and the World Cup are going to be incredibly decisive. If they are truly trying to compete for the title –albeit early on – they simply must finish the first half of the season the way they started it.

I think this game is a lot closer than people are suggesting, and for various reasons. Yes, Arsenal have been largely consistent, but they have also shown they can be flat (think back to that PSV game). They have been very aggressive in possession, and yet also susceptible to a counter-attacking approach (think back to that United game).

Chelsea have not been bad under Graham Potter, and to suggest they have is incorrect. Yes, they were well beaten last time out in the league, but you don’t know throw out the entire book because one page is stained. This is a London derby – form is out the window, and anything can happen.

Predicted Line-ups:

Chelsea: Kepa; Cucurella, Silva, Chalobah; Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling, Pulisic; Havertz, Mount, Aubameyang.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Magalhaes, Tomiyasu; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.

Prediction: Arsenal/Draw + BTTS (13/10)

There is incredible value in this prediction. Arsenal is certainly the better side, and I can’t see them losing to be fair, but even with the safer option of the Double Chance, I don’t think we are losing too much value.

Enjoy all of the subtle storylines at play in this clash, but at 13/10 you can afford to have some skin in the game as well!

WORLD CUP TICKETS – EINA!

South African soccer fans attending the Fifa World Cup will have to fork out a hefty sum to attend the tournament in Qatar starting later this month. While fans will be able to purchase

the ‘cheap seat’ category 4 tickets for under R500 in both the group stage and round of 16, a ticket for the quarterfinal will cost a minimum of R1 500.From the semifinal stage, R2 500 is the

lowest price for a seat in the category 4 section, while a category 1 ticket will set you back a whopping R17 370.