SP Sprint - Wednesday 02 April 2025

THE MUNGER GAMES!

Ryan Munger capped a remarkable return to Africa and his old homeground, crowned with victory on the outstanding William Robertson in the TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on Champions Day. He grabbed a win in his final ride when My Soul Mate won the 4Racing Listed Caradoc Gold Cup. Ryan now returns to Canada. He is living proof of the polish added by a stint overseas. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

DUBAI WORLD CUP ‘25

06

Our Bok Isi!

Dubai World Cup time

17 National Yearling Sale 2025 A bumper supplement

57 Ormond Ferraris A deserved accolade

60 Simply Superb A new stallion for Blue Sky

116

On the cover Candiese Lenferna captured this moment with Ormond Ferraris at Turffontein last Saturday. The 93 year old former trainer was inducted into the SA Hall Of Fame. Please read more on page 57.

Issue: 13/2025

World’s Best Sprinter Sha Tin showdown – a thriller!

DUBAI WORLD CUP DAY SATURDAY FORECAST - A STORM OVER MEYDAN

Although it’s been twelve years since Graham Motion celebrated what he labels a career highlight when winning the Dubai World Cup with 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, the Maryland-based veteran is ready to thrill South African racing fans at Meydan on Saturday when champion Isivunguvungu lines up in the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint.

While the veteran conceded that he is better known for training longer distance horses, he says that Isivunguvungu rates right up there with the best sprinters he has had in his care.

“He is as impressive a horse as I have seen in morning work-outs.”

Graham was hurriedly readying himself to pack and grab the Dubai flight on Monday evening when chatting to the Sporting Post earlier this week.

“It’ll be exciting to get back, it’s been a while,” says the man born in Cambridge, England. He confirmed that there is nothing that gets the juices flowing more than competing in these international events.

“What a special journey! The planning that goes into it and being able to represent my South African owners is a big thrill for all of us and not something that we take lightly.

He is a special horse and hopefully gets a chance to give a good account of himself on Saturday.”

His is an interesting journey, from winning two Gr1’s here in South Africa for Peter Muscutt, to winning on US debut for Graham Motion at Colonial Downs, to finishing a creditable seventh in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He started this year with a third in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa, a performance which had his trainer satisfied.

We asked Graham if the 6yo speed demon is up to the task in a competitive race?

“I think now that he’s been with us for almost a year he has had a chance to settle in. Last year he couldn’t miss a beat in order to make the Breeders Cup so I could never let up on him. I think this has shown to be the case with Beach Bomb who has put together two very strong efforts after having a break. If Isi is up to his A game he can be competitive!”

Dean Kannemeyer was at pains on Monday to stress the importance of a horse travelling well – he was talking about the 1600 odd km from Cape Town to Durban. What about the arduous intercontinental trip undertaken by the Narrow Creek-bred son of What A Winter?

“The travelling has been smooth. So far so good. And to look at the build-up, you could say perhaps that he should have won his prep but it was exactly that, a prep. The timing was perfect, he ran very well and has had two solid bits of work since.”

He explained that as Isivunguvungu had been in Dubai for a week already, he would just be galloping and cantering up to the race.

We asked if Isi had seen the Meydan course.

“He has galloped over the dirt course since last Thursday but will not step on the grass before Saturday. His preparation was really done at home. Now it’s about getting him to Saturday in the best possible physical and mental shape,” adds Graham.

A ten-time champion in France, Belgian-born Christophe Soumillon rode Isivunguvungu twice in South Africa. Graham is clearly pleased with the engagement.

As to the barrier draw and opposition, Graham says that it being a straight race, there is not really a bad draw as such, but he’d like to be in the middle if he had the choice.

“It’s a decent field as befitting a well-endowed Grade 1 race. I am familiar with a couple of the European horses who have very solid form.”

South African success on World Cup night is nothing new, but due to quarantine restrictions one must go back to 2015 and Mubtaahij, trained by Mike De Kock, for our last success on Dubai World Cup night.

A decade is too long! Isi can raise the SA flag on Saturday!

The first race at Meydan is off at 14h35.

You can enjoy every stride of the action on Gallop TV and more exciting news – the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge is set to debut at Meydan on Saturday. Watch the press for details or visit www.punterschallenge. hollywoodbets.net

Graham Motion – ready to raise the SA flag at Meydan | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

MEYDAN SCHEDULE CHANGE

Key Update: First Race at 14h35 | Race 9 Dubai World Cup at 19h30. Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook:

“Safety of horses, jockeys and guests is our top priority.”

Dubai Racing Club announced on Tuesday that due to an unforeseen weather forecast, and in an effort to ensure the comfort of all jockeys and the safety of the horses participating in the 2025 Dubai World Cup, on Saturday 5 April, as well as the well-being of all guests attending this landmark event, a minor adjustment to the day’s schedule has been made, to a later start time.

The first race at Meydan Racecourse, the Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic is set for 14h35.

The highly anticipated main event, the Dubai World Cup, will take place at 19h30, followed by a spectacular Closing Ceremony worthy of the occasion. Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said:

“Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of horses, jockeys and guests is our top priority, the decision has been made to adjust the start time of the Dubai World Cup day. We remain fully committed to delivering an exceptional event filled with thrilling horseracing, world class hospitality, and a truly magical atmosphere befitting the Dubai World Cup.”

The Dubai World Cup is the world’s most spectacular race day and one of region’s biggest sporting and social occasions. All tickets, hospitality packages, and related bookings will remain in place, with the later timings to be adhered to.

Ed – the times have been quoted for our SA readers.

Riding Master Position

A vacancy has arisen at the South African Jockey Academy, Cape Town branch. The Academy is seeking to appoint a Riding Master who will be responsible for fostering the development of young elite sportsmen and women.

The successful candidate will work within a team environment under the guidance of the National Riding Master and must understand the high demands of training young apprentice jockeys to become elite professionals. Applicants should have a strong sporting background and an ability to work effectively with adolescents.

Requirements:

• A solid understanding of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

• A Training and Assessing qualification is preferred. If not held, the candidate will be required to obtain this qualification.

• Strong ability to mentor adolescents through a demanding apprenticeship.

• Ability to work effectively within a team environment.

• High levels of integrity.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and public relations capabilities.

• Computer literacy and technological aptitude.

• Self-motivated, eager to learn, and driven to impart skills and knowledge in a training and learning environment.

• Willingness to live on the property and fulfill housemaster duties during the week and on weekends.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the holistic development of apprentice jockeys, guiding them to become qualified professional jockeys.

• Develop a tailored progression path for each apprentice.

• Conduct regular assessments of apprentices to monitor and guide their development.

• Take apprentices to track work daily and accompany them to race meetings.

• Handle necessary administrative tasks.

• Be an integral part of the Multidisciplinary Team.

Package: To be negotiated.

To apply, please send a brief CV (max 2 pages) along with a one-page motivation letter to headmaster@theacademy.co.za. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 29th April 2025 at 4:00 pm. The Academy reserves the right not to make an appointment. Submission of an application does not automatically entitle the applicant to an interview.

TUZ, MIXTO CARRY DWC HOPES FOR CALUMET FARM

Tadhg O’Shea aboard Tuz, one of two chances on Dubai World Cup night for the stories Calumet Farm | Credit: Dubai Racing Club/Liesl King

When one thinks of the Calumet Farm of old, legends of the American turf such as Citation, Whirlaway, Tim Tam and the great Alydar come to mind. Now a breeding and racing operation owned by successful businessman Brad Kelley, Calumet has the distinction of being represented by a couple of horses at Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting; one a product of their breeding operation and the other who will carry the farm’s black colours and gold chevrons in the main event.

Calumet Farm is the breeder of defending Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Tuz, whose sire Oxbow was purchased by Kelley and his team for $250,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in 2011 before going on to win the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes in 2013. Tuz cost his connections just $7,000 at Keeneland in 2018.

“It’s always nice to have a horse you bred that goes on and does well,” said Calumet’s General Manager Eddie Kane, who signed the ticket on Oxbow.

“Breeding is why we’re in the game and it’s especially nice to have a horse by Oxbow, who we bought as a yearling. It’s always fun to see that.”

Runners bred by Calumet accumulated better than $13 million in earnings in 2024, second only to Godolphin among breeders in North America.

It was at the breeze-up sales that Calumet sourced Mixto, whose own sire Good Magic has already been represented by a Kentucky Derby and a Belmont Stakes winner. Calumet parted with $140,000 at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April Sale in 2022 despite the colt perhaps not showing his true ability while breezing over a synthetic track.

“Mr. Kelley likes the offspring of Good Magic and [Mixto] didn’t have the greatest workout, but [two-year-old consignor] Paul Sharp, who is a very good horseman, said: ‘Eddie, I promise you, he’s much better on the dirt.’” Kane related. “So that helped us in our decision making to go on and buy the horse. [Trainer] Doug [O’Neill] has liked him from the get-go.” Though he required seven tries to break his maiden, Mixto has always been treated like a top-class galloper and validated his connections’ confidence with a 22-1 boilover in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic over the World Cup distance of 10 furlongs (about 2000 metres) at Del Mar last summer.

Kane is looking for a similar effort this weekend from their charge, whose rider knows his way to the Meydan winner’s enclosure.

“Hopefully he runs good and it’s nice to know that Frankie Dettori is going to ride him for us,” said Kane.

The Italian reinsman has won the World Cup no fewer than four times, including with American shipper Country Grammer in 2022.

DUBAI WORLD CUP BEAMED TO 170 COUNTRIES

The Dubai Racing Club has announced that the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup fixture, set to take place at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday will be broadcast in a record 170 countries worldwide with 37 broadcasters covering the event.

The fixture is acknowledged as the world’s most international race day, with more than a dozen countries set to be represented across the nine showpiece races, headlined by the $12 million (AED 44 million) Dubai World Cup.

The broadcasters lined up to cover the event live include Channel 7, which will show the event for the first time on mainstream TV in Australia, a leading Canadian sports network Sportsnet, and Fancode, which has 160 million users in India.

Other major broadcasters include Fox Sports in the US, ESPN / Star+ in South America, SuperSport in Africa and Eurovision, Viaplay and Setanta Sports in Europe.

The region will be served by Dubai Racing Channel, Yas TV (Abu Dhabi) and Saudi Sports Channel, while the Southeast Asian audience will enjoy coverage via Green Channel, Fuji TV, Kansai and NetKeiba (Japan) and HKJC TV, Cable TV, Now TV and TVB (Hong Kong). The race will also be available to selected cruise lines and airlines, including title sponsor Emirates Airline. CNN Worldwide, which reaches more than 347 million households, is covering the race for its World Sport programme.

SA viewers can watch all the action on Gallop TV or via DStv channel 240.

FOURIE ON FIRE!

Fire Attack (Richard Fourie) withstands a challenge from Royal Victory (Muzi Yeni) | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

In the second consecutive Grade 1 finish of a drama charged 2025 Champions Day to be decided in the Stipes’ boardroom, Alec Laird’s Fire Away colt Fire Attack benefitted from a superb ride by reigning SA Champion Richard Fourie to win the HKJC World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champion Challenge.

In a titanic struggle to the wire, the 3yo Fire Attack had to withstand a courageous onslaught from the 5yo defending champion Royal Victory, with the two coming together in the final 200m.

Muzi Yeni, who rode the runner-up, lodged an objection on the grounds of interference in the latter stages, but his appeal was overruled, with the deposit refunded.

After a tactical call to drop the smart Fire Attack out, Fourie bravely used the initiative off a slow pace to take his mount around the field to up the ante.

The move proved decisive, and after Royal Victory (5-1) moved up menacingly down the inside rail at the 300m, it was Fire Attack (13-10) who dug deep and passed the post in front, a quarter length ahead of his senior, and clocking a time of 128,28 secs for the 2000m.

Purple Pitcher (6-1) ran another game race in third.

The winner’s sire, Wilgerbosdrift’s War Front stallion Fire Away, only marked his maiden Grade 1 success a month ago when Confederate won the TAB Gr1 SA Classic at Turffontein - beating Fire Attack in the process.

A R450 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Fire Attack has now won 3 of his 11 starts with 5 places for stakes of R2 140 760.

A past SA Nursery winner, Fire Attack, is out of the Mambo In Seattle mare Bonnie Beers. His class looks to have gotten him here and it will be interesting to see where his connections aim him from here.

Sadly Son Of Raj appeared to go wrong in running and finished a distance off.

Muzi Yeni and runner-up Royal Victory – unsuccessful objection led to plenty of debate | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

ANOTHER GR1 FOR FATAL FLAW

Gavin Lerena celebrates as Fatal Flaw produces the goods | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

James

Crawford had hardly started his high school career when Dad Brett first won the R1 million TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes. On Saturday he enjoyed the honour of saddling the racing family’s next winner in the prestigious contest, when Fatal Flaw went pillar to post to win the 2025 renewal.

Present day Hong Kong star Karis Teetan booted the Klawervlei-bred Thunder Dance home for the Crawford yard under the lights on a memorable Friday evening back in April 2013, and there could be some sentimental positivity that the daughter of Thunder Dance went on to win the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes of the same year – a likely next target for the 3yo Fatal Flaw, who ran a cracker on Saturday.

Now in a Hollywoodbets-sponsored father-son training partnership with Brett headed for Hong Kong in a matter of months, the new generation arrived courtesy of the 2024 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw (9-4), who was always in command and went on powerfully

under Gavin Lerena to withstand a niggling and persistent pursuit by the revitalized Spumante Dolce (28-10) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 101,23 secs for the mile.

Piere Strydom always gets the best tune out of White Pearl (8-1), and the way the master kept the grey covered until late, saw her sneak her way in to grab third, a length back.

Let’s Go Now (20-1) ran on from way back, for a 4,05 length fourth.

Backers of VJ’s Angel binned their tickets a couple of hundred metres into the race. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight was always struggling at the rear.

James Crawford was on record that he would have preferred one prep run, but there are no text books in this game and Fatal Flaw proved him wrong.

Bred by Laurence Wernars, the winner, who races for ASSM Racing Syndicate, who also own the third-placed White Pearl, is by the ill-fated New Approach stallion New Predator out of the five-time winning Rock Of Gibralatar mare, Alinga. A R210 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Fatal Flaw took her earnings to R1 978 688 with her fourth win with 5 places from 11 starts.

The going was changed to soft earlier on in the afternoon, in consultation with the jockeys.

The R1 million Champions Day Pick 6 carryover, which kicked off in the fourth race, was projected to reach R5 million. It fell some way short at R3,6 million.

Like father, like son – James Crawford is following in the footsteps of his Dad, Brett | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

TARRY LEGEND MAKES IT FOURTH SA DERBY

Sean Tarry saddled his fourth R1 250 000 TAB Gr1 SA Derby winner at Turffontein on Saturday when the Lancaster Bomber colt Legend Of Arthur was produced down the outside of the soft track by the rampant Richard Fourie to secure a thrilling victory.

The reigning SA champion, Fourie is unstoppable some days, and booted home his second success in the SA Derby (Aragosta was his first), and his second Gr1 of the big afternoon, after also winning the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery earlier on in the day on Eastern Cape visitor, Golden Palm.

A likely 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July assignment was mentioned as a possible target for Legend Of Arthur by the former multiple SA champion trainer, whose first SA Derby winner Pomodoro followed the same route 13 years ago.

Tarry also saddled champion Legal Eagle (2015) and Al Sahem (2017) to win the 2450m Grade 1, the traditional third leg of the SA Triple Crown.

Fourie rode a peach of a race on Legend Of Arthur, dropping him out early as Solar Sail led the charge, before angling him out – probably further than he would have chosen – as Casus Belli brought the field into the home straight, ahead of Solar Sail and Wild Intent.

Richard Fourie has Legend Of Arthur flying up wide out to withstand a challenge from Gavin Lerena and Wild Intent– Jarryd Penny and Solar Sail (obscured, centre) were not disgraced | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The reigning SA champion, Fourie is unstoppable some days, and booted home his second success in the SA Derby (Aragosta was his first), and his second Gr1 of the big afternoon, after also winning the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery earlier on in the day on Eastern Cape visitor, Golden Palm.

A likely 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July assignment was mentioned as a possible target for Legend Of Arthur by the former multiple SA

champion trainer, whose first SA Derby winner Pomodoro followed the same route 13 years ago.

Tarry also saddled champion Legal Eagle (2015) and Al Sahem (2017) to win the 2450m Grade 1, the traditional third leg of the SA Triple Crown.

Fourie rode a peach of a race on Legend Of Arthur, dropping him out early as Solar Sail led

the charge, before angling him out – probably further than he would have chosen – as Casus Belli brought the field into the home straight, ahead of Solar Sail and Wild Intent.

The reigning SA champion, Fourie is unstoppable some days, and booted home his second success in the SA Derby (Aragosta was his first), and his second Gr1 of the big afternoon, after also winning the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery earlier on in the day on

Eastern Cape visitor, Golden Palm.

A likely 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July assignment was mentioned as a possible target for Legend Of Arthur by the former multiple SA champion trainer, whose first SA Derby winner Pomodoro followed the same route 13 years ago.

Tarry also saddled champion Legal Eagle (2015) and Al Sahem (2017) to win the 2450m

Daniel Tarry and the Sean Tarry Racing Team lead in Richard Fourie and winner Legend Of Arthur Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Grade 1, the traditional third leg of the SA Triple Crown.

Fourie rode a peach of a race on Legend Of Arthur, dropping him out early as Solar Sail led the charge, before angling him out – probably further than he would have chosen –as Casus Belli brought the field into the home straight, ahead of Solar Sail and Wild Intent.

In a three-way duel to the wire, Gavin Lerena threw the kitchen sink at Wild Intent (6-1) down the inside as Jarryd Penny kept coming back for more on Mark Khan’s Solar Sail (66-1). But at the line, Fourie held the ace as Legend

Of Arthur (4-1) proved a touch better, beating Wild Intent by a quarter length in a time of 159,61 secs.

Solar Sail ran out of his skin in third, just 0,20 lengths back. The Magner filly Olivia’s Way ran her heart out to seal fourth.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, the winner is by deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of the four-time winning Galileo mare, Grail Maiden.

This was Grail Maiden’s second SA Derby success after Hero’s Honour (Await The Dawn) won for Gary Alexander and Mark Khan in 2018.

Legend Of Arthur has now won 3 races with 3 places from 9 starts for stakes of R1 213 125.

BOMBER’S INFLUENCE TO ENDURE

The premature loss of Lancaster Bomber (War Front) was a sad setback to the South African thoroughbred industry. This fact was underlined further on Saturday.

Lancaster Bomber colt Legend Of Arthur won Saturday’s TAB Gr1 SA Derby, while his top-class daughter Beach Bomb claimed her second consecutive graded race in North America.

In landing the Derby, Legend Of Arthur became the fifth Gr1 winner for his sire, who sadly left just two crops behind him.

The progressive Legend Of Arthur is one of six black type horses to have emerged from his sire’s second and final crop.

Lancaster Bomber’s second crop is headed by star colt Eight On Eighteen, a winner of four of eight starts including this season’s World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met and SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby.

War Front’s ill-fated son Lancaster Bomber | Credit: Drakenstein Stud

Other smart performers to have emerged from this crop include Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship runner-up Beware The Bomb and Listed Wolf Power 1600 runner-up Chestnut Bomber.

Legend Of Arthur is out of the top-class producer Grail Maiden, whose sire Galileo also ranks as the broodmare sire of War Front’s Gr1 winners Fog Of War, Full Count Felicia, Roly Poly and U S Navy Flag.

Coincidentally, Saturday’s SA Derby winner is the second SA Derby winner for Grail Maiden, whose son Hero’s Honour won the classic in 2018.The blue-blooded Beach Bomb, whose feats are also yet another tribute to her outstanding dam Beach Beauty, made it back to back graded wins in the US when she won the Gr3 Orchid Stakes on Saturday.

Winner of both the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas and Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes in South Africa, Beach Bomb had won the Gr3 The Very One Stakes presented by MyRacehorse at the beginning of March.

Beach Bomb is one of five stakes winners and three Gr1 winners to have emerged from Lancaster Bomber’s first crop.

his crop, born in 2020, also include 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot and this season’s Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes victress Rascova.

By the same sire as the increasingly successful Fire Away, Lancaster Bomber was from a hugely successful family, and one which has made a considerable mark on the South African turf.

Lancaster Bomber’s top-notch son, Eight On Eighteen | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A half-brother to triple Gr1 winner, but disappointing sire, Excelebration (Exceed And Excel), the Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winning Lancaster Bomber was one of four group/ graded stakes winners produced by his dam Sun Shower (Indian Ridge). The latter’s fifth dam Fantan also ranked as the granddam of South African champion Politician (Oligarchy), and is also ancestress of top-class, Al Mufti sired local gallopers as Al Nitak, The Sheik and Top Seller.

Lancaster Bomber has been responsible for 83 winners from 157 registered foals, giving him the more than respectable percentage of 53% winners to foals. His first crop yielded a smart 6% stakes winners to foals, with anything above 4% considered successful.

With several potential sire sons, and some very well-bred daughters, likely to go to stud, the Lancaster Bomber influence could be felt for seasons to come.

Lancaster Bomber’s high-class daughter, Rascova | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

BEACH BOMB IS LOVING THE SUNSHINE STATE!

It is probably fitting that a mare named Beach Bomb would love South Florida and Cayton Park Stud’s talented 5-year-old demonstrated her affinity for Gulfstream Park with her second consecutive graded stakes victory in Saturday’s Gr3 Orchid Stakes.

In a sweetly-timed confidence booster for SAbreds and the Graham Motion stable ahead of Isivunguvungu’s bid for glory in the Al Quoz Sprint on the Dubai World Cup card on Saturday 5 April, Beach Bomb went from pillarto-post to stave off a hard-charging Silvology and La Mehana (FR) to win by a head.

The Orchid was the longest route Beach Bomb has attempted since coming to Herringswell 10 months ago.

The http://www.horseracingnation.com website reports that in a repeat of her seasonal debut last month, Beach Bomb jumped to an early lead and dug in when tested late for a

front-running head victory over Silvology in the $165 000 Gr3 Orchid for older fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf on Saturday evening.

The 5-year-old mare, already a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa, is now a two-time stakes winner in the USA.

Ridden by Luis Saez for trainer Graham Motion and the Rupert family’s Cayton Park Stud, Beach Bomb covered the distance in 2:24.29 over a firm turf course four weeks after scoring a one-length gate-to-wire triumph in Gulfstream’s 1 3/8-mile The Very One, also under Saez.

Beach Bomb hangs tough to beat Silvology a neck on Saturday | Credit: Lauren King/NYRA/Herringswell Stables

Sitting in outermost post 6 following the early scratching of Virginia Oaks runner-up Early On, Beach Bomb broke alertly and immediately found herself on the lead through splits of 24.19 seconds, 48.56 and 1:13.33, pressed to her outside by 40-1 longshot My Brazilian Girl with Queen Regent in third along the rail.

Beach Bomb, favoured at 8-5, rounded the far turn still in front as La Mehana swung outside to make her bid and Silvology squeezed through along the rail to make things tight at the finish, with Silvology a neck ahead in second.

It was the second straight victory for Beach Bomb after going winless in three starts last summer and fall upon coming to the U.S.

“I left it up to jockey Luis Saez,” trainer Graham Motion said. “She was drawn on the outside, so it was perfect. He could make the call what he wanted to do. I didn’t really give him any instructions. After last time, what was I going to say?” Motion said horses from South Africa

have been tested by the circumstances of their transportation to the United Stakes.

“I think people don’t realize what these horses went through last year,” he said. “They came a year ago and they spent two months locked up in a small quarantine barn, so I think having a little break after Breeders’ Cup really allowed them to grow up and kind of be themselves. I think the time has done them a lot of good. I really do. Congratulations to Cayton Park and breeders Drakenstein Stud on another outstanding win!”

Bred by Drakenstein, Beach Bomb is by deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of Dynasty’s champion daughter, Beach Beauty.

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY TICKETS ON SALE

The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday 5 July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse.

As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day.

The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of

attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up.

All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit.

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via https://shop.ticketpro. co.za/seller/gold-circle-pty-ltd-99r4/new-shopsection-vrqo.

Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing

action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair.

The fashion programme includes the muchanticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building.

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!

NO CANADA DRY AS WILLIAM ADDS THE TONIC!

William Robertson ekes out reserves of magic as the obscured Golden Sickle and third-placed objector Winds Of Change challenge | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The Ridgemont-bred Rafeef gelding William Robertson’s milestone victory in the R1 million TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday will go down as the fairytale moment of 4Racing’s 2025 Champions Day as the soldier found reserves of strength and overcame an objection to register a deserved maiden Grade 1 success.

We have said it before - Corne Spies’ evergreen 6yo equine ATM William Robertson is every owner’s dream horse and he has become a crowd favourite.

Chasing his overdue first Grade 1 trophy after running second in the same race in 2023, the 2025 TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint looked his race to lose – and he kept us entertained on the edge of our seats, as he always does!

Tucked in early as Mover And Shaker and Gqeberha visitor Cruise Control showed the way, William Robertson (7-10) moved forward to a roar from the crowd and then found reserves to hold off a big challenge from the game filly Golden Sickle (8-1) in a time of 57,85 secs.

The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Winds Of Change (25-1) moved forward strongly,and his connections felt he was interfered with –lodging an objection, which was overruled in relatively short time.

Cruise Control (20-1) showed his blistering speed to keep Lucky Lad out of the quartet.

Enjoying a seasonal break from his new home in Canada, SAJA graduate Ryan Munger, who was aboard when William Robertson beat subsequent Grade 1 hero Dyce when shedding his maiden at the Vaal in June 2021, enjoyed an

armchair ride as he prepares to pack his bags after a memorable time under the African sun.

“This was an emotional win and it was written in the stars. This was all the horse. What a training achievement! Well done to the owners. What a pleasure to ride a horse with a heart of a lion. Good luck to my colleagues who ride him in the future,” said Munger.

Raced in a partnership by Rob Macnab, Keegan Govender, Xander Spies, Corne Spies Racing (Pty) Ltd & Jannie de Lange’s Waste Glass Recovery (Pty) Ltd, the Ridgemont Highlands-bred William Robertson is the third Computaform Sprint winner by the champion farm’s in-form sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice), who won the elite sprint himself. William Robertson is out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts.

The 6yo gelding cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale and is a winner of 15 of his 42 starts with 16 places – he has earned R3 032 375.

Well done to the Stipes on what we feel was the correct call on the objection.

Ryan Munger chats to Shalandra Bunseelall after a Gr1 thriller | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The champion Rafeef wins the Computaform Sprint – he has produced three winners of the prestigious sprint |

SPEED AND STAMINA - RAFEEF RULES!

He was once popularly labelled ‘the thunder from Down Under’ and the stature of Ridgemont’s super sire Rafeef, a champion, by a champion, out of a champion, continues to grow with every passing major raceday.

That was underscored in no uncertain terms for the sire of sires again on Champions Day when the former SA Champion Sprinter celebrated his third winner of the prestigious TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint, a race won by himself, when his superstar son William Robertson notched his 15th career victory in style.

William Robertson thus joins an honour roll that includes present day stallions Master

Archie (2022) and Thunderstruck (2024) as Computaform Sprint winning sons of Rafeef.

Bred by Robertson-based nursery of champions, Ridgemont, William Robertson was runner-up in the 2023 Gr1 Computaform Sprint, and has four graded wins to his name

William Robertson, out of the Trippi mare Massachusetts, and is bred on the same Rafeef/Trippi cross as Gr3 winner Leaving Las Vegas.

Rafeef is also the sire of promising Ridgemont bred 2yo Esteemed, who was a runaway winner on a scintillating debut, and then ran a close

Credit: JC Photos

second in Saturday’s TAB Gr2 SA Nursery, after being knocked sideways at the jump. He will not be long in atoning!

Looking back a year, Rafeef enjoyed a memorable day at Turffontein when his champion son Thunderstruck won the Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Computaform Sprint and daughter Frances Ethel landed the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks on the same card.

“Versatility, heart and class are characteristic Rafeef stamps. His extraordinary stranglehold on the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, which is run over 1000m, and his ability to sire Gr1 SA Derby and Gr2 SA Oaks winners over 2450m demonstrate that x-factor, so rare in many sires. We are privileged to have this sensational stallion in the Ridgemont stallion barn,” added Craig Carey.

Blood rules the land and Rafeef’s late, great sire Redoute’s Choice once again made his

mark in major Australian races just a fortnight back. His sons Snitzel and The Autumn Sun were responsible for the Gr1 TAB Golden Slipper winner Marhoona and impressive Listed Hyland Race Colours Darby Munro Stakes winner Autumn Glow respectively. Snitzel also enjoyed further big race success when his son Cap Ferrat won the BMW Hong Kong Derby!

Redoute’s Choice, Leading Broodmare Sire in Australia on four occasions thus far, is also damsire of outstanding stallion Zoustar, whose son Schwarz (inbred to Redoute’s Choice) won the Gr1 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes.

Zoustar, who is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Zouzou, is currently the Leading Sire in Australia for 2024-2025, with his progeny having earned in excess of AUS$18.641 million, and his 11 black type winners this season including Gr1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar, the aforementioned Schwarz and the Gr3 PKF Don Casboult Classic winner Clean Energy.

CLOSE! FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

Confidence is a major asset in the armoury of any big race jockey and Richard Fourie coupled that by stretching his luck to near breaking point with a bold ride from the front on Joey Soma’s Fiery Pegasus to win the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks at Turffontein on Saturday.

A winner of her maiden over 1160m as a 2yo, the daughter of Captain Of All has proven a revelation as the leading filly of the 2025 Wilgerbosrdift SA Triple Tiara, after winning the final two legs, following a fourth in the opener.

On Saturday, Fourie took the 4-10 favourite out to lead, picking the best going and leading by ten lengths at some points during the 2450m contest.

While Fourie was clearly keeping something in reserve, he had emptied his chamber at about the 200m, but the gallant filly kept at her task as World Of Alice flew inside the final stages.

At the line, a short head separated them with Fourie delivering the goods in a time of 161,65 secs.

A bold ride from Richard Fourie on Fiery Pegasus | Credit: JC Photos

Craig Zackey looked to have clinched it on World Of Alice (4-1), but a heartbeat was the difference.

Cocomelon (20-1) ran into third, with Hat’s Queen (50-1) capping the quartet.

A R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Fiery Pegasus was bred in partnership by Greenacres Trust and Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud and is a daughter of speed champion Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Scorched.

She is raced in partnership by Messrs J R Blumberg, D Chinsammy,R G Coppin, E Naicker, B M Nassif, G, K & M M Nassif, Mr B & Mrs K Ncube, MGAS Bloodstock, Kisten Pillay Racing (Trevelen) and took her tally to 5 wins with 4 places from 11 starts and stakes of R1 636 250.

Ormond and David Ferraris – two generations of champions | Credit: Pauline Herman

SALUTING A LEGEND!

Legendary trainer Ormond Arthur Ferraris was

inducted

into the South

African

Hall of Fame on Champions Day on Saturday at Turffontein.

Born on 31 March 1932 in the small town of Wolwehoek, Ormond Ferraris has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to horse racing. He began as a young track rider under the well-known trainer George Weale and went on to build an incredible career, training around 2600 winners from 1954 to 2019.

His host of achievements include two National Trainer Championships (1991/92 and 1993/94), a Durban July win with Distinctly in 1975, and ten SA Oaks winners.

Mr Ferraris is not only known for his success on the track, but also for the people he’s helped along the way. He has mentored some of South Africa’s best trainers, including David Ferraris, Mike de Kock, Michael Clements, and Weichong and Weiho Marwing, as well as Sharon Kotzen.

He celebrated his 93rd birthday on Monday and is still active in racing as a training consultant, and takes great joy in following the career of his grandson, Luke Ferraris, a successful jockey in Hong Kong, who rode a winner at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 WSB Met winner Double Superlative was introduced to an enthusiastic gathering of industry folk at a Stallion day at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds last Friday afternoon.

shows off his new home |

Double Superlative

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Double Superlative possessed speed and class, which enabled him to win over 1400m third time out, before finishing close up to Gr 1-winning sprint-miler Trip Of Fortune in the Gr3 Cape Classic over 1400m.

In his next start he displayed a scintillating turn of foot to win the Gr1 Cape Guineas, which is commonly regarded as South Africa’s greatest sire producing race.

Double Superlative also had another ingredient sought after in a sire – courage. He managed to come back from a serious tendon injury to win one of South Africa’s iconic races, the WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met over 2000m.

Nick Jonsson raced Double Superlative, who was by Twice Over out of five time-winning Jet Master mare Come Fly With Me.

Come Fly With Me is an own sister to the top class filly Fly By Night, who won the Gr1 weight for age Mercury Sprint over 1200m as well as the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m, where she beat the Equus Champion Sprinter Alboran Sea, and among her many Graded places she was twice a runner up in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, beaten on one occasion a head by the Equus Champion Sprinter Via Africa,

and she had a third in that race too.

Twice Over was trained by the great Henry Cecil and won four Group 1 races in England, the Eclipse, the International (The Juddmonte) and he twice won the Champion Stakes.

He also won in Dubai and finished third behind the great Zenyatta in the Breedeers Cup Classic on the dirt.

The assembled crowd enjoy the speeches | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

He is probably only behind Duke Of Marmalade as the best performed imported thoroughbred to ever stand in South Africa.

South Africa were fortunate to land Twice Over, who is by Observatory out of Listed Oaks Trial-winning Blushing Groom mare Double Crossed, who is a half-sister to Clepsydra, a

Sadler’s Wells mare who produced three Group winners, including Group 1 winner Timepiece (Zamindar).

Twice Over, who stood at Klawervlei Stud, has produced four Group 1 winners and it is no coincidence that Nick Jonsson owns three of them.

Owner Nick Jonsson talks to the guests Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Just over 30 years ago Nick’s Uncle, Hugh Jonsson, sent his Rollins twice-winning mare Jet Lightning to Rakeen.

Hugh no doubt recognised that Rakeen was one of the best bred horses to ever come to South Africa, being a son of Northern Dancer, the most influential sire of the 20th century if

not of all time, out of Halo mare Glorious Song, a well related USA champion older female, a twice Canadian champion older female and a Canadian Horse Of The Year. The resulting progeny of the Rakeen-Jet Lightning match was Jet Master, who was famously sold for just R14 000 as a weanling and went on to become a superstar racehorse.

His Gr1’s he won included the Cape Guineas, the Queen’s Plate twice, the Gold Challenge, the Golden Horse Sprint twice, the Cape Flying Championship and the Mercury Sprint.

He was packed with speed and class. However, the experts did not predict a bright future for him at stud due to his uninspiring female line.

They were all wrong because he became the greatest South African-bred sire in history, winning the championship seven times.

He also became a multiple champion broodmare sire.

Now, Double Superlative joins Celestial City as the only grandson of Jet Master standing in KZN.

Summerview’s Gary de Klerk makes a point | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Double Superlative has won two of South Africa’s most iconic stallion producing races, the Cape Guineas and the Met, he is by a horse who won four Gr1’s in Europe, and he is out of

a well performed and well related mare by the legendary Jet Master.

Exciting times!

Hadlow Stud’s Cathy Martin – a driving force amongst the KZN Breeders Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Blue Sky’s Bruce Le Roux – exciting times ahead | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

TONY’S DEFENDER LOOKS LIKE HE IS BACK TO BEST

Main Defender and Gavin Lerena are home as Richard Fourie and Cosmic Speed (obscured) chip away | Credit: JC Photos

While a number of his colleagues have been in the hot seat in the past, Gavin Lerena seems to have mastered the art of riding the top-class 4yo Main Defender and produced the son of Pathfork for his fifth graded stakes victory at Turffontein on Saturday, grabbing the honours in the R500 000 TAB Gr2 Hawaii Stakes.

Lerena has been aboard the Tony Peter-trained Main Defender’s at last four runs, producing three win cheques and a second.

And the duo put the blot of the non-runner drama in the R1,5 million Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes last time, well behind him. He got his muzzle stuck in the gate that day, with Cosmic Speed emerging victorious.

On Saturday Main Defender set the record straight in no uncertain terms.

Main Defender (15-10) raced in midfield early on before launching his bid 400m from home. From there, he kept finding to hold off Cosmic Speed (33-20) and win by half a length in a time of 86,72 secs.

The rest were well beaten, with Texas Red (20-1) three lengths back in third, and Kobus Roux’s Fire ‘N Flames (100-1) capping the quartet.

This was Lerena’s fourth winner of a terrific afternoon, that included a Grade 1 success.

Main Defender has won 10 of 18 starts, with his win on Saturday the fifth graded victory of his career.

Bred by Jagessar Ltd, Main Defender is out of the Judpot mare, Alessia.

The gelding was a R140 000 purchase from the 2022 Cape Yearling Sale, and Saturday’s win pushed his earnings to R2 965 875.

His sire Pathfork is a son of the outstanding stallion Distorted Humor, who had a big day on Saturday.

Pathfork mare Virginia Key is the dam of Saturday’s Gr1 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa winner Tappan Street, while another Distorted Humor mare, Distorted Music, is responsible for Saturday’s Gr1 Arkansas Derby winner Sandman.

DRAKENSTEIN’S GREEN DIAMOND GLISTENS IN NURSERY

After taking a bump from an opponent at the start, the favourite Esteemed was always playing catch-up and didn’t have any answers for the Sean Tarry trained filly Green Diamond, who shed her maiden to grab top honours in the R500 000 TAB Gr2 SA Nursery at Turffontein on Saturday.

A runner-up on debut behind Glastonbury in the Listed Ruffian Stakes, Green Diamond (8-1) was easy to back and showed her talent with a gutsy victory under Craig Zackey to beat the 9-10 favourite Esteemed by 2 lengths in a time of 68,16 secs for the 1160m.

Esteemed recovered well after he took a bump at the start from Tina Lovelace, who had been side-swiped by King Harald, who could do no better than fourth.

Craig Zackey said he had been ’blown away’ by the winner’s work in the build-up.

Sean Tarry is a master of the big days and said he was pleased to get a filly of this quality from Drakenstein. He indicated that he was also happy to be on the board early, rather than later.

Raced and bred by Drakenstein Stud, the winner is a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the three-time winner Trippi mare Lesedi La Rona.

Now a winner from 2 starts, with a stakes second place, Green Diamond took her stakes earnings to R352 500 and looks another Allan Robertson Championship candidate on this showing.

Green Diamond sheds her maiden under Craig Zackey

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

GQEBERHA TEAM DRAW FIRST BLOOD ON CHAMPIONS DAY

The high-riding Eastern Cape combination of Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie got the 2025 Champions Day feature action off to a flying start when the Varsfontein-bred Master Of My Fate filly Golden Palm showed her class to win the R350 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery.

Fourie registered his 100th winner of the current Eastern Cape season when Coral Creek won for Greeff at Fairview on Friday, and under 24 hours later the pair were weaving their magic at Turffontein, to give the multiple regional champion trainer his very special first winner at the Joburg South track.

Elegantrix showed the way early ahead of Arashi, with Golden Palm relaxed on the outside.

At the 350m the race changed complexion, as Glastonbury looked to assert as Fourie got animated on Golden Palm.

Despite looking to be under pressure with pressure at her heels, Golden Palm (5-2) rallied well under Richard Fourie to

beat the fast finishing One Fine Winter (4-1) by 2,30 lengths in a time of 70 secs flat.

Arashi (10-1) stayed on for third a further 1,60 lengths back, with the tote favourite Glastonbury (3-1) tiring late to cap the quartet.

Bred by Varsfontein, the winner races for Peter Moor and is a daughter of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the twice winning Var mare, Croisette.

A R260 000 BSA National 2yo Sale purchase, Golden Palm has won 2 of 3 starts for a place and stakes of R275 800. Now for the Allan Robertson at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at end May!

Golden Palm shows her class under Richard Fourie | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

MY SOUL MATE GRABS THE GOLD FOR VARSFONTEIN

Varsfontein Stud rounded off a successful 2025 SA Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday with their third winner when the Master Of My Fate filly My Soul Mate relished a step up to the 2850m of the R300 000 4Racing Listed Caradoc Gold Cup.

A multiple Gr2 placer up to Saturday, the 4yo My Soul Mate (11-2) registered what was an overdue maiden stakes success when unleashed late with a sustained finish by Ryan Munger to make it an all fairer sex exacta, beating Explosive Bond (33-1) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 192,42 secs for the 2850m.

Sean Tarry’s trojan stayer Nebraas (16-1) showed a flicker of his illustrious past form to run third a further 4,50 lengths back. Twenty Drachma’s (16-1) rounded off the quartet, with the favourite Marauding Horde (9-4) in fifth.

The winner was saddled by Hollywoodbetssponsored Candice Dawson, of CK Racing.

This was Ryan Munger’s final ride before he returns to Canada after a golden stint in South Africa.

Bred and raced by Varsfontein Stud, the daughter of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the proven stayer producing twice-winning Captain Al mare, Secret Obsession.

Now a winner of 3 races with 2 places from 20 starts and stakes of R804 063, My Soul Mate looks to have opened up new possibilities in our admittedly limited staying category.

Varsfontein earlier bred the undefeated Golden Palm, also a daughter of Master Of My Fate, who won the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery, as well as Pressonregardless (Lancaster Bomber), who won the fifth, an MR 82 Handicap.

My Soul Mate (Ryan Munger on outside) holds off Rachel Venniker on Explosive Bond in an all-girls finish | Credit: JC Photos

Gavin Lerena – fined and suspended | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the Inquiry into the incident involving Jockey Gavin Lerena (GIMME A STORM) and Jockey Jason Gates (BLURRED VISION) that commenced on 21 February 2025 and adjourned to 24 March 2025, was finalised today.

Jockey Gavin Lerena

Jockey Gavin Lerena was charged with the following contraventions of:

1) Rule 62.2.2 read with Rules 62.2.3 and 72.1.25

In that he rode GIMME A STORM in an unprofessional manner by changing his riding style by stopping riding, standing up in the stirrup irons and striking Jockey Jason Gates across his back with his crop on at least two occasions in the running.

Jockey Gavin Lerena entered a plea of guilty to contraventions of Rules 62.2.2 and 72.1.25 and not guilty to a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

2) Rule 72.1.26

In that as the rider of GIMME A STORM he behaved and conducted himself in a manner which has or might have the effect of discrediting horseracing, or which does or might bring into disrepute the good name of the NHA or relevant Racing Operator.

Jockey Lerena entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of Rule 72.1.26.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Lerena guilty of the charges incorporating the contraventions and imposed the following penalties:

1) Jockey Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period of ninety (90) days of which sixty (60) days is wholly suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of these Rules for a period of two years.

2) Jockey Lerena was fined the amount of R200 000 of which R100 000 is suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.26 for a period of two years.

Jockey Lerena has the right of appeal regarding both the findings and penalties that were imposed.

Jockey Jason Gates

Jockey Jason Gates was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.4 in that he rode BLURRED VISION in a careless, negligent, reckless or dangerous manner by intentionally striking the crop out of Jockey Lerena’s hand in the closing stages of this race.

Jockey Gates entered a plea of not guilty but was found guilty to the charge.

Jockey Gates was fined the amount of R10 000, of which R5 000 is suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 62.2.4 for a period of two years.

Jockey Gates has the right of appeal against the finding and penalty that were imposed.

VAN NIEKERK STATEMENT

Jockey Grant van Niekerk, who is currently under an interim suspension imposed on Wednesday 26 March 2025, has requested that the undermentioned statement issued by himself on Saturday 29 March, be published.

Without any admission of any wrongdoing or misconduct of any nature by me, I hereby make an unequivocal undertaking that, pending the final conclusion of any inquiry into my statements and/or behavior on 26 March 2025, I will not;

Partake in any media pre – and/or post race interviews and/or podcasts.

Save for the publication of this undertaking and to my legal representatives and in any proceedings conducted by the NHA, make to

any other person including any representative of the media, any remarks, comments and/ or allegations with regards to the incident that occurred in race 8 on 16 March 2025 or the inquiry that was held on 25 March 2025 as well as the findings thereof and sanctions imposed on me by that inquiry board.

Make any defamatory and/or unlawful statements of any nature whatsoever regarding the NHA and/or its employees and/or its directors.

Grant van Niekerk on Wehaveasituation – it was this post-race interview where the trouble started | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

GOLD STANDARD DAUGHTER STEPS UP SMARTLY

Drakenstein Stud celebrated a Monday Gr3 feature double with their Gauteng raiders at Hollywoodbets Greyville when the De Kock-trained Gold Standard daughter Oxalis Gold maintained her improvement with a convincing win in the R300 000 Byerley Turk.

After the Sean Tarry-trained Green Sapphire won the fairer sex feature, it was the turn of the Mike and Mat de Kock father-and-son team to produce something of a surprise in the mixed sex company.

Left to take her chances in the male equivalent after drawing poorly in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu

Stakes a half hour earlier, Oxalis Gold (8-1) broke the run of fancied runners and built on her very good win on the Highveld last time out.

She was produced late in running by Kabelo Matsunyane off a solid pace to beat the favourite Cats Pajamas (18-10), who arrived too late, by 2 lengths in a time of 84,93 secs. The Plattner runner Otenikwa (2-1) swooped

late up the inside but was beaten a further 0,20 lengths in third. A winner of 4 races with 2 places from 10 starts for stakes of R420 900, the Drakenstein-bred daughter of the now Vogel Vlei Stud-based Trippi stallion Gold Standard is bred on staying lines, being out of Galileo’s three-time winning daughter, Serruria.

Oxalis Gold looks like she could be one for the black book when racing over slightly further –more so, against her own sex.

Oxalis Gold delivers a convincing with under Kabelo Matsunyane

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

GIMME THE POWER!

Just 48 hours after the Sean Tarry-Drakenstein team won the TAB Gr2 SA Nursery to give our reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight his 75th stakes winner courtesy of his daughter Green Diamond, the combination added to the tally when Green Sapphire went all the way to score in the R250 000 Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.

Just like Saturday winner Green Diamond and Monday runner-up Gimmie’s Countess, Green Sapphire is out of a Trippi mare and thus bred on the same Gimmethegreenlight/Trippi cross as Gr1 winners, Gimme A Prince and She’s A Keeper.

Taking on the well fancied Gimmie’s Countess from the in-form Kannemeyer yard, replacement rider Smanga Khumalo rode a well-judged race from the front to win the 1400m contest in a time of 86,67 secs.

Green Sapphire (7-1) was scoring a maiden stakes success and beat the Kannemeyer runner by 1,10 lengths. The lightly tried Regeneration (20-1) stayed on well for third, a further 0,30 lengths away.

Bred and raced by Drakenstein, the winner, out of the one-time winner Sapphire Gem, took her tally to 4 wins and 4 places from 8 starst for stakes of R468 063.

Multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight has an excellent draft on offer at the National Yearling Sale next week, with his offering including a colt (Lot131) out of Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas heroine Heaps Of Fun, a filly (Lot 225) out of Gr1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, and a colt (Lot 274) from the same female line as legendary stallion Dubawi.

Green Sapphire (Smanga Khumalo) does her sire Gimmethegreenlight proud with maiden stakes success | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

KANNEMEYER’S QUERARI COLT TRUMPS THEM

Teflon Man (Craig Zackey) wards off the low-flying African Skyline (Serino Moodley) and Mr Master Starter (Athandiwe Mgudlwa) | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

While the official start of the 2025 SA Champions Season is just over a month away, trainer Dean Kannemeyer cast the foundation for an exciting few months ahead when he saddled Teflon Man to win the weather delayed R165 000 KwaZulu-Natal Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.

A winner of the 2024 Durban Dash at the same venue when accounting for the very capable King Of Gauls, Teflon Man was travelling hard against the steel off a slow pace as Celtic Beauty led Mr Master Starter and Shipholia early.

In the stampede to the line, Teflon Man (15-10), despite spreading a shoe in running, always looked to be going best and stayed on convincingly to beat the low-flying African Skyline (25-2) by 0,40 lengths in a time of 72,06 secs.

The winner’s stablemate Mr Master Starter (14-1) came right back at them to run third and only 0,30 lengths behind the runner-up.

Complimenting Hollywoodbets Greyville track management, jockey Craig Zackey said he was confident of winning the 1200m non black-type contest and felt that the slow pace had initially jeopardized his prospects, but that a solid effort by Teflon Man had made the difference.

Dean Kannemeyer, who saddled the Fillies Guineas prospect Give Me Everything to make it four on the trot when winning her first start in the province a half hour earlier, said that Teflon Man had shown the benefit of gelding and had quickened up smartly.

“Mr Master Starter also ran a cracker to finish third. Thanks to the owners and my team for a job well done,” added Kannemeyer.

Teflon Man was bred in partnership by Klawervlei Stud and late former part owner David Abery and is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the once-raced Irish-bred Dark Angel mare, Lost In Love.

A R275 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate and a winner of 5 races with 5 places from 17 starts, Teflon Man has won R544 620 in stakes and is raced by the Abery Family Trust, Mike Fullard, James Drew, Dean Kannemeyer, Ernie Rabe & Lee-Anne Drew.

KANNEMEYER FILLY FLIES OVER FINAL 400M

An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.

In Time Is Money we look at some of the past weekend’s highlights.

Hollywoodbets Greyville 31 March (originally scheduled for 28 March)

Track Condition

Going: Good to Soft Penetrometer: 26

Rain: Last 24 hours 3mm – Last 7 days 85mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 15mm

False Rail: Nil with a 2m spur

Wind: 10-30km/h North North Easterly head wind

Course Variant: 1,51s slow

Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes (3yo fillies) 1400m

Gimmie’s Countess was best in at the weights on merit ratings, and with her stable companions winning the previous two races, it was not surprising to see this daughter of Gimmethegreenlight sent off deep in the red at

4/10. On leaving the stalls it was the hard held Green Sapphire who made the running whilst Dean Kannemeyer’s charge (lost a length at start) sat close up in third. The pace wasn’t a good one though. Indeed, the first half of the race was run over 3 seconds slower than that of the Byerley Turk! Barely more than 4 lengths covered all entering the straight and the race in real terms developed into a 500m sprint. The pacemaker Green Sapphire ran on determinedly under replacement rider S’manga Khumalo, and although the market leader got up for second, she couldn’t make any impression on the winner.

Gr3 Byerley Turk (3yo’s) 1400m

By far the faster of the two Gr3 features for 3yo’s, this race was run at a good pace throughout. Golden Rule made the running and raced two and a half lengths clear for most of the journey. Meanwhile in the box seat in third sat the only filly in the race, OXALIS GOLD, and she was always doing it easily. She only had to be pushed out in order to take up the running 200m from home, and in a time 1,74 seconds faster than that of the Umzimkhulu Stakes, she went on to score in very good style.

KwaZulu-Natal Stakes (NBT) 1200m

Although the second fastest of the six 1200m races on the card, this non-black type event was not a comparatively fast run race. Indeed,

they were very tightly bunched entering the straight and the race developed into more of a 500m sprint. Celtic Beauty led them in whilst the 15/10 favourite TEFLON MAN (cast a shoe in running) raced close up in Sixth. Teflon Man was always travelling well and after taking up the running 100m out, he found extra to hold off the running on African Skyline by a half.

Quickies

Running on from the rear to land the Class 3 (f&m) over 1600m, Give Me Everything recorded by far the fastest 400m – finish time of the afternoon (21,18) and won with some in hand. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has now won four in a row and clearly has more improvement to come.

Fastest Times:

1200m (6) Bevies Delight 71,98

1400m (2) Oxalis Gold 84,93

400-finish Give Me Everything 21,18

Notebook:

Give Me Everything (D Kannemeyer)

Oxalis Gold (Mike/Matthew De Kock)

Turffontein 29 March

Track Condition

Going: Good to Soft

Penetrometer: 26

Rain: Last 24hrs Nil – Last seven days 58mm

Irrigation: Last seven days Nil

False Rail: Zero back straight to 5,5m on bend with 5,5m spur at 700m

Wind: 7-24km/h North Westerly cross/head wind

Course Variant: 1,61 slow straight – 3,82s slow bend

HKJC World Pool Gr Premier’s Champions Challenge 2000m

One of four Gr1 races on this prestigious card, the Champions Challenge boasted prize money totaling R2m. Highlighted in this column’s notebook when a fast finishing runner up in the Gr1 SA Classic last time out, FIRE ATTACK left the stalls, a well-supported favourite at 13/10. The initial pace was not good and positioned towards the rear, jockey Fourie, cleverly, circled runners going through the 1800m and moved up into second position. The pace was still not a strong one and with the field tightly bunched turning for home the race developed into a sprint. Fire Attack struck the front approaching the 400m pole and challenged strongly by the running on Royal Victory below the distance, he then found extra to score by a neck.

TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint

Run at a good pace throughout, the Computaform Sprint was not surprisingly, the fastest of the five sprint races on the card. Backed into odds on at the track, the winner WILLIAM ROBERTSON raced in the middle of what was a tightly grouped field early. He moved up smartly going through the 400m and after striking the front 200m later, he kept on strongly late to beat the running on filly Golden Sickle by a neck.

TAB Gr1 SA Derby & Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks

Although by far the faster of the two 2450m events on the twelve-race program, the Derby was still falsely run. The winner LEGEND OF ARTHUR raced at the back of the thirteen for most of the journey and was easily ten lengths off the leader. The pace did begin to slow on the latter part of the bend though, and going

through the 600m just three lengths covered most. Sean Tarry’s charge cut through the field quickly in the long home straight and after joining both Wild Intent and Solar Sail at the 200m marker, he narrowly got the better of a thrilling three-way finish.

Won in a time two seconds slower than that of the Derby, it was amazing to see that the 4/10 favourite FIERY PEGASUS was given a very soft lead in the Oaks. Racing from the front for the first time in her career, the Captain Of All filly was allowed to bowl off in front as if a 50/1 shot. Indeed, rounding the home turn she was easily 8 lengths clear. The pace had been equivalent to that of the Derby early on, and again the pace slowed rounding the second half of the long home turn. The times from there onward clearly show that the winner slowed considerably, and as a result another very tight

finish was to be had. The runner up World Of Alice (troublesome loading and lost 2 lengths at the start) had raced some thirteen lengths behind the winner, and running on best of all at the business end of the race, she only failed to get up by the narrowest of margins. The stewards had every right to ask some serious questions here, but they didn’t.

Quickies

The time of race 3 was incorrect. We timed it at 69,86

Fastest Times: 1160m (2) Green Diamond 69,86 1400m (2) Main Defender 86,72 1600m (2) Fatal Flaw 101,23 2450m (2) Legend Of Arthur 159,61

NO SLOUCHES, OUR HANDICAPPERS!

Legend Of Arthur’s official merit rating was raised to 117 from 109 after he won the TAB Gr1 SA Derby for 3-year-olds over 2450m at the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday. The Handicappers believed that Grey Jet had confirmed his SA Classic performance, where he initially earned his rating of 108, and used him to rate this race, leaving his rating unchanged.

The runner-up, Wild Intent, demonstrated a significantly higher performance in the Listed World Sports Betting Hawwaam Stakes and had to be capped at 99.

Extract from Listed World Sports Betting Hawwaam Stakes Press Release:

Due to the specific conditions of this race, the winner had to be capped at a maximum of 6 points and placed runners to 3 points. Consequently, Immediate Edge had to be limited to a rating of 94 despite performing at a much higher level. The narrowly beaten runnerup Wild Intent had to be capped at a rating of 99 despite performing at a higher level.

Wild Intent has now been adjusted to his performance figure of 116 after his run in the TAB SA Derby.

Three other horses received merit rating increases. Solar Sail’s rating increased to 115 from 86, while Immediate Edge, who finished 4.70 lengths (equivalent to 7 points) behind the 108-rated line horse at level weights, had his rating increased from 94 to 101.

Lastly, Count Huhtikuu received a partial adjustment of six points, moving from 79 to 85.

There were no merit rating decreases for any of the horses in this race.

HKJC World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge

Following his victory in the HKJC World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, Fire Attack has had his merit rating adjusted to 126 from 116. The Handicappers deemed Atticus Finch, who finished in fourth place, to be the ideal line horse for the rating of this race, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 121.

The runner-up, Royal Victory, went up to his previous best rating of 125 from 124.

Chestnut Bomber was the only horse to receive a drop in the ratings, going down to 101 from 104.

TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint

Top-rated William Robertson maintained his official merit rating of 128 following his victory in the TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m. In this race, Cruise Control, the fourth-place finisher, was designated as the line horse, and his rating remained unchanged at 118. Two horses received upward adjustments in their ratings. Winds Of Change, who finished third, was increased to 121 from 107, and Time Fo Orchids was raised to 109 from 107.

There were slight drops for two horses. Lucky Lad was reduced to 124 from 125, and Chocolate Soldier went down to 114 from 115.

TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes

Fatal Flaw has had her merit rating adjusted to 120 from 115 after impressively landing the TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m for fillies and mares at weight-for-age terms.

The Handicappers were unanimous in their assessment that the third-place finisher, White PearL, was the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 114.

There were no other changes to the ratings of any other runners in this race.

Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks

Top-rated Fiery Pegasus retained her official merit rating of 119 after holding on to secure victory in the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks for 3-year-old fillies over 2450m.

The runner-up, World Of Alice, who also finished behind Fiery Pegasus in the SA Fillies Classic, was identified as the ideal line horse to assess this race, keeping her rating unchanged at 108

There were merit rating increases for no fewer than four horses in this race. Third-place finisher, Cocomelon, went up to 106 from 90, fourth-place finisher Hat’s Queen was raised to 105 from 96. Todoque was increased to 100 from 92, and Party Punch was increased to 81 from 77.

No runner received a drop in their ratings in this race.

TAB Gr2 Hawaii Stakes

Top Rated Main Defender’s official merit rating remained unchanged at 130 following his victory in the TAB Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m.

The Handicappers used third-place finisher Texas Red as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged at 115.

The runner-up, Cosmic Speed, had his rating adjusted to 125 from 120, while Fire ‘N Flames was partially increased from 101 to 108 due to his overall profile.

Barbaresco was the only runner to receive a drop in the ratings, going down slightly to 124 from 125.

4racing Listed Caradoc Gold Cup

Best weighted My Soul Mate, who fought courageously to clinch victory in the Listed 4Racing Listed Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m, has had her official merit rating adjusted from 106 to 107.

The Handicappers opted to use the fourthplace finisher, Twenty Drachmas, to rate this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 93.

Interestingly, the two best-weighted horses in the race, My Soul Mate and Explosive Bond, secured the first and second positions respectively, filling the exacta and yielding a payout of R136.20.

Two other horses received upward adjustments in their ratings. The runner-up, Explosive Bond, was raised to 99 from 97, while NEBRAAS was adjusted to 99 from 98.

There were no merit rating drops for any horse in this race.

The Effectiveness of the Rating System

The highest-rated horses in all but one race - Parisian Walkway, who achieved his highest performance figure over 1600mclaimed the top four positions in each of this past weekend’s Grade 1 and Grade 2 races (excluding the two-year-old races).

This provides strong validation regarding the effectiveness of the rating system.

These results suggest that the current rating system is highly reliable in assessing horses’ relative performances.

Additionally, the three-year-olds have once again showcased their progress when

competing in open company. Standout 3-yearold performers in open company from this past weekend’s racing include Fatal Flaw (winner), Cosmic Speed (2nd place), Winds Of Change (3rd place), and Fire Attack (winner).

In fact, three-year-olds have secured victories in Grade 1 weight-for-age races throughout the season, including the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, the TAB Empress Club Stakes, and the HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge.

• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 01 April 2025.

Blizzard Snow (Gavin Lerena) gets the better of One Party (Muzi Yeni, closest to camera) in a thriller | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

With four tote favourites winning, the Champions Day Pick 6 dividend at Turffontein on Saturday was just R1251-70. But it could have been substantially more, had a photo-finish gone the other way in the opening leg.

Muzi Yeni and trainer Fanie Bronkhorst looked to have dished up a knockout blow in the fourth race, with the 20-1 One Party, a winner everywhere bar the line, being collared late by a determined Gavin Lerena on the Tony Petertrained tote favourite, Blizzard Snow (2-1).

Despite the more popular choice winning, the Sporting Post fielded a number of queries as to the accuracy of the call. Similar to what happened at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the fourth race on Saturday 22 March, the replay and the result seemed to generate some doubt.

The Stipes report now indicates that the NHA officials acted proactively.

It states that shortly after the finish, the judges named the first six horses past the finishing post and due to the small margins involved in this result, with particular reference to the first and second positions, as well as the third and fourth positions, the Stipes requested the judges to generate the identical photograph

that they had used to base their decision on so that they could be comfortably satisfied that the correct result had been called.

Upon careful consideration of this photograph, the Stewards were satisfied that the result called by the judges was correct and, as a courtesy, provided an opportunity for Trainer Fanie Bronkhorst (One Party), which was involved in this review of the finish, to establish if he also saw a discernible difference in the photograph between number the 4 (Blizzard Snow) and 8 (Onne Party).

Trainer Bronkhorst confirmed that he was comfortable and the all-clear was given by the Stewards.

That’s refreshing!

Photo-finish image received from NHA on 30 March 2025 | Credit:

STICKY STALLS ENDS FAIRVIEW

FRIDAY MEETING

The starting stalls stuck on the Fairview polytrack capped a mostly forgettable week for South African horseracing when the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing fixture ground to a dismal halt on Friday.

Under pressure! Staff do their best to clear the track as the field round the turn for home | Credit: Pauline Herman

The ninth race, on what started out as an entertaining card – when Little won the opener for Lotz it started out as fun – was declared null and void after the tractor dug its heels in and couldn’t remove the starting stalls from the 1900m event.

Given the circumference of the Fairview polytrack, the 1900m contest starts in the home straight.

Roll Of The Dice was leading the pack when the jockeys’ attention was drawn to the hazard ahead, and the runners started pulling up at the 700m marker.

Mechanical faults can occur – one just wonders why it took so long to stop the race? All’s well that ends well, and at least there were no injuries or worse.

The Stipes report will tell us more.

On the afternoon, Alan Greeff saddled 5 winners, with Richard Fourie grabbing a treble. Chase Maujean rode a double.

The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 4 April, when the Glenlair Trophy heads the programme.

INTERIM SUSPENSION FOR TRAINER

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that an interim suspension has been imposed on Trainer Lorenzo Karriem with immediate effect, pending the determination of an inquiry.

The background to this decision relates to concerns surrounding the care and the condition of horses that have been under his care.

NHA Officials have been monitoring the stable closely and in a late development on Monday, 31 March 2025, and after consultation with the owner of these horses, six of them were relocated to another trainer’s stable yard.

The one remaining horse will be surrendered to the Coastal Horse Care Unit later today.

Mr Karriem has subsequently advised the NHA that he has relinquished his Trainer’s licence with immediate effect.

• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 01 April 2025.

Lorenzo Karriem has relinquished his licence | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

KA YING RISING LEAVES THEM AWESTRUCK!

Delivering a chilling reminder of his extraordinary talent, Ka Ying Rising posted his 11th consecutive victory with a blistering display in the HK$5,35 million Gr2 Sprint Cup to crown Zac Purton’s return to race riding at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (128lb) demolished his opposition with familiar nonchalance to score by three lengths from Helios Express (123lb) and Lucky With You (123lb) in 1m 08.18s after being eased down by Purton with 100m to go.

After stalking California Spangle to the 400m, Ka Ying Rising emerged from the triple Group 1 winner’s slipstream and exploded away with a 10.54s sectional to the 200m to put the contest beyond doubt as Helios Express finished

second for the fifth time this season behind David Hayes’s superstar.

“The leader, California Spangle, today didn’t go as fast as I was hoping he would go. I travelled a bit stronger than I would have liked and with the extra weight on his back, I didn’t want to sit around and wait for the others, so I sent him for home early and he just let him do what he does,” Purton said. “He was always cruising, and he didn’t give us a moment of worry and that’s the good thing about him.”

Zac Purton and Ka Ying Rising put the Colorado Canyon between themselves and the rest | Credit: HKJC

Ka Ying Rising’s latest triumph elevated the four-year-old into outright third place for the most wins in a row in Hong Kong behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16), snapping the deadlock he previously shared with Co-Tack and Beauty Generation.

With 12 wins and two seconds from 14 starts overall, the Shamexpress gelding continues to thrive ahead of his final assignment of the season – the HK$22 million Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 27 April) – before a probable tilt at the Gr1 The Everest in Sydney in October.

it out of the question and he did – it was just wonderful.

“Even Zac’s starting to acknowledge the horse’s ability now. It took a while but he’s starting to say he’s quite special and he really is. He runs those times with ease. The way he looks and the way he’s behaving, he is improving his manners – clearly his ability has been there the whole time.

“He’s developing into a more fool-proof horse. Today, he took the sit. He doesn’t have to lead – he’s alright with a sit and he’s alright leading, so he’s a beauty.

“It’s nice to come back and ride a horse like him. He’s a pleasure to do anything with, he’s really relaxed going to the gates and behind the gates now. He just does everything you want him to do,” seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton said.

Clocking 21.88s for the final 400m, Ka Ying Rising edged to within a win of equalling the record for the most wins in a Hong Kong season and matching the feats of Beauty Generation and Lucky Sweynesse with eight victories.

Hayes said: “He jumped with them and really controlled the race. Zac thought he could’ve waited a bit longer, but he just thought he’d put

“This was a stepping stone because it was a handicap and he had to give five pounds away but the Chairman’s Sprint Prize is set weights and that’s his grand final. It’s what he’s been set for the whole year and if he achieves it, it would be the perfect season.”

Back in action after suffering a foot injury on 9 February, Purton took riding honours with a treble, also triumphing atop Jamie Richardstrained La Forza in the Class 3 Harlech Handicap (1000m) and Benno Yung’s Another World in the Class 3 Lugard Handicap (1400m).

Fast Network continued an excellent season with a gaping four-length victory in the Class 2 Barker Handicap (1200m), slotting his fifth win from 10 starts for Dennis Yip. Ridden patiently by Hugh Bowman, the Wrote four-year-old scythed through the field to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million as well as the HK$1.59 million winners’ purse. Wrote snared a double when South Star won the Pollock Handicap (1400m) for Frankie Lor and Andrea Atzeni.

Ricky Yiu notched his sixth winner of the month when Mighty Strength landed the Class 4 Severn Handicap (2000m) under Matthew Poon

before Cody Mo-trained Jumbo Treasure led throughout under Derek Leung to claim the first section of the Class 4 Plantation Handicap (1200m).

Leung sealed a double when Yung’s Aeris Nova won the Class 3 Homestead Handicap (1200m). Justify colt, Aeris Nova pipped Crossborderpegasus in the last stride to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

Jimmy Ting successfully unveiled promising talent Little Paradise who fought bravely

to clinch the second section of the Class 4 Plantation Handicap (1200m) under Luke Ferraris. By Toronado, the three-year-old had impressed in trials and, after being driven to the front by Ferraris from barrier 13, showed determination to score.

A ROUND UP OF THE WEEK

–

NHA CALENDAR

The Sporting Post presents this week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar.

The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Please click on the image below:

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES