Five-Times Summer Cup Winner Tarry Is Bullish

Bless My Stars will be ridden by big race Richard Fourie in the R5 million Betway Summer Cup at “The Big T” on Saturday (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Turf Talk

Sean Tarry, bidding for a sixth Summer Cup, has a strong trio in this year’s R5 million Betway sponsored renewal.

Cousin Casey is the shortest of his runners with the sponsor at 7/1, while Bless My Stars is 15/2 and Litigation is 20/1.

Tarry said about Cousin Casey, “He had a good debut for the yard (half-a-length second in the Gr 2 Allied Steerode On A Mission Charity Mile) and I do believe he’s come on since. With luck in running he’s got a big chance.”

Tarry said about the four-year-old Vercingetorix colt’s draw of 12, “I don’t think it’s a train smash. I think he’s a horse who needs a quiet ride and so I don’t mind him coming from off them.”

Grant van Niekerk knows him best and has the ride.

Cousin Casey is merit rated 123 and carries 58.5kg.

Last year’s Equus Champion three-year-old filly Bless My Stars had a good draw in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and finished third and she has another good draw here of two

Tarry said about the Gimmethegreenlight filly, “She had a lovely comeback run (0,90 length third in the Charity Mile). I think she would have come on since then. Richard (Fourie) gets on well with her. A two draw is a big bonus for her in a race where there doesn’t seem to be any pace. A slow run race with her in the box seat will definitely be in her favour.”

Regarding her progress from last season Tarry said, “It is hard for me to judge at home, but her run in the Charity Mile suggests she is at least as good if not better than last season.”

Bless My Stars is merit rated 119 and carries 56.5kg.

The Greys Inn five-year-old gelding Litigation is merit rated 110 and carries 54kg from draw 17.

The minimum weight for the race these days is 54kg and Litigation is 1,5kg under sufferance.

Tarry said about Litigation, “He has a nice, decent weight. The draw is not ideal, but he has options from there. He’s had a good prep and has come along with every run. He should definitely be at peak fitness. I am hoping for a big run.”

Tarry added, “Craig Zackey (who rides Litigation) is unlucky not to ride Bless My Stars, because I did intend to run Future Pearl here and Richard would have been on him. Craig did nothing wrong in the Charity Mile (on Bless My Stars), but I think Litigation is a horse who is not out of it.”

Asked which of the trio he fancied, he replied, “There is nothing between Bless My Stars and Cousin Casey on their run in the Charity Mile, especially because Cousin Casey was given half-a-kilogram (by the handicappers) just for good luck. There’s not much to separate them. It just depends how the race pans out. Cousin Casey does work quite well, so it is easy to like him at home. Bless has always just done what she needs to do and she’s still in that mode.”

Tarry has a fine record in the Summer Cup.

His first win in the big race was with 15/1 shot Aslan (Silvano) in 2009. He has won four of the last six renewals, including three times in succession from 2017 to 2019. His wins in this latter period have been in 2017 with Liege (Dynasty) at 16/1 odds, in 2018 with Tilbury Fort (Horse Chestnut) at 15/2 odds, in 2019 with Zillzaal (Silvano) at 28/1 odds and in 2021 with Flying Carpet (Judpot) at 25/1 odds.

Asked whether this was the meeting where his yard reached their first peak for the season, Tarry replied. “That is what we aim for. It has fallen in place many times previously. You can only be hopeful, you can never be too confident. I feel these horses have had a good build up into the day and hopefully everything goes well.”

Mike de Kock Full Of Praise For Betway's Contributions

Mike de Kock looking happy with the Betway Summer Cup draw he had just received. Clyde Basel, in the background, hosted the ceremony. (4Racing)

mikedekockracing.com

Members of the Highveld racing fraternity enjoyed last week’s Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup ceremony at the Marabi Club in Johannesburg, hosted by a lean-looking individual resembling Clyde Basel, and including Betway’s CEO Laurence Michel and Jonathan Blumberg, the sponsor’s passionate front men.

We’re all looking forward to contest next week’s Summer Cup, for the super prize money and the day’s events. I am writing this to convey my thanks and gratitude to Betway for what they are doing for horseracing in the 4Racing regions. I am sure I speak on behalf of owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms based in Gauteng and Gqberha.

Betway’s massive contributions to the sport seem to go over the heads of our racing media and a number of social media contributors. Some are quick on the button to criticize 4Racing, but overlook the progress they have made since taking over Phumelela and having to stabilise the boat with a multitude of problems (many under the hood) to address, just to start.

Betway has been supportive of and instrumental in Mary Slack and 4Racing’s vision of rebuilding racing from grass roots level up, evident not only in their essential propping up of stakes, but in their incentives to grooms.

When I mentioned Betway’s Summer Cup groom’s prizes to a racing fan this week, he didn’t even know about it. I wonder if readers of this column are aware that Betway are giving R20,000 to every groom preparing a horse for the Grade 1 race. That’s right – R20,000 each to 20 grooms, potentially life-changing money to the handlers who are up at dawn every day to feed and look after our runners. This excludes the grooms’ percentage of winning stakes. These are the things our media should be picking up on!

Few also seem to know that 4Racing is funding, in full, medical aid packages for all grooms in their regions. This after revamping grooms’ quarters at Randjesfontein and Turffontein.

Well done, overall, to Betway for their unwavering commitment to our rebuilding process, and to Fundi Sithebi and her team at 4Racing. Credit is due.

Hewitson Clinches Spot In Jockeys International, De Melo And Ferraris Winners

Keagan de Melo wins the last race at Happy Valley (Wednesday). Lyle Hewitson (red and white colours) is in third place and Luke Ferraris (Green colours next to the winner) is fourth (HKJC)

Lyle Hewitson earned the last of twelve berths in the Longines International Jockeys Championship and fellow SA Jockeys Academy Graduate Karis Teetan is also in. Luke Ferraris nearly denied Hewitson a place in the championship, which would have happened had he won the last race at Happy Valley today (Wednesday). Keagan de Melo broke a long drought by winning that last race. Ferarris did win a race earlier in the meeting.

The South China Morning Post reported on the drama.

Lyle Hewitson secures International Jockeys’ Championship berth as Alfred Chan snares breakthrough winner

South African tackles the prestigious competition for the third time after doing just enough at Happy Valley on Wednesday night

by Sam Agarson Thursday

Lyle Hewitson has done just enough to snare the final spot in next month’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship, securing his position by virtue of having more third placings than Brenton Avdulla.

While Hewitson, Avdulla and Andrea Atzeni headed to Happy Valley on Wednesday night with 10 wins apiece, not one of the trio could manage a victory and it was Hewitson’s runner-up finish aboard Happy Tango that drew him level on seconds with Avdulla and saw his far superior third-place count carry him home.

Luke Ferraris did make things a touch more interesting, moving to 10 wins by taking out the Class Four Plover Cove Handicap (1,200m) aboard Scotch Tycoon, and there was a moment in the finale when it looked like he could pinch the spot. However, he could ultimately only manage fourth aboard O’Liner.

Hewitson will compete in the IJC for the third time – he was a late inclusion last year after Covid-19 ruled out Yuga Kawada – after joining Zac Purton, Karis Teetan, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and the eight internationals in the line-up.

“My unlucky one of the night – Happy Tango – saved me, so I’m very grateful for that,” Hewitson said.

“Look, there’s no secret – we made it in by default, but with that said, someone had to step up to the plate, and I’m glad it’s me. I’ve competed in two previously. Hopefully, it will be third time lucky.”

Elsewhere, the highlight of the night came when Alfred Chan Ka-hei booted home the David Hayes-trained Samarkand to get off the mark for 2023-24.

Allowed to control the first 800m of the Class Four American Club Challenge Cup (1,650m), Chan snared victory with his 20th ride of the campaign and tasted success for the first time since Lucky Quality’s triumph on July 9.

“It’s awesome,” Chan said. “It’s been frustrating because I’ve had three seconds for my boss [Caspar Fownes] this season, so to win this race tonight is great. I’ve been working hard and trying my best, so it’s a great result.”

While the IJC hopefuls did not fire too many shots, two of the jockeys whose spots were already assured cashed in early in proceedings.

Teetan continued his good form, stretching his winning streak to eight straight meetings with a brace.

After taking out the Class Five Shek Pik Handicap (1,650m) aboard Douglas Whyte’s Splendid Star, Teetan followed up by spearing home Quantum Patch for Pierre Ng Pang-chi in the Class Three Kam Shan Handicap (1,650m).

“It’s nice. It’s a pleasure to get the support – without the support, you just can’t do it,” said the Mauritian.

“I just try to win on every horse I ride and try to give them the best chance. To ride on IJC night against the world’s finest jockeys – to be part of that, it’s fantastic.”

Ho, who entered the meeting four wins clear of Matthew Chadwick and with a stranglehold on the leading local slot, snared a double on the first half of the card thanks to the wins of M Unicorn and Happy United.

After M Unicorn steamed home from the back half of the field to take out the first section of the Class Four Tai Tam Handicap (1,650m), Happy United did much the same in the Class Four Shek Lei Pui Handicap (1,000m) to lift Ho to 13 victories for the campaign.

“I’ll have fun in the IJC again against the top jockeys in the world. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s another learning opportunity for myself – everything is about learning, so riding against those guys will be amazing,” Ho said.

The win of Happy United rung up a welcome double for trainer Jamie Richards, who also took out the opener with Ernest Feeling to jump to six victories this season.

After saluting on the final day of last season to deliver the retiring Richard Gibson his final win, Ernest Feeling posted a two-and-a-quarter-length success under Antoine Hamelin in the Class Five Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1,200m) in his first start for Richards.

Hamelin is another who has been slow away this season, but the Frenchman has now tasted success at consecutive meetings and has five victories to his name.

Turf Talk

Talented reigning SA Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo has discovered in no uncertain terms how tough Hong Kong racing is and his win in the last race at Happy Valley today prevented him from having a ninth successive blank meeting.

Ironically, the drought followed a double, which had given hope that he would land some better rides.

He has now had six wins in all after 111 rides.

Luke Ferraris also had a winner today to joing Lyle Hewitson on ten wins for the season, which puts them in joint sixth place on the log toghether with Brenton Avdulla and Andrea Atzeni.

De Melo’s last win at Happy Valley happened the meeting before his Sha Tin double and was aboard the David Hall-trained Never Too Soon, a six-year-old Australian-bred Written Tycoon gelding, in a class 3 1200m event.

Today in the last race he was aboard that same horse, albeit from a draw of nine compared to a draw of two, and the horse had also gone up six points in the ratings after that one length victory on October 18.

He dropped his mount out to second last and then crept up on the rail. Luke Ferraris led in to the straight and looked to have a sneak on O’Liner, but challenges came from all round and Never Too Soon burst through towards the inside to clinch it under a fine ride by De Melo. Never Too Soon paid 15.75 on the Tote.

Earlier, Ferraris led from start to finish on the Mark Newnham-trained Scotch Tycoon (Rich Enuff) in a 1200m class 4 event. The Australian-bred five-year-old gelding paird 13.35 on the Tote.

Val Could Provide Vaal Value

Val D’Orcia is selected to win the highest rated race at the meeting, the 8th over 1200m (JC Photos)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Trainer Tony Peter goes into Race 8 at the Vaal on Thursday, a MR 101 Handicap over 1200m, with a potent hand of three runners in Aussenkehr, Power Broker and Val D’Orcia.

The value, however, could be with Val D’Orcia who, after some disappointing runs, bounced back to best when a 1.75-length third behind Savannah Storm over 1400m at Turffontein last week.

This run was in a strong Pinnacle Stakes and after a break. His merit rating has come down and he now looks ready to win again in handicap company. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride.

Aussenkehr is another who has been in good form since moving up to the Highveld and joining the Peter stable. He arrived at the yard a maiden and is now a four-time winner but there is a concern that the handicapper may have caught up with him right now. He finished out of the places in his last race for the first time in 10 starts since joining Peter, which might corroborate that fact.

However, he cannot be underestimated and does need to be included in exotic bets. He will have a first-time jockey up in Calvin Habib.

Power Broker is well weighted but the concern is that this four-year-old ran a shocker two runs back when finishing 21.25 lengths behind Raven Black.

There were some excuses, and he did prove that run all wrong last week when he finished a two-length second behind Cornwall at Turffontein last week. That run put him back into contention.

Clinton Binda, though, will be looking to upset the Peter triumvirate with Black Egret. While he might not be in the top echelons of racing and there might not be many trophies of Graded race wins filling the cabinet at home, Black Egret is honest, reliable and has only once in 15 starts not earned a cheque for his connections.

This four-year-old son of Rafeef has a record of four wins, five seconds and five thirds. He was originally trained by Ashley Fortune but when they immigrated to Australia earlier in the year, he moved to Binda. He has had five runs for the new yard and they have yielded two wins and three seconds.

Last time out Black Egret finished second behind Raven Black, but that winner does seem to be something special, and a big feature looks to be on his agenda in the next few months.

Black Egret gets a new jockey for this race as Muzi Yeni will jump into the irons on this occasion.

He has been in top form and having him aboard can only be an asset.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 16 Spirited Girl, 12 Like A Butterfly, 9 Beating Wings, 3 Arctic Commander, 4 Shine In Memphis

Race 2: 15 Rock Of Bismantova, 2 Policy Of Truth, 1 Noble Metal, 3 Warhawk Bomber

Race 3: 3 Just Nuisance, 15 Taegan’s Champ, 1 Trip To States, 11 Japanese Star

Race 4: 4 On The Horizon, 10 Nyali Beach, 2 Bonika, 3 Magical Flight

Race 5: 2 Mary’s Greenlight, 6 Queen Bomi, 3 Striking Angel, 8 Dancing Arabian

Race 6: 1 Absolute Value, 3 Greenlight Magic, 10 Brotherhoodofmagic, 7 Ideal Future

Race 7: 2 Midnight Fusion, 8 In The Ether, 7 Beaded Gown, 11 Happy Analia

Race 8: 2 Val D’Orcia, 6 Black Egret, 1 Aussenkehr, 9 Power Broker

Race 9: 5 Lulu’s Boy, 9 Duke Of Rock, 7 After Hours, 1 Ampersand

BEST BET

Race 5: 2 Mary’s Greenlight

VALUE BET

Race 8: 2 Val D’Orcia

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 4×10

BIPOT

R180

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 15

Leg 2: 3, 15

Leg 3: 4, 10

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 1, 3, 10

Leg 6: 2, 5, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R240

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 4, 10

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 3, 10

Leg 5: 2, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 9

Leg 7: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9

PICK 6

R1680

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 10

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10

Leg 4: 2, 5, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 6, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10

Leg 3: 2, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R420

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10

Leg 2: 2, 5, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

Dust-ups Deluxe On Summer Cup Day

Picture: Nebraas runs in the ROA Stakes over 3200m (JC Photos)

Ace three-year-olds kept apart, but there’s still needle in the air

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

High quality, highly competitive fare is a feature of the programme at Saturday’s Betway Summer Cup race meeting at Turffontein.

For example, in the marathon event, the 3200m ROA Stayers, more than half of the field of nine are clustered together within a point of each other at the top of the bookmakers’ betting boards.

It offers a good opportunity to apply the mind to a Quartet or Trifecta that will swell the wallet.

Former Gold Cup champion Nebraas (3-1) is the quality in the race, but must shoulder top weight of 60kg, whereas the likes of Flying Bull (33-10), Black Thorn (7-2), Arumugam (7-2) and Breeze Over (4-1) have a lot less to carry as they circumnavigate the famous old Big T.

In the Grade 3 Betway Fillies Mile, a vintage scrap is promised between the talented White Pearl and Egyptian Mau, with unbeaten girl wonder Gimme A Nother waiting to pounce if the two more experienced runners slip up.

Racing connoisseurs might feel frustrated that the next instalment of the fierce rivalry between three-year-olds Main Defender and Sandringham Summit will not happen in the main supporting event – the Grade 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans. Both stars will be in action on the day, however – just in different races.

Still, there’s more than enough close racing and decent winning payout chances to keep fans engrossed on the occasion of Joburg’s biggest horse race and gala social event.

Another Grade 3 race, the Joburg Tourism Carry On Alice Stakes, is a 1160m sprint for fillies and mares, with no fewer than 18 chargers lining up at the end of the Turffontein straight and the bookies offering long odds about most of them.

Top trainers Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock love to target multiple wins at big meetings like the Summer Cup and they field a third of the lineup here.

Well-Named Hollywood Filly Made Debut Today (Wednesday)

The Dennis Bosch-trained Gr 1 Computaform Sprint winner, Noble Heir (Picture: Gold Circle)

The Hollywood Syndicate-owned Gareth van Zyl-trained William Longsword filly Patants Heir made a fair debut over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on Wednesday, finishing a 4,75 length sixth behind her stablemate Pritti Victory, who was also making her debut and converted 5/4 favouritism.

Patant Heir was named by Patrick Bradley – Hollywoodbets Horse Racing Betting Manager.

Here is Patrick’s explanation of the name: “A dozen years ago I was lucky and privileged to be a part owner of a small grey filly – NOBLE HEIR. I virtually got obsessed with her and was very instrumental in assisting to plan her career which culminated in her facile victory in the 2010 COMPUTAFORM SPRINT (the last of her 8 wins before she was sold to an Australian stud farm). She was ridden in the big race by ANTHONY DELPECH (and in several other races) which was the 1st time he had ever won the premier grade 1 Sprint race. I have so many great memories of her and would love to have some sort of ‘’spin off ‘’ name. Pat from Patrick, and Ant from Anthony. And Heir from Noble Heir.

Venniker Treble, Lihaba/Howells Double

The Yogas Govender-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding All The Time clinched a treble for Rachel Venniker today (Wednesday) at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Rachel Venniker rode a treble on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf today.

Kobeli Lihaba rode a double for Duncan Howells, who joined Mike Miller in the lead in the KZN Trainers Championship.

Venniker goes to 16 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 7.05%.

4kg claimer Lihaba is on 12 wins at 9.30%

Richard Fourie leads the KZN Jockeys Championship on 32 wins from Muzi Yeni and Serino Moodley on 28 apiece.

Howells goes to 17 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 19.32%.

In the KZN Trainers Championship, which is decided on number of wins, Howells and Mike Miller are on 17, Alyson Wright is on 16, Wendy Whitehead is on 15, Gareth van Zyl and Louis Goosen are on 14, Peter Muscutt is on 13, Garth Puller and Kumaran Naidoo are on 12 and Frank Robinson and Michael Roberts are on ten.

Today’s Question

Home Guard, with Henry Eatwell and Gerald Turner (southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com).

Home Guard holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak in South African thoroughbred history of eleven races. How succesful was this SA-bred son of Pent House II (GB) as a stallion?

Weekend FIELDS

Vaal Fields, Thursday

Today’s Question Answer

Turf Talk

The 1965-born Home Guard by Pent House II was a failure as a sire, producing only won stakes winner, the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner House Warming.

However. he is sometimes confued with the 1969-born USA-bred Home Guard (Forli (Arg)), who was moved to South Africa in the mid-1980s and produced 18 stakes winners including five Gr 1 winners.