Mike de Kock trains and part-owns East Coast, who will relish the step up in trip in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic at Turffontein Standside tomorrow (Picture: Hamish Niven).
Trip will suit East Coast in SA Classic at Turffontein
Mike de Kock’s runner has this season’s leading jockey in the saddle and will jump from pole position
David Mollett (Business Day)
East Coast — an 8-1 chance in ante post betting — looks worth a win and place wager in the R1.5m WSB SA Classic at Turffontein on Saturday.
Trained by Mike de Kock, East Coast has a number of factors in his favour. He has this season’s leading jockey in the saddle, will jump from pole position and reverts to the distance over which he ran second in the Victory Moon Stakes.
De Kock, who has won this grade 1 race three times in the past six years, also saddles Shoemaker, the mount of Richard Fourie.
S’manga Khumalo is back from suspension to ride Royal Victory for trainer Nathan Kotzen. The son of Pathfork deserves his position as favourite after his narrow defeat in the Gauteng Guineas.
The one worrying factor is that Royal Victory had a hard race in the Guineas. Khumalo threw the kitchen sink at his mount in his attempt to get the better of Eye Of The Prophet.
Rachel Venniker will give her all to provide Paul Matchett with a win in the second leg of the Triple Crown, but her mount is 3kg worse off with Billy Bowlegs and Alec Laird’s colt — by the same sire of East Coast — could turn the tables.
Much will depend on whether Denis Schwarz can overcome a wide draw on the son of The United States — only Jimmy Don and Star Coin have worse barriers.
Schwarz did this column a favour when capturing the Egoli Mile on 6-1 shot Laguna Verde, but now switches to Billy Bowlegs whom he rides for the first time.
When racing fans saw Craig Zackey’s name down to partner Laguna Verde, they must have been totally surprised. The talented rider relocated to New Zealand a few months ago but has seven booked mounts at Saturday’s meeting.
It’s in Laguna Verde’s favour that Zackey knows Laguna Verde well — he has ridden the gelding five times in his nine races. Could owner David Shawe’s R600,000 buy pull off a big race double? He certainly warrants inclusion in jackpot and Pick Six perms.
Though he is held by Eye Of The Prophet on Guineas running, Electric Gold finished third in that race and could earn a cheque once again. The fifth horse home earns R37,500.
On Dingaans form, Shoemaker has a shout though his past two races tempers enthusiasm. The colt didn’t shape in the Cape Guineas and was reported to be not striding out after trailing in last in the Gauteng Guineas.
Richard Fourie, who rides Shoemaker, has a better chance in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic in which he partners Feather Boa for the third time. Stuart Pettigrew’s filly is well drawn and has a big chance of taking the R781,250 first purse.
Nevertheless, there is a lot to like about another Keagan De Melo ride, None Other, who has been tipped on many occasions in this column. Lucky Houdalakis’ filly ran second to Billy Bowlegs in the Sea Cottage Stakes and could be a lucrative swinger bet with Feather Boa.
Fillies Guineas winner, Lady Of Power, makes her debut for Mike and Adam Azzie’s stable after being transferred from Joe Soma’s yard by his connections.
Soma has been saying polite things in the media, but the Turffontein trainer will be gutted to have lost a filly who is looking a bargain buy at R175,000.
With Piere Strydom riding every bit as well as 20 years ago, Lady Of Power could capture the second leg of the Triple Tiara though Feather Boa has a much better draw.
Reny’s Guineas third puts Brett Crawford’s filly firmly in the picture. She was a 25-1 chance in the Fillies Guineas but is quoted at 7-1 for Saturday’s race. Roy Magner’s runner, Emirata Gina, also has to be considered as she was probably in need of the run in the Guineas.
The return to a shorter trip has worked the oracle for William Robertson who will bid to win the eighth race of his career when he takes on 12 rivals in the WSB Hawaii Stakes.
With Red Saxon, Puerto Manzano and Under Your Spell among the opposition, this is no easy task for Corné Spies’ talented four-year-old but Marco van Rensburg does have the luxury of a good draw.
Lucky Lad — a R850,000 son of Gimmethegreenlight — is an interesting newcomer in the second race with Sean Tarry quoted in Winning Form as saying he is “hoping for a good run”.
That’s about as bullish the former champion trainer gets when giving his pre-race comments.
SELECTIONS
1st Race: (4) Lucy English (2) Sheldon (7) Rozara (3) Vegas Hi Rise
2nd Race: (No Selection)
3rd Race: (14) Women Of Fame (4) Divine Moonlight (6) Miss Shaivi (10) Red Hot Rose
4th Race: (1) Poursomesugaronme (2) Look To The Stars (4) Rockingthetimeaway (3) Happy Vibes
5th Race: (4) William Robertson (3) Red Saxon (12) Unzen (9) Under Your Spell
6th Race: (6) None Other (2) Feather Boa (1) Lady Of Power (3) Reny
7th Race: (3) East Coast (4) Royal Victory (7) Billy Bowlegs (9) Laguna Verde
8th Race: (2) Litigation (12) Flashy Apache (5) Pyromaniac (3) Johnny Hero
9th Race: (7) Angel Of War (4) Back In Business (2) Spielberg (10) In The Ether
10th Race: (2) Mo The Man (1) Jet Dynasty (3) Godfather (10) You’re My Sunshine
Charles Dickens (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Charles Dickens Leads the February 2023 Equus HOTY Log
4Racing Press Release
Despite finishing second in the only Grade 1 event of February, the Grade 1 SplashOut Derby, Charles Dickens took the lead in the quest for 2023 Equus Horse of the Year honours. His closest rival Jet Dark is now retired which will allow opportunity for Charles Dickens to build on his points tally and lead over the remainder of the season.
The only other contender to increase its points tally in February was leading sprinter Gimme A Prince, who finished second in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes increasing his points tally to 66 points.
Charles Dickens leads the Equus Horse of The Year table with 80 points, followed by Jet Dark (70), Gimme A Prince (66), Make It Snappy (64), Puerto Manzano (50), and Al Muthana and Desert Miracle, each on 48 points.
Racing action will concentrate on the Highveld in the next two months with horses participating in the Highveld Autumn Season likely to make major inroads into the points tables for each category.
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt
Charles Dickens (80 points) solidified his position at the top of the Champion Three-Year-Old colt log, whilst the winner of the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby, See It Again, leapt to joint second position on the log with 32 points.
Cousin Casey (32 points – joint second) was not in action in the February period, while At My Command (26) and Royal Victory (18) increased their points and position on the log.
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
Despite not racing in February, Make It Snappy (64 points) remains firmly in control at the head of the Champion Three-Year-Old filly table.
Ciao Bella (32) remains in second spot despite not having raced in February, whilst Gimme A Shot (22) remains in third despite not having accumulated points in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. The first two in that race, Lady Of Power (16) and Feather Boa (16), complete the table.
Champion Older Male and Female
Gimme A Prince (66 points – second) and Trip Of Fortune (39 points – fifth) improved their positions on the Champion Older Male Table in February. Jet Dark (70 points) remains at the top of the table with Puerto Manzano (50) and Al Muthana (48) completing the table.
Only Captain’s Ransom (36 points) added to her points tally on the Champion Older Female category in February, but this was not enough to displace leader Desert Miracle (46 points). Princess Calla (32), Humdinger (16), and Silver Darling (14) complete the table.
Distance Categories
Gimme A Prince (66 points) increased his lead in the Champion Sprinter category. Princess Calla (32) remains in second place, with new entrant Bereave (24), Rio Querari (20), and Stiptelik (12) making up the table.
There was no change to the Champion Miler Table with Al Muthana (48 points) in the lead from Desert Miracle (40), Trip Of Fortune (34), Charles Dickens (24), and Jet Dark (22).
The Champion Middle Distance category also remains unchanged with Jet Dark (48 points) leading from Puerto Manzano (42), Make It Snappy (32), Nexus (32), and Kommetdieding (24).
With no staying events in February the Champion Stayers table remains unchanged with Salvator Mundi (23 points) on top from Arumugam (12), Nebraas (10), Senso Unico (10), and Chrome Yellow (10).
Equus Awards 2023 – Points Tables to 28 February 2023
| Horse of the Year | Age | Sex | Pts |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 80 |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 70 |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| MAKE IT SNAPPY (SAF) | 3 | F | 64 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 50 |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | F | 46 |
| Champion Three-Year-Old Male | Age | Sex | Pts |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 80 |
| SEE IT AGAIN (SAF) | 3 | C | 32 |
| COUSIN CASEY (SAF) | 3 | C | 32 |
| AT MY COMMAND (SAF) | 3 | C | 26 |
| ROYAL VICTORY (SAF) | 3 | G | 18 |
| Champion Three-Year-Old Female | Age | Sex | Pts |
| MAKE IT SNAPPY (SAF) | 3 | F | 64 |
| CIAO BELLA (SAF) | 3 | F | 32 |
| GIMME A SHOT (SAF) | 3 | F | 22 |
| LADY OF POWER (SAF) | 3 | F | 16 |
| FEATHER BOA (SAF) | 3 | F | 16 |
| Champion Older Male | Age | Sex | Pts |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 70 |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 50 |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| TRIP OF FORTUNE (SAF) | 4 | G | 39 |
| Champion Older Female | Age | Sex | Pts |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | F | 46 |
| CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF) | 5 | M | 36 |
| PRINCESS CALLA (SAF) | 5 | M | 32 |
| HUMDINGER (SAF) | 4 | F | 16 |
| SILVER DARLING (SAF) | 5 | M | 14 |
| Champion Sprinter | Age | Sex | Pts |
| GIMME A PRINCE (SAF) | 4 | G | 66 |
| PRINCESS CALLA (SAF) | 5 | M | 32 |
| BEREAVE (SAF) | 5 | G | 24 |
| RIO QUERARI (SAF) | 6 | G | 20 |
| STIPTELIK (AUS) | 4 | F | 12 |
| Champion Miler | Age | Sex | Pts |
| AL MUTHANA (AUS) | 5 | G | 48 |
| DESERT MIRACLE (SAF) | 4 | F | 40 |
| TRIP OF FORTUNE (SAF) | 4 | G | 34 |
| CHARLES DICKENS (SAF) | 3 | C | 24 |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 5 | H |
| Champion Middle Distance | Age | Sex | Pts |
| JET DARK (SAF) | 5 | H | 48 |
| PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) | 5 | G | 42 |
| MAKE IT SNAPPY (SAF) | 3 | F | 32 |
| NEXUS (SAF) | 7 | G | 32 |
| KOMMETDIEDING (SAF) | 5 | H | 24 |
| Champion Stayer | Age | Sex | Pts |
| SALVATOR MUNDI (SAF) | 5 | G | 23 |
| ARUMUGAM (SAF) | 4 | G | 12 |
| CROME YELLOW (SAF) | 8 | G | 10 |
| NEBRAAS (SAF) | 6 | G | 10 |
| SENSO UNICO (SAF) | 4 | G | 10 |
ENDS
Stuart Ferrie Looking Forward To New Challenge
Dennis Drier’s long-time assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie has revealed he will officially be taking over the reins on April 1.
Ferrie was always destined to be involved in racing in some form or other.
His father “Scotch” and mother Elaine both love the sport.
Stuart can remember watching racing as a toddler.
His parents used to take him to the St. Charles school grounds, from where a section of the Scottsville straight is visible.
Scotch taught at Maritzburg College for 20 years and in around 1970 he bought a share in a horse called Silver Sovereign together with fellow teacher Ian Gibson and Doug Campbell.
That prompted visits to the Summerveld yard of Hennie Coetzee, Felix Coetzee’s father.
However, Stuart’s only memory of Summerveld from those days is of being chased by geese in Hennie’s yard!
Silver Sovereign ran a few places, but was eventually retired to be trained by Doug Campbell for amateur racing.
Stuart has some clear memories of attending the gymkhana races at Richmond to watch Silver Sovereign in action.
Stuart went to school at Maritzburg College but just as he started there Scotch moved to teach at Weston Agricultural College.
This opened up new racing experiences to Stuart as there were many stud farms in this Mooi River area.
After school Stuart did a B Agric at university.
He did not particularly have racing in mind when choosing that path, but was adamant he would never work in an office.
After university he worked at Camargue Stud in Mooi River for a year and then departed for England where he had a stint at The National Stud. He gained a diploma in Stud Practice and Management.
He then left for Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky USA.
They are the biggest sales agent in the world and here Stuart learnt about the sales and the breaking in of yearlings.
One horse he remembers breaking in was the Theatrical filly Hishi Amazon.
Stuart still has banter today with Michael Roberts about Hishi Amazon, because she was beaten in the Japan Cup by Lando, ridden by “Muis”.
Stuart also attended such iconic racemeetings as the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup while in the USA.
He later departed for Dubai, where he spent seven years working with trainers, starting with Satish Seemar and then working for South African Nick Robb.
Good horses he remembers are the Machiavellian mare Susu, for Seemar, and the Robb-trained Warning colt Conflict.
He also remembers the old Nad Al Sheba course as apparently having a fairer surface than Meydan, where the horses tend to become spread out in the running.
Upon his return in 2002 he had various positions, including working for Gary Alexander for three years, Scott Brothers for a year and he went overseas for a bit too.
He joined Dennis Drier as assistant trainer in 2008 and has been there ever since.
It is fitting that Drier has had so much success at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, where it had all started for Stuart.
Drier has won 12 Grade 1s at Scottsville and ten of them were while Stuart was working for him.
Stuart has been associated with the like of Val De Ra, Beach Beauty, Master Of My Fate and Captain Of All during his time with Drier and the Grade 1 winner Guiness is another favourite as he is still in the yard as a pony.
Dennis Drier learnt from the best, his legendary hall of fame uncle Syd Laird, and he still draws on the memory of “Uncle Syd’s” teachings today.
Stuart has thus been given an excellent grounding.
His friendly and easily approachable demeanour should work in his favour too.
All of Drier’s current trainers have agreed to keep their horses in the yard with Stuart, so he will be given a good start.
His first runner looks likely to be on Sunday April 2 on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf.
Munger, Yeni, De Melo Locked In Intriguing Tussle For Highveld Champs
Matsunyane and Lerena still in the hunt too
Ryan Munger, Muzi Yeni and Keagan de Melo amazingly share the top spot in the Highveld Jockeys Championship on 46 wins each.
Kabelo Marsunyane and Gavin Lerena are not out of it either on 43 and 38 wins respectively.
De Melo, who leads the national championship by close to 60 wins is poised to take the lead in the Highveld championship, because Munger copped a recent ten day suspension and Yeni is also sidelined at present pending an inquiry.
De Melo is comfortably clear in the KZN Championship.
His 84 wins are 41 clear of Serino Moodley and Rachel Venniker, who are both on 43.
There is also an intriguing battle for the East Cape Championship.
After race 3 today there was only one in it with Richard Fourie on 47 and Louis Mxothwa on 46.
Fourie on 60 is 17 clear of De Melo on 43 in the Western Cape Championship and Mxothwa is next best on 36.
Turffontein Standside Saturday March 4 Formguides And Selections
www.attheraces.com
1 11H40 – WSB Spina Wina Middle Stakes
SHELDON, LUCY ENGLISH, MINI COUP and ROZARA could start backers off to a good contest. LUCY ENGLISH finished 2.20 lengths in front of SHELDON last time but it could get a lot closer on 2.5kg worse terms and due to the fact that SHELDON stumbled at the start. With only 53.5kg on her back expect a serious challenge from ROZARA. MINI COUP will be fresh and over a preferred trip – respect. VEGAS HI RISE could get into the action if puts it in.
Top Tip: SHELDON (2)
Watch out for: LUCY ENGLISH (4)
2 12H10 – Citizen Maiden Juvenile Plate
Six of the nine runners are first-timers MAX THE MAGICIAN, PRINCEOFGREEN and ZOOMBOMBER have only had one run under their belts and all can only improve. Watch the money.
Top Tip: BUTTERNUTENROOIWYN (7)
Watch out for: MAX THE MAGICIAN (3)
3 12H45 – WSB Spin With The Best Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
WOMEN OF FAME was backed but found one better on debut – she could make amends. MISS SHAIVI attracted money on debut but stayed on well – she will know more about it. Watch first-timers RED HOT ROSE, STORMY CHOICE and CRIMSON CLOUD.
Top Tip: DIVINE MOONLIGHT (4)
Watch out for: MISS SHAIVI (6)
4 13H20 – Orchid Island Maiden Plate (F & M)
After successive runner-up positions, POURSOMESUGARONME looks hard to oppose of those who have raced. LOOK TO THE STARS, HAPPY VIBES, ROCKINGTHETIMEAWAY and RIO SUPREMO will be looking for minor money. Watch newcomers, especially AVOONTOAST and FREEDOM SQUARE.
Top Tip: AVOONTOAST (8)
Watch out for: POURSOMESUGARONME (1)
5 13H55 – World Sports Betting Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2)
If WILLIAM ROBERTSON is not affected by the quick 2nd run after a rest, he could capture the HAWAII STAKES (Grade 2) over 1400m. PUERTO MANZANO is bang in form but even though this is on the short side, will be challenging late. RED SAXON should run a big race being fresh. MK’S PRIDE is back over a preferred trip and could find form in his new yard. Stablemates HUMDINGER and FOREVER MINE are definite contenders for money. BINGWA, IRISH TRACTOR and UNDER YOUR SPELL are looking for minor money.
Top Tip: WILLIAM ROBERTSON (4)
Watch out for: HUMDINGER (10)
6 14H30 – Wilgerbosdrift SS Fillies Classic (Fillies’ Grade 1)
LADY OF POWER is looking to take the 2nd leg of the Triple Tiara in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m and has the chance to complete the task. However, she has changed stables after her Guineas win and hopefully it has no negative affect on her performance. The race is a lot harder than appears and all of FEATHER BOA, RENY, EMIRATE GINA, BLESS MY STARS and NONE OTHER have genuine winning claims – include in exotics.
Top Tip: FEATHER BOA (2)
Watch out for: NONE OTHER (6)
7 15H05 – World Sports Betting SA Classic (Grade 1) (3 Year-Olds)
The Worlds Sports Betting SA Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m is the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown and Guineas winner EYE OF THE PROPHET is looking to go in again, however, there are many capable of stopping him. Runner-up to him in the Guineas, ROYAL VICTORY, should give him another serious fight. The performances of stablemates EAST COAST (blowing last time) and SHOEMAKER (not striding latest) must be ignored. BILLY BOWLEGS, ELECTRIC GOLD, JIMMY DON, LAGUNA VERDE are capable but are poorly drawn.
Top Tip: EYE OF THE PROPHET (2)
Watch out for: ROYAL VICTORY (4)
8 15H45 – Europa Point Drum Star Handicap (Listed)
The Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m could be a match between two stables – Sean Tarry has in-form LITIGATION, who has won starts over this track and trip, and the combo are looking to make it 3 from 3. Inmates PYROMANIAC and PLATINUM SKY form the back-up but are yet to win beyond 1450m. Tyrone Zackey on the other hand has JOHNNY HERO, who bounced back to best at the right time, as well as FLASHY APACHE who has a low weight.
Top Tip: LITIGATION (2)
Watch out for: JOHNNY HERO (3)
9 16H15 – Alboran Sea Mr 76 Handicap
Wide open. BACK IN BUSINESS was backed when hard ridden to open his account on debut. He can only improve. ANGEL OF WAR is threatening for his 2nd win but could be drawn on the wrong side. Stable companion SMITH AND WESSON was never travelling well last time and deserves another chance. TIZ MAGIC comes off a maiden win but could go on. SPIELBERG, COOL WINTER, FUR BABY, AFTER HOURS as well as stablemates IN THE ETHER and TWICE AS WILD need to be included in Quartets.
Top Tip: BACK IN BUSINESS (4)
Watch out for: COOL WINTER (3)
10 16H55 – World Sports Betting Thanks You Maiden Plate
JET DYNASTY looks hard to oppose in the final event. This is his peak run and the opposition looks moderate. ON THE GUEST LIST and MO THE MAN (races before this) look the likely ones to chase him home. GODFATHER, DESERT FOX, BIG FIVE and YOURE MY SUNSHINE could get into the Quartet.
Top Tip: ON THE GUEST LIST (11)
Watch out for: JET DYNASTY (1)
Dubai Carnival: Top tips for Super Saturday from Angus McNae
By Angus McNae (RacingTV)
Our presenter and Meydan expert Angus McNae can’t wait for Super Saturday, the final fixture of the Dubai Carnival ahead of World Cup night on March 25. Enjoy dedicated coverage of all the action live on Racing TV Extra.
A fantastic nine-race card graces this magnificent Carnival before the flagship Dubai World Cup card at the end of the month. I have four selections on a superb card where the Jebel Hatta is undoubtedly the best race.
14H05 (SA Time)
Kemari(6)
James Doyle | C Appleby
3/1
This is not the strongest renewal of the Dubai City of Gold and Kemari can outclass his rivals.
He had some strong form in the UK last season when chasing home the very talented Rebels Romance on a couple of occasions while his return at Meydan saw him finish fourth to stable companion Siskany. That was his first run for six months and I would expect him to be much sharper now.
Kemari is a strong stayer at this trip and I can see him being ridden prominently, which is no bad thing on this turf course. He won the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot in 2021 and he can make his class tell in a much weaker race.
16H25 (SA Time)
Bendoog(3)
James Doyle | B Seemar
2/1
Bendoog can finally have his day here with a low draw in stall 4 and after a very good run last time out.
On the face of it he has a bit to find with Salute the Soldier on their January meeting in the Thunder Snow Challenge, but he has a tactical advantage now with that rival hampered by a wide draw in stall 10.
Bendoog seemed to improve for the application of blinkers last time out behind Algiers and they are retained here, while he should be able to lead from his low draw and is fancied to take some pegging back.
17H10 (SA Time)
Al Suhail(2)
W Buick | C Appleby
5/4
He has never fulfilled his potential, but it could be that his time is now.
Al Suhail set a new course record when winning over seven furlongs here last time and ran the fastest final 400 metres of the Carnival. The turn of foot he showed was wildly impressive and, if he reproduces that, looks unbeatable here.
I believe that his win last time was in part down to a more patient ride than has often been the case in the previously. He has loads of speed that needs to be saved for a late charge and, if ridden in a similar way to last time, will win easily.
I think he is a Group One horse and despite his inconsistent record he can outclass his rivals here.
17H45 Meydan: Master Of The Seas
Master of the Seas(10)
W Buick | C Appleby
5/2
Master Of The Seas, Real World and Valiant Prince are the headline acts in a superb Jebel Hatta.
Master Of The Seas won on his recent return here, displaying a fine turn of foot and breaking the track record. He has a good draw in stall 2 and promises to get a much better trip in the race than his main rivals.
Real World is a class act and I don’t buy the line that he will need the run, but he is a drawn wide in stall 10 and the Dubai Turf is the main goal.
The result may well be different on World Cup night, but on this occasion I am happy to go with the classy Master Of The Seas from his good draw.
Horse-by-horse guide For Saturday’s Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (Doncaster)
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Our senior form analyst Jamie Lynch gives his verdict on Saturday’s showpiece on Town Moor, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Grimthorpe Chase
By Jamie Lynch
The Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase has changed character over the year, from its early days as a two-miler to its current incarnation as a long-distance handicap and as something of a Grand National trial, coming as it does after the weights have been published, though that’s not the case this time around with only one National entry in the field, and the sorry Sporting John is a big price for Doncaster never mind Aintree.
The race is naturally tied to the valuable Sky Bet Chase at the South Yorkshire track in late-January, and sure enough three are coming on from that, including the winner Cooper’s Cross, who’s still off just 10-4 because of the heavy-hitter at the top of the weights, Does He Know running off a mark of 157 after the Denman Chase.
Let’s look in detail at all of the runners for the big race on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing.
DOES HE KNOW
Jockey: David Bass | Trainer: K C Bailey
Since the Grimthorpe Chase was made an open-ended handicap after 2005 (formerly a 0-145), only one horse has run off a higher mark than the 157 that Does He Know competes from, and that one was likewise trained by Kim Bailey, The Last Samuri runner-up off 161 the year after he won it and finished third as joint-favourite in the National. Such a high mark means that Does He Know has to give away upwards of 16 lb and therefore the question is simple: is he worth the weight?
The answer, on the face of it, is yes, because he conceded 4 lb to both Zanza and Hitman, now rated 158 and 159 respectively, when chasing them home in the Grade 2 Denman, and it hardly came from out of the blue as prior to that he overcame a mark of 152 in a Cheltenham handicap when beating two next-time winners, built to carry big weights, having 12-0 there as here. Conditions are perfect for him – he’s a stayer who doesn’t want the mud – and, such is the bottom-up loading of this handicap, his class could count as the single biggest determining factor.
SPORTING JOHN
J: Aidan Coleman | T: P J Hobbs
His career has been a rollercoaster ride, now slowing to a stop, so it seems. Two years ago, he won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, a year ago he had reinvented himself as a staying hurdler, but this season has been a washout, pulled up then beaten a distance respectively in premier handicap chases the last twice, and patience is wearing thin.
We know that because this is the quickest turnaround of his life, just two weeks, and, most meaningfully, they’re now experimenting with headgear, an admission of the struggle to get him out of a slump. Another wind op ahead of Ascot didn’t remedy anything, pretty lifeless there, and it’s a complete leap of faith to back him to revive at Doncaster.
WINDSOR AVENUE
J: Ross Chapman | T: B Ellison
Psychologists call the phenomenon “personality maturation,” which is the nice way of explaining the effects of aging on our aptitude and behaviour. In the case of Windsor Avenue, now aged 11, the older he has got the more occasionally he has shown his form: in his last eight races he has run to his rating only twice.
One was in the Sky Bet Chase of 2022, which he won against the odds (40-1), but in the same race this January he was left looking his age up the home straight, inheriting fourth as others fell, some 15 lengths behind Cooper’s Cross. This looks another uphill struggle for him.
CASTLE ROBIN
J: B S Hughes | T: C E Longsdon
The surface stats tell the truth of his trajectory: in his eight chases, he has won four of them, from the Dave Brailsford school of marginal gains, as his rating has increased just 10 lb along the way, his incremental improvements making it hard for the handicapper to get to grips with him. Refreshed by a short break, he resumed his rise at Sandown last month, sent off at 10/1 but getting into a great rhythm and seeing off arguably a more competitive field than this one.
The things you know are that he’ll be positively ridden, jump well and try hard, and the thing nobody knows is his ceiling, as he’s got that happy habit of finding a bit more whenever it’s needed. He’s 1 for 1 over fences at Doncaster and partnered for the first time by Brian Hughes, both positives, along with his up-and-coming profile, of which there are so few in this field.
NEVILLE’S CROSS
J: R T Dunne | T: Tom Lacey
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The best of times for Neville’s Cross was the 12-month period between July 2021 and July 2022 during which time he won five handicap chases and climbed 17 lb in the ratings. However, he’s now in the midst of the worst of times, having a race a month since October and each one passing him by, his mojo well and truly lost.
In theory he’s well weighted, sliding down the handicap, but in practice there’s no sign of a rebound, nor any reason for it, no break and no difference here other than a change of rider, Robbie Dunne getting a go on him.
COOPER’S CROSS
J: Sam Coltherd | T: W Coltherd
A series of small advances made way for a bigger one when he won the Sky Bet Chase, first-time cheekpieces a catalyst, and he looked to have Ga Law’s measure even before that one departed at the last, leaving him to beat Cap Du Nord, who showed the strength of the form by winning a higher-value handicap at Ascot the following month. The 5 lb rise in the handicap for that looks generous if anything and the presence of Does He Know at the top of the weights means that, in real terms, Cooper’s Cross’s load is lighter still here than in the Sky Bet in which he carried 10-06.
That said, his mark is higher, and the trip is longer, by 447 yards, not inconsequential for one who did almost all of his chasing prior to the Sky Bet around 2½m and, for one who has few miles on his clock, there’s the question of the hangover from a hard race, even with a month off.
UNDERSUPERVISION
J: Sam Twiston-Davies | T: N A Twiston-Davies
Firstly, the conspicuous positives – he won this very race last year, from the very same mark, and so he can pack with him for Doncaster the t-shirt emblazoned with ‘been there, done that.’ The problem is the reason why he’s back to the same rating, because he hasn’t kicked on this season, disappointing more often than not, and though he was staying on when unluckily unseating at the second last in the Sky Bet (faller in front of him), he wasn’t threatening Cooper’s Cross, and he was hard work again, not looking in love with his job right now.
Given the significant dots to join up, he’s an easy sell, but a hard horse for me to back, coming with complications, having failed to complete on three of his four starts since last year’s Grimthorpe win.
MORODER
J: James Best | T: J W Mullins
Was just trundling along the career runway before unexpectedly taking off last mid-winter, going up and up with four wins in a row, the last of them his easiest. However, all of that has been overshadowed to an extent by his dismal performances since an absence, unrecognisable at both Newbury and Wincanton.
It’s an uneasy approach to the best race he’s ever contested, here at Doncaster, highlighted by the fact he’s marginally out of the handicap. There’s no recommending him on what we’ve seen this season.
JAMIE LYNCH’S VERDICT:
There’s no arguing with Cooper’s Cross being favourite after the Sky Bet Chase, but his mark his higher, the trip is longer, and his price is considerably shorter, all of which sends me elsewhere. There’s a case for the class of Does He Know proving pivotal in a lop-sided handicap, but he normally makes a mistake or two, and therefore the rise and rhythm of CASTLE ROBIN is perhaps the way to go, as there’s no cap on his rise so far and the rhythm he gets in may make him hard to catch.
Warren Kennedy’s Plum Ride Withdrawn From NZ Derby
Racing.com
Prowess, the second favourite for Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa, was withdrawn from the NZ$1 million classic three days ago.
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood weren’t happy with the way she was working in the lead-up to the rich feature and have elected to bypass the race in favour of other G1 targets on either side of the Tasman.
“It is disappointing not having her there, but the horse comes first,” James said.
“I am fortunate that I have had many years of experience of training mile-and-a-half three-year-olds. I have never chosen to withdraw one at this late stage because I felt we were doing the wrong thing, but I did with her.
“We both agreed that she hadn’t worked like a horse should going into a mile-and-a-half race. We know how brilliant she is and we have chosen a different path.
“She will most likely go to the weight-for-age race (G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes, 2050m) on the Auckland Cup Day and then all going well into the Vinery (2000m).”
The stable will still be represented in the New Zealand Derby by OTI Racing’s Mark Twain, who will now have the services of Warren Kennedy following Prowess’ withdrawal.
The son of Shocking won over 2100m at Hawke’s Bay last start and James has been pleased with his progress ahead of the Derby.
“His work has been the total opposite (of Prowess), it has been really strong. He has gone on since his last run,” he said.
With the withdrawal of Prowess, Sharp ‘N’ Smart is now an overwhelming $1.75 favourite for the Derby, ahead of Desert Lightning ($7), Waitak ($9) and Mark Twain ($12).
Nicky Henderson
Today’s Question
Who was Nicky Henderson’s first Champion Hurdle winner?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
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