Picture: Gavin Smith dressed up to the theme “Over The Top” at last Friday’s Algoa Cup meeting at Fairview, but nothing could top the seven winners he had on the day (Pauline Herman Photography)

Gavin Smith Reflects On Super Seven

Gavin Smith created what is believed to be an East Cape record last Friday at Fairview when winning seven races at one meeting and although he did not match Justin Snaith’s eight wins, achieved at the Met meeting of 2016, he did it with just nine races available as opposed to 12.

Asked what he had expected before the day, he said, “I expected to have some winning chances and other chances of running in the money … what a blessing!”

He confirmed, “It was the best day of my career.”

The fact the record happened on Algoa Cup day, which is traditionally Gqeberha’s biggest race meeting, made it all the more special.

Gavin said, “It was a lovely day’s racing and very well organised. There were plenty of raiders and all commented on how wonderful it was to come racing in Gqeberha. Kudos to 4Racing.”

This meeting used to be held on a Sunday and Gavin, asked to compare the old slot to the Friday one, said, “People used to make a weekend of it (there was also usually a meeting on the Friday), but it worked out well this year too. There were a lot of people on course, many of them came dressed to the theme (“Over The Top)”, and there was a good atmosphere.”

Gavin was one of the many who dressed up for the occasion.

To add to the satisfaction of his achievement, he finished second and third in the big one, the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m.

Furthermore, he won the other feature on the day, the Listed RA Stakes over 1600m, with the exciting prospect Khaya’s Hope (Master Of My Fate).

The RA Stakes at one stage had a huge reputation because, amazingly enough, it has produced two July winners, Big City Life and Bold Silvano, as well as the Dubai World Cup short-head runner up Lizard’s Desire and the Dubai World Cup third-placed Paris Perfect.

Smith trained Bold Silvano himself before he was bought in to the Mike de Kock yard.

He said he did not think Khaya’s Hope was quite as good as Bold Silvano, but added, “He is definitely progressive and you can pencil him in a bit later.”

He reckoned once this gelding by The United States had matured physically and mentally he might even be able to compete in the Champions Season in KZN.

Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables bred Khaya’s Hope and sent him to Gavin, who has had him from “day dot.”

The RA Stakes means a lot to Glen Kotzen too, because he of course trained Big City Life.

He had three raiders in this race last Friday, Famous And Rich, Dowswer and Grinkov, and holds them all in good regard.

However, they were no match in the level weights race for Khaya’s Hope.

The impressive part about the latter’s win was that after jumping well he ended up in a one out and one back position on the flank of the pacemaker Famous And Rich. This can spell the end of the chances of a horse who does not have either a class temperament or a big engine, because most horses will take a bit of a stronger hold with fresh air in front of them.

However, in the straight Khaya’s Hope just kept on rolling and no other horse ever really threatened him. He finished three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Famous And RIch and did not look to be under any pressure.

The promising Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty colt Allez Moris finished third with the Andre Nel-trained hard-knocker Iconic Destination fourth and Dowser and Grinkov next best.

The Algoa Cup was the next race

Gavin said the chief hopes among his team of five, Never Ending Rain (Soft Falling Rain) and Jaeger Moon (Capetown Noir), had enjoyed good preps and he had expected them to be thereabouts.

However, Kotzen exacted quick revenge.

Smith’s pair were out in front going well, when Han Solo burst through down the inside in the closing stages.

He denied Jaeger Moon by three-quarters-of-a-length with Never Ending Rain a close up third.

Gavin then won the last two races to claim the seven.

He spent most of the day upstairs with clients and throughly enjoyed hlimself.

He said the extent of his achievement did not really sink in until the following day.

He was on a high this week for more reasons than one.

He believes East Cape Racing to be in a good place.

He said, “It is competitive and there are nice sized fields. It is also good to see new blood in the training ranks.”

He also spoke of the Gqeberha population, who have a culture of racing similar to that of Durban’s. Although not many go to the course there are plenty who have a flutter and plenty of others who take an interest in the sport.

Gavin is the reigning East Cape champion trainer and the seven wins saw him roaring past his perennial rival Alan Greeff in the current standings.

He has now had 31 wins in the East Cape for the season to the 30 of Greeff.

The East Cape championship has been won by either a Smith or a Greeff for every year since the early 1980s.

Gavin and Alan took over the dominant yards of their respective fathers, Andy Smith and Stanley Greeff, and the rivalry has continued.

Gavin took over from his father in 1996 and has now won nine East Cape championships in his own right.

He never thinks about the championship, unless he is in contention in the last couple of months.

He praised his hard working team including his assistants, his son Dean and Fransie Jacobs, and all of the grooms.

He won’t rest on his laurels after the seven-timer and concluded, “There are so many up and downs in this fame. We will just crack on!”

Picture: Charlie Appleby (second left) and William Buick (jockey) look set for another successful Friday at the Breeders’ Cup. (Getty)

2022 Breeders’ Cup Day One Tips – Friday 4th November

Racinginsider.com

Race 1 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Tips

Mischief Magic E/W

7:00pm Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint 5½f

As with the majority of the turf races staged this weekend, European horses dominate the betting. Nunthorpe runner-up and Abbaye winner, The Platinum Queen drops back into her own age group, but it will be hard for Richard Fahey’s flying filly to dominate after drawing gate 12.

At 8/1, you’re getting an excellent each-way price about MISCHIEF MAGIC, who didn’t run badly when attempting to come from off the pace in the Middle Park last time out.

Charlie Appleby’s juvenile had been progressing well prior to that run, coming from the rear to win a Group Three at Kempton with plenty left in the tank. The track at Keeneland will suit Mischief Magic more than the Rowley Mile did and Charlie Appleby’s record in North American Grade Ones is outstanding.

Race 2 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Tips

Tell Me No Lies E/W

7:40pm Keeneland NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) 1m½f

A handful of likely front-runners will be vying for the lead early on, which should set this contest up for a fast closer. Chocolate Gelato came from off the pace to win the Grade One Frizette Stakes last time out and she deservedly tops the market. At the prices, though, I’d rather side with Peter Miller’s filly, AND TELL ME NO LIES.

Since finishing fourth on debut, Ramon Vazquez’s mount has recorded three straight wins. And Tell Me Nolies claimed a hard-fought victory in the Grade One Del Mar Debutante Stakes, where she was forced to come from the rear after being hampered at the start. Miller’s filly then backed that win up in the Chandelier Stakes, where And Tell Me Nolies produced a career-best performance on her first start over this distance. She offers plenty of each-way value at 7/1.

Race 3 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Tips

I’m not totally convinced by the market topping Meditate. All of her best runs this season have come over six furlongs. On the two occasions that she’s tried seven, she’s seemed a little one-paced, so I can’t see why she’ll be suited by this step up to a mile.

Midnight Mile E/W

8:20pm Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf 1m

Talking of miles, MIDNIGHT MILE seems to have been overlooked in the betting. Richard Fahey’s filly is two-for-two during her short career, returning an SP of 14/1 on debut and 22/1 when she won the Oh So Sharp Stakes. By No Nay Never out of a Galileo mare, eight furlongs on fast Keeneland ground should suit her perfectly.

G Laurie E/W

8:20pm Keeneland Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf 1m

I’m also going to have an each-way bet on G LAURIE, who I backed in the Natalma Stakes following a hugely impressive debut win. Graham Motion’s filly could only finish third that day at Woodbine, but finished off her race well after getting stuck in traffic at a crucial stage. British Champion Jockey, William Buick comes in for the ride and the application of first-time blinkers could help this talented filly get competitive from stall 11.

Race 4 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Tips

Lost Ark E/W

9:00pm FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented By T’bred Aftercare Alliance (Grade 1) 1m½f

Bob Baffert’s Cave Rock has looked hugely impressive on all three of his starts and comes into this on the back of two five-length victories in Grade One company. Bob Baffert’s star has been drawn kindly in stall three. He’s clearly going to be very hard to beat.

I’m never keen to back odds-on favourites, though, so I’ll chance my arm with LOST ARK. Todd Pletcher’s juvenile went into the Breeders’ Futurity as one of the fancied runners, following a runaway victory in the Sapling Stakes over a mile. Lost Ark got off to a shocking start that day, as he was bumped and shuffled back to the rear, and did well just to stay on and place sixth.

25/1 doesn’t represent the talent that this son of Violence possesses. Given a clean break and a smoother passage from stall eight, I see no reason why Lost Ark can’t challenge for the places.

Race 5 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Tips

Silver Knott

9:40pm Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1) 1m

Charlie Appleby sent out Modern Games to win this race last year. This time he’ll be represented by SILVER KNOTT, who’s form in Britain is rock solid.

Silver Knott looked special when winning the Solario Stakes at Sandown. Appleby’s colt then hated soft ground when third in the Champagne Stakes behind Chaldean, who won the Grade One Dewhurst Stakes next time out. Silver Knott then bounced back to winning form in the Autumn Stakes, carrying a penalty to victory over Epictetus, Holloway Boy and Dancing Magic, who repeated their second, third and fourth placings behind the ultra-impressive Auguste Rodin in the Vertem Futurity Trophy a few weeks ago.

William Buick’s mount has been drawn perfectly in stall four. If Silver Knott breaks well – which many European horses fail to do at the Breeders’ Cup – then he’ll take the world of beating.

Picture: Silver Operator, seen winning the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, jumps from pole position in the Grade 3 Cape Mile on Saturday and will be ridden by Grant van Niekerk (Candiese Lenferna).

Grade 3 Cape Mile Preview

Cape Racing

Seven runners go to post in the Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth but fitness doubts and queries about the intent/plans of their connections hang over more than half the field.

Rascallion (s/s 109) sustained a tendon injury when brilliantly beating Do It Again at level weights more than a year ago and has not been seen out since. He will need the run, reports trainer Vaughan Marshall who understandably just wants to see him come back in one piece.

Likewise Golden Ducat (s/s 110) who won the Cape Derby and Champion Cup way back in 2020 returns 79 weeks after going wrong so cannot be expected to run to his best.

Jet Dark (s/s 113) boasts a big class edge having won both the Queen’s Plate and Champions Cup twice. He is probably using this as a prep towards another attack on the now-named, L’Ormarins King’s Plate though his record first up from a break is just one win from five tries, plus trainer Snaith has been enduring an unusually lean spell recently. There is no doubting the star miler’s towering ability yet there are a few questions marks hovering over the 6/10 favourite.

Brave pace-stalker, Rocking Ringo (s/s 104) has no fitness worries yet seems outgunned by those with far more talent whilst tearaway pace-setter Crown Towers (s/s 105) tends to cave in late.

Senso Unico (s/s 101) has steady form over slightly further but is shy of the figures needed.

That leaves Silver Operator (s/s 109) and Silvano’s Timer (s/s 106 +) as more likely to capitalize should Jet Dark not quite get his act together. The former won the Drill Hall and was demoted after edging Trip of Fortune in a rough and tumble Matchem Stakes.

Previously he clocked in 2.75 lengths off the best milers around in the Gold Challenge and thus ought to go close here. He is priced at 9/2.

Silvano’s Timer comes off a career best of 106 at his last start three months ago. He ran two lengths behind Malmoos at levels as a three-year-old over this c & d so this late-developer, quoted at 10’s, can contend at this grade. These two alternatives and obviously Jet Dark, should be sufficient for exotic bettors to advance.

Picture: Dave The King (Wayne Marks).

Dave The King Moves To Top Of Gold Rush Log

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Global View colt Dave The King was raised to 105 merit rating after finishing third in the Grade 3 cape Classic a couple of weekends ago and he has hence moved to the top of the WSB R7,5 million Gold Rush log.

The log:

Horizon’s Progeny Could Be Rising Stars

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” – William Shakespeare

Hemel ‘n Aarde’s resident sire Horizon (Pictured Above) has had all the ingredients for greatness built in from day one. Not only is he by Equus Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year Dynasty, his dam Shina is the full sister to the incomparable globe-trotting champion and six time SA Champion Sire, Silvano (as well as half sister to another Gestut Fahrhof multiple G1 winner in Sabiango). As pedigrees go, it doesn’t get a lot better than that.

The experts agreed. Offered at the 2015 CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Mike Bass Racing patron Piet du Toit went all the way to R5.2 million to secure the colt – a new South African sales record.

Entrusted to Candice Bass-Robinson, Horizon debuted at 3, winning at the second time of asking over 1600 at Kenilworth. He followed up with a 2nd place finish in the Listed Jet Master Stakes, a win in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and added places in the Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000, convincing the stable that he deserved a starting berth in the 2017 Vodacom Durban July. At a time when they had sufficient fire power to saddle three runners (including the winner, Marinaresco) for the big race, that was no small compliment.

The decision was vindicated when the July produced a blanket finish with the first 8 runners crossing the line within 2 lengths of each other. “He was drawn 16, raced at the back most of the way, encountered traffic in the straight and still only finished a length off them. He was very unlucky,” Candice states firmly.

Horizon continued to race for two more seasons, ultimately concluding his career with 3 wins (including the Gr3 Politician Stakes) from 1400 – 1800m and 4 places from 17 starts.

Candice continues, “He had a lovely temperament and was very straightforward to train. He had a good turn of foot and was versatile – he had pace as well as the ability to stay. He was very unlucky not to win the July. He should have been a Gr1 winner.”

Syndicated by Vermaak Bloodstock, Horizon took up stud duties at Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud in 2019 and stands for a very accessible R8000 cover fee.

David Hepburn-Brown is warmly enthusiastic: “Mike Bass always said this is a stallion. I followed him during his racing career and always thought a lot of him. I was at the 2017 July and really liked him for the win. Unfortunately he ran into all kinds of traffic, but still only finished a length behind the winner. Mind you, if he had won, we probably wouldn’t have got to stand him,” he says wryly.

“We are really happy to have him and he’s been well syndicated by the big farms. Sons of Dynasty have done well at stud and there’s no reason he shouldn’t do the same – on paper he’s much the strongest.”

Horizon has had an average of 55 mares for each of his first three seasons and is stamping his progeny firmly. Like their sire, they are good looking and well-balanced individuals and they are being favourably received at the sales. “It was a broad spectrum and I couldn’t be happier with the results,” confirms David. The looks are there – they’re classy, they’ve got substance, they’re a nice size and they have nice temperaments. It’s a good start. And they’ve gone to nice yards,” he adds happily.

Although his 2yo’s are just starting to enter the training yards, the early impressions are good. Candice Bass-Robinson reports, “A lot of them look like him and I liked them a lot at the sales. Ours have only just come in, but they are nice types. They have good substance and are easy to work with and although we are still only trotting ours, from what we’ve seen, they look like they move nicely on the track. I think they’ll have a good chance.”

Peter Muscutt is equally enthused. “Of the two colts I have, both are lovely individuals. One’s a chestnut and one’s a big bay, but they are like peas in a pod – they have the same action and the same temperament. He’s really stamping them, which I think is vital for first and second crop sires. In the short time ours have been in, they haven’t put a foot wrong. They’ve been on every track at Summerveld and been put through the barriers and everything’s gone like clockwork. I couldn’t be happier.” Asked whether he thinks they may run this season, he replies, “I don’t believe in chasing after money with young horses, but in my opinion, Cape Town in the summer is the best place on the planet for a racehorse – they just seem to blossom. I’m bringing both to Cape Town with me to see how they progress. If they show any precocity we’ll try for those rich 2yo pickings, but only if they put their hands up,” he says firmly.

Picture: Outofthedarkness (JC Photos).

Outofthedarkness Could Be Summer Cup Value

Outofthedarkness will have to run a big race in Saturday’s Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes to ensure a place in the Gauteng Summer Cup.Being drawn wide has not helped his cause.

However, he comes from the in form Johan Janse van Vuuren yard and will also relish the lonhg straight of the Turffontein Standside track.

He has simply been too far back in his last two starts on the Turffontein Inside track.

However, he was staying on well in both races over 1600m and 1500m respectively.

On pedigree he should relish the 1800m of the Victory Moon, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of the smart Fort Wood mare Negroamara, who was runner up in both the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic and Grade 1 Woolavington 2000, among other big race places.

He has the perfect jockey for him aboard, Chase Maujean, who is does well on hold up horse.

He has won in soft going before and the 25/2 about him for the Victory Moon carrying just 51kg could represent fair value.

His Summer Cup odds are around 67/1.

Picture: Grade 1 SA Classic winner Heavenly Blue (Snitzel) stands at Ascot Stud together with Global View (Candiese Lenferna).

Picture: The caterers of the Bold Silvano room. (Nelson Mandela Bay racing).

Fairview Caterers Win Food And Beverage Business Award

The caterers in the Bold Silvano Room at Fairview have won the Food and Beverage Category at the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Events Awards Evening.

To find out more about this room contact: Tel PE: (041) 398 5704
Email: info@racingassociation.co.za

Picture: De Melo won today on the Paul Matchett-trained Toreador colt Player, who is owned by Gary Player in partnership with Larry Nestadt and RA Burg (JC Photos).

De Melo Goes Thirty Clear

Keagan de Melo only had one winner at the Vaal Classic track today but it was enough to see him go 30 winners clear of Muzi Yeni on the national jockeys log.

Yeni had a blank today.

De Melo has had 88 wins in the season at 23.28%, which is the only strike rate among the top 15 on the log which is over 20%.