20220302 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.2

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JC Photos Safe Passage – should relish the increase in trip!

R5 MILLION PICK 6 – AND CLASSIC RACING!

Guineas winners Safe Passage and Rain In Holland on course for SA Triple Crown and SA Triple Tiara glory. Classic Day at Turffontein on Saturday is a milestone and potential gamechanger in the Highveld Season.

Both runners have accepted to run in Saturday’s World Sports Betting SA Classic and Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic respectively.

The two Gr1 races over 1800m on the Standside track form the second leg of the WSB Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

De Kock-trained Safe Passage added the Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas to his Gr2 Dingaans win in November and has been priced up at 14-10 to triumph in the SA Classic.

Rain In Holland won the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Tarry has his charge on track for the second leg of the Triple Tiara.

She has also been priced up at 14-10 but the layers still have a lot of respect for Desert Miracle who is on offer at 16-10.

For the most, both horses will be meeting similar opposition to those they saw off in the 4

Guineas and Fillies Guineas but there are a few new faces on the scene.

In the SA Classic a number of eyes will be on unbeaten Zeus but in reality, he will have to run quite a bit above his current merit rating of 99 if he is to trouble the likes of Safe Passage.

There is also a Pick 6 carryover of R1-million at the meeting with the pool likely to reach R5 million.

Please read more on the www.sportingpost.co.za

Chase Liebenberg

JOBURG SEAFOOD & JAZZ RACING FESTIVAL 4Racing is hosting The Joburg Seafood & Jazz Racing Festival at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 5 March, presenting a day of horse racing filled with food and fun.

You can expect exciting racing, a feast of seafood and other gourmet delights from the seafood village, live jazz performances and loads of entertainment for the kids.

Enjoy the sounds of the Billy Monana Quartet, the Sisonke Xonti Quartet and the Romy Brauteseth Trio, while children enjoy fun activities from face-painting to magic shows, jumping castles, pony rides and more.

The two main races on the day are the World Sports Betting SA Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. These two Gr1 races form the second leg respectively of the WSB Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4 Racing, says: “We want to bring people back to the races and we welcome everyone, including families, to experience the thrilling atmosphere of the horses and live entertainment, along with a food and drink experience.

4Racing intends contributing to the transformation of the horse racing industry by including

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world class hospitality as part of a day at the races, as well as being a part of reviving the events industry after a couple of very tough years.”

Gates open at 11h00 and entertainment carries on until 19h00. Tickets cost R 50 for adults and R 25 for under 18s, with a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children under 12 costing R 100. Get your tickets at Webtickets. Guests over the age of 12 need to be fully vaccinated.

6 Richard Fourie takes it easy as Pomp And Power storms home

Chase Liebenberg

IT’S A ROMP FOR POMP! 7

With his highly vaunted stablemate Double Superlative failing to bring his A-game to Kenilworth on Saturday, the classy Vercingetorix gelding Pomp And Power relished an innovative change of tactics to win the final Gr1 of the Cape Summer Season, the R1 million Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby.

Richard Fourie was aboard Justin Snaith’s most recent Cape Derby winner Legislate in 2014, and the crack rider produced the magic again on Saturday, riding the lesser fancied of the SA Champion yard’s duo from off the gallop to become the fourth Gr1 winner for Maine Chance sire Vercingetorix (Silvano),

currently chart-topper on the SA General Sires List.

be flat after a big effort in the Cape Town Met.

After Universal had led for a long way and continued to gallop relentlessly into the final 300m, Fourie brought Pomp And Power (9-2) from some way off.

The winner’s time was 124,76 secs. Pomp And Power made it three features on the trot for Maine Chance Farms on the big day and , has now won 5 races with 1 place from 9 starts with his stakes bank already reaching R1 050 275.

The chestnut had won the Concorde Cup and Langerman when up with the speed, but showed he is no one-trick pony with a resounding turn of foot from lengths back under a delighted Fourie.

At the line, 1,50 lengths separated the winner and the gallant Universal (6-1).

The odds-on favourite Double Superlative plodded into third and had no finish. He looked to

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Out of the Candy Stripes mare Peru, Pomp And Power was well bought at R250 000 on the 2020 National Yearling Sale.

He joins Ambiorix, Vernichey and the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Chansonette as Gr1 winners sired by Vercingetorix.

The Merits POMP AND POWER has had his merit rating raised slightly from 117 to 118 following his success in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby over 2000m on the Kenilworth summer course on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 5th placed NEVER ENDING RAIN would not have run below his official rating in finishing where he did in a race of this class and accordingly elected to use him as the line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 104.

Runner-up UNIVERSAL has also had his rating raised by one pound and goes from 113 to 114, while 4th placed SENSO UNICO goes up from 100 to 104 making him equal to NEVER ENDING RAIN. The Handicappers considered that DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE had beaten DO IT AGAIN (rated 126) and finished only 0.75 lengths behind LINEBACKER (rated 126) in the Cape Met and deemed that his run here when beating SENSO UNICO (now 104) by 1.5 lengths and NEVER ENDING RAIN (104) by 1.60 lengths to

be well below his Cape Met performance. It was decided, given the above observation, that DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE be precluded as a candidate for line horse as he is better than his effort in the Cape Derby and accordingly his rating was left unaltered.

The only other increase was for 6th placed GEM KING, who goes up from 83 to 89 to make him the equal of the 89-rated 7th finisher BARATHEON.The only drop was for WAITING FOR SUMMER, who is down from 97 to 94.

Hollywoodbets Durban July - Latest Pomp And Power has firmed into 14-1 in the ante-post betting for the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July to be contested at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 2 July.

The historic 2200m contest, billed as Africa’s greatest horseracing event, has taken on a new dimension of intrigue with the news earlier this month that the stake has been increased to R5 million, making it Africa’s richest stakes race.

New sponsors Hollywoodbets set the pace by opening the ante-post betting for the big race some weeks ago. And after Saturday’s Kenilworth

feature fireworks, there were some movers – and shakers!

Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power is into 14-1, while heroic pacemaker and dogged runner-up Universal is now available at 16-1.

Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative appeared to be flat after his big Cape Town Met showing when running fourth, and plodded into third behind stablemate Pomp And Power and Universal on Saturday.

While it is too early to write the handsome son of Twice Over off, he has drifted out to 16-1.

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Senso Unico was running on steadily on Saturday, and may be worth considering at 66-1.

Kommetdieding remains at the top of the boards at 6-1 in defence of his title and it is worthwhile noting that his dedicated personal workrider Grant Behr mentioned on Saturday that the son of Elusive Fort is even better than he was when winning the Cape Town Met at the end of last month.

On the flipside, talk of a possible US campaign, and the news that he is travelling to Gauteng on Monday won’t excite supporters at this stage.

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12 Richard Fourie celebrates the Cape Derby win

Chase Liebenberg

MAINE CHANCE MAGIC

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For Maine Chance Farms, Saturday's Derby meeting at Kenilworth was one of those days a breeder dreams of, the revered stud farm celebrating a fine Graded stakes treble highlighted by Pomp And Power's victory in the Gr1 Cape Derby.

Significantly, the chestnut is also a son of resident stallion Vercingetorix, who has seamlessly taken on the mantle of his deceased sire Silvano at the famed Robertson farm. In fact, as we enter the second half of the racing season, he is leading his own sire at the top of the stallions log.

As for the Derby winner's female line, it is an Argentinian one and can claim its origin in South Africa to the arrival in 2000 of the filly Paraca.

By Nureyev's Gr1 winning son Kitwood, she was purchased from successful Argentine stud farm Vacacion by the late maestro Terrance Millard on one of his many buying sorties to that South American country. Her appeal was obvious.

By a French Gr1 winner, her dam Paraguaya was also a half-sister to the exceptional racemare Paseana, a Gr1 winner in her birth country who blossomed into a veritable running machine

when sent to the States.

A tough-as-teak galloper she won a further ten Gr1 races, prime amongst which the Gr1 Breeders Cup Distaff. Voted America's Champion older mare in both 1992 and 1993, Paseana was by Argentinian Horse of the Year and champion miler Ahmad, who incidentally, had also sired the Millard-selected Ahmatir, a winner of the Gr2 JB McIntosh Fillies Classic and trained by son Tony.

Paraca joined the stable of Millard's son-in-law Geoff Woodruff and quickly showed her prowess by rattling off two wins in her first two starts, both by handsome margins.

The only blip on her otherwise flawless juvenile campaign was a fourth place in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery, after which she captured both the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship and Gr2 Thekwini Fillies Stakes, good enough to earn her the title of Champion juvenile filly of 2001.

As a three-year-old, Paraca defeated the likes of Duchess Daba and Crimson Palace in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes and after landing the Gr1 Triple Tiara (now the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas), she was sold to Australia, where she scored twice at Gr3 level.

Paraca's success and that of Paseana had not gone unnoticed and by the time

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Paraca was on her way to Australia, her dam Paraguaya arrived at Maine Chance Farms. A big, plain mare, she was in foal to the Blushing Groom horse Candy Stripes and duly dropped a small filly.

That was Peru, who would become the dam of Pomp And Power.

Whilst at Maine Chance, none of Paraguaya's subsequent foals matched Paraca in ability, although her Western Winter filly Paramo ran second in the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap and when mated to Silvano, produced the Port Elizabeth Gold Cup winner Plano.

As for Peru, she never raced due to stifle problems, but my goodness, hasn't she made up for that as a broodmare!

Her first foal, one of seven sired by Silvano, got her off to a fine start. A triple Gr3 winner, he was the proverbial meat in the sandwich of his sire's historical 2015 Durban July trifecta won by Power King, with Tellina completing the all Maine Chance-bred finish.

Punta Arena went on to run third in the Gr1 J&B Met and was still winning at age seven! Full brother Palo Alto proved just as durable, racking up eight wins from ages three to six.

While Pomp And Power is

Peru's second stakes winner, there may well be a third one in the pipeline, this his juvenile full sister Pucallpa, who put up a scintillating debut when she flew up for

third in the Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery on Saturday.

Pucallpa proved to be her dam's final foal and wisely, was retained by the stud. She looks

assured of a place as a future Maine Chance broodmare and based on her fine debut run, will not be lingering in the maiden ranks for long!

Chase Liebenberg

15 Jono Snaith and Richard Fourie enjoy the moment

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Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Pomp And Power (Richard Fourie) draws clear to beat Universal (Craig Zackey)

THE POWER OF PERU! When Pomp And Power stormed home to land Saturday’s Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby at Kenilworth, he not only brought the focus on his increasingly successful sire Vercingetorix, but also to the fine record at stud enjoyed by his dam Peru.

The latter, an unraced halfsister to former South African champion and triple Gr1

winner Paraca, enjoyed a fine day on Saturday – her son won the Cape Derby, while her two-year-old daughter Pucallpa (also by Vercingetorix) caught the eye when running third, on debut, in Saturday’s Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery.

Peru is now the dam of six winners – it is surely only a matter of time before Pucallpa adds to that statistic – of which three are either black type

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winners or have been placed in graded company.

She is best known for producing the somewhat luckless Punta Arenas, a triple graded stakes winner who finished second in the somewhat controversial Gr1 Vodacom Durban July of 2015.

Punta Arenas is a threeparts brother to Pomp And

Power, having been sired

by Vercingetorix’s multiple champion sire Silvano.

Peru is by a sire, who despite never standing in this country, has enjoyed plenty of success in South Africa.

Candy Stripes (Blushing Groom), who was promoted to second in the 1985 Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas), enjoyed a long and well travelled stud career before dying at the age of twentyfive.

His lengthy list of champions include the once beaten Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic/ Gr1 Dubai World Cup hero Invasor, champion Leroidesanimaux (sire of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and current Australian star Zaaki), and brilliant racemare, Different.

Candy Stripes, also broodmare sire of unbeaten star and outstanding stallion Candy Ride, more than made his mark in South Africa as both a sire and broodmare sire.

His first classy galloper to grace the South African turf was the luckless Pablo Zeta, who had the misfortune to be born in the same year as legendary South African champion Horse Chestnut.

Winner of the 1998 Gr2 Gosforth Park Juvenile C&G Stakes, Pablo Zeta was a well beaten second to Horse Chestnut in all of the Gr3 Graham Beck Handicap, Gr2 Dingaans and Gr1 Cape Guineas.

He was followed on the South African turf by Candy Stripes’ Gr2 Golden Bracelet winning daughter Capa Maxi – whose stakes winning daughter

Maximum Jet is the dam of this season’s Gr3 winning filly One Night In Paris – before Candy Stripes’ first bona fide South African star, Eventuail, arrived. Crowned Equus Champion Older Classic Male in 2007, Eventuail won seven of 16 local outings, headed by wins in both the Gr1 SA Guineas and Gr1 Summer Cup. Candy Stripes’ greatest South African star, however, was Ilha Da Vitoria.

That pint-sized grey was crowned Joint Horse Of The Year and Champion Older Female Middle Distance Horse of 2006, following a campaign which saw her win the Gr1 GommaGomma Summer Cup, Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes and Gr2 GommaGomma Challenge.

Stop Press: Winner For Lyle!

In news just reaching us as we went to publication, it is learnt that 24 year old multiple SA Champion Lyle Hewitson rode a winner at Happy Valley this evening for fellow countryman Dougie Whyte.

Valiant Elegance won the fifth race, the 1200m HK$ 1 040 000 Chatham Handicap at 16-1.

It was the first winner for SA’s favourite son after he returned to riding on 16 January following a fall in the HK$24 Million Gr1 LONGINES Hong

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Kong Sprint on Sunday 12 December. Four jockeys, including Hewitson, Purton, Karis Teetan, and Japanese star, Yuichi Fukunaga came down.

For the latest, more detailed report, please visit www. sporting post.co.za

In total, Ilha Da Vitoria, who won or placed in 24 of her 26 starts, captured six graded races in a career which saw her earn more than R5,2 million in prize money.

Ilha Da Vitoria also enjoyed notable success at stud, producing Gr2 SA Oaks winner, and millionaire, Ilha Bela (Fort Wood) and Listed Oaks Trial winner Ilha Grande (Tiger Ridge). The latter went on to produce Gr1 SA Fillies Classic heroine Orchid Island (Silvano), while Ilha Bela is dam of the Gr3 placed Azores and the enigmatic galloper Reunion. Both are sired by Flower Alley.

Lundy’s Liability was the next progeny of Candy Stripes

to impress in South Africa -winning the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes and his only previous South African outing, before embarking on an international career which saw him land the Gr2 UAE Derby of 2004, while Candy Stripes’ final high-class local runner was Candy Critic.

The latter, Equus Champion Female Stayer of 2006, won four times and scored a four length romp in the 2006 Gr2 SA Oaks, having finished second in both the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas previously.

Singer (Singspiel) to name but two, while his son Equal Stripes was responsible for Gr1 SA Fillies Classic heroine Bambina Stripes.

Cover Image Cape Derby winning jockey Richard Fourie and owner Greg Bortz celebrate the big moment courtesy of Chase Liebenberg

Candy Stripes is also broodmare sire of former Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Emerald Beauty and Gr3 Jubilee Handicap queen Candy Gold Circle

21 Who remembers the gallant soldier, Punta Arenas?

22 Millstream’s magnificent Lot 61 – sold for R1 million

Candiese Lenferna

TWO MILLIONAIRES & A WHOLE LOTTA RECORDS! 23

The South African horseracing and breeding industry again showed its extraordinary resilience and passion for the game with Sunday’s Bloodstock South Africa Cape Yearling Sale breaking all past records.

(141 in 2021), year-on-year the aggregate soared 92% to R22 570 000 from 2021’s R11 785 000, while the average rocketed 86% from R83 582 to R155 655, with the median rising very favourably from R65 000 to R110 000 (69%).

While comparisons to the testing times of the height of the Covid-19 pandemic can distort the reality of any given situation, history will show that the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale broke genuine new ground on merit, with the magic million rand marker also being reached for the first time – and then twice!

Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winning owner Greg Bortz, no doubt fired up by Pomp And Power’s thrilling win in Saturday’s final Gr1 of the Cape Summer Season, was in fine form and signed both chits for the R1 million joint top lots – a Vercingetorix colt (#61) from Millstream Farm and a handsome son of Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight (# 101) from the Varsfontein draft.

The numbers simply don’t lie!

With 145 lots catalogued

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Mr Bortz led the buyer tables on average and aggregate – his quartet averaging R737 500 for an aggregate of R2 950 000.

A renowned producer of class, Varsfontein, the leading vendor with their 14 selling for R4 235 000 at an average ticket of R302 500, also provided the top filly of the sale, when SA Champion Owner Suzette Viljoen went to R700 000 for #89, a beautiful daughter of current SA General Sires log leader Vercingetorix.

A half-sister to 3 winners, including Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes runner up Master Of Illusion, Golden Sickle

is out of Listed Laisserfaire Stakes/Lady’s Pendant winner Victorian Secret – a full-sister to dual Gr1 winner Snowdance.

Maine Chance kingpin Vercingetorix was the flavour of the day after celebrating his fourth Gr1 winner in Saturday’s Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby. The champion son of Silvano was sire one of the two R1 000 000 sales-topping colts, the topselling filly and also topped the sale’s Leading Sires list.

Vercingetorix had five yearlings on the sale, selling for a gross total of R3

000 000, and averaging an impressive R600 000.

BSA CEO Michael Holmes was thrilled by the record-breaking results of the regional sale and the fact that there was standing room only in the marquee bordering the Kenilworth parade ring.

“We have come out of some of the most trying times for our industry and the country. But clearly racing folk are both resilient and positive about the sport’s prospects. While most do it for the love and passion, the fact that we have introduced increased incentives and have six well endowed

related races across the country next year, certainly boosts the attraction of getting involved. We had a fantastic day at Kenilworth on Saturday and the venue was a real winner. Thanks to Cape Racing, our hosts for the outstanding hospitality.

And of course, a word of gratitude and appreciation to all our vendors and buyers.

I hope that there are many champions to come out of this sale!”

See all the sale results here

Candiese Lenferna

25 Varsfontein Lot 101 – sold for R1 million

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Digital Age – Invincible Spirit (IRE) ex Willow View (by Lemon Drop Kid)

JOINT VENTURE INTO THE DIGITAL AGE! The South African racing and breeding pulled off a notable coup when Mauritzfontein secured the services of top racehorse Digital Age for the 2022/2023 breeding season.

A son of world leading sire, and outstanding sire of sires, Invincible Spirit, Digital Age was a multiple graded stakes winner whose five career wins included a triumph in the 2020 Gr1 Old Forester

Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The Chad Brown trained colt, who won the Turf Classic at four, also showed top-class form as a three-year-old with Digital Age landing the Gr2 American Turf Stakes at three and also finishing runner up in the Saratoga Derby Invitational.

Digital Age, who earned in excess of $1.263 million during his career, accounted for some

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outstanding performers during his career. Among those beaten by the son of Invincible Spirit were the Gr1 winners Bowies Hero, Cape Of Good Hope, Casa Creed, Henley's Joy, Ivar, and Rockemperor.

The exciting Digital Age represents the best of all worlds as a stallion prospect -not only is he a top-class racehorse, but is a son of one of the world's most popular

and successful stallions.

Digital Age is one of more than 130 stakes winners sired by Green Desert's Gr1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup winning son Invincible Spirit.

Already responsible for 20 Gr1 winners, Invincible Spirit has already proved to be an excellent sire of sires.

His once beaten, champion son Kingman rates among the best stallions in Britain, while his son I Am Invincible is currently leading the Australian General Sires List for the 2021-2022 season.

Already the sire of more than 40 stakes winners, Kingman stands for a fee of 150,000 pounds.

Other sons of Invincible Spirit to have sired Gr1 winners include Lawman, Mayson, Shalaa and Territories, while a pair of the stallion's sire sons National Defense,

whose first runners included the Breeders' Cup winning and Profitable both made cracking starts with their first two-year-olds last season.

Invincible Spirit is also the sire of the Coolmore Stud based 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia, whose first crop are yearlings in 2022.

From the same Green Desert male line as current boom Cape sire Querari, Digital Age also sports a stellar female line to his name.

A half-brother to last year's Gr3 winning two-year-old Acer Alley, Digital Age is out of a mare by US champion, and outstanding broodmare sire, Lemon Drop Kid. The latter, a maternal grandson of Lassie Dear, sired more than 100 stakes winners and ranks as broodmare sire of more than 70 stakes winners - among the notable performers thrown by daughters of Lemon Drop

Kid are the Breeders' Cup winners Bar Of Gold and Forever Unbridled.

Digital Age, whose first three dams are by Lemon Drop Kid, Sadler's Wells and Darshaan respectively, is out of a half-sister to a Gr1 winning two-year-old, in the form of Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Cursory Glance, and his fifth dam is outstanding racemare, and Epsom Oaks victress, Time Charter.

Mauritzfontein have been able to secure this exciting prospect with the help of Ridgemont Highlands and Wilgerbosdrift.

Should you wish to join the syndicate, or require further information, please contact Jehan Malherbe on 083 252 8147 or email Jehan at jehan@aro.co.za.

Sad Days A Ukrainian employee of British trainer Jamie Osborne has hailed Lambourn's community spirit following the outbreak of conflict between his country and Russia.

Ukraine was attacked by Russia last week, leading to condemnation of the invasion and sympathy for those on the receiving end, is reportedly responsible for 28 members of British racing's stable staff.

Alex Makhmudov, whose wife Ievgeniia Isai has been Osborne's housekeeper for six years, has worked for the trainer since 2003, doing "anything that needs to be done."

They include Makhmudov, one of three employed by Osborne.

"I feel bad, really bad," he said. "I have family 29 back home in Kyiv and, for now,

they're fine; it's not too bad. It's bad, obviously, but everyone is still alive.

"It's hard for everybody and I have a wife and child here, and half of me wants to go back to Ukraine and help, and half wants to stay with them.

GOOD NEWS FOR STAKEHOLDERS! In wonderful news for the industry, 4Racing and Gold Circle advised in a joint statement issued on Wednesday afternoon that they have reached an interim agreement that KwaZulu-Natal racing will be available on Racing 240 with immediate effect.

The parties said that they are committed to continuing their engagements to conclude an equitable and sustainable

long-term agreement for a unified broadcast platform, for the benefit of the South African horseracing industry Today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting was the first to be held under the R16 million stakes boost announced recently for KZN racing minor and feature races until 31 August.

Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets partnered in the stakes topup which was announced at

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the launch of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July recently.

It was also announced that the Groom’s Double-Up will apply. This is an increase in the awards for the Grooms of winning horses in KZN from R1 000 to R2 000 per race, for the months of March, April and May.

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32 Keagan De Melo drives Cosmic Highway ahead to win his biggest career prize to date

Chase Liebenberg

DE MELO’S HIGHWAY DELIGHT

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Dean Kannemeyer ended the 2021/22 Cape Summer Season on a high note for his leading owner Lady Christine Laidlaw when the very smart 3yo Cosmic Highway upstaged the Rio Querari supporters club when he ran on powerfully to win the R600 000 Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

It was a memorable moment for Lady Laidlaw as a sponsor and an owner, and vindicated Kannemeyer’s decision to avoid trying to force his Cape Guineas third-placer to stay the 2000m of the Derby.

In a chat with the Sporting Post during the buildup week, the Milnerton

conditioner confirmed that Cosmic Highway’s entry in the Diadem was no sentimental move.

Rio Querari (16-10) appeared outpaced early but stayed on steadily without threatening to run third.

“He is there on merit and he is a horse possessed with plenty of natural speed. We are taking on the SA Champion Sprinter but Cosmic Highway will go close.”

A son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready), Cosmic Highway was bred by Maine Chance out of the Silvano one-time winner Cosmic Dream.

Fortuitous words in the end and Keagan de Melo rode a peach of a confident race, producing Cosmic Highway down the inside into the final 200m.

A R400 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy, Cosmic Highway has won 4 races with 4 places from 8 starts for stakes of R722 000.

And it was left to the two 3yo’s as Cosmic Highway (9-2) went on too strongly to beat Trip Of Fortune (7-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 71,38 secs.

Cosmic Highway now heads to KZN for the stakes-boosted SA Champions Season where he is likely to be targetted at the KZN Guineas and the Daily News.

The Merits COSMIC HIGHWAY has had his rating raised from 108 to 110 after he captured the Gr2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the view that 4th placed BEREAVE, who was the line horse in the Cape Flying Championship, made for

the best line horse when assessing this event, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 106.

Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for 2nd placed TRIP OF FORTUNE, who goes up from 106 to 108.

Two horses were given a rating’s drop. 3rd placed RIO

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QUERARI drops from 130 to 125, which was his mark before he won last season’s Gr1 Computaform Sprint, a performance he has not matched from four starts subsequently.

The other drop was for AMBIORIX, who is down from 110 to 108.

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Resonate charges clear under Grant van Niekerk to beat Good Traveller (Louis Mxothwa) 36 Team Kannemeyer and Laidlaw celebrate the Cosmic Highway Diadem dazzler

Chase Liebenberg

EAST COAST INVASION – DKR STYLE

Resonate charges clear under Grant van Niekerk to beat Good Traveller (Louis Mxothwa) 37

Talk is cheap and it doesn’t pay the bills. That’s a pearl of wisdom that Dean Martin Kannemeyer’s late Dad, Peekay, preached. In a world of hype, smoke and mirrors, and social media far removed from the more austere 1960’s when the Kannemeyer name first became prominent in local racing. It’s guidance that Dean has stayed true to.

When visiting the Milnerton yard on Tuesday, planning and logistics were being finalised for the Kannemeyer SA Champions Season raiding parties. Two squads of twelve depart a week apart on 8 March and 15 March Dean was chatting to the Sporting Post after a successful weekend.

His Khaya Stables 3yo Cosmic Highway produced

Chase Liebenberg

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

38 Dean Kannemeyer and top owner Lady Christine Laidlaw

a scintillating performance to win the Gr2 Diadem Stakes on Saturday – a race sponsored by the yard’s preeminent owner Lady Christine Laidlaw.

And then on Sunday the 61 year old picked up a couple of yearlings at a sale that impressed him.

We had asked Dean in the build-up week whether Cosmic Highway was a ‘sentimental runner’ in the Diadem based on the fact

that his esteemed patron sponsors the 1200m contest.

“I have always seen him as a quality sprinter-miler and his form suggests that 1400m may be his optimum now. He was running on powerfully in the Concorde Cup when Saturday’s Derby winner Pomp And Power got away from us. He was finishing his race well – but a horse can only run so fast for so long, before running out of steam.

At this stage I felt that the 2000m of the Derby would have possibly been out of range for him. So the Diadem made sense and he really finished his race off well down the inside.”

We asked Dean when last he won the Diadem.

“I’m getting old you know and don’t have all these finer details at hand. But I think it was Honour The Guest under Bernard Fayd’herbe in 2004. He beat Nhlavini.

Five months earlier he won the Gr1 Mercury Sprint at Clairwood beating another of our horses in National Title.

We are talking modern history - how time flies!”

As regards plans for last season’s Listed Gatecrasher Stakes winner Cosmic Highway, Dean said that the Gr2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 7 May was pencilled in.

“You asked about how far he will go. You know, if he does well in the Guineas, then we will have to consider the Daily News 2000. After that, who knows – he is still maturing and getting stronger.”

While Dean has some smart unraced horses – it’s been the Kannemeyer philosophy for 45 years of travels to the holiday province to bring the babies up and get the sun on their backs – it is another 3yo in the 2021 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe winner Waterberry Lane who jointly spearheads the Champions Season attack.

“I decided to give Waterberry Lane a break after the Cape Guineas. We have gelded him as he needed it and I expect to have him out in the Byerley Turk on 3 April. He is a really smart horse and I have high expectations of him.”

Dean was full of praise to Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets for boosting stakes to the tune of R18 million.

“The Cape now goes quiet for the Winter months until the Summer so while I have kept a few older horses back, it makes sense that we focus on the East Coast. We cannot thank the local operator and Hollywoodbets for raising the bar in terms of stakes.

Racing has been through a torrid time and it is shows of confidence like this that will

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help us gain the momentum so desperately needed to get the wheels turning again.

I think we saw at Sunday’s BSA Cape Yearling Sale that there are many people who still love and believe in this wonderful game!”

And did Dean manage to get what he wanted in a competitive bidding arena?

“I’m really not complaining.

We got a lovely yearling for a new owner of ours.

I also really liked the Fire Away progeny and saw that Hollywood got lot #127 – a colt out of a Shamardal mare that we shortlisted. He is a smasher. One of those yearlings that speaks to one!

We tried. But you know, with Sales four weeks apart, we have to pace ourselves. And Nationals are next in late April. That’s just around the corner!”

He added that, while the quality of the catalogue will always be the yardstick for any sale, the pages and physical specimens were of great quality, and the venue was a winner.

“The Kenilworth venue was very pleasant - and that makes a massive difference.

We are fortunate down here to have access to great facilities.”

Chase Liebenberg

Anton Marcus steers Princess Calla to an overdue win

PRINCESS CALLA – OVERDUE AND DESERVED! Wilgerbosdrift’s resident stallion Flower Alley’s topclass daughter Princess Calla finally shed her bridesmaid tag and ran out a commanding winner of the R200 000 Gr3 Prix Du Cap at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Trained by Adam Marcus, four-year-old Princess Calla had finished third in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes last time out, when beaten just over a length by the brilliant Captain’s Ransom, and she was appropriately sent off a prohibitive favourite for

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Saturday’s Prix Du Cap. Under Anton Marcus, Princess Calla was quickly away and went out to make the running.

From there, the classy filly never really looked

threatened, and pulled clear in the closing stages to score at odds-on by an emphatic three lengths in a time of 87,34 secs.

A R600 000 purchase from the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Princess Calla’s latest win took her earnings to just shy of R1 000 000.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Princess Calla is out of the Captain Al mare Princess Royal.

She is one of a growing number of top-class fillies sired

by Flower Alley, who is also responsible for this season’s Gr2 WSB Ipi Tombe Challenge/ Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap winner Bold Fortune, and Flower Alley has two daughters entered in next weekend’s G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

Saturday’s win took her tally to four victories from 14 starts, with her previous wins including the 2020 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship and 2021 Gr2 Umzimkhulu Stakes. She has also been second or third in no fewer than five Gr1 races.

double on Saturday with his courageous son Bayberry finishing a courageous second, under 58.5kgs in the Listed Kenilworth Cup. Flower Alley daughter Flower Of Saigon added further to her sire’s good day by taking third in the Kenilworth Cup.

Flower Alley went close to enjoying a notable feature race

The Merits PRINCESS CALLA remains unchanged on a rating of 121 following her win in the Gr3 Prix du Cap for fillies and mares over 1400m at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 3rd placed MAJOR ATTRACTION made for the

correct line horse here, which leaves her unaltered on a mark of 103.

In rating the race this way PRINCESS CALLA only runs to a mark of 115, hence her unchanged rating. Runnerup RAIN IN NEWMARKET was raised from 103 to 107, while the only other

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increase was for 4th placed DANCETILDAYLIGHT, who was picked up from 96 to 100 to at least make her the equal of the 100-rated 5th placed MARIA QUEROL. There were no ratings drops for any of the runners in this race.

Chase Liebenberg

Salvator Mundi (Craig Zackey) is led in by Neville Isdell, Justin Snaith (obscured), Gina Goldsmith, Greg Bortz & Pamela Isdell

SNAITH’S SCIENCE STRIKE Snaith science and a superbly judged ride

by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein sponsored rider Craig Zackey got the Varsfontein-bred Salvator Mundi home in the marathon R175 000 Listed Kenilworth Cup at the Southern Suburbs racecourse on Saturday.

The 3200m contest only attracted a field of six and tactics were always going to play a major part in the outcome.

Zackey and trainer Justin Snaith had a plan and were happy to lead. But after Salvator Mundi lugged out going into the first turn, Richard Fourie took the initiative on Coup De Main. That left Salvator Mundi in the box seat and Zackey rode a pearler.

After Coup De Main fell away at the 350m, Zackey had Salvator Mundi (7-1) in full stride and the 4yo stayed on best to beat luckless stablemate Bayberry (9-2) by a length in a time of 215,11 secs.

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Glen Kotzen again had to be content with place stakes as Flower Of Saigon ran on well for third.

Justin Snaith took the credit for the outcome, saying that he had become more scientific in the latter part of his training career.

“I looked at Cape race times and decided to train a bit differently –in other words at an elevated heart rate elevated for longer.

That would generate more stamina. It worked! Full marks to Craig Zackey – he is fearless and Salvator Mundi is a quirky kind of horse,” said Snaith.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Salvator Mundi, who races

in the interests of Greg Bortz and Pamela Isdell, is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the twice-winning Captain Al Secret Obsession.

Grant van Niekerk was forced to bide his time off a modest pace on the topweight Crome Yellow, who was outrun in the rush to the line.

He has won 4 races with 5 places from 14 starts and stakes of R289 675.

The Merits SALVATOR MUNDI has had his rating raised from 97 to 100 following his victory in the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m at Kenilworth

on Saturday, 4th finisher FOLLOW THE STAR was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, which leaves her unchanged

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on a rating of 88. There were no other ratings adjustments in this event.

Lord Glitters does it again!

44 Anton Marcus has matters under control as Silver Operator gallops powerfully to hold off My Bestie (Greg Cheyne) in a thriller

Chase Liebenberg

ONE SMOOTH OPERATOR

Lord Glitters does it again!

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A horse with issues and a fellow who has often flattered only to deceive, Silver Operator registered his second stakes success when scoring a meritorious victory under joint topweight to win the R175 000 Racing 240 Listed Jet Master Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

In his typically conservative style, jockey Anton Marcus expressed some reservations about the mile, but did everything right after a flying start.

“He was hanging out quite badly over the final 300m, but stuck to his task to win well,” said Marcus after the son of Silvano won the opening leg of a carryover Pick 6 that got

to R5 086 000.

The 2019 Gr3 Cape Classic winner, the relatively lightly raced 5yo was stepping out in the new partnership of Ken Truter and Rikesh Sewgoolam.

Marcus got the class act to keep on well to hold off My Bestie (6-1) by 0,30 lengths in a time of 99,19 secs.

The favourite Warrior arrived too late, but kept Place Accumulator punters smiling in third.

Silver Operator was purchased off the 2018 Cape Thoroughbred Sales April Yearling Sale for R700 000 and was a second feature success on the afternoon for Klawervlei Stud.

He is a son of deceased multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the thricewinning Captain Al mare, Sting Operation.

A winner of 5 races with 6 places from 19 starts, Silver Operator has banked R486 950.

He is booked to travel to Durban for the SA Champions Season on 10 March.

Trainer Vaughan Marshall indicated that Silver Operator will line-up in the traditional season starter of the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 7 May.

The Merits SILVER OPERATOR remains unchanged on a rating of 119 following his win in the Listed Racing 240 Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was runner-up MY BESTIE who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 98. In assessing the race this

way, SILVER OPERATOR only achieves a mark of 116, hence his unchanged ratings.

Furthermore, in assessing the race this way 3rd placed WARRIOR and 4th finisher CAT DADDY both run to their marks of 108 and 101, respectively, which in effect makes them line horses as well and which leaves both of them with unaltered ratings.

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In fact, no horses were given a ratings increase following this race but there were drops for four runners.

NEXUS is down from 113 to 110, ROCKIN’ RINGO drops from 102 to 100, SACHDEV was trimmed from 107 to 106, and lastly AZORES was dropped to 98 from 101.

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Chase Liebenberg

Epsom Girl (Richard Fourie) beats Spygirl (Louis Mxothwa) in a great finish

PIET’S DAZZLING DOUBLE

A second favourite fell by the wayside at Kenilworth on Saturday as trainer Piet Steyn celebrated a glorious 2yo feature double with two R15 000 purchases when Epsom Girl went all the way under Richard Fourie in the R200 000 Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery.

Impressive debut winner

Body Electric was all the rage after an eyecatching debut victory, but after looking a but above herself in the preliminaries, she ran no kind of race.

But for Piet Steyn, whose daughter Margot was visiting from Australia, it was a day to remember. His owner-trainer pair cost R30 000 combined

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and after We’re Jamming won the boys’ race, Epsom Downs (9-2) caught the eye in spectacular style to win the fairer sex feature by a half length in a time of 73,84 secs.

Glen Kotzen’s Spywing (10-1) ran on well for second, while Pucallpa (25-1) caught the eye amd made good ground down the inside for third.

“Horses don’t know their breeding or their price ticket.

If I like them, and can afford them, I will buy them. This filly came into the ring at the Farm Sale. There were no bids. I went afterwards and offered R15 000. If people want to talk to me, I’m always seller and a buyer,” he laughed.

Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Epsom Girl is a daughter of Pomodoro (Jet Master) out of the twice winning Tiger Ridge mare, Epsom Downs.

She has now won 2 races with 1 place from 3 starts and earnings of R187 500.

“This is too short for her. She won well,” said Fourie.

Greg Cheyne said that favourite Body Electric was ‘a bit flat’ in a disappointing showing. “But don’t write her off,” he added.

A half hour earlier, Piet Steyn and jockey Aldo Domeyer got the Cape Town Seafood & Jazz Racing Festival off to a flying start when the Duke Of Marmalade colt We’re Jamming won the R250 000 Cape Racing Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.

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Steyn owns and trains the winner who came good after three seconds at his first three starts.

It was a great start to the big day for breeders Ridgemont Highlands, who celebrated another win for their Potala Palace champion Katak at Kranji in Singapore a few hours earlier and a Gr3 success in Australia for their proven international sire, Canford Cliffs.

After Jayrani and the fancied Trompie had showed the way, Domeyer produced We’re Jamming (4-1) with

a powerful run to beat 20-1 outsider Wecangoallnight by 2 lengths in a time of 72,43 secs.

Maidstone (Windrush), We’re Jamming is by the deceased Drakenstein Champion Duke Of Marmalade.

Glen Kotzen’s Grinkov should not be in the maiden ranks for too long and he stayed on a neck back for third.

“A massive specimen of a horse. He is going to be something special as a 3yo.

He won on raw ability. He is an exciting prospect,” said Domeyer.

Out of the one-time winner

“I rated him highly from the start. I put this horse on par with Katak. Wait – in six months time we will see,” added Piet Steyn.

We’re Jamming has won 1 race with 3 places from 4 starts for stakes of R226 650.

Chase Liebenberg

Aldo Domeyer steers We’re Jamming to victory

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52 Keagan de Melo steers The Tinkerman home for his third winner of the day

Chase Liebenberg

‘NOT A GOOD IDEA’ – JOHN FREEMAN 53

While Khaya Stables are to be lauded for their support of the unique initiative of Saturday’s R200 000 Workriders vs Jockeys Championship Maiden Plate, the final field composition process is clearly in need of some modification.

first non professional home as he drove Glen Kotzen’s Charity Ball into a 7,25 length sixth place and banked the R20 000 bonus so generously put up by Khaya Stables.

For punters, there was some confusion over the crop use by the Workriders.

The National Horseracing Authority have confirmed that in Saturday’s race, the Workriders whip ruling was dispensed with. This is a local racing operator’s condition and surely places the Workriders at a disadvantage, as they are suddenly required to start using the crop again?

Saturday’s renewal was won in cracking style by the inform Keagan de Melo who partnered the Foster homebred The Tinkerman (6-1) to an emphatic 1,25 length victory in a time of 72,52 secs for trainer Vaughan Marshall.

We were informed late last year that with effect from January, 4Racing, Cape Racing and Gold Circle would be limiting all their Work Riders Races to a ‘hands and heels’ status only, on a trial basis.

Would it not have been preferential to rather have implemented the rule the other way, and asked the infinitely more experienced Jockeys to ride ‘hands and heels’?

This effectively means that Workriders are allowed to carry the whip in the backhand position with their hands not being permitted to leave the reins, when using the crop on only the horse’s neck or shoulder.

There was also early concern after publication of the final fields, with the jockeys seemingly favoured by the spin of the dice and drawing the choice mounts.

The professional jockeys filled the first five berths, with Richard Fourie (Silent War), Anton Marcus (Dean Street), Grant van Niekerk (Masterful Guy) and Greg Cheyne (Bowled Over) following.

Workrider B Nkunzi was the

That was nobody’s fault with MJ Byleveld and Workrider

Aussie Trainer Stripped Of Gr1 Australian trainer James Cummings has been fined Aus$10,000 and Godolphin-owned mare Savatiano stripped of her sole Gr1 win following an inquiry by Racing New South Wales stewards on Tuesday.

The Racing Post reported that Stewards disqualified Savatiano from the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick last March and imposed the hefty fine on Cummings following the mare's positive tests for banned substances trendione, trenbolone and

epitrenbolone after last year's 6½f race.

Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel said that while no specific cause had been pinpointed as to the reason for the positive tests, stewards were satisfied there had been no illegal administration of the substances, which are all found in the drug altrenogest and is used on mares.

Stewards heard evidence that Savatiano was being 54 Ovumate orally administered (containing altrenogest) but were satisfied she had not

been treated within two clear days of her racing, as per the rules.

"Having regard to the mitigating factors detailed above and guilty plea, stewards determined the appropriate penalty was a A$10,000 fine," a Racing NSW release said.

Savatiano had been a fivetime Gr2 winner before narrowly breaking her Group 1 duck in the Canterbury Stakes.

Coach Craig Du Plooy doing sterling background work and pulling the straws under the supervision of the National Horseracing Authority.

There is, however, probably grounds to institute a seeding of the runners, as implemented for the Jockeys Challenge up in Gauteng a few years ago.

In this way the draw can be alternated between Jockey and Workrider, to ensure a more structured final field balance.

Writing in his eNews newsletter on Monday, veteran racing man John Freeman said that the jockey’s vs grooms race is not a good idea in his view.

“A bunch of professional jockeys riding against grooms.

The riders were drawn so if you were ‘unlucky’ to get the services of a work-rider you stood little chance at all,” he said.

John Freeman went on to say that the first Workriders races started in Cape Town in the mid-70’s.

“Rodney Dunn and I intensified the programme in the early 80’s to run on a monthly basis and the races were strictly for Workriders that had graduated through the Groom’s School programme. As their confidence and skills improved and more graduates emerged through the programme we added races around the turn and allowed these riders to use crops because this was

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deemed an essential part of the momentum and control needed. After 18 years at the helm of the project I handed over to the team. They allowed anyone to participate and gradually we found that more often than not these events were being won by ‘non-groom-riders’ and now it’s ‘evolved’ (can’t be the right word) into a terribly uneven jockeys lottery where the grooms have no chance.

But it’s not all bad news for the Grooms as Cape Racing launched a refreshment station initiative in partnership with Schweppes South Africa.”

JC Photos

Warren Kennedy guides River Queraress to a smooth win

THIS RIVER CAN RUN!

The Querari filly River Queraress came out firing after a storm delay to the Turffontein Sunday meeting, when she registered an impressive hat-trick with a facile victory in the R150 000 Listed Ruffian Stakes.

Ridden by Warren Kennedy for Paul Peter, River Queraress paced it out with her stablemate and race

favourite Fennec Fox for the first 600m, before drawing away.

With the favourite fading badly, River Queraress (3-1)gunned clear to register her first victory at Turffontein and beat Magic Tycoon (8-1) by 3 lengths in a time of 58,05 secs for the 1000m.

Corrie Lensley’s Show Time was a half length back in third.

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The winner, a R250 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, is raced by the ASSM Racing Syndicate and has now won 3 races from her 4 starts for stakes of R218 750.

Bred by Boland Stud, she is

by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the Windrush mare, Clockwinder.

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60 Warren Kennedy guides River Queraress to a smooth win

JC Photos

AN ERUPTION OF NOTE!

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On a terrific weekend for the Robertson-based Maine Chance Farms, their Dubawi stallion Erupt recorded his first stakes winner care of the aptly named chestnut Karangetang who stormed home on debut to win the weather-delayed R175 000 Listed Storm Bird Stakes.

Only five runners lined up in the 2yo 1000m feature, but it was keenly contested, with chances to at least three of them going into the final 200m.

But riding with oodles of confidence after his terrific treble at Kenilworth on Cape Derby day, Keagan de Melo guided the handsome Karangetang (6-1) into the lead on the outside and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained colt galloped on powerfully to beat the

experienced Arividicio (5-4) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 58,01 secs.

his second winner – the champagne will be flowing at Maine Chance.

The filly Ode To The Ocean ran 23 lengths back and may have gone wrong – watch the Stipes report for more.

One of 48 Gr1 winners sired by outstanding stallion Dubawi – also responsible for successful and promising sires Night Of Thunder, New Bay, Makfi, Time Test and Zarak – Erupt hails from a truly exceptional female line.

For interest’s sake, Karangetang is a volcano on the north side of Siau Island off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Karangetang, who races in the familiar Wernars family white, black and red flag, was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and is a son of Erupt (Dubawi) out of the Var two-time winner, La Revere.

He banked R109 375 on a perfect debut and as an early stakes strike for Erupt – only

Erupt is out of the Gr3 Prix Vanteaux winner Mare Nostrum (herself a daughter of champion sire Caerleon), a half-sister to Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes queen Aube Indienne.

This is also the family of leading sires Encosta De Lago, Flying Spur, Holy Roman Emperor and Night Shift, as well as current boom Australian galloper Home Affairs.

Wet, Wet, Wet!

The 2022 autumn season of Australian Gr1 racing starts on Saturday but the weather forecast is for wet tracks at both Randwick and Flemington.

It’s been expected all week that Randwick will race on a heavy surface with more than 300mm falling at the Eastern Sydney track during the past seven days but the forecast also isn’t favourable for the Australian Guineas card at Flemington.

The Bureau of Meteorology is tipping between 15 and 45mm of rain to fall in Melbourne on Friday

and Saturday.

Three Group 1 races are set for decision on Saturday at Randwick and Flemington.

In Sydney the A$1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m) and the A$500,000 Canterbury Stakes are the two Group 1 events while in Melbourne – the A$1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) kicks off the two-week Racing Spectacular at Flemington.

At Randwick, nine black type races will be run. The supporting events 62 include Golden Slipper lead-ups – the Gr2 Todman Stakes (1200m)

and Reisling Stakes (1200m) as well as the Gr2 Challenge Stakes (1000m).

Aside from the Australian Guineas, there will also be five Stakes races held at Flemington – the main support race is the Gr2 Blamey Stakes (1600m).

Doomben and Ascot also host Listed races on Saturday. The rescheduled Tattersall’s Member’s Cup (1600m) is the feature at Doomben while in Perth, the Bunbury Cup (2100m), Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and Supremacy Stakes (1000m) are scheduled.

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66 Warren Kennedy keeps his head down as Heavens Girl powers on out front to win a cracker – May Queen (Denis Schwarz) tries hard in second

JC Photos

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR 67

Racing in similar conditions to those on which she won the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery last season, Paul Peter’s talented Soft Falling Rain filly Heavens Girl put it all together at only her third run as a 3yo when winning the R150 000 Listed Bauhinia Handicap as the curtain came down on the weather impacted Turffontein Sunday racemeeting.

Trainer Paul Peter (3 winners) and jockey Warren Kennedy enjoyed a feature double on the delayed afternoon after River Queraress won the Ruffian Stakes earlier.

And Heavens Girl’s (10-1) victory was Kennedy at his

confident best as the KZNbased champion appeared to have plenty underneath him as he glanced left and right after hitting the front late.

The winning margin of 0,20 lengths may have flattered the 33-1 runner-up May Queen (33-1) under replacement rider, Denis Schwarz.

She chased for all she was worth, but one just had the sense that Heavens Girl was too good and she clocked 56,89 secs in the fastest 1000m on the afternoon.

sire Soft Falling Rain. She is out of the Dynasty one-time winner Maggie Muggins.

She has won 3 races with 6 places from 10 starts for stakes of R400 000.

The meeting was abandoned after this race. The Acacia Stakes will be run on Classic Day.

A R110 000 2020 BSA Cape Yearling Sale graduate, the winner is an Ndoro Stud-bred daughter of Wilgerbosdrift’s ill-fated National Assembly

The Merits HEAVENS GIRL has had her rating raised from 108 to 111 after she won the Listed Bauhinia Handicap for fillies and mares over the straight 1000m course at Turffontein on Sunday. Here it was 4th placed ALULA’S STAR who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a

rating of 95.

There were also increases for runner-up MAY QUEEN, who was raised from 98 to 100, and for 3rd placed SEEMYVISION, who was 1 pound or 0.5 kg under sufferance at the weights and who goes up from 87 to 89.

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There were no other ratings increases, but four horses were given a drop. MIND READER is down from 102 to 101, BEQUEST drops from 90 to 87, BELLA CHICA was trimmed from 105 to 104, and lastly THUMBS UP was dropped from 103 to 102.

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70 Grant van Niekerk guides Santa Maria to a facile victory

Pauline Herman

TRIPPI’S 85 STAKES STRIKE TH

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Drakenstein Stud’s evergreen champion sire Trippi came up with his 85th stakes winner when his three-year-old daughter Santa Maria ran out a facile winner of the Listed Lady’s Pendant at Fairview on Friday.

A well backed favourite following good efforts in both the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes (4th) and Gr2 WSB Live Casino Southern Cross (3rd), the Candice BassRobinson trained filly more than lived up to expectations in Friday’s sprint feature.

Despite taking a misstep close home, Santa Maria powered clear, under Grant Van Niekerk, to land the 2022 Lady’s Pendant by an emphatic two lengths.

Bred and owned by Drakenstein Stud, Santa Maria has now won four of just ten starts, with the filly having finished third in both the Listed World Sports Betting Perfect Promise Sprint and Listed Tabonline.co.za Irridescence Stakes as a two-year-old.

on the same Trippi/Fort Wood cross as Gr1 winner Real Princess and talented sprinter Mombela.

She is one of a growing number of high-class performers to have emerged from Trippi’s current crop of three-year-olds with this crop also including the graded stakes winners Amanzimtoti, Sound Of Warning, and Trip Of Fortune.

Out of the Fort Wood mare Cutty Sark, Santa Maria is bred

The Merits SANTA MARIA remains unchanged on a rating of 106 following her win in the Listed Lady’s Bracelet for fillies and mares over 1200m on the Fairview turf course on Friday 25 February. It was in fact SANTA MARIA herself who was used as the line horse when assessing this race, hence her unaltered rating. There were ratings

increases for two horses. 3rd placed FLY MY FLAG goes up from 95 to 100, while 6th finisher FREEDOM SEEKER, who was a full 18 pounds out at the weights with the winner, was raised from 88 to 96 to make her the equal of 7th placed STEP LIVELY, who was dropped from 97 to 96.

In addition to STEP LIVELY, five other horses were given a rating’s drop. Runner-up

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JOYFUL NOISE drops from 106 to 104, GREEN LIGHT GAL is down from 96 to 94, PHIL’S DANCER drops to 99 from 101, CARIOCA was cut from 106 to 105, and lastly LOLLAPALOOZA is down from 89 to 87.

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Resonate charges clear under Grant van Niekerk to beat Good Traveller (Louis Mxothwa) 74 Resonate charges clear under Grant van Niekerk to beat Good Traveller (Louis Mxothwa)

Pauline Herman

CANDICE’S FAIRVIEW FEATURE DOUBLE

Resonate charges clear under Grant van Niekerk to beat Good Traveller (Louis Mxothwa) 75

Klawervlei Stud’s established sire Twice Over has some top-class three-year-olds to his name this season, and the former European champion enjoyed more success with his sophomores when Twice Over’s son Resonate won the Listed Ibhayi Stakes at Fairview on Friday afternoon.

Santa Maria, allowed Resonate to settle at the back of the field in Friday’s feature, before bringing Resonate with a sustained late run which saw the pair power away to down Equus Champion Good Traveller by a length.

A second Listed winner on the day for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson, Resonate was given an uber confident ride by Grant Van Niekerk.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, the gelded Resonate has now won three of his eight starts.

His four time Gr1 winning sire Twice Over is enjoying a sensational season with his three-year-olds headed by Gr1 Cape Guineas winner

The latter, who had won the previous feature aboard

It was another five and a quarter lengths back to third place finisher Safari Blue.

Double Superlative and other talented sorts Senso Unico, the aforementioned Resonate and Smorgasbord, to name but a few.

Also sire of dual Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner, and former Horse Of The Year, Do It Again, Twice Over made headlines when his Klawervlei consigned son made R2 000 000 to top the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

The Merits RESONATE has had his rating raised from 101 to 104 after his success in the Listed Ibhayi Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m at Fairview on Friday. Here it was 3rd placed SAFARI BLUE who was deemed to

make for the best line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 93.

The winner aside, the only other increase was for 2nd placed GOOD TRAVELLER, who goes up from 106 to 110.

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There were drops for three horses. 4th placed PEACE IN OUR WORLD is down from 96 to 94, SON OF ZEUS drops to 76 from 78, and lastly MARYAH is down from 102 to 100.

Singapore Turf Club

Ridgemont Highlands-bred Katak wins well under Danny Beasley

RIDGEMONT RULE THE ROOST! The Ridgemont Highlandsbred Cape Winter Series Champion Katak crowned a Super Saturday for the champion Robertson nursery.

The team also bred the winner of the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth, and shouted home another Australian

stakes winner for their proven international sire and five-time Gr1 winner, Canford Cliffs.

With their Gr1 winning young stallion Rafeef registering five local winners in just three days, it’s been a time to remember for the Kieswetter family operation, who only recently celebrated the arrival of the exciting SA Triple Crown Champion Malmoos (Captain

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Al) who joined the farm’s stallion roster just under a fortnight ago.

Leading Owner Marsh Shirtliff, a partner in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power, was over the moon after his champion Katak registered his second win at Kranji on Saturday with

an emphatic showing in the SG$100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1600m.

The five-year-old entire by Ridgemont Highlands’Gr1winning stallion Potala Palace landed in Singapore unbeaten in five runs, and with the Cape Winter Series Triple Crown to his name.

But after a quiet start that included a second to Hard Too Think in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the globetrotting Katak was under the spotlight to find his form.

In six starts, Katak has now

taken his local record to two wins and one second for stakes earnings that have just tipped over the SG$200,000 mark for the Vasco Stable.

There was more celebration earlier on Saturday at Ridgemont Highlands when Canford Cliffs registered his 20th international stakes winner following Canford (ex Sorenstam by Encosta De Lago) winning the A$ 62 500 Gr3 Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville.

He now boasts seven wins and 12 placings from 44

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starts and over A$300,000 in prizemoney and will head straight to next month’s Gr2 Adelaide Cup. The Ridgemont Highlandsbred Duke Of Marmalade colt We’re Jamming opened the Cape Derby Day feature programme at Kenilworth on Saturday when winning the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.

What a day!

TIGER IS OUT Tiger Roll has officially been ruled out of a historic Randox Grand National hat-trick bid, but Gordon Elliott believes the legendary veteran remains the one to beat in this month's Glenfarclas Cross Country if retaining most of his old ability.

The Racing Post reports that Michael O'Leary reaffirmed his stance on Sunday that the dual Grand National hero would not be returning to Liverpool on April 9 due to a "ridiculous rating and unfair weight", but confirmation of the move came on Tuesday when Tiger Roll was officially scratched from the race.

A total of 14 horses were removed from the £1 million spectacular, including fellow Irish-trained entrants Eklat de Rire, Off You Go, The Big Dog, Assemble, Mister Fogpatches, Eurobot and Brace Yourself.

On how much ability he believes Tiger Roll still retains, considering his uninspiring form this season, Elliott said: "There's only one place I care about winning with this horse and it's Cheltenham.

"I'd say his run last time in a handicap hurdle at Navan was equal to what he showed [the previous year] in the Boyne Hurdle, and everyone said he had no chance.

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HASSEN GOES GREEN The first son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight likely to go to stud in SA, Joey Soma’s five-time Gr1 winner and multiple Equus Champion Got The Greenlight sold for R4 750 000 to existing shareholder Hassen Adams at an auction after the final race at Kenilworth on Cape Derby Day. Got The Greenlight raced just 21 times for eight wins and ten places.

He won the Premier’s Champion Stakes as a twoyear-old, the SA Classic and the Daily News at three and the Horse Chestnut Stakes and the Premier’s Challenge at four, defeating the country’s best. He also finished second and third respectively in successive Durban Julys.

Got The Greenlight won a Group 1 race as a 2yo, 3yo and 4yo.

Got The Greenlight raced for the partnership of Dayalan Chinsammy, Hassen Adams and Joey Soma and won from 1200m – 2000m. The auction was to dissolve the partnership.

He was trained throughout his career by Joey Soma.

The Sporting Post believes that the champion is likely to stand at Nadeson Park.

NO NONSENSE FINE Leading Hong Kong trainer Frankie Lor has been slapped with a massive fine for having family visit his apartment, breaching the ‘racing bubble’ created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Stewards docked the 56-year-old HK$600,000 (R1,2 million) for the indiscretion, “having acted in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct of racing under the control and direction of the club.”

With Covid-19 raging in Hong Kong, the HKJC has banned anyone living in club-sponsored apartments from having visitors while also suspending ‘cross-household gatherings’ in an effort to continue racing during the pandemic.

Lor, who lives on-course at Sha Tin, pleaded guilty to breaking that rule twice, on February 17 and 25, with one of the visitors, believed to be his daughter-in-law, subsequently testing positive.

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EQUINE MANAGEMENT POSITION – AGTER PAARL Sorrento Stud is one of the Cape’s leading backing, pre-training and spelling facilities.

A Boarding Stud, Sorrento is situated in Agter Paarl and has been in operation for 35 years. We have bred Gr1 winners for clients and for ourselves.

We offer: A competitive remuneration package including a threebedroom house in Perdeberg (close to both Paarl & Durbanville).

A Manager is sought to perform the following functions: • Foaling • Foal care • Yearling Sales Prep • Ready To Run Sales prep • Administering of prescribed medication • Client liaison • General related administration • Oversee staff Requirements: • Must be of sober habits • Licenced to drive a double berth float • Three contactable references 81

We regret - limited pets & no cats permitted.

Email: Annabel at mwsorren@mweb.co.za

MANDLA IS THE LUCKY TH 2000 !

Lauded as one of the most meaningful and valued initiatives introduced in recent years, the Gold Circle-Hollywoodbets Grooms reward incentive of R1000 for every KZN winner has been widely acknowledged.

This is in addition to the 1%

of stakes that the Grooms receive.

On Monday Mandla Mgewu, who looks after Andre Nel’s first race winner Antico Amore, received a R2000 award as the Master Of My Fate filly’s victory marked the 2000th Grooms’ Initiative winner.

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Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle also recently announced the Groom’s Double-Up, which is an increase in the awards for the Grooms of winning horses in KZN from R1 000 to R2 000 per race, for the months of March, April and May.

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Saudi Cup

Wigberto Ramos drives Emblem Road to a shock win

ROAD TO DESTRUCTION FOR PUNTERS! In a Saudi Cup packed with international superstars, it was the local horse Emblem Road who caused an almighty upset at 80-1 in the world’s richest horse race on Saturday evening in Riyadh.

The four-year-old colt broke last of all in the field of 14 in the $20 million Gr1 race and travelled wide before launching a sustained challenge under jockey Wigberto Ramos.

The Racing Post reports that Emblem Road closed down the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer to win by half a length, with another American runner Midnight Bourbon in third.

The well-bred son of Quality Road took his record to seven wins from nine starts for local trainer Mitab Almulawah, who also scooped fourth with 2019 Chester Cup winner Making Miracles.

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Watch the replay Assistant trainer Hisham Albulwahed told Racing TV: “The Kingdom has gone crazy today, we have to party everywhere. To put our names on the Cup, that’s an amazing thing for the Kingdom and for us. We started from the beginning of the season and worked hard to get to this point and today we won. It means so much to us.”

When asked about a potential Dubai World Cup bid at Meydan on March 26, Albulwahed added: “Why not? We can do it like today.”

Last year’s winner Mishriff, who was sent off favourite, was under pressure from his draw in stall 14 and was a beaten horse turning for home under David Egan to eventually finish last.

“He’s better than that,” Egan said. “He didn’t jump as sharply as he did last year and was on the back foot. We slowly crept up and got into a nice position but once we

turned into the bend he was struggling a long way out and it was definitely not him.

“Something must be amiss but hopefully he’s all right. I looked after him and hopefully he’ll have another day.”

Country Grammer was narrowly denied a second toplevel success after snatching the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes in June under Flavien Prat.

Prat said: “I thought I had the job done. He ran great, had a great trip and there are no excuses. He proved what a

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good horse he is.”

Sealiway, who was last seen defeating Mishriff in October’s Champion Stakes, failed to handle the dirt under Ryan Moore and dropped away tamely.

The Japanese had already claimed four races on the lucrative Saudi Cup card but neither TO Keynes or Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine were able to land a blow.

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results up to: 2022-03-01

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

785 655 468 303 420

Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mrs C L Bass-Robinson

104 123 52 59 59

13.2.

18.8 11.1 19.5 14.0

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

98 93 44 45 42

103 70 48 33 40

172 132 87 60 105

8,307,775 12,457,338 7,280,188 10,578,438 4,357,250 6,325,938 4,502,438 6,169,250 3,204,900 5,207,450

373 295 179 138 187

47.5 45.0 38.2 45.5 44.5

Total Stakes (R)

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr R D Fourie Mr M A Yeni Mr K de Melo

1007 709 542 866 639

153 85 95 107 88

135 79 71 102 76

193 140 112 185 144

8,984,125 13,589,338 8,392,825 11,508,338 7,376,550 10,042,763 5,098,063 8,624,513 5,738,950 8,802,650

166 117 104 98 97

16.5 16.5 19.2 11.3 15.2

481 304 278 394 308

47.8 42.9 51.3 45.5 48.2

Total Stakes (R)

BREEDERS Name

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

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

252 1075 302 1313

51,171 112 152 41,484 99 124

44.4 429 32.8 512

9 6

11 7

12,895,150 12,528,063

133 128 109

69,542 57,040 50,098

43.6 239 36.7 224 41.3 226

12 4 5

13 5 5

9,249,150 7,301,175 5,460,638

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

11 7 8 1 1

8,406,500 7,795,925 7,332,000 7,274,163 6,649,125

577 542 468

58 47 45

86 71 60

SIRES Name Vercingetorix Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) * Silvano (GER) Master Of My Fate Querari (GER)

Runrs Runs AEPR 135 157 137 161 163

573 656 551 732 700

62,270 49,656 53,518 45,181 40,792

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 61 60 56 70 59

84 80 78 89 81

45.2 38.2 40.9 43.5 36.2

242 267 235 332 289

See all the detailed standings - Click here 87

8 7 6 1 1

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BLUE OR RED? TAKE YOUR PICK! It is the battle of Manchester! Blue welcomes Red, a city divided by pride and colour for all of the right reasons, choruses in a truly titanic clash between two bitter, bitter rivals.

The noisy neighbours have become landowners and the old guard is somewhat slipping, but the rivalry is ever-renewed by history old

and new. It’s the Manchester derby – get ready for this!

Manchester City vs Manchester United | Sunday 6 March | Etihad Stadium | 18h30 To Win (90 mins) Manchester City 13/20 Draw 29/10 Manchester United 38/10

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Manchester City

Ryan Liberty writes that Manchester City have not been at their free-flowing best over the last couple games, and yet even in and amidst this supposed ‘crisis’ at the Etihad, they have still been able to create enough chances to remind everyone of the quality Pep Guardiola possesses in this very special team.

It’s almost as though Pep Guardiola has heard the calls (often dressed as banter) chorusing from the Soccer Betting News office urging Guardiola to ‘take domestic competitions seriously’ and field stronger sides. He rested stars on Tuesday against Peterborough, but then again in the words of Diego Simeone, he is playing one of the best teams in the world!

The last time City played at the Etihad, they shipped three goals and lost to a spirited Tottenham side…that game is interesting to me – not so much because of the result as it is about the way in which Antonio Conte seemingly kept his side fighting throughout the game.

Tottenham’s side play and pivotal striking ability seemed to ask questions of City and almost seemed to keep them honest insofar as not allowing City’s defensive players to drop into the midfield freely and add numbers to an area of the pitch in which they want to dominate.

This is something I wouldn’t be surprised to see employed

by Ralf Rangnick come Sunday evening. Of course, the only concern is that United’s midfield is relatively static, with Fred the only player happy to bust a gut or two in defending space and ball!

Yes, this is the same Fred (I

included) we all shout at the television asking him to ‘get rid of it!’

Manchester United This could be the game United make a statement and turn it all around…or indeed capitulate and fold once again. Unfortunately, the latter is often more likely and probably accepted already by United fans around the globe.

However! This is 2022 and in the words of Ne-Yo ‘we’re too fly to be depressed’.

United still have serious issues, that isn’t a surprise though.

They have consistently been inconsistent and disjointed.

Their performance at Atletico Madrid was not good enough to be a performance in the last 16 of the Champions League and their inability to put Watford to the sword was simply unacceptable for a team littered with talent from the keeper to the water-boy.

The saving grace I am admittedly clinging onto with this United side, is that under Ralf Rangnick they have a supreme knack of getting a result even when they have been bitterly poor and probably deserved a loss.

Manchester United have a squad which on paper is amongst the very best in world football. I will say that with my chest and promise to not even flinch a little. Yes, football doesn’t care about paper and

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such sentiments are derailed week in and week out. But, with the amount of quality on offer you just can’t help but wonder ‘what if today?’ – and if Sunday is the day, would you really be that shocked with a United win?

The talk and assumption at United and its success also obviously includes Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo. The former as been unable to find consistent form since his return from injury – a positive advertisement for United possibly? The latter meanwhile continues to split opinion.

His talent is unmatched and what he has achieved in his illustrious career is and will never be disputed, but his recent form rings in question marks and unfortunately at times the consensus seems to be that he doesn’t do enough when United are under pressure!

Nevertheless, these sorts of games were made for such players – so let’s see how this all unfolds.

Prediction: Manchester United/Draw (17/10) Now before the calvary call for me to never again cover a United feature – hear me out! Manchester United have not been playing brilliant football – however they do (in my humble opinion) have a squad capable of matching Manchester City in every area of the pitch.

Manchester City have been blowing hot and cold, they too have not been able to register and consistently put together performances worthy of their recent history. I think that if Manchester United are able

to stay in the game through the midfield battle and have their big-name players come to party off of the back of a free week – they can take something out of this game.

Therefore, ignore the tip and the 17/10 price that is subsequently available at your own risk!

Plenty At Stake!

The PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open takes place on the Composite Course at the Grand Reserve Country Club from 3 to 6 March.

the elite at Arnie’s playground.

You always have to feel for these ‘opposite’ events.

A player can have the weekend of his career and the golfing world will barely register his achievement.

But there is actually plenty at stake this week whilst the big dogs tee it up at Bay Hill.

Formally known as the Coco Beach Golf Club, Grand Reserve is a unique resort course that is actually a composite of two separate courses (which had previously been four nine-hole courses designed by Tom Kite in 2004).

Victory here will ensure your PGA Tour playing rights until the end of the 2023/2024 season. The Puerto Rico Open has always been played as an opposite event. But it has generally coincided with a WGC event.

This will be the first time it is played concurrently with the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Greg Kraft won the inaugural staging of this event back in 2008 and this will be the 14th edition of this event (the 2018 renewal was cancelled due to the havoc caused by Hurricane Maria).

Branden Grace won’t be defending his title this year, selecting to compete with

But few will forget his emotional victory last year having just recently lost his father to Covid 19.

The unique Paspalum grass will be familiar to anyone who has played the Mayakoba Classic at El Camaleon. This course plays at around 7,500 yards. That may sound long but many shorter hitters have triumphed here.

For every Tony Finau you have a Scott Brown on the winner’s rollcall. What you do from the tee seems to be largely irrelevant. Much like Bay Hill, it’s all about finding greens in regulation.

The real factor to deal with at this exposed layout is the wind. Branden Grace is a brilliant links exponent who hits the ball at a lower trajectory than most. That was key to his91 victory here last year.

Also look for players familiar with El Camaleon and Corales Golf Club (both of which feature this idiosyncratic Paspalum grass).

These events always offer an interesting variety of contenders. Former World Number One Luke Donald will be teeing it up this week. You have a healthy amount of grizzled PGA veterans looking to regain a semblance of relevance this week.

The likes of Aaron Baddelay and Bill Haas fall into that category. Then you have players like Mark Hubbard who generally ply their trade on the Korn Ferry Tour. The upper reaches of this week’s market has a distinctly European feel to it.

Matthias Schwab is coming off a top 10 finish at the Honda Classic and currently leads the markets. Wouldn’t it be crazy if he makes it back-to-back Austrian winners after Straka’s heroics last week?

The likes of Victor Perez and Rafa Cabrera Bello bring some much-needed pizzazz to proceedings.

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