Two Klawervlei Sires In The Top Six

Melech is another potential top class son of Klawervlei-based stallion William Longsword (Picture: JC Photos)

Twice Over had no representatives at either the BSA National Yearling Sale and the Cape Sales Premier Yearling Sale and his Klawervlei Stud companion William Longsword had only four lots at each.

However, that has not stopped them from notching up a Gr 1 winner each this season nor from being in the top six on the national sires log.

Twice Over was expected to win Cape Town’s biggest race, the WSB Cape Town Met with See It Again, but instead his paternal half-brother Double Superlative did it.

William Longsword won the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship with Dyce.

Both Double Superlative and Dyce are five-year-old entires.

Both William Longsword and Twice Over are represented this weekend in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, a race Twice Over landed last year with See It Again.

Twice Over is represented by Infrared this year and he is an interesting runner, because he is clearly crying out for the 2000m trip.

William Longsword is represented by Willie John, who will also enjoy the trip.

On the Highveld William Longsword has two entries in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, the continually improveing Melech, who downed the superstar Main Defender last time out, and the highly regarded Back In Business.

He also has one of the favourites for the Gr 1 SA Classic, William Iron Arm.

He has an entry in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic too, Tamil Tigress.

Willaim Longsword will also have a representative in the Gr 3 City of Cape Town Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, Commanding.

William Longsword, who is by Klawervlei’s legendary former champion stallion Captain Al, is lying in fifth place on the national sires log.

He has a winners to runner percentage of 35% , an average earnings per runner of R53,712 and has had two individual stakes winners of four races.

Twice Over is in sixth place and has a winners to runners percentage of 31.4%, and average earnings per runner of R67,047 and he has had four stakes winners this season of five races. Only Gimmethegreenlight and Querari have had more stakes winners than him this season.

Another stakes win or two from the progeny of these two stalwarts this season and perhaps they will start having greater representation at the big sales.

There are four William Longswords at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale on Sunday and one Twice Over.

Lafferty's Prospects Are Looking Bright

Bella Siccome being led in after winning a second successive Non-Black Type feature (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Summerveld trainer Paul Lafferty is having a fair trot lately and his Silvano mare Bella Siccome has become the nemesis of the useful Cape Eagle.

However, it is the near future Paul is particularly looking forward to because at present he has the most amount of two-year-olds he has ever had as a trainer and he said they included horses by “every top stallion”.

Lafferty has had 12 wins this season and five of them have been for increasingly prominent owner John Finlayson, who has had eleven wins this season, the other six, including the exciting prospect Melech, being trained by Roy Magner on the Highveld.

So things are looking up for long-time trainer Lafferty, although having that amount of two-year-olds also brings its concerns.

One of his biggest bugbears is how high young winners end up in the merit ratings and he talks about that emotive subject in this newsletter (see next article).

Bella Siccome won the Non-Black Type Michael Roberts Stakes over 1750m, beating Cape Eagle by a length receiving 9kg, and she followed up by winning the Non-Black Type Umthombothi Stakes over 1950m, beating Cape Eagle by a shorthead when once again receiving 9kg.

Both of those races were at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and Muzi Yeni and Siphesihle Hlengwa were the respective winning riders.

Lafferty said, “It’s difficult because she can win minor features, but when she steps up it’s a tougher call. We’ve basically taken what’s available now and in the season I might look at the Track And Ball Oaks again (beaten 4,40 lengths into 8th by SA Oaks winner None Other last year). She wasn’t beaten too far last year and she might have gone over the top. There’s nothing that jumps out at us at the moment but we will look at all the options.”

Lafferty was in the news recently when the Hollywood Syndicate had their 500th winner. He in fact trained their first winner, Splendid Night (Lambent Light), who won on the 13th March 2002 at Greyville under Sean Cormack. He recalled his good friend the late Mathew Lipps led the winner in on behalf of Hollywood.

Paul does not train for Hollywood at present. He trained five winners for them in all and hopes in time to get the opportunity to train for this powerful racing syndicate again.

High 2YO Merit Ratings Often Hard To Understand

Question Of Faith is shown scraping home in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m in June last year. He has finished unplaced in all five of his handicap starts since (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Paul Lafferty has expressed concerns about certain aspects of the handicapping system in South Africa.

He said, “If you win early with a two-year-old you get a massive merit rating. Our filly Calling All Angels won first time out and she got a 90 and is now 87. Question of Faith won second time out and was given a 90 and a year later after dropping him down and down (now 72) he still can’t win. So it is best to give your two-year-old an educational run rather than win with it … and that’s not good for racing. What they should do is like they do overseas, only handicap races for winners, not maidens. You win a maiden you should be given a 72. You win again like Tony Peter’s Pistol Pete, then you make it a 90.”

He explained he believed the latter system was how they did it in Australia.

There is an argument for a young three-year-old winning a maiden early in SA and getting a high merit rating. i.e. If a 3yo was receiving only 2kg from a 70 rated 4yo at a time of year when he would have been getting 10kg in a wfa race and he then beat him by one length, he would have to be given two points for the length plus 16 points for the weight for age disadvantage he was at. In that case an argument could be made that the three-year-old earned an 88 merit rating, although a counter argument could possibly be that a four-year-old maiden shouldn’t be rated 70 (depending on the particular horse).

However, the same argument can’t be applied to a Maiden Juvenile Plate, because here all of the runners are of the same age.

In the case of Question Of Faith, he beat a horse called Gorgeous Guy by half-a-length and nine months later the latter is still a maiden.

It seems the reason Question of Faith was given a 90 is because of the old weight for age improvement argument, which is a false argument because a horse with an inherent ability of, for argument’s sake 72, is a 72 whether he or she is two, three or older.

A 72 rated three-year-old running in August over 1600m should be 9kg worse than a 72 rated four-year-old running in the same race … by the end of the season he should be only 1.5kg worse … that is what weight for age improvement is and the racing program caters for it.

It seems there is an obligation to give a young maiden winner a higher merit rating than an older maiden winner. This has never made sense and it only seems to be done in South Africa.

A horse running at Kempton today called Suffrajet won second time out as a juvenile and next time out, now as a three-year-old, she ran third in a Novice Stakes race at Ascot. The latter centre attracts strong horses and in fact the horse that ran second in that Novice race is today rated 108. However, Suffrajet was given only a 79 OR (official rating) on her handicap bow in her fourth career start and even that proved too high because it was only when dropped to a 74 that she won.

Question Of Faith, in the Maiden Juvenile Plate that he won, was one of only three horses in a 12 horse field who had been placed before. It was clearly a weak race – how did he achieve a 90?

Lafferty is also against the big raises meted out for unplaced horses in feature races.

This is a problem area in SA racing, because the obvious solution is for trainers and owners not to put horses in these races unless they know for sure they are up to it. If everybody adheres to that, the level weights three-year-old features and the weight for age features will have very small fields, which is not the best scenario for racing.

However, not handicapping unplaced horses in features is also fraught with problems … for example a horse who places sixth in the Met a short-head behind the fifth-placed horse, could end up unfairly well- in with the latter if they meet again in a handicap.

Handicapping Update

Litigation easily wins the Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes. Fourth-placed three-year-old Pure Predator is one to watch because he was 6,5kg under sufferance wiith Litigation and was beaten only three lengths. He was given a capped four point raise (JC Photos)

Betway London News Stakes (Grade 3)

LITIGATION has had his rating increased to 115 from 111 after leading from start to finish to win the Grade 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the opinion that the 3^rd placed MERIDIUS made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remain unchanged on 110.

The runner up STREET ART, who finished 0.10 lengths ahead of the 110 rated MERIDIUS at level weights, had his rating adjusted to 110 from 107. The specific conditions of this race do not allow for a more than 4 pounds ratings increase for placed runners, and as such, 4^th placed PURE PREDATOR goes up from 100 to 104 despite achieving a higher performance figure.

The only runners to receive a ratings drop were BINGWA and SAFE PASSAGE, who both received a pound drop, from 118 to 117 and from 117 to 116 respectively.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Fourie 334-Chase Barometer - He Could Possibly Smash The Record!

The Gareth van Zyl-trained Hollywood Syndicate-owned Kingsmeads Krystl (Visionaire) secures Richard Fourie his four-timer on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Richard Fourie is a sensible rider who doesn’t take unnecessary risks, so he might be able to get through the rest of the season without a suspension.

Hopefully, he will be able to avoid injury too.

If he is able to ride week in and week out for the rest of the season, his chances of doing what was thought to be impossible, i.e breaking Anthony Delpech’s magical 334 wins in a season record, are actually realistic.

There is more than 40% of the season still to go though, so it is still going to be a very tough ask.

Turf Talk calculated last week that after Tuesday’s meeting last week, and presuming he manages to keep up the same rides per day rate, he would need to ride at a strike rate of 23.20% for the rest of the season to break the record.

The good news is he has not only increased his strike rate significantly in the last 8 days, his rides per day rate has also gone up.

His rides per calendar day rate for the season at the conclusion of last week’s Fairview meeting was 4.183.

His rides per calendar day rate in the last 8 days, which included a non-racing day on Monday, has been 4.5.

His stirike rate for the last 8 days following his four-timer on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today has been 30.56%.

Obviously, the four-timer is an out of the ordinary return, so might skew the statistics a tad.

However, if he does manage to keep up a 4.5 riders per calendar day rate coupled with a strike rate of 30.56%, he will end the season on a whopping 403 wins!!

Calculating it more realistically by using his rides per calendar day rate and strike rate for the whole season i.e. 4.195% and 21.16%, he will reach a figure of 325 wins.

Hollywoodbets have offered any jockey who breaks Delpech’s record a bonus prize of R1 million and Fourie is on track to going close.

It is another angle that has added a lot of intrigue to the season and it is thanks once again to the innovative Hollywoodbets.

Time Fo Orchids Can Claim The Hattrick

Time Fo Orchids is progressing rapidly into a smart sprinter (JC Photos)

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Time Thief filly Time Fo Orchids is a smart sprinter in the making and from draw three under in form Gavin Lerena she should hold too many guns in a 1000m Middle Stakes event at Turffontein Inside on Thursday.

She is up against the boys, but is officially the best in at the weights. Time For Orchids was bought for R850,000 in training by Rikesh Sewgoolam from the Sean Tarry Fast Track Sale in September 2022 with the R7.5 million Gold Rush in mind as she was the highest rated qualifier for the latter race. It had become clear before that race that she was stretched by a mile and she finished unplaced, having come off two fine efforts in Cape Town, a 0,75 length second in a Gr 2 over 1400m and a 1,80 length fourth to Princess Calla in the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, with an unplaced run in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in between. However, after dropping to a 90 merit rating she is now being kept to sprints and is duly progressing rapidly. She has speed and a nice kick so the Turffontein Inside track should suit her down to the ground. She is at cramped odds but can be bankered in all bets. Dreamland gets 6,5kg from Time Fo Orchids and is drawn in pole. This Lucky Houdalakis-trained Lancaster Bomber gelding is out of a placed Oasis Dream mare who is a daughter of champion sprinter Val De Ra. He looked to be a useful sort in the making at one stage before losing his way for three runs, but his last two runs signalled he is back on the up and he will be the biggest danger. Prophet was on his way to being a leading member of his crop at one stage but has proved to be most disappointing. A six month layoff might have helped him renew his zest, so he could be a danger, although he does have a tough draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the long-striding Two Miles West is the selection. He didn’t have any cover last time when staying on over 1400m and beaten 4,50 lengths by Presley with Marauding Horde second. Both of the latter horses have won since then. Policy Of Truth will be a threat if settling better than last time. Forest God can improve from his debut and he will enjoy the step up in trip from draw two. Monte Bello should make the frame here from pole position. Breath Of Magic was a shorthead in front of Forest God last time but is a long-time, well exposed maiden.

In the second leg Thing Called Love returned from a five-and-a-half month layoff to go close over 1000m last time and she should have come on from that run. She has a lot of speed and should take a power of beating in an uninspiring contest.

In the fifth race over 1000m In The Ether managed to win over course and distance last time from draw eight and is now drawn eight again, but is five points higher in the merit ratings. However, this is a difficult race and the whole field should be considered for the Pick 6 with the preferred top six being In The Ether, Sahara Dawn, Cue The Rebel, Bossy Boots, Fennec Fox and Heirloom.

In the seventh race over 1500m Cerulean Dancer was given a five point rais for her win last time over 1200m, but she should prefer this trip and is crawn in pole. She is progressing as a four-year-old. Gimme The Flame followed a win over 1450m with a nice second over 1200m and will prefer this trip, but she was given three points for that last run. Golden Pavilion bounced back to form last time with second time head gear, but an eight point raise makes it tough. King Rahul ran a cracker over 1400m last time and can win with a repeat, but he does have a tough draw. Arividicio and Libeccio can not be ignored.

In the last race Walled Garden struck as a decent sort when winning second time out over 1160m. He is out of a mare by sprinter Speightstown and she went close in her only start over 1000m. However Walled Garden is by stamina influence Flower Alley so should enjoy this step up in trip, although he does have a tough draw. Fast Duty and Mitch Got His Wish make most appeal of the rest. Sage King and Willow Express can also be considered.

In the first leg of the PA over 2000m Erupt the Dawn by Erupt is a half-sister to the useful Dawnofanewday and should improve from her fair debut effort over 1700m. Say It With Roses will also be a big runner here and is a must include.

In the first race Wild At War made a fair debut and this Danon Platina gelding now has a fair draw over a much more suitable trip. Sunset Riot and Hair Trigger make most appeal of the rest.

Turffontein Inside Thursday Formguides And Selections

In The Eher could follow up on her recent win (JC Photos)

R1 5 WILD AT WAR made a fair debut and doesn’t face an inspiring field 4 SUNSET RIOT wasn’t disgraced on debut and could improve 2 HAIR TRIGGER was not disgraced against fair sorts and would not be a surprise winner 3 STALWART has three lengths to make up on Sunset Riot but could earn here (5-4-2-3)

R2 6 ERUPT THE DAWN made a fair debut and will relish the step up in trip 1 SAY IT WITH ROSES ran a fair third last time and the form has been franked. 2 DARLING HARBOUR has the form to have a chance here 3 RED KNOT is capable of better and could surprise (6-1-2-3)

R3 1 TWO MILES WEST has always faced fair sorts and has never been disgraced and this trip should be suitable although his draw of seven is not plain sailing 2 POLICY OF TRUTH has consistent placed form and has a fair draw 6 FOREST GOD can improve on his debut from a better draw 10 MONTE BELLO stayed on for a fair third last time and can earn again (1-2-6-10)

R4 6 THING CALLED LOVE made a good comeback and sticks to this 1000m trip although she has a tricky draw 5 ENCHANTING LADY has some relatively fair form and has a chance here 7 WAITFORGREENLIGHT is no great shakes but could be involved here 2 BREGARDT could earn if reproducing his best runs (6-5-7-2)

R5 4 IN THE ETHER won from this same wide draw last time but does have a five point raise to contend with 3 SAHARA DAWN is capable of better than last time and is well drawn 2 CUE THE REBEL is drawn in pole and can be right there if producung her best 5 BOSSY BOOTS stars off handicapping off a reasonable mark (4-3-2-5)

R6 2 TIME FO ORCHIDS looks a top class sprinter in the making and has a good draw. 8 DREAMLAND has come back to form and is drawn in pole 3 ROCKETS RED GLARE has speed and some class so will be interesting running fresh 1 PROPHET looked to be top class at one stage and can not be ignored despite returning from a six month layoff (2-8-3-1)

R7 5 CERULEAN DANCER is ultra consistent and from pole position can overcome a five point raise for her last win 6 GIMME THE FLAME is 1kg better off with Cerulean Dancer for a one length beating. 1 GOLDEN PAVILION bounced back to form last time with head gear on for the second time but was given an eight point raise which makes it tough 4 KING RAHUL has ability and could earn. (5-6-1-4)

R8 2 WALLED GARDEN looks a decent sort and he should appreciate the step up in trip so can win off a 75 merit rating, although he has a tricky draw.6 FAST DUTY does not have bad form over 1200m at all and has proved he goes this trip before. 4 MITCH GOT HIS WISH went close the last time he tried this trip and has a middle draw 5 SAGE KING is a capable sort who is drawn well over a suitable trip (2-6-4-5)

Fourie Four-timer, Two For Whitehead, Yeni Double, Rivalland Double

Richard Fourie’s four-timer included a double for Wendy Whitehead which saw her moving into the lead in the KZN Trainers Championship. Giambattista (Wylie Hall) secured the double when cruising to his 6th career victory (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Richard Fourie rode a four-timer on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today (Wednesday), two of them for Wendy Whitehead, who consequently moved into the lead in the KZN Trainers Championship.

Muzi Yeni and Tony Rivalland also scored individual doubles.

Fourie goes to 182 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 21.16%.

Yeni is on 116 wins at 13.43%.

Whitehead is on 29 wins at 13.06%

Rivalland is on 16 wins at 13.91%.

The top ten on the KZN Trainers log based on the number of wins they have had in KZN are Wendy Whitehead (29 wins), Garth Puller (28), Gareth van Zyl (27), Mike Miller and Alyson Wright (26), Peter Muscutt (22), Louis Goosen and Duncan Howells (20), Frank Robinson (16), Michael Roberts and Tony Rivalland (15).

Today’s Question

The above picture gives a clue to the answer (horsenetwork.com)

Which thoroughbred owner won four American Triple Crown races in succession, but never won the Triple Crown?

Midweek FIELDS

Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Fields, Wednesday

Today’s Question Answer

The Thoroughbred Corporation is a Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding operation established in 1994 by principal partner Prince Ahmed bin Salman of the Saudi Arabian royal family.

They won the 2001 Preakness with the Bob Baffert-trained Point Given, the 2001 Belmont with Point Given, the 2002 Kentucky Derby with the Bob Baffert-trained War Emblem (pictured) and the 2002 Preakness with War Emblem.