A BIG HIT!
A CHALLENGE! PRECIOUS METTLE &
24
Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge
Can the King be dethroned?
48
Gqeberha Gold
Greeff star shines in KZN Capital
67
Tarry’s Tally Grows
SA Fillies Sprint number 9
94 Time Is Money
Turn the seconds to firsts!
130
Japanese Derby Dazzler
Favourite streaks home
On the cover
Ridgemont’s Canford Cliffs filly Direct Hit put the doubting Thomases to bed in 68,75 secs with a scintillating display to win the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship on Saturday. Here she returns under Richard Fourie. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph. Read more on page 48.
Issue: 22/2025
WELCOME HOME!
Race Coast invited legendary trainer Dennis Drier and his wife Gill to last Saturday’s Golden Horse Festival Of Speed racemeeting. Dennis presented the trophies to the winning connections of both the R1,5-million Gr1 Gold Medallion and R1-million Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship.
During his illustrious career, the master trainer won 12 Grade 1 races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, including eight incredible victories in the Gold Medallion, seven of which came during a period of complete domination between 2010 and 2020. He also won three renewals of the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, the most recent with Sommerlied in 2018, while his sole success in the Golden Horse Sprint came in 2015 with Captain Of All.
Dennis and Gill retired to the Cape in 2023. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
SAJA apprentices take two of Louis Goosen’s charges through their paces on the shoreline at the launch function last Thursday | Credit:
Candiese Lenferna
A
bright and exciting future for horse racing in South Africa is on the horizon!
That was the underlying message to emerge as the birth of South Africa’s new age coastal racing operator was celebrated at the official launch of the Race Coast brand, which was attended by a wide spectrum of local government leaders, racing personalities, and the media, in Durban last Thursday.
A vibrant new force in South African horse racing, Race Coast was spawned from the merger of Gold Circle’s operations in KwaZuluNatal and the Western Cape-based Cape Racing, united under the Hollywoodbets banner.
Senior statesman Basil Thomas makes a point to Hollywoodbets’ Dermot O’Connell | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Hollywoodbets Communication Manager Devin Heffer addresses the guests | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Eben Etzebeth was a popular figure on the beach | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Committed to modernising all aspects of the industry with integrity, while rebuilding the foundation of a legacy that will last beyond our lifetimes, through ensuring the preservation of the rich tradition of a sport that dates back over a century in South Africa, Race Coast has
endorsed a philosophy to reignite a passion for the sport, while attracting a new and diverse audience.
It’s a socio-economic reality that, against the international background of the thrills and glitz
Cape Racing Chairman Greg Borz enjoys the lunch at Hollywoodbets Greyville | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Lauren Watt, Louis Goosen and Dean Kannemeyer pose for the photographer as the ‘Hollywoodbets-sponsored’ Connor keeps an eye on proceedings | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
and glamour of high-octane entertainment, horse racing creates employment, with commercial spin-offs, that includes the fuelling of tourism.
With a focus on innovation and community engagement, Race Coast is unequivocally dedicated to ensuring a bright and exciting future for horse racing in South Africa.
Racing veteran Graeme Hawkins in serious conversation | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Speaking on behalf of the Hollywood Group, Brand & Communications Manager, Devin Heffer said that the excitement and anticipation of a brighter future was palpable amongst industry stakeholders present at the launch function.
“What a vibe! It is so encouraging to feel that this is the gamechanger that everybody has been crying out for. We are thus determined to raise the bar with world-class professionalism, performance, and prestige. That doesn’t happen overnight, but starts with the basics of safety, fairness, and quality,” enthused Heffer, who added that operations are already underway and policies have been introduced that will ensure modernisation with integrity, and the construction of a legacy that lasts.
“We have the structure, foundation and human capital in place and we are committed to introducing a new era where racing has a place
The Goosen Team enjoyed the morning on the beach | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
and appeal for everyone. Simply put, it’s a bolder, fresher, and more inclusive approach than ever, and we’re determined and equipped to focus on rebuilding the trust, excitement, and excellence from the ground up.”
South African champion trainer Justin Snaith is extraordinarily celebrating a half century of KZN winter season assaults for the famous family operation. His Dad Chris, still a key member of their team, first raided with a string from the Cape in 1975.
A sumptuous lunch was enjoyed in the revamped historic parade ring | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Marine Parade forms a backdrop as the Goosen string enjoy the Indian Ocean | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Snaith reflected on the initial success in his home province of RaceCape, initiated by Cape Racing and Hollywoodbets.
“That structure has proven a tremendous success! It has not only boosted ownership and field sizes in the Western Cape, but has also provided trainers with additional funding to enhance their operations. And today we mark the historic beginnings of Race Coast, which is another generous initiative by Hollywoodbets, aimed at promoting ownership in
Maxine and Sean Veale enjoyed the day out | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape, while boosting the horse population.”
Snaith reminded us of the very recent past, recalling that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many feared that horse racing in South Africa might not survive.
“However, the dedicated efforts of a few individuals have not only saved the sport, but have also paved the way for an exciting future. This is a future that we can shape and reinvent, making it better for all stakeholders involved.
Race Coast marks the beginning of something special for the province and the future of horse
racing in South Africa. On behalf of all our owners, staff, and horses, we want to express our sincere gratitude,” he concluded.South African horse racing’s pre-eminent 21st century global ambassador Mike de Kock, who recently joined forces with his son Mathew in a powerful training partnership, said: “De Kock Racing has been around for a long time, but as a new training partnership, Mathew and I are excited to be involved with the innovators behind Race Coast. We have already seen the evidence of their vision and commitment, and we have positioned ourselves to grow with them. We look forward to what the future holds.”
Media Moguls! Devonne Govender, Rahiel Radhakrishna, Brandon Bailey and Warren Lenferna scrum down to lunch, as Alistair Cohen plays eighth man | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Three-times Hollywoodbets Durban July winning veteran trainer Dean Kannemeyer said that a refreshing wave of enthusiasm and hope had already been tangibly felt in the Cape.
“The improvement and upliftment have been felt in bricks and mortar, communication, and incentives and stakes across the spectrum in the Cape, and looking today at the rejuvenated Hollywoodbets Greyville landscape,
Going to Hollywood! Roxane van der Byl, Devin Heffer, Anthony Delpech and Kirstie Saunders celebrate the launch Credit: Candiese Lenferna
it’s a revelation and a passion driven workin-progress, in simple terms. The Hollywood Team have made a difference in short time, and one gets a very warm feeling that the sport is in exceptionally good hands. We are all united under the flag of future prosperity, and, on behalf of our owners and the DKR team, I extend sincere onwards and upwards best wishes to Owen Heffer and his Team,” said Kannemeyer.
Race Coast’s Veronica Jack is all smiles | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
SA champion trainer Justin Snaith has Brandon Bailey looking over his shoulder | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
YOUR CHALLENGE… THE LURE OF GOLD!
The R2-million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge to be contested over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday has attracted a star-studded field, including last season’s Horse Of The Year and defending champion, Dave The King.
The 5yo son of Global View bounced back to his best form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville three weeks ago and from a neat draw will have every chance of recording back-to-back victories in South Africa’s highest-rated Grade 1 event. Callan Murray retains the ride for the De Kock team and Dave The King is likely to start favourite in the 12-strong field.
Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Oriental Charm, makes his Champions Season debut after a lengthy spell on the side-lines following his close second behind Eight On Eighteen in the World Sports Cape Town Met back in January. He is at his best over a touch further but he did win the Gr2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m in December.
Gladatorian – in dazzling form and could challenge Dave The King | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Montien ran third in the WSB Cape Town Met over 2000m, prior to which he finished a gallant second to One Stripe in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m, and the Piet Botha-trained son of Louis The King is a resolute galloper.
Gladatorian and See It Again finished 1-2 in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at the beginning of May with just a nose separating the pair. Trained respectively by Stuart Ferrie and Michael Roberts, Gladatorian and See It Again fly the flag for the home province and are sure to have their fair share of supporters.
William Robertson is an interesting acceptor as the Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner is in the form of his life, but only the race will show whether he can compete at this level over 1600m. The three-year-olds are represented by the highlyrated Great Plains and Cosmic Speed, and the former looked somewhat unlucky when narrowly beaten by Gladatorian and See It Again in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes. Eleven of the twelve acceptors are rated 120+, and we anticipate a
vintage renewal of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday.
Races 7 thru 10 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday have been designated as World Pool events, and racing fans can look forward to huge totalisator pools in each of the designated bet types, which include Win, Place, Swinger, Exacta and Quinella pools.
The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge has some interesting variations for Saturday’s racemeeting – follow the news on www.sportingpost.co.za
See It Again and Great Plains – Drill Hall prep was eyecatching and sets stage for a super Saturday showdown | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Hollywood Sportsbook is a licensed betting operator. Hollywoodbets supports responsible gambling. No persons under the age of 18 years are permitted to gamble. Winners know when to stop. South African Responsible Gambling Foundation toll free counselling line 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp help to 076 675 0710.
IT’S THE GOLD STANDARD!
A typically high-class field of twelve will line up for the 54th renewal of the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, the premier weight-for-age Champions Season mile contest, and a gamechanger on the 2024/25 season road to glory, at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is in its fifth year under the Hollywoodbets brand and holds a milestone moment as the first-ever Grade 1 race sponsorship for the innovative company. The premier mile showdown will be run under
the city circuit’s brand-new international standard lights and will be contested for the first time under the Race Coast banner on Saturday, signifying another chapter in the exciting new dawn of the sport in South Africa.
Flashback to 2024. A punter ponders in peace, amid the party and buzz on course | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
‘The premier mile showdown will be run under the city circuit’s brand-new international standard lights and will be contested for the first time under the Race Coast banner on Saturday, signifying another chapter in the exciting new dawn of the sport in South Africa’
Race Coast was spawned from the merger of Gold Circle’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape-based Cape Racing, united under the Hollywoodbets banner.
Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge defending champion, and reigning South African Horse Of The Year, Dave The King will be ridden by last Saturday’s Grade 1-winner Callan Murray. Success for the relentless galloping son of Galileo stallion Global View would give the De Kock team a fourth victory in the race – their first achieved when Golden Hoard scored all of twenty-seven years ago.
While only Dancer’s Daughter (2008) and Do It Again (2019) have achieved the elusive Gold Challenge – Durban July same season double this century, Saturday’s line-up includes four entries for Africa’s greatest race on 5 July.
Flashback to 2024. Fans celebrate Richard Fourie’s amazing season | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The Hollywoodbets Durban July quartet who could write their names into the history books of the turf are defending champion Oriental Charm, Michael Roberts’ stable star See It Again, who was third behind Dave The King last year, Stuart Ferrie’s IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian, and Highveld raider Purple Pitcher, a dual Gr1 winner in his sophomore year.
The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day last year was significant for a magical moment of turf history when current SA champion jockey Richard Fourie broke Anthony Delpech’s 25 year
record of 334 winners in a season. Fourie piloted Double Grand Slam to win the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes, thus bringing up the 335 winner mark.
Fourie’s incentive for breaking this prestigious record was a R1 million prize in the Delpech 334 Challenge, sponsored by Hollywoodbets.
Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge card starts at 13h05, with the running of the first of ten races on a bumper programme. The headline feature is carded for 16h55 and is the
Flashback to 2024. Double Grand Slam takes Richard Fourie to winner 335 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
first of four races to be run under the spectacular international class lights.
As has become a networking tradition and an embracing of supporters of horse racing, each one of the ten races on the card are sponsored by Hollywoodbets’ partners.
Three new names are evident this year with leading Robertson-based breeders Ridgemont sponsoring the Listed Devon Air Stakes, while JC Le Roux add their sparkle to the third race, a Class 4, and Chinese vehicle brand Omodo sponsor the final race, a Class 4 (F&M).
Ridgemont already sponsor the prestigious Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and just this weekend bred another Grade 1 winner, courtesy of their star Canford Cliffs filly, Direct Hit.
It’s National Bubbly Day on Saturday, hence the partnership with JC Le Roux. A Bubbly Garden on course will provide a venue to toast every winner!
A 2025 Omoda C7 is a major prize in the Hollywoodbets Champions Season competition. The ever popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge has paid out over R40 million in prizes over the past four years and the special
Flashback to 2024. See you on Saturday! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
‘Gold Challenge Edition’ offers a guaranteed R125 000 to be split among the top 50 on the leaderboard on the day, as well as an estimated jackpot of R2 million for the player/s who can find all the winners on the day!
There is entertainment for the entire family on the big day, with food stalls and food trucks which are partnering with local venders to offer some divine Durban treats.
Worth noting:
• The Enchanted Kids Zone area with many different Disney characters for kids to interact with, including face painting, bubbles and tons of fun activities for the little ones.
• There will be live entertainment, including The Kick Stands, 2 Unique and DJ Nzweri.
• A new addition to look forward to is the Young Designer Semi-Final Awards which incorporates tons of fashion elements where talented designers show off their unique fashion creations for the public
• Win your share of R50 000 in amazing prizes at Hollywoodbets activation stand. All you have to do is purchase a Top Up Voucher of R100 or more to enter and that lucky winner could be you.
• East Coast Radio’s Danny Guselli will be the host in the public area.
GOLD CHALLENGE
HISTORY ON SIDE OF THE FLEETFOOTED
The presence of Gr1 winning sprinter William Robertson in this weekend’s Gr1 Gold Challenge over the Hollywoodbets Greyville mile is sure to raise some eyebrows.
Many would have bet on the son of Rafeef contesting the Golden Horse Sprint, however, trainer Corné Spies elected to bypass the Hollywoodbets Scottsville dash for the simple
reason that with its downgrading from Gr1 to Gr2 level and change in conditions, his charge was set to concede up to 11 kg to his rivals.
William Robertson – Gr1 winning sprinter has been placed at Gr1 level over a mile | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“It would have been a bitter pill to swallow if he had been beaten on the line by a bottom weight, whereas the Gold Challenge is run at weight-for-age conditions,” Corné remarked.
“Besides, the Hollywoodbets Greyville mile is a soft mile and let’s not forget that William ran third in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes as a juvenile, finishing just over a length behind the winner.”
William Robertson’s presence certainly adds
intrigue to the line-up, yet history shows that this prestigious race has been won by some of the fleetest horses of the modern era.
First run in 1972 as the Clairwood Champion Stakes at the now defunct Durban South racetrack, there was no stopping iconic sprinter Sentinel, who fully justified favouritism by almost a length. The Ellis homebred repeated that feat twelve months later under Michael Roberts at the prohibitive odds of 18/10.
The twentieth century was closed out when superstar Jet Master annihilated his rivals by 3,50 lengths in 1999, having just cruised to victory in the Golden Spur. He subsequently claimed both the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, a second Golden Spur and Gr1 Mercury Sprint and was denied a Gold Challenge double when defeated a neck by Free My Heart in 2000.
Key Of Destiny, who had handed three-time champion sprinter Nhlavini an almost four-length drubbing in the Golden Horse Sprint, chased home Horse of the Year Yard-Arm in the 2004 Gold Challenge and in a cliffhanger finish to
the 2007 race, champion Kildonan, fresh off his record-breaking victory in the Golden Horse Sprint, just failed to hold off Successful Bidder and the mighty Pocket Power by two shortheads!
Milers have obviously dominated the race, and the honour roll is replete with true legends over that distance, with several winning it on more than one occasion.
Take the smashing grey Wolf Power for instance. He defeated Foveros in 1982 and duly completed the double when leading home Arctic Cove and Spanish Pool the following year.
Another Durban July winner to have won the Gold Challenge - Yataghan | Credit: Supplied
Spanish Pool got his revenge in 1984 and repeated a year later when Jeff Lloyd lifted him over the line to hold off Felix Coetzee on Beldale Lustre.
Fast forward to 2012 when three-year-old Variety Club put a small, but high-quality field of older rivals to the sword with a splendid start-to-finish victory, and under similar dictating tactics, completed the double twelve months later at the expense of champion mare Beach Beauty.
Remarkably, that capped an eight-win streak for the country’s dominant miler, who of course, went on to take the international stage by storm and reached the ultimate pinnacle at Sha Tin where he disposed of Hong King’s best to claim the Gr1 Champions Mile by an imperious four lengths.
It’s not just sprinters and milers who have stamped their authority on the Gold Challenge. Many a middle-distance champion has used the race as a stepping stone towards the Durban July.
Snaith fairer sex champion Dancer’s Daughter – achieved Gold Challenge – Durban July double in 2008
Credit: Supplied
Since its inception, the Gold Challenge has been won by no less than ten July winners (eleven, if one includes the disqualified Gatecrasher) and the list reads like a who’s who of the very best horses to have graced the turf: Yataghan, Politician, Over The Air, Royal Chalice and Flaming Rock were joined this millennium by Dancer’s Daughter, Pocket Power, Big City Life, Legislate (who won the Challenge when it moved to Hollywoodbets
Greyville in 2015) and Do It Again.
‘William Robertson’s presence certainly adds intrigue to the line-up, yet history shows that this prestigious race has been won by some of the fleetest horses of the modern era’
It would be remiss not to mention that both Over The Air and Flaming Rock won the Gold Challenge on three consecutive occasions. Trained by Peter Kannemeyer, the former won the race in 1979, 1980 and 1981, all under Garth Puller, whereas Irishbred Flaming Rock and Karl Neisius proved unbeatable from 1991 to 1993 for owner Shirley
Pfeiffer and trainer Chris Snaith.
This year, young James Crawford will saddle Oriental Charm in a bid to add the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge to his victory in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.
So, William Robertson will face some formidable foes, most notably reigning Horse of the Year Dave The King, who will be all out
to defend his crown. Last year, the De Kock stable’s champion took the lead a long way out and kept up a relentless gallop in the straight to come home unharassed.
Out of a daughter of the 1999 winner Jet Master, he has shown his best form at sea level and following a smashing pipe-opener at Scottsville last month, will look to continue his love affair with the Durban track.
1988 Durban July winner Royal Chalice won the Gold Challenge | Credit: Supplied
CORNE, TRENT & WILLIAM… READY FOR THE CHALLENGE!
A milestone will be reached at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday in the fledgeling career of SA championship log-leading apprentice Trent Mayhew, who takes his first Grade 1 engagement, courtesy of the Corne Spiestrained William Robertson in the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.
A dual Highveld Feature Season award winner recently, and star of the Gr1 Computaform Sprint at his last start where he crowned a hattrick of feature wins, the Ridgemont-bred Rafeef
gelding is 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.
Corne Spies – travelled and experienced | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The now 6yo 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 over R3 million. What a horse to own!
“After he was allotted 63kg in the Golden Horse Sprint last month, we decided to focus on the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. While his record suggests he is a sprinter, and he hasn’t done a mile in a while, he has some decent performances over the trip to his credit. I recall that he ran third at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the 2021 Premiers Champion Stakes and second behind the accomplished export Majestic Mozart over a mile at Turffontein,” muses the 54-year-old Corne Spies in a chat with the Sporting Post on Monday.
In simple terms, Corne says that he respects the quality opposition, but that William Robertson is a ‘big runner and will do well’ from the 2 draw.
He is currently trading at 10-1 with Hollywoodbets.
As regards the engagement of a relatively young apprentice in a tough Grade 1 race, Corne says Trent is a talented young man and deserves the chance.
“We are throwing Trent a bone as he has won on William and works him every day. He has a solid work ethic and we believe in loyalty,” he adds.
Trent Mayhew only returned last week from
injury after a four month break off the track. We asked him how he felt about his lead at the top of the log after Brevan Plaatjies whittled that to only 2 following his career-first double at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday?
“Brev is riding up a storm. But I’m not going to watch him closely and will rather focus on myself. Worrying about others only puts oneself under pressure!
I have some great rides this week and hope to grab one or two,” says Trent enthusiastically.
As for William’s prospects on Saturday, Trent notes that there are some big names in the
line-up, but that he was confident of being right there where it counted. He was going to study the race and watch replays in the build-up.
“William Robertson is a horse with the heart of a lion. Just look at his form line over the seasons.
He enjoys the sprints, but he is always under pressure with the speed – like a horse who could well settle and then go and fetch them in a mile.
I am excited. Don’t leave us out!” he laughs.
Trainer Corne Spies is part of the furniture in South African racing circles. He holds a National Diploma in Equine Science to supplement the practical knowledge he received from his father.
William Robertson and Trent Mayhew team up on Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
In addition to the SA Fillies Nursery twice, Corne has been successful in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint (his most recent elite level strike), Gr1 Allan Robertson with Rock Opera, the Gr1 Golden Horseshoe on July Day with War Horse, the Gr1 Mercury Sprint with Van Halen, the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint with Singforafa, the Gr2 Emerald Cup with Tommy Gun, and the Gr3 Egoli Sprint with Take Silk, and many more.
A Hollywoodbets -sponsored trainer, Corne Spies won the Northern Cape award for Champion Racehorse Owner in the 2009/2010 racing season.
During the 2014 and 2015 racing seasons, Corne raced a string in Zimbabwe and won the Zimbabwean Trainers’ Title for the 2014/2015 racing season.
The Spies Racing Team have upped their marketing game with son Xander, an Attorney by profession, very active in the business.
Corne’s mentor, Dad Tobie, is a man steeped in horses and grew up with animals on his own father’s farm Haasfontein between Bethal and Middelburg in Mphumalanga.
His father used to take part in the local “bush racing” in the area, racing retired thoroughbreds from the Witwatersrand.
As an amateur jockey, Tobie won his first race on one of these horses when he was 7 years old.
He started his career as a surveyor on the mines because he was too big to be a jockey. He soon proved his worth by becoming the youngest senior official in the Anglo American group with 13 mining qualifications.
The passion for racing always remained with him, and in 1977 he began breeding thoroughbreds as a hobby.
A few years later, when the oldest of his foals reached racing age, he applied for an Owner Trainers license with the former Jockey Club of South Africa, and the rest is history.
Don’t leave William Robertson out on Saturday!
TO BLOOMHILL!
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Additional accommodation includes 3 fully furnished guest cottages, each with own kitchen, lounge, private patio, alarm, and solar lighting.
Equestrian Facilities - A Horse Lover’s Dream
* 30-stable complex with tack room, vet kitchen and feed rooms
* stallion barn, lunging ring, jumping arena, tracking track (450m) cattle facilities and
paddocks with watering points
* wash bay, post and rail fencing throughout Ample water and power
Business Infrastructure
* flower processing shed, cold room and workshops (1408mr under roof)
* fuel storage (10 000l diesel tank)
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* separate staff accommodation (6 rooms)
private and business entrances
Envision…
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* a wedding and event venue with boutique accommodation
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* a wellness retreat and day spa....
GQEBERHA-BASED FLYER SHINES IN KZN CAPITAL CITY
Direct Hit (Richard Fourie) maintains her impeccable four-from-four record as the competition try hard
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Unbeaten Gqeberha-based flyer Direct Hit became the third East Cape raider to win the R1 million Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship this century when she maintained her impeccable four-from-four record to win the prestigious 1200m contest at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
Saturday’s thrilled, and very relieved, conditioner
Alan Greeff was also the man who saddled Silver Arc, who won under MJ Odendaal in 2003, while the late ‘Oom’ Nic Classen trained Geepee S who was ridden by Bernard Fayd’herbe when she dead-heated with On Her Toes in 2008.
But back to Saturday 31 May 2025 and Direct Hit will go down in history as the first feature winner under the banner of the new-age racing operator, Race Coast, which was launched 48 hours earlier.
The beautiful bay built on her SplashOut
Gr3 Cape Nursery victory at Hollywoodbets
Kenilworth earlier this year, and her recent East Cape Nursery success, when blitzing home at 5-10 to beat Elegantrix (10-1) by 1,10 lengths in a time of 68,75 secs for the 1200m.
Another Highveld raider, and a filly considered to be the major threat to the Gqeberha star, One Fine Winter (4-1) stayed on 0,30 lengths back to hold Dean Kannemeyer’s Keukenhof (66-1), who ran out of her skin to cap the quartet.
Ridgemont rider Richard Fourie has been aboard at all four of Direct Hit’s starts, and said it was ‘very special’.
“This is a dream come true. Its mission accomplished,” added the reigning SA champion.
A foundation stallion for the Kieswetter’s fledgeling breeding operation eight years ago, the winner’s five-time Gr1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs (Tagula), a dominant miler in Europe in his 3 and 4-year-old term, marked a long overdue first Grade 1 winner.
A proud product of Ridgemont, Direct Hit is out of the six-time winning Great Britain speedball Wrecking Ball, who won the 2017 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.
Direct Hit’s broodmare sire Great Britain is a former resident of the magnificent Ridgemont Robertson stallion barn. He raced off a peak TFR of 118 and won the Al Quoz Sprint, subsequently a Gr1 contest which has been won by stars like J J The Jet Plane, Ortensia and
A proud achievement for trainer Alan Greeff | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Shea Shea. As a son of July Cup winner Green Desert (by Danzig), Great Britain was one of the best-bred stallions in SA in his time.
Raced by Ridgemont (nominee: Craig Kieswetter) and Devin Heffer, Direct Hit took her stakes bank to R1 345 125.
Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter, Dennis Drier and Hollywood Racing’s Devin Heffer celebrate the moment
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE 4YO IN GOLDEN HORSE SPRINT
Tenango (Andrew Fortune) wins the final feature on Golden Horse Sprint Raceday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
In what was a storied Saturday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, Andrew Fortune brought the curtain down on the 2025 Golden Horse Festival Of Speed feature programme with a typically polished ride on the Canford Cliffs gelding Tenango.
A winner of the Gr3 Champagne Stakes at his last start, Tenango’s official merit rating was increased from 104 to 118 for that effort, and now with 5 wins in his last 7 starts on the board, the 4yo gelding gave his Ridgemont-based sire Canford Cliffs another feature victory on a memorable afternoon.
A first Golden Horse Sprint winner for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson, Tenango coasted along up the outside and let King Of The Gauls do the donkey work.
At the 250m marker, Fortune pressed the button and Tenango made light of his first sight of Hollywoodbets Scottsville to beat fellow Capetonian O’Tenikwa (5-1) by 1,20 lengths, with Fortune giving the connections the salute in the latter stages.
Tenango clocked 67,27 secs for the 1200m.
King Of The Gauls (20-1) stayed on remarkably well for third, a further 1,50 lengths back, with the grey Truth (25-2) capping the quartet.
The tote favourite Outlaw King (4-1) seemed to have his way blocked late, but when the gaps opened he produced no real fire. He is better than this.
Bred and raced in partnership with new entry Mark Bass by stalwart Ian Longmore, Tenango is a son of high-riding Ridgemont sire Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the one-time winning Trippi mare, Tripadvisor.
After celebrating a maiden Gr1 success just a few hours earlier at the same venue, Canford Cliffs has had a sensational season all round.
Now a winner of 6 races with 4 places from 14 starts, Tenango took his stakes earnings to R1 524 802.
1,2,3,4! Richard Fourie steers Canford Cliffs daughter Direct Hit to a big win in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Ridgemont’s super hot five-time Gr1 winning foundation sire Canford Cliffs has enjoyed a dream season and celebrated a remarkable afternoon at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on last Saturday’s Golden Horse Festival Of Speed raceday.
Achieving a rare speedway double, the European champion miler marked a breathtaking victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship by his unbeaten-in-four starts Ridgemont-bred daughter, Direct Hit, now a feature race victress in the Cape, KZN and her home province of the Eastern Cape, as well as a facile victory by his 4yo son Tenango, who hacked up to win the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint in the fastest time of the day.
A serious candidate for SA Champion 2yo filly honours at Equus in August, Direct Hit is one of the most exciting prospects around and it will be interesting to hear what the plans are for a filly who has superstar written all over her.
Ridgemont rider Richard Fourie has been aboard at all of Direct Hit’s starts, and said it was ‘very special win’.
“This is a dream come true. It’s mission accomplished,” added the reigning SA champion.
Direct Hit is out of the six-time winning Great Britain speedball Wrecking Ball, who won the
2017 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.
Raced by Ridgemont (nominee: Craig Kieswetter) and Devin Heffer, Direct Hit took her stakes earnings to over R1,3 million. The sky looks the limit for the Alan Greeff-trained juvenile.
Canford Cliffs’ progressive son Tenango had the clock-watchers raving after he cruised up the outside to grab top honours in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint, coming within a heartbeat of smashing the 1200m course record.
Bred by his part-owner Ian Longmore, Tenango is out of the Trippi mare Tripadvisor.The gelding has won six of his 14 starts and is a galloper in bright form, having won or finished second in each of his last seven starts.
What more can one say about Canford Cliffs, who has enjoyed a big season with his other flagbearers including Listed Betway Swallow Stakes speed queen Almond Sea, and Glenlair Trophy winner Bournemouth, a horse who has won up to 2800m – once again illustrating his sire’s enormous versatility spectrum.
“It’s remarkable to reflect that Canford Cliffs was expected to produce classic horses, yet he boasts features winners from 1000m to 2800m, as well as juveniles who show speed and precocity, and who train on. We are so excited at Direct Hit’s future prospects and are proud to have celebrated another Grade 1 winner for the stud. Congratulations to the connections of Tenango – here’s a fellow who looks all set to cap his short career with a Grade 1 success, sooner rather than later. Our belief in Canford Cliffs has been vindicated and he is maturing like a good red wine. Watch this space,” added a delighted Craig Carey.
With less than half of the starters of big-hitters Gimmethegreenlight and Vercingetorix, Canford Cliffs is snapping at their heels in third position on the National 2yo Sires log and enjoys an AEPR in excess of close to more than double of any of the other of the top five.
Canford Cliffs retired to stud as a four-year-old after suffering a leg injury when second to the mighty Frankel in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Direct hitters! Devin Heffer and Craig Kieswetter celebrate the Gr1 success with trainer Alan Greeff Credit: Candiese Lenferna
His trainer Richard Hannon said at the time that he was without doubt the best horse he had looked after in over 40 years.
Canford Cliffs enjoyed a successful racing career, winning seven of his 11 racecourse starts and finishing either second or third on his other four appearances.
The son of Tagula first burst onto the scene with an electric performance in the Coventry Stakes as
a juvenile and victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas began a glorious run of form which saw him win five successive Group One races.
Jockey Richard Hughes, who rode Canford Cliffs, labelled him ‘a brilliant horse, the best I ever rode from the first day I sat on him and it’s nice that he fulfilled that potential’.
Andrew Fortune bonds with Tenango after the son of Canford Cliffs easy win in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint Credit: Candiese Lenferna
GOOD FOR YOU, CHAD!
The extraordinary story of Chad Little’s comeback to race riding at the age of 40 in November last year after teetering on the brink of the abyss of a nearly wasted life, received a Netflix-type boost at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday when he partnered his personal maiden elite level winner for a Grade 1-winning conditioner who was instrumental in pulling him out of the dark space that he found himself in.
The recovery of the former multiple champion apprentice from a five-year ban for drug use to the Grade 1 winner’s enclosure is the emotional stuff of real life fairytales and his association with Glen Kotzen and the Woodhill Racing family was the rock on which the comeback from that dark space, was built.
Good For You (Chad Little) takes the gold | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
And when Chad kept the well-backed Good For You (backed from 10’s to 4’s) going to beat Highveld raider and TAB Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner Charming Cheetah (7-1) by 0,30 lengths in the R1,5 million Gr1 Gold Medallion, there were very few hanging on to the Kotzen gelding’s tail.
A first Grade 1 winner for Legislate (Dynasty), Good For You clocked 69,13 secs.
MJ Odendaal would have been over the moon with the effort of recent maiden winner Intensity (20-1), who was 0,40 lengths back in third.
Bred by Oldlands Stud, Good For You, a maiden Grade 1 winner for most of his owners, is out of the Indigo Magic two-time winner, Slightly Blonde.
The winner, a R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, has now won 2 races with 5 places from 7 starts and stakes of R1 139 788.
Dennis Drier hands the trophy to trainer Glen Kotzen | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
SA FILLIES 9 FROM 19 FOR TARRY IN
Former SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry registered his ninth victory in nineteen renewals of the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint when the Klawervlei Studbred Vercingetorix filly Mia Moo prevailed in a thrilling blanket finish to the 1200m feature at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
Now a winner of a Gr3, Gr2 and a now the R1 million Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint brought to you by The Witness, at her last three starts, the red-hot in-form 4yo Mia Moo showed heart and courage to dig deep and give recent Australia returnee Callan Murray the unexpected bonus of an early Grade 1 victory to mark his return home.
Raced by Sandy and Eugene Arundel’s Itssa It & Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd & World Sports Betting (Nominee: Warren Tannous), Mia Moo (7-1) never stopped fighting to hold off a flying Asiye Phambili (28-10) by a nose, with the winner’s stablemate Mrs Browning (20-1) in third and the tough as teak Chasing
Callan Murray gets down low to keep Mia Moo at it for a peak career win. Third-placed Mrs Browning (Louis Mxothwa, red cap) is right there | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Happiness (20-1) in fourth.
The winner clocked 68,36 secs for the 1200m with just 0,30 lengths separating the top four!
The 28-10 tote favourite Double Grand Slam (28-10) was all dressed with nowhere to go, and did relatively well in the circumstances to find a 1,45 length sixth.
A R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Mia Moo took her win tally to 6 with 8 places
from her 16 starts. She has earned R1 300 825.
Bred by Klawervlei, Mia Moo is a daughter of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the four-time winning Captain Al mare, Leeward.
MARCH UP THE CHARTS CONTINUES HIS VERCINGETORIX
When Mia Moo won the Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint brought to you by The Witness on Saturday, she added further gloss to her sire Vercingetorix’s fine record at Hollywoodbets Scottsville’s big sprint day.
Mia Moo was one of two winners on Saturday for Vercingetorix, with the latter also responsible for Vihaan’s Web, the winner of the ninth race.
Coincidentally, both Mia Moo and Vihaan’s Web were produced by daughters of Captain Al.
This cross is also responsible for this season’s Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Double Grand Slam (an unlucky sixth to Mia Moo on Saturday), dual Computaform Sprint runner up Golden Sickle and Gr1 winning filly Vernichey.
Vercingetorix went close to having a Gr1 double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville this past weekend.
Mia Moo pick up her first Gr1 win, but Vercingetorix sons O’Tenikwa and King Of Gauls (winners of the Listed In Full Flight
Handicap in 2025 and 2024 respectively) finished second and third respectively in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint.
Vercingetorix is, however, no stranger to enjoying success in the Golden Horse Sprint. His ill-fated son Alesian Chief won the then G1 Golden Horse Sprint in 2022, and his daughter Vernichey captured the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship in 2020.
Vernichey is one of two Allan Robertson Championship winners for her sire, with Vercingetorix’s champion daughter Mrs Geriatrix victorious in the 2023 renewal. In 2021, Vercingetorix son Ambiorix captured the Gr1 Gold Medallion.
Thus, the progeny of Vercingetorix have captured all of the major features on Hollywoodbets Scottsville’s big day.
The champion also enjoyed a massive day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville earlier in the year.
Vercingetorix runners O’Tenikwa (In Full Flight Handicap), Quickstepgal (Gr3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes) and Elegantrix (Gr3 Tote Godolphin Barb Stakes) provided their prolific sire with a memorable feature race treble in April.
Set to be crowned South Africa’s Champion Sire for 2024-2025, Vercingetorix has enjoyed enormous success throughout the country this season.
At the time of writing, Vercingetorix had been responsible for 20 black type winners this season, with his progeny having banked in excess of R30,402 million.
Vercingetorix looks poised for more success at Hollywoodbets Greyville this Saturday. His top-class sons Oriental Charm and Gladatorian both run in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, while Vercingetorix has four daughters entered for the HKJC Gr2 World Pool Tibouchina Stakes and six potential starters in the Hollywoodbets Gr3 Dolphins Cup Trial.
AUSTIN APPOINTED SAJA’S FIRST FEMALE RIDING MASTER
The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) has announced the historic appointment of Colinda Austin as the Academy’s first-ever female Riding Master, alongside the return to his roots of Mitchell Curtis, who joins the team at the main campus in Durban.
These exciting new appointments come as SAJA expands its national footprint with the opening of a new satellite campus in Cape Town.
Colinda Austin’s appointment marks a groundbreaking moment in the Academy’s long and proud history.
As the first woman to be named a Riding Master at SAJA, Colinda brings not only decades of hands-on horsemanship and training experience, but also the passion and resilience that have defined her career in a male-dominated industry.
She will be based at the Cape Town satellite campus, where she officially takes over from long-serving, retired Riding Master Vincent Curtis, who assisted in the development and opening of the campus earlier this year.
Colinda Austin – breaks new ground | Credit: Troy Finch
Her appointment is especially significant for a growing number of female apprentices, who now have a mentor and leader who reflects their own aspirations.
Colinda’s presence brings new visibility, representation, and encouragement for young women pursuing careers in the saddle.
Headmaster of the South African Jockey Academy, Marius Nel, commented: “Colinda’s appointment is a proud and historic moment for SAJA, reflecting both our progress and our principles. Alongside Mitchell’s return,
these appointments strengthen our mission to train world-class jockeys through excellence, diversity, and leadership.”
Joining Colinda in this new chapter is Mitchell Curtis, who returns home to South Africa to take up a Riding Master position at our main campus in Durban.
With over twenty years of international experience, including twelve years as Senior Riding Instructor at the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mitchell brings global insight, technical excellence, and a deep connection
to SAJA — having grown up at the Academy under the guidance of his father, Vincent.
Colinda and Mitchell join a dedicated team of Riding Masters who continue to uphold the Academy’s commitment to excellence in apprentice training. The team includes National Riding Master Robert Moore, based at the Gauteng Academy; Martin Ball, Head Riding Master at the Durban campus; and Riding Masters Rocky Agrella, Nicky Roebuck, and Patrick Wynne.
Reflecting on the new appointments, National Riding Master Robert Moore said: “The Riding Department at the South African Jockey Academy is proud to welcome Colinda Austin as our first female Riding Master — a landmark appointment that advances both our training program and the broader cause of gender representation in the racing industry.
Ms Austin brings decades of horsemanship and instructional expertise to the role, and her leadership will serve as meaningful inspiration to our growing number of female apprentices.
Karl Neisius – mentor in the Cape | Credit: Hamish Niven Photography
We are equally pleased to welcome back Mitchell Curtis, whose return to the Durban campus brings over 20 years of international experience and a deep personal connection to the Academy. These appointments further strengthen a national team dedicated to providing world-class training and mentorship to the next generation of South African jockeys.”
Their work is further enriched by a growing network of industry mentors who have joined the Academy’s development programme to support apprentice jockeys.
These mentors include top racing professionals such as Gavin van Zyl, who mentors the apprentices in Durban, Karl Neisius who mentors the apprentices in Cape Town, and Jacques Strydom, who mentors the apprentices in Port Elizabeth.
Together, this team provides a rich environment of experience, leadership, and world-class mentorship. From international racing knowledge to hands-on stable management, from technical instruction to psychological support, the SAJA team offers its apprentices the strongest possible foundation for a successful racing career.
The South African Jockey Academy remains committed to preparing the next generation of jockeys — not only with technical skill, but with the mentorship, professionalism, and resilience required to thrive in one of the world’s most competitive sporting industries.
THE SLIPPER FITS! GOOD GREEFF
Golden Palm (Richard Fourie) cruises to victory | Credit: Pauline Herman
Alan Greeff boasts an abundance of juvenile firepower this season and his Master Of My Fate filly Golden Palm built on her Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Nursery success at Turffontein early in March with a breathtaking victory in the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes at Fairview on Friday.
There were two parts – the winner and the rest – to the Fairview Friday feature, with the Varsfontein Stud bred Golden Palm, waltzing home at cramped odds under Richard Fourie to beat her stablemate Silva City (66-1) by 10 lengths in a time of 85,52 secs for the 1400m.
Kelly Mitchley’s Royal City Girl (25-1) was a quarter length away in third, but nothing could live with the impressive winner.
Bred by Varsfontein, the winner races for Peter Moor and is a daughter of the champion farm’s home-bred stallion 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 3 of 4 starts for a place and stakes of R369 550.
Golden Palm bred on the same Master Of My Fate/Var cross as champion Tempting Fate.
The victress is one of six two-year-old winners this season thus far for Master Of My Fate.
This tally also includes Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery/Listed Dahlia Plate winner Anotherdanceforme.
Golden Palm could yet make her next start on the East Coast in the SA Champions Season.
Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie racked up a three-timer on the day. Gavin Smith also enjoyed three winners – two ridden by Craig Zackey and the third by Yuzae Ramzan.
Cliffie Miller and Marco van Rensburg maintained their form with a double.
• The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 6 June.
GQEBERHA JOCK SIDELINED WORK ACCIDENT
Gqeberha-based jockey Eldin Webber is likely to be out of action for what could be more than three months following a freak accident while riding work at Fairview on Monday morning.
Assistant trainer Dean Smith told the Sporting Post that the 40-year-old Eldin was trotting when he let another horse pass him.
“Unfortunately, the other horse lashed out as he passed, kicking Eldin on the leg. We are happy to hear he is doing well after the operation and wish him a speedy recovery,” added Smith.
A philosophical Eldin, sounding relaxed, no doubt as a result of the effects of the morphine, told the Sporting Post that he had fractured his shin and
suffered muscle damage in the process. During an operation, the impacted bone had been reset.
“I am at Greenacres Hospital and the staff have been fantastic. I have been told I will be in a cast for eight weeks and then will see the Specialist, after which I will be in a moon boot. I have been overwhelmed by the support and interest from stakeholders and from my colleagues, who were all here today. Thanks for the call. I appreciate it very much,” he added.
We wish Eldin well.
Mr Popular! Eldin Webber gives a thumbs up as he is flanked by Stallone Naidoo, Xola Jacobs, Sandile Khathi, and to the right, Charles Ndlovu, Kendall Minnie and Yuzae Ramzan | Credit: Justine King-Minnie
AN ABSOLUTELY SPLENDID SUNDAY FOR SNAITH
Justin Snaith put the frustrations of his Hollywoodbets Scottsville Saturday afternoon well behind him when bouncing back at his home base with four winners on Sunday, headed by a gutsy victory by the Danon Platina grey Absolutely Yes to win the R250 000 Listed Somerset 1200.
In the KZN Capital city on Saturday, Snaith had to watch months of work go up in a puff of smoke when the top-class Double Grand Slam failed to find a gap in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and finished out of the money.
But back on home turf at an historic first Race Coast hosted racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the SA champion found his rhythm.
JP van der Merwe drives Absolutely Yes to victory as Churchillian (Aldo Domeyer, polka dot cap) and Three Tigers (Gavin Lerena) complete the trifecta | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
A race won by the likes of the top-class Charles Dickens and Trip Of Fortune in recent years, the Somerset 1200 has never attracted bumpersized fields and only five 2yo’s lined up for the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Sunday headliner, with three hailing from the Snaith yard.
But what the race lacked for in pure numbers, it made up in entertainment value with a grandstand three-cornered finish.
It’s not often that we see the dreaded ‘Cape Crawl’ up the sprint straight, but Winx jockey JP van der Merwe find himself a reluctant leader on the grey Absolutely Yes, and some of the opposition consequently found themselves holding on for dear life, with arms being pulled out of sockets behind him.
Thankfully the pace appeared to quicken up at the halfway marker, and with well-backed stablemate She’s My World, and Three Tigers challenging, van der Merwe had a race on his hands.
Despite being headed, Absolutely Yes (9-4) dug deep and railed to hold off a late challenge from recent maiden winner Churchillian (9-2) by 0,30 lengths, with Three Tigers (13-2) a neck back in third.
The winner, who races in a partnership of Greg Bortz, Gina Goldsmith (their second grey to won on the day) and Leon Ellman, gave van der Merwe his second winner on the card and clocked 73,23 secs for the 1200m.
The only filly in the race, She’s My World (1310) appeared to get squeezed late and broke her stride, falling away to fourth. Be with her in her own sex company next time.
An R800 000 National Yearling Sale graduate selected by Gina Goldsmith, Absolutely Yes took his stats to 2 wins with a place from 4 starts and stakes of R309 501.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the winner is a son of the Deep Impact stallion Danon Platina out of the five-time winning Tiger Ridge mare, Maybe Yes, a winner of the 2014 Gr2 KZN Fillies Guineas and also Gr1 placed in the Garden Province Stakes.
Looking at the day, Richard Fourie was the standout rider, producing three winners for the third consecutive raceday, to continue his bid to successfully defend the SA championship title.
Fourie’s first winner was the Varsfontein Studbred Roland Garros who won a ‘Langerman
trial’ juvenile plate opener for the partnership of Greg Bortz, Gina Goldmsith and JP Cuvelier, when beating more fancied stablemate Randolph Hearst.
At the time of writing, apprentice Brevan Plaatjies rode his first career double and is now just two wins short of National Apprentice log leader, Trent Mayhew
An elated Justin Snaith speaks to Cape Racing’s Vicky Minott | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
TENANGO ON TOP WITH 126!
Mia Moo’s official merit rating has been adjusted to 117 from 115 following her victory in the Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint, brought to you by The Witness, for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that the runner-up, Asiye Phambili, was the most suitable horse to assess the race, leaving her rating unchanged at 116.
The following horses also had their merit ratings increased based the official margins behind the 116-rated line horse at level weight terms: Third-place finisher, Mrs Browning, was raised to 115 from 113. Fourth-place finisher, Chasing Happiness, was adjusted to 115 from 112.
The ratings of the following runners have been adjusted to reflect improved performances. However, the Handicappers considered the close finish—where the top ten horses were separated by just 2.50 lengths—which may
have led to an inflated assessment of those finishing outside the placings.
As a result, the increases listed below were not full adjustments.
• Whistle The Tune was raised to 109 from 105.
• Frozen Fantasy was adjusted to 107 from 99.
• Mai Sensation went up to 106 from 105.
There were no ratings drops for any runners in this race.
Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint
The official merit rating for Tenango has been increased from 118 to 126 following his impressive victory in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
The fourth-place finisher, Truth, was selected as the line horse for evaluating the race, with his rating remaining unchanged at 116.
The merit ratings for both the runner-up and third-placed finishers were also increased.
O’tenikwa, who finished second, had his rating raised from 110 to 115, while King Of The Gauls, in third place, had his rating adjusted from 109 to 111.
Three horses received merit rating reductions following this contest:
• Future Variety was lowered to 110 from 112.
• Melech was reduced to 118 from 119.
• Anfields Rocket went down to 109 from 112.
Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 03 June 2025.
Tenango (Andrew Fortune) leaves the competition in the dust | Credit:
SPRINT RACEDAY
GOLDEN HORSE THE FASTEST
Our sectional timing observations after the weekend’s action-packed racing has once again unearthed some horses to keep an eye on.
An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can really and truly enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville 31 May
Track Condition
Going: Good to Soft (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 24 (both tracks)
Rain: Last 7 days Nil
Irrigation: Last 24 hours 4mm –Last 7 days 4mm
False Rail: 7m
Wind: 10-15km/h North Easterly cross wind
Course Variant: 0,15s fast (straight) –1,23s fast (bend)
Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint 1200m
Six of the afternoon’s ten races were run over 1200m and by far the fastest of these
Chase Liebenberg
was the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint won by the progressive TENANGO. Confidently ridden by Andrew Fortune, the son of Canford Cliffs raced second last some five lengths off the pace set by King Of The Gauls.
He ran on best of all at the business end of the race and recording the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon, won going away. Tenango has now won four from five since being gelded in December and is clearly still improving. The winning time of 67,27 seconds was just 0,43 seconds outside the course record.
The Witness Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint 1200m
Although the overall time of the SA Fillies Sprint was the second fastest of the six 1200m events, the time recorded at halfway was the second slowest.
This false paced affair resembled a cavalry charge 200m from home and on crossing the line just two and a quarter lengths separated the first nine. The winner MIA MOO was always handy and got the verdict in a four-way photo.
Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship 1200m
The stable of Alan Greeff have been in devastating form with their youngsters this
season and so it was no surprise that the unbeaten DIRECT HIT was all the rage in the Gr1 Allan Robertson.
Backed into the red here, the daughter of Canford Cliffs was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead going through the 500m and ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the Gr3 Godolphin Barb winner Elegantrix by a length.
Gr1 Gold Medallion 1200m
Beaten just a head by the aforementioned Elegantrix in the Gr3 Godolphin Barb last time out, the Legislate gelding GOOD FOR YOU also franked that form line by winning here. In what proved to be comfortably the slowest of the four 1200m features, they went quite quickly in the first half of the race, but with the pace then slowing late on it made for an exciting finish.
Just a length and a quarter separated the first five home with Glen Kotzen’s charge (raced up with the speed throughout) holding on by a neck from the faster finishing Charming Cheetah.
Three 1600m Races
Comfortably the fastest of the three 1600m races was the Alesian Chief (2022) Class
4 event won by MY BOY LOLLIPOP (raced without blinkers).
The second of three winners on the card for Richard Fourie, the son of Soqrat raced eleventh of fourteen for most of the journey some eight lengths off the frontrunners Lucky Dollar and the eventual runner up Terminator.
The latter stayed on determinedly over the final 400m and it was only close home that Frank Robinson’s charge got the upper hand.
Quickies
Despite being disadvantaged with a slipped saddle from shortly after the start, ONE SMART COOKIE ran on well from midfield when getting up 50m from home to win the Battle Force (2021) Class 4 event for fillies & mares over 1600m.
Fastest Times:
1200m (6) Tenango 67,27
1600m (3) My Boy Lollipop 95,65
400-finish Tenango 22,66
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1 June
Track Condition
Going: Soft (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 28 (straight) – 29 (turn)
Rain: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 67mm
Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil
False Rail: Original pos with 3,5 spur: inside rail moved 3m with 2m spur
Wind: 3-14km/h North Westerly tail wind
Course Variant: 0,82s fast (straight) –0,65s slow (bend)
Somerset 1200 (L)
Just 5 runners went to post for the afternoon’s feature and with no pace on in the early stages it proved to be very comfortably the slowest of the three 1200m races on the card.
The Justin Snaith trained ABSOLUTELY YES made the running, but only 2 lengths covered the first four at halfway. This Danon Platina gelding showed real guts and determination when the race developed into more of a 400m sprint and got the verdict by a neck in a three way photo.
Run in an overall time of 1,36 seconds faster than that of the Somerset, and most notably over 1,5 seconds faster during the
first half of the race, was the Class 4 event over 1200m won SURGE OF POWER. Along with Circumbendibus, Greg Ennion’s charge made the running. He ran on stoutly below the distance and after a thrilling tussle with his fellow pacemaker, he too got the verdict by a neck.
Three 1400m Races
By far the fastest of the three 1400m races was the Class 4 event won by the well supported BOOGIEFIED. Back into favouritism at the track, the son of Justify set off at a good clip and rounding the turn much quicker than the other five races to negotiate that section, he had the field well strung out.
He kept on strongly down the short home straight of the winter course and although Scottish Kiss was gaining quickly at the finish, he still had half a length to spare at the wire.
Two 1950m Races
Surprisingly the quicker of the two 1950m races was the maiden event in which the 3yo ARIOVISTUS opened his account. Although run in a time 0,62 seconds faster than the false paced B Stakes, this too was not a true run affair.
They were relatively slow on the bend and nicely positioned just three lengths off the pace in fifth, this son of Vercingetorix was perfectly placed to strike. He took up the running shortly after passing the 400m marker and with some in hand won going away by three and a quarter.
Quickies
Content to sit fifth of the seven three lengths off the pace in the opening Juvenile Plate over 1500m, RANDOLPH HEARST recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon when only failing by the narrowest of margins to reel in his front running stable companion Roland Garros.
Fastest Times:
1200m (3) Surge Of Power 71,87
1400m (3) Boogiefied 85,74
1950m (2) Ariovistus 124,05
400-finish Randolph Hearst 21,99
23 YEARS LATER: VEALE SLAMS HIS FIRST CENTURY
Some 23 years after booting home his first victory in August 2002 at Clairwood Park, Sean Veale reached the milestone of his first century of winners in a season at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Wednesday.
Des Egdes trained the Modern Day filly Emmency to mark that thrilling icebreaker for the Sporting Post-sponsored Cape Town-born rider and on Wednesday it was Summerveld trainer Bo Ngcobo who saddled the Hollywood Racing
owned Eventidor for Veale’s century.
Hollywood Racing are on a roll, and celebrated three winners on the afternoon, two of which were partnered by Veale.
Well done Sean Veale! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“Hollywood Racing have been a career changer for me and I’m so proud to have reached that 23 year long target for them. They could have given my job to anybody and I’m a very fortunate guy to get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I must thank the whole team, including Anthony Delpech, who has kept me on the right target, and my mind focused,” he added.
At the time of writing, Veale, was on 101 winners and has enjoyed a dream season. He won the Tote Gr2 Woolavington 2000 on Little Suzie last
Saturday, and on Sunday rode the Vaughan Marshall-trained Inside Voice for Hollywood Racing’s 100 winner milestone this season.
Veale will partner the Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge on Saturday 7 June.
STALLION SERVICES AUCTION CAPE BREEDERS CLUB
The Cape Breeders Club have confirmed the dates for their very popular annual stallion services auction this year.
The auction will be held this year on the BSA Online Sales platform on 8 and 9 July.
With services to some outstanding stallions on sale, this auction is always popular and breeders looking to acquire a service to the right horse.
Below is the list of stallions, plus farms that have so generously donated services, who will have services available on the live auction:
Please click to download the silent bid information.
Please address all enquiries to Wendy Probert at secretary@capebreeders.co.za
STALLIONS:
A CASE OF YOU
BUFFALO BILL CODY
CHARLES DICKENS
DANON PLATINA
DIGITAL AGE
ERIK THE RED
FIRE AWAY
GREEN WITH ENVY
HAWWAAM
JET DARK
LEGISLATE
MALMOOS
MASTER OF MY FATE
ONE WORLD
ORIENTAL CHARM
POINT LONSDALE
QUERARI
RAFEEF
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT
VERCINGETORIX
WHAT A WINTER
STANDING AT:
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
WILGERBOSDRIFT STUD
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
MAURITZFONTEIN STUD
MAURITZFONTEIN STUD
VARSFONTEIN STUD
WILGERBOSDRIFT STUD
VARSFONTEIN STUD
WILGERBOSDRIFT STUD
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
CHEVELEY STUD
RIDGEMONT
VARSFONTEIN STUD
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
MAINE CHANCE FARMS
MAINE CHANCE FARMS
RIDGEMONT
VARSFONTEIN STUD
MAINE CHANCE FARMS
DRAKENSTEIN STUD
Expert Eye at the entrance to the Paardeberg stallion barn | Credit: Romi Bettison
If ever a sire line has come to prominence in recent times, it is that of confirmed speed influence Acclamation. In contrast to heavyweights of the modern era in Galileo, Sea The Stars and Dubawi, who have stamped their authority in classic spheres with excellent support from leading breeders, this bona fide breed shaper rose from far humbler beginnings.
Acclamation died at the end of 2024, just weeks after his retirement from a storied stallion career spanning two decades.
He has left close on 160 black-type performers, which include the Gr1 winning sprinters Marsha (Nunthorpe Stakes), Equiano (King’s Stand Stakes), Dark Angel (Middle Park Stakes) and Makarova (Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp), the Gr1 winning miler Expert Eye, as well as a contemporary great in the Hong Kong-based gelding Romantic Warrior, a rare three-time winner of the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Cup (a race won by London News), as well as the prestigious Gr1 W S Cox Plate in Melbourne. However, it is as a sire of sires that Acclamation has made his mark, to the extent that several of them have risen to elite status as stallions, notably Dark Angel and Mehmas. In fact, the
former, who hailed from his sire’s fledgeling crop, elevated himself from top-class sire to Britain and Ireland’s champion sire of 2024.
‘Blessed with a wonderful temperament, Expert Eye is a good boned, very welltopped horse, with a lovely length of rein and offers South African breeders access to an invigorating new bloodline’
Given that South Africa’s racing programme favours speed and precocity over stamina, it remains a mystery why local breeders failed to delve into this sire line. That is, until Paardeberg Stud took cognizance of Acclamation’s evergrowing stature and had the foresight to snap up his Gr1 winning son, Expert Eye.
At only his second juvenile start, he won the Gr2 Vintage Stakes over1400m at Goodwood. Thereafter he was only beaten two lengths in the Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
Trainer Michael Stoute had high praise for the colt, describing him as “the best two-year-old I’ve had for a while.”
In his seasonal sophomore debut he ran second, beaten just under a length in the Gr3 Greenham Stakes, before finishing 3,50 lengths behind Saxon Warrior in the English 2000 Guineas.
Expert Eye next claimed the Gr3 Jersey Stakes over 1400m at Royal Ascot, by the biggest margin this century. In his next start he ran second in the Gr1 Sussex Stakes over the Goodwood mile.
Within a month he went on to win the Gr3 City Of York Stakes, a race which has since
been upgraded to Gr1 level. Within two weeks, Expert Eye travelled to France, where he finished third in the Gr1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.
Expert Eye then travelled to the USA where he won the Gr1 Breeders Cup Turf Mile. He is Acclamation’s only son to have scored a Gr1 over that distance. Timeform rated him 124, which not only puts him in the company of champion Vercingetorix, it is also superior to the likes of Foveros, Var and Trippi.
Expert Eye relaxes in his paddock | Credit: Romi Bettison
A product of the acclaimed Juddmonte Farms, Expert Eye arrived in South Africa having spent five years at birthplace Banford Manor Stud, where he stood alongside the well supported powerhouse sires Frankel, Kingman and Oasis Dream.
True to his sire-line, his progeny are precocious.
He has sired 51 individual two-year-old winners in his first three crops, including the juvenile stakes winners Snellen and Juniper Berries. The former defeated colts in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, whilst Juniper Berries claimed the Gr3 Dicke Poole Fillies’ Stakes.
The gelded Witness Stand, a six-length maiden winner, placed at Gr2 and Gr3 level as a juvenile before claiming Newbury’s Listed Dubai Duty Free at three.
Expert Eye’s third crop includes Nesthorn, runner-up in last season’s Gr3 Prix des Chenes at just his second start and Rock Hunter, a winner first time out in France before running second in Sandown’s Listed National Stakes next time out. While his progeny display plenty of zip up
to a mile, Expert Eye’s first-crop daughter Entrancement flashed her stamina with back-toback victories in the Listed Beckford Stakes and Gr3 Prix Belle de Nuit, both over 2800m. Those achievements saw her fetch 120,000 guineas at last year’s Tattersalls December Sale.
Well supported in his first season at Paardeberg
Stud, Expert Eye covered many quality mares which includes proven stakes producers Mina Salaam (dam of Gr1-placed Gr3 winning sprinter True To Life), Gr2 Oaks winner Princess Of Light (dam of stakes winner Gentleman’s Wager), Gr2-placed Mrs O (dam of stakesplaced Priscilla Maisey), Gr3-placed Izora (dam of stakes winner Ice Star) and Stormin Cat (dam of stakes-placed Emerald Band and Sahara Cat), as well as the Gr1 winner Zirconeum, Gr2 winner Bold Fortune and the stakes performers Comtesse Dubois, What A Player and Electric Surge.
Young Paardeberg acquisitions which visited him for the first time included Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Love Bomb, Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes victress Marigold Hotel, as well as the stakes winners And We Danced and Ripple Effect.
From a pedigree perspective, Paardeberg Stud co-owner and stud manager Sally Bruss
made some interesting observations as to which mares would suit Expert Eye: “He has a high strike rate when mated to mares by Oasis Dream, so Querari fillies could suit. Also, mares with Danehill or from the Gone West sire line.”
For those who favour inbreeding, note that Expert Eye’s damsire Dansili is a fullbrother to champion Banks Hill, the dam of Mauritzfontein-based Ideal World.
A Gr1 winner and performer in the USA and Europe and the second-highest earning son of Acclamation on the track after the great
Romantic Warrior, he is a proven stallion of precocious two-year-olds who are now showing they train on.
At a covering fee of R25 000 (R5000 plus R20 000 live foal), what’s not to like about Expert Eye!
Blessed with a wonderful temperament, he is a good boned, very well-topped horse, with a lovely length of rein and offers South African breeders access to an invigorating new bloodline.
IMPRESSIVE GALLOP JULY ENTRY’S
Coolmore-bred and former Aidan O’Brien-trained The Equator (IRE), makes his South African debut in Sunday’s Gr3 Jubilee Handicap at Turffontein.
The four-year-old son of Galileo holds a 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July nomination and, interestingly, champion jockey Richard Fourie is a notable booking on Saturday for trainer Tony Peter.
Heversham Park Farm’s Advocate Nigel Riley, who owns The Equator in partnership with Willem Ackerman, issued a media release on Wednesday, saying: “We have been inundated with enquiries about the well-being of
The Equator holds a 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July nomination | Credit: Tony Peter Racing
The Equator and have decided to appraise the racing public of the situation, so that they can make their own decisions.
“The Equator was purchased in the UK in late October and went into quarantine. After being released from quarantine, he arrived at Heversham in mid-February, where he was acclimatised and did some light trotting on our tracks. He went into to Tony Peter’s yard on 28
March, where he has made excellent progress and has put up some eye-catching work.
“Last Sunday, The Equator had a 1600m gallop on the inside track at Turffontein against a couple of horses, including a Grade 1 winner. He won the gallop by three lengths, going away from them, and his work rider was as impressed as onlookers. We look forward to the race. We hope this will assist punters.”
HORSES AHS VACCINATION
STAKEHOLDERS URGED TO PRIORITISE HIGH-RISK
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) held a strategic meeting on Friday between their respective executive management teams to discuss the availability and distribution of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine for the 2025 season. It is reported that OBP has confirmed sufficient stock to meet national demand.
The collaboration was productive and reaffirmed both organisations’ commitment to protecting the national horse population through efficient vaccine rollout and public awareness. Large volumes of AHS vaccine are already available at major veterinary wholesalers and are ready for immediate purchase.
OBP also has additional doses in reserve, with production forecasts targeting between 80,000 and 90,000 doses this season. Stakeholders are encouraged to secure vaccine supplies early. This serves as an official reminder that the AHS vaccination window period commences on Sunday, 1 June 2025.
Credit: Vecteezy Stock
According to the Rules of the NHA, all horses, except those residents in the AHS surveillance and free zones, be vaccinated against African Horse Sickness by a Veterinarian, using a registered, non-expired, polyvalent horse sickness vaccine according to the manufacturers’ recommendations, every year between 1 June and 31 October.
Stakeholders are strongly urged to prioritise high-risk horses.
Horses under the age of three years, or those with fewer than three prior vaccinations, should be vaccinated without delay due to their increased susceptibility.
Horses based in the AHS controlled area that are expected to travel and have not been vaccinated within the last 24 months, must also be prioritised.
No horse resident in the AHS surveillance and free zones should be vaccinated against AHS without official permission from the State Vet: Boland.
Vaccination must be completed by 31 October 2025. Given OBP’s confirmed vaccine availability, no extensions of the vaccination window will be granted for horses
in the AHS infected zone this year.
Freeze-Dryers Status
OBP has also made major strides in enhancing its vaccine production capacity. Two new freeze-dryers have been acquired – one is already installed and operational, while the second is expected to be commissioned within the next two weeks.
The first commercial batch from these freeze driers is anticipated by November/ December 2025.
From there, OBP plans to implement an 18-month production cycle designed to supply enough vaccine to meet national demand for two consecutive years.
Any queries regarding vaccination requirements or your horse’s vaccination status should be directed to your private veterinarian or to the NHA Veterinary Department.
• Media release by the NHA on Friday, 30 May 2025.
NINE AT OAKS O’BRIEN’S TRIO TAKES ON
The third British Classic of 2025, the Betfred Oaks runs at Epsom on Friday (17h00).
As expected, the Shadwell operation have supplemented their Dubawi filly Elwateen at a cost of £30,000, increasing the field to nine at the six-day declaration stage.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Elwateen was having only her second career start when finishing fourth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, beaten just over twolengths by Desert Flower.
Desert Flower is an 11/8 favourite to complete a Classic double for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. She will be bidding to claim a sixth success and maintain her unbeaten record.
Ten-time Oaks-winning trainer Aidan O’Brien reduced his challenge to three, headed by his emphatic Musidora heroine Whirl. Gr3 Chester Oaks scorer Minnie Hauk and the listed Lingfield winner Giselle are the other two Ballydoyle contenders, although the stables
Epsom Downs Racecourse will host the Betfred Oaks on Friday | Credit: Epsom Downs Racecourse on FB
riding arrangements are not declared.
Joseph O’Brien plans to raid with his daughter of Australia Wemightakedlongway who was an easy winner of a Gr3 at Navan in April.
English-trained Qilin Queen, Revoir and Go Go Boots complete the field.
Conditions at Epsom are expected to quicken further following a dry weekend, with the ground changed to good.
Buick finished second in the Oaks on Dance Sequence 12 months ago but was full of confidence of changing his fortunes in Friday’s Classic.
He noted: “Desert Flower is a high-class filly who has never put a foot wrong. She’s well balanced and travels well throughout her races, and tactically she’s incredibly versatile; I don’t think Epsom is going to pose any problems. She’s always been strong towards the end of her races and I’m hopeful she’ll get the trip.”
He added that the favourite would be able to handle the step up in trip, although he plans to “ride her accordingly “to stay the extra half a mile.
She will need to be, as Aidan O’Brien’s three runners are all proven over the trip having won their Oaks ‘trials’ easily and stable tactics are certain to be in play.
Earlier on the day, French raider Calandagan looks the part in the Gr1 Betfred Coronation Cup (15h40).
The Francis Graffard-trained son of Gleneagles takes on seven rivals in this prestigious mile and a half contest.
The four-year-old had a great season last year winning at Royal Ascot before finding only City Of Troy a length too good in the Juddmonte International at York. He followed that up with a close second to Anmaat in the Champion Stakes at Ascot when slightly unlucky in running.
His biggest danger is last season’s St Leger winner Jan Brueghel for Aidan O’Brien, who could also run likely pacemaker Continuous to ensure a testing gallop.
FAVOURITE TRIUMPHS IN JAPANESE DERBY
Croix du Nord, Japan’s champion 2-year-old male of 2024, avenged his only career loss in the Gr1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in April with a win in the nation’s leading race for 3-year-olds – Sunday’s Gr1 Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse.
Ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, Croix du Nord stalked early pacesetter Satono Shining and then Ho O Atman, who pulled well clear on the backstretch.
The Daily Racing Form reports that in the early stretch, Ho O Atman faded from contention, leaving Satono Shining and Croix du Nord in a brief duel.
Yuichi Kitamura and Croix du Nord draw away to beat Masquerade Ball | Credit: JRA
Croix du Nord, who was favoured in American pools and paid $5.50, took the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining and won by three-quarters of a length over 6-1 Masquerade Ball, who closed well.
Shohei (8-1) finished third in the field of 18, catching Satono Shining in the final strides. With a purse of $4.32 million, the Japanese Derby is the country’s richest race for 3-year-olds.
Croix du Nord has won 4 of 5 starts, including the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at 2000m last December, a victory that clinched his championship.
“I felt it was my responsibility to make Croix du Nord a derby winner ever since the colt won the Hopeful Stakes, so my feeling now is that I am
relieved to have accomplished (the) mission,” Kitamura told Japan Racing Association publicity.
“The colt felt great today and I was able to come into the race with confidence, so victory itself came as no surprise to me. The break was smooth and after that, I was concentrating on keeping him in a comfortable rhythm more so than what position he was sitting in. In the stretch run, he responded really well.”
By Kitasan Black, Croix du Nord races for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd., and trainer Takashi Saito.
FERRARIS ON THE DOUBLE AT SHA TIN
Thriving in the absence of Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express was rewarded for a season of remarkable consistency with deserved victory in the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap as John Size edged closer to a 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Runner-up five times and third on two other occasions to Ka Ying Rising in seven starts this campaign, Helios Express (123lb) scrambled to a short-head margin over Invincible Sage (115lb) with Patch Of Theta (115lb) one and threequarter lengths away in third.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Helios Express sat at the tail of the 11-horse field behind leaders Magic Control (115lb) and Beauty Waves (115lb) before fanning widest in the straight and
engaging Invincible Sage – who won the 2024 Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) under Bowman – in a thrilling battle.
Clocking 22.01s for the final 400m, Helios Express eventually prevailed to Bowman’s clear relief in a time of 1m 08.14s.
“Only just,” Bowman said of the winning margin.
“I’ve had a lot to do with the second horse, Invincible Sage, and they both got the soft track
Helios Express edges out Invincible Sage in the Sha Tin Vase | Credit: HKJC
conditions which suited both horses and you’ve seen them both run to their premium.
“Helios Express thoroughly deserved it. He’s been chasing the ‘champ’, Ka Ying Rising, all season and with his absence, he was the number one seed and he came out in front.”
The winner of six of his first nine starts in Hong Kong, including victories in the 2024 HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup and HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup, Helios Express had not won in eight subsequent starts, repeatedly foiled by the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising.
“Helios Express certainly deserves this win, he’s tried very hard this season to win a decent race and finally he got it done,” Size said. “He found a race that was suitable for him.”
Pointing to the presence of 129-rater Lucky Sweynesse (135lb), who finished a brave fourth under Derek Leung, and the fact Helios Express received 12lb from the four-time Group 1 winner, Size said: “This what handicaps are all about. The race was always going to be a matter of handicap. If the topweight gets you into the
Dazzling Fits notches his second win for David Eustace | Credit: HKJC
middle range of the race, well that’s always a bonus.”
Size finished the day with a double, taking his 2024/25 tally to 60 with a seven-win buffer over David Hayes (53) with 12 meetings left in the season.
Size also struck with Masterofmyuniverse (135lb) as the talented gelding made it two wins a row with a slender victory in the Class 3 Tai Wai Handicap over Infinite Resolve (126lb). Ridden by Zac Purton, Masterofmyuniverse speared through a narrow gap before denying Infinite Resolve by a nose to claim his fourth win from nine starts.
Hayes scored with Lucky Man in the Class 5 Shing Mun River Channel Handicap under Bowman before apprentice Ellis Wong posted his fifth win of the month when Danny Shum’s Matters Most careered away in the second section of the Class 4 Sha Tin Hoi Handicap.
Luke Ferraris predicted a bright future for Dazzling Fit after David Eustace’s emerging talent landed the Class 4 Tin Sam Handicap.
we forget he’s only a three-year-old, so time and racing will bring him on,” Ferraris said. “His manners behind the gates could probably improve a bit more, but he’s just a young, playful horse.
“Definitely the penny is starting to drop with him but it hasn’t hit the bottom yet – it’s pretty exciting for next season.”
Ferraris sealed a double aboard Tourbillon Prince in the Class 3 Ma Liu Shui Handicap for Benno Yung.
David Hall-trained Ka Ying Attack posted his third win from only six starts with a brilliant front-running display under Matthew Poon in the Class 3 Fo Tan Handicap after Derek Leung steered Lucky My Way to victory with a clever ride in the first section of the Class 4 Sha Tin Hoi Handicap (1200m) for Manfred Man. Travelling strongly behind a wall of runners, Leung angled the Proisir three-year-old into clear at the 300m before sprinting away for a two-length win.
“He’s a lovely horse, he oozes ability and talent. He’s just doing a couple of things wrong, but
Mark Newnham’s New Forest led throughout under Lyle Hewitson to land the Class 4 Pai Tau Handicap and the pair combined later with Talents Ambition in the Class 2 Penfold Park Handicap.
FLASHBACK THE NHA CALENDAR
The Sporting Post keeps you in the loop with last week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar, as per 30 May.
The calendar is a summary of the week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.
Candiese Lenferna captured the poly-action at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Wednesday
A PLEA FOR HELP ‘MUHTAFAL’S MOM’
A familiar voice for years whenever we telephoned Summerhill Stud, and a lady known as ‘Muhtafal’s Mom’ to many, Megan Romeyn currently finds herself with life-threatening medical challenges.
Megan is pleading for any assistance – ‘a lifeline’ as she terms it – after a devastating battle with sepsis.
Megan worked at Summerhill for 15 years and was widely known for her love for top stallion Muhtafal.
“I initially was terrified of horses, but I grew to love them all deeply,” Megan told the Sporting Post on Sunday morning.
Turning 54 this year, Megan lost her left foot some time ago.
Megan Romeyn – a plea for help | Credit: Supplied
“I have faced a second lengthy and unsuccessful fight with sepsis – one that nearly cost me my life – I now face a major surgery to survive. In order to stop the infection from spreading, doctors must remove the top half of my right foot. While this will bring significant changes, I’m incredibly grateful that I will still be able to walk – and most importantly, that I will be alive.”
The Sporting Post has aired the cause of a variety of racing and breeding folk over our 30 years and we realise it’s not easy on anybody’s pride and dignity when having to put one’s cap
in hand by going public for help.
“Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean the world to me and will help me through this challenging time. Thank you so much for your support,” concluded Megan.
She may be contacted via email at muhtafal71@gmail.com.
• Please click here to find out more.
Mr
Mr
J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-06-04
17,574,219 10,108,944 8,493,250 6,070,281 6,220,313 25,897,125 13,671,844 13,010,231 10,311,288 9,556,350
20,991,563 18,471,881 9,342,125 7,853,469 31,986,825 29,694,844 27,093,369 16,130,538 12,760,731
28,502,256 23,187,969 14,636,838 11,779,719 BREEDERS
30,664,888 20,395,050 17,218,800 16,012,838 14,773,031 S I RE S T R A I NER S
