Quasiforsure and Tristan Godden – have formed a winning combination (Pic – Akal Photography)
Quasiforsure one of 11 bidding to enhance Durban July prospects
The gelding is a 16-1 chance and likely to shorten in the market if he wins Saturday’s R400,000 race
David Mollett (Business Day)
Several horses entered for the Hollywoodbets Durban July will be monitored in Saturday’s WSB 1900 at Greyville — particularly Peter Muscutt’s five-time winner, Quasiforsure.
Of the 12 runners who will face the starter in the grade 2 race, only Indlamu doesn’t hold a July entry.
Until he won by four lengths on his eighth outing last month, Quasiforsure wasn’t on many shortlists as a possible Durban July winner. Now the gelding is a 16-1 chance and likely to shorten in the market if he wins Saturday’s R400,000 contest.
Quasiforsure is a son of Quasillo who was champion three-year-old in Germany in 2015. Quasillo stands at Maine Chance Farms alongside the country’s most popular sire, Vercingetorix. The latter returned the astonishing average of R854,286 at last month’s National Yearling Sales.
A son of Sea The Stars, Quasillo is bred in the purple and Quasiforsure — bred at Boland Stud — is a 3-1 chance to win the WSB 1900.
Rascallion had a nightmare run in the Cape Met and makes his seasonal bow for trainer Vaughan Marshall. The five-year-old was immediately named as this column’s each-way fancy for the July after the Kenilworth race when he was on offer at 20-1.
With 62kg on his back, Rascallion looks to have a stiff task and Marshall will no doubt be happy if his charge runs on to fill a minor placing.
It won’t have been lost on Justin Snaith — or Richard Fourie — that Pacaya will be 2kg better off with Quasiforsure compared to their clash in the Jet Master Stakes in February.
Another son of Trippi, Pacaya will have plenty of supporters from a favourable draw though it is something of a worry that he has failed to find extra in the last two 1,800m races the gelding has contested.
Mike de Kock’s runner, Aragosta, has no stamina limitations and — with Safe Passage under a cloud — the many times champion trainer will be looking for a big run from last season’s SA Derby winner.
On the score of consistency, it is impossible to fault Cape Eagle who has won five of his last six starts. This is the big test for the son of Vercingetorix and interesting that Sean Veale — not Keagan De Melo who has ridden him once before — gets the ride for the first time.
Trippi is also the sire of Winchester Mansion and Brett Crawford thinks enough of his three-time winner to have nominated him for the July. He is another runner who will be closely watched.
Not a race one would want to risk the rent on, but Quasiforsure is the selection ahead of Aragosta, Pacaya and Cape Eagle.
Leased filly Time Flies lines up against just six rivals in the KRA East Coast Cup over 2,000m.
Hollywood Syndicate lease the Dynsasty filly from Ridgemont Highlands and she will be looking to add to her earnings of close to R300,000.
There’s another R93,750 up for grabs in the East Coast Cup and Brett Crawford’s filly will ensure De Melo’s mount, Dawnofanewday, is fully tested. The dam of Dean Kannemeyer’s runner won one race over 1,200m and the Futura filly is trying 2,000m for the first time.
Racing fans travelling to the Durban track will be able to see dual July hero, Do It Again, contest the 33rd race of his career when he takes on 10 rivals in the fourth race. Don’t be surprised if Snaith’s veteran is given a run for his money by Captain Fontaine.
Candice Dawson has a fine record when it comes to the last race at Greyville and her well-drawn filly, Just Be Nice, looks worth a punt at 9-2 in the finale.
SELECTIONS
1st Race: (11) Querandi (13) Mauritania (3) Errols Legacy (7) Prankster
2nd Race: (10) Kumemori (7) Bedtime Story (11) Rafa’s Boy (12) One Irish Rover
3rd Race: (4) Pixie In Love (6) Indian Ocean (1) Queen Jackson (2) Fiery Filly
4th Race: (5) Captain Fontane (6) Do It Again (3) Union Square (1) Russian Rock
5th Race: (7) Lillybelle (11) Capetown Beauty (1) Rockie Reef (9) Aquae Sulis
6th Race: (1) Time Flies (2) Dawnofanewday (3) Sister Light (6) Lady Tiptree
7th Race: (9) Quasiforsure (5) Aragosta (4) Pacaya (10) Cape Eagle
8th Race: (1) Coin Spinner (4) Strawberry Bear (10) Tread Swiftly (12) After The Rain
9th Race: (9) Addabar (10) Ponte Pietra (4) Parmenion (5) Kingdom Of Heaven
10th Race: (4) Just Be Nice (2) Danse Milord (10) Shell Seeker (7) Morgan La Fay
Silvestre De Sousa: three winners at Investec Derby meeting last year. Credit: Vince Caligiuri
De Sousa And Borges banned by Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to betting charge
Racing Post (Peter Scargill)
Silvestre de Sousa has been suspended for ten months by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) after pleading guilty to a betting charge on Friday.
A three-time champion jockey in Britain, De Sousa, 42, pleaded guilty alongside Vagner Borges, a fellow Brazilian rider based in Hong Kong, who was banned for 12 months by HKJC stewards. Both suspensions begin immediately, ruling De Sousa out until March 12, 2024 and Borges until May 12, 2024.
Both riders were found in breach of rule 59 (3), which says that “no jockey shall bet, or facilitate the making of a bet, or have any interest in a bet, on any race or any contingency relating to a race meeting”.
According to a media release from the HKJC, Borges bet on his mount, Young Brilliant, in a 1m1f handicap at Happy Valley on April 26 in contravention of the rules. De Sousa “facilitated” Borges being able to bet on the horse.
The HKJC statement said that “there was no evidence before the stewards that jockeys Borges and De Sousa had ridden their horses in the respective race with any intention other than to obtain the best possible placing for their mounts”.
In reaching the decision to suspend both riders, HKJC stewards accepted the guilty pleas of both riders and each had an “unblemished record in relation to betting offences”.
However, the stewards added: “It is fundamental to the integrity of racing that jockeys are not permitted to bet or to have an interest in a bet.”
De Sousa relocated to ride in Hong Kong at the end of last year having struggled to re-establish himself following his release from his role as retained jockey for Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha’s King Power Racing operation in November 2021.
Since moving to Hong Kong, De Sousa has ridden 45 winners and sits fifth in the jockeys’ championship. His mounts have earned HK$75,597,985 (£7.7m/€8.8m) in prize-money.
Cape Eagle has fine KZN form and now faces his acid test (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
Trainer Comments For WSB 1900
Michele Wing and the Gold Circle team put together the below informative video.
The At The Races tipster has selected Time Flies to win the Listed KRA East Coast Cup (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Saturday Formguides And Selections
www.attheraces.com
1 11:10 AM – World Sports Betting Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
An early start to the World Sports Betting 1900 raceday so remember to get your bets on timeously. SECRET IDENTITY is highly regarded and could come on nicely after making her debut in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes. She was slowly away and raced greenly and will need to be even sharper at Hollywoodbets Greyville. ERROLS LEGACY has decent form, including a fair third at this venue on debut but she did finish behind SECRET IDENTITY. VISION TO ACHIEVE is by Vercingetorix and expected to improve nicely on her debut. MAURITANIA and SWEET JEWEL haven’t drawn as well but can show more. First-timers in it.
Top Tip: SECRET IDENTITY (8)
Watch out for: PRANKSTER (7)
2 11:40 AM – WSB Bet With The Best Maiden Plate
Juvenile BEDTIME STORY looks well placed (even if running in open company) after running a fair race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Leading rider Richard Fourie has been booked to ride. Watch out for improvement from EXCALIBUR CALLS who although not finishing close up in both starts, did run with some of the best around last season. However, he may need it after a long break. RAFA’S BOY was well supported when making his comeback after more than a year and will be looking to turn it around with KUMEMORI who finished just ahead. The latter has scope as well. More can threaten.
Top Tip: BEDTIME STORY (7)
Watch out for: EXCALIBUR CALLS (1)
3 12:15 PM – WSB Spinawina Maiden Plate (F & M)
INDIAN OCEAN was given time to mature and showed some potential when tried over ground on debut. On pedigree she should enjoy this longer distance and can open her account in her first local start. PIXIE IN LOVE is overdue, having run second four times in her last five starts. Her penultimate on the turf was decent and she has drawn better so could have every chance this time. LA DREAMER can boast a strong finish, but she too has not got her head in front at the wire. She could suddenly prove dangerous back against her own sex. FIERY FILLY can improve switching to turf.
Top Tip: INDIAN OCEAN (6)
Watch out for: PIXIE IN LOVE (4)
4 12:50 PM – WSB Spin With The Best Pinnacle Stakes
DO IT AGAIN loves racing fresh and has won every time he has made his seasonal return in KwaZulu-Natal. He lost form recently and is rising nine but it will be amazing were he to add win No 10 to his tally. Three-year-old UNION SQUARE won the Dingaans over this distance and it could be the right race for him. He too is racing after a break. RUSSIAN ROCK could finally land a win on the right hander as he has the class and is jumping from gate No 1 but he can be a bit moody. CAPTAIN FONTANE, FUTURE PRINCE and IMPOSING are all out to prove themselves against DO IT AGAIN over this trip.
Top Tip: CAPTAIN FONTANE (5)
Watch out for: UNION SQUARE (3)
5 1:25 PM – www.wsb.co.za FM 84 Handicap (F & M)
LILLYBELLE was the fastest finisher in her last two races and has been a bit unlucky not to have notched up a win in KwaZulu-Natal. It could be her day. AQUAE SULIS had a bit too much to do after jumping from a wide draw last time. She enjoys this track and should give a good account of herself. LET’S NOT LINGER has the ability and has drawn best of the three. Her last race was too short and she looks a distinct danger from gate No 2. MANIC MONDAY was unlucky to lose last time but the handicapper was impressed as she has gone up a few points. CAPETOWN BEAUTY is very capable but may need it.
Top Tip: LET’S NOT LINGER (2)
Watch out for: AQUAE SULIS (9)
6 2:00 PM – KRA East Coast Cup (Fillies’ Listed)
VIRGINIA SWEET enjoyed being back on a right-handed track last time, winning the East Cape Oaks beating useful Silverlinks convincingly. She has improved with maturity and could be up to the task. Both TIME FLIES and DAWNOFANEWDAY go the longer distance but should have no problem if judged on pedigrees. TIME FLIES is weighted to win and if allowed to dictate could keep going again. DAWNOFANEWDAY was given a peach of a ride from Keagan de Melo last time and having drawn well could add another feature to her name. SISTER LIGHT and LADY TIPTREE have outside chances.
Top Tip: TIME FLIES (1)
Watch out for: DAWNOFANEWDAY (2)
7 2:39 PM – World Sports Betting 1900 (Grade 2)
Good field for the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900 and many will be hoping to seal their places in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. PACAYA was a bit fortunate to catch QUASIFORSURE to win a stakes race last time. He has drawn well and is 2kg better off so has a big chance of confirming. QUASIFORSURE is also a July nominee and the way he won his comeback race suggests there is plenty more to come. CAPE EAGLE has been impressive from the front and if stays could be hard to catch again. WINCHESTER MANSION looks the dark horse from draw No 2. There are more dangers in it.
Top Tip: PACAYA (4)
Watch out for: QUASIFORSURE (9)
8 3:19 PM – WSB Online Casino Pinnacle Stakes
Youngster STRAWBERRY BEAR had some famous scalps behind when winning the Grade 3 Byerley Turk in his first try over 1400m. The form line is proving strong and if he doesn’t mind the drop in trip could follow up. Fellow three-year-old USA’S HOPE won a close contest before losing one, and having drawn well looks a livewire again. COIN SPINNER looks to have needed his last two races and he could now start to improve and find best form. He needs to be taken seriously from gate No 1. LOOK FOR HOUNDS could mow them down, but it looks sharp for him. Best weighted GOOD TRAVELLER has a tough draw to overcome.
Top Tip: STRAWBERRY BEAR (4)
Watch out for: USA’S HOPE (2)
9 3:55 PM – WSB Leaders In Local Racing MR 81 Handicap
Vercingetorix colt PONTE PIETRA made a fair local debut, staying on well after racing at the back of the field. His only win was over this distance, but he will be having his first run at this sharp track from a wide draw. It is interesting to see beautifully bred KINGDOM OF HEAVEN in the race. He ran no kind of race after a rest and gelding last time but has the potential to be anything and must be included. LUCKY DOLLAR was tagged very late in his first try over ground. He can build on that performance and improve on his previous form at this venue. BLACKWHITEDYNAMITE is in good form too.
Top Tip: LUCKY DOLLAR (6)
Watch out for: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (5)
10 4:30 PM – WSB 24/7 Customer Support FM 76 Handicap (F & M)
JUST BE NICE comes into the region in good form. She did well over 1600m even though racing wide. Now, dropping in trip, she could get back to winning ways. QUANABI is knocking at the door again. She has drawn well and should take advantage. ALITTLEBITNAUGHTY is trying the distance at this venue for the first time and it could be what she is looking for. Her merit rating has dropped which should boost her chances. MORGAN LA FAY won well over this distance on the Polytrack and could be just as good on the grass. ASHANTI SWORD is one of many who could upstage the more fancied runners.
Top Tip: JUST BE NICE (4)
Watch out for: MORGAN LA FAY (7)
Saffie Osborne and Metier (centre, orange) comes late to win the tote Chester Cup at the 2023 Boodles Chester May Festival at Chester Racecourse on Friday, May 12 2023 Picture by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Osborne and Metier swoop late for Chester Cup glory
RacingTv
Metier finished with a flourish to claim top honours in a thrilling renewal of the tote Chester Cup.
A Grade One winner over hurdles a couple of years ago, Harry Fry’s charge successfully reverted to the Flat to lift last season’s November Handicap at Doncaster under Saffie Osborne, who was again on board.
Results under both codes since have been mixed, but having returned to form with a second place in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh last month, Metier was among the market principals for Chester’s £150,000 showpiece at 5-1 and produced the goods in a grandstand finish.
The seven-year-old was well back in the field for much of the two-and-a-quarter-mile journey, but began to make inroads on the leaders before the home turn and powered up the straight.
Zoffee got the better of a duel with 11-4 favourite Call My Bluff to grab the lead, but was unable to resist the late surge of Metier, who passed the post a neck to the good under his jubilant rider.
Osborne said: “It didn’t really go right through the race, I was too far back and he was all guts.
“I was saying what a tough horse he is, but he’s also extremely talented and still fairly unexposed at this trip on the Flat. You’d like to think there’s more left in the tank.
“He’s just got a lot of ability and for a big horse he’s very well balanced to go round a track like this. I was having to make up ground on a part of a track that I didn’t really want to have to, but he was making it feel very easy and I didn’t want to check his momentum.”
Favourite backers were made to sweat before eventually collecting their winnings as Point Lonsdale toughed out victory in the IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes.
Successful in four of his five juvenile starts two years ago, the Australia colt only made it to the racecourse once as a three-year-old, finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
However, having proved his talent remains intact with a comeback victory in the Group Three Alleged Stakes at the Curragh last month, he was a 5-6 shot to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth Huxley Stakes win and he ultimately got the job done, albeit in workmanlike fashion.
It was not easy viewing for his supporters, with Ryan Moore rowing along in the saddle a long way from home in behind the pacesetting Poker Face.
But to his credit, Point Lonsdale kept responding to his rider’s urgings and after striking the front in the straight, he had enough in hand to see off the late charge of Mujtaba by a neck.
Moore said: “He was a good two-year-old who won a Listed race, a Group Three and a Group Two but he wasn’t around for most of last year.
“It wasn’t very pretty, was it? He’s a real galloper and he probably hasn’t been round a tight track like this before.
“He’s only really been to the Curragh, Leopardstown and Ascot and he was just a bit unsure what to do with himself.
“Today’s race was well up to standard and the track didn’t suit him, but he has a great attitude to be fair to him and plenty of ability. It was a very good performance.”
Gimmethegreenlight
Varsfontein Stallion Viewing At AGM
Last week the shareholders of Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate and Erik The Red gathered on Varsfontein Stud for their AGM’s. They were able to view the stallions afterwards as well as some impressive weanlings from Erik The Red’s first crop. The gathering enjoyed glorious Autumn weather while viewing. Varsfontein were grateful to all the breeders who attended.
Gimmethegreenlight is pictured above the headline.
Master Of My Fate
Erik The Red
Some Of Erik The Red’s colts
Some of Erik The Red’s fillies
Chester Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, is a racecourse located in Chester, England. The horse racing venue is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the “oldest racecourse still in operation”. Horse racing in Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century, with 1539 cited as the year racing began, although some sources give a date of 1512 for the first races in Chester. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong (1.8 km) long.
Today’s Question
When was The Chester Cup first run?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
Chester Racecourse (wikipedia)
