Fourie Barometer 334

Summit On A KZN Collision Course With Defender

Picture: Sandringham Summit’s two best career wins have been over a mile. He is pictured winning the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas (JC Photos)

Sandringham Summit will revert to a mile after failing to convert odds-on favouritism in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and he is how on a Champions Season collision course with the horse who was once perceived to be his arch rival, Main Defender.

Susan Rowett of Varsfontein Stud, in whose colours the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt now races, said, “We had a discussion between John Freeman my brother John and Carl de Vos and we felt he didn’t quite see out that 1800m. It didn’t give us encouragement to go for the 2000m event (the Premier’s), which we would have gone for if he had won really well, so we are going to pull back and go for the mile again. We will go for the WSB Guineas, the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and then we will see about the Champions Cup, because I think the Greyville 1800m is a bit easier than the Turffontein one.”

The Premier’s did still come under consideration, but they felt it was too close to the Champions Season if they were going to revert to the mile trip.

The connections of Main Defender announced earlier this week that his targets are also the WSB Guineas, HWB Gold Challenge and Champions Cup.

However, as far as the rivalry goes Main Defender has now gone ahead in the opinion polls and the handicappers also agree, awarding him a 131 for his superb win in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, eight points clear of Sandringham Summit.

Although the rivalry has always been spoken about, they have only actually met twice, with Sandringham Summit emerging an easy 2,40 length winner in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of last season and Main Defender prevailing by a short-head in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m last October, albeit when receiving 1kg.

Main Defendeer has clearly improved, while Sandringham did not have any luck in the Gr 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans over 1600m, but then despatched a non-vintage field in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas with ease.

It will mean three journeys down to Durban for Sandringham Summit if he does take in the Champions Cup.

Winchester Mansion proved that could be done last year, when winning the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, on his third journey down from the Highveld.

Susan said Sandringham had come out of Saturday’s race well, but revealed he was cut into on his hindleg.

She said. “They did not pick up the cut, because he went straight to the specimen area, but that swelled up quite a lot.”

He must have been cut into by Guy Gibson, who had to be switched off Sandringham’s heels early on when the latter came across him.

Susan added, “But he has actually pulled up really well and is in fine fettle.”

She concluded, “He did really well in Durban last season, so he can miss a race on the Highveld and we will see him again in early May.”

Varsfontein Stud, owned by Susan in partnership with her brother John Kalmanson, bred Sandringham Summit, sold him for R1.7 million at the BSA Nationals, then repurchased him after his Dingaans run and syndicated him for stud.

However, the stallion syndication was done under the understanding that he still had a racing career ahead of him.

Susan said he was very well supported in the stud syndication and the shares went quickly.

However, it is his racing career that the public are more interested in and the pending clash between himself, Main Defender and possibly the like of Splashout Cape Derby winner Green With Envy is going to be eagerly anticipated.

Purple Pitcher Likely Going For Derby, But Maybe Premier's

Robyn Klaasen posed with her first Gr 1 winner, the New Predator colt Purple Pitcher. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Gr 1 TAB SA Classic winner Purple Pitcher will either be going for the Gr 1 SA Derby over 2450m or the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m.

Both of those race are on April 6 at Turffontein Standside and trainer Robyn Klaasen said there was 90% chance he would be going for the Derby and only 10% chance the Champions Challenge.

She said, “We want to go for the Derby just to test out the trip with him, but that is also the question now, whether he wil stay or not. We know he will stay the 2000m of the Premiers so do we go with the race we know with certainty he will stay or do we try him over the Derby distance?”

She also acknowledged that the Derby field would likely not be as strong as the Premier’s field and the contestants would all be the same age as Purple Pitcher.

Robyn not only proved herself a good trainer over the weekend, but also a good racing analyst.

This is what she told Turf Talk back in December a couple of weeks after winning the Gr 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein Standside.

Robyn said, “He looks like a very nice horse and I’m very lucky to have him. I think he will be better over further. As could be seen in the Dingaans he only got going in the last couple of hundred metres.”

She felt the Guineas would actually be the hardest leg for him.

“If he can win the Guineas, I don’t see much who can beat him in the next two.”

Sandringham Summit will be the obvious danger in the Gr 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m, but Robyn believes Purple Pitcher is better suited to the Turffontein Standside track than the latter is.

She believes Sandringham Summit has “a bit of a short run in” and questioned whether he was able to maintain it, although she admitted she might be wrong in that assessment.

Her assessment was accurate to the tee … while Purple Pitcher was staying on resolutely in the front on Saturday Sandringham Summit was closing in on him hand over first, but he was not able to maintain that momentum.

Purple Pitcher will always be a special horse for more ways than one to Robyn and family because she watched the Dingaans while lying in ICU a day after the birth of her first child.

It was a different story on Saturday … she watched from the Elevation Room and admitted that as Purple Pitcher crossed the line she was so overcome with emotion she burst into tears.

“It was surreal,” she said.

She said about him running from the front, “We were hoping to have one or two in front of us, but he won from the front like that over 1800m before, so it wasn’t the end of the world if he had to go.”

When she saw Sandringham Summit closing in on the outside in the closing stages she was not overly concerned.

She said, “I knew my horse was super fit and I knew he could hold on. The other horse looked like he was flying, but then over the last 100m they were all just plodding along and he (Purple Pitcher) was finishing the race.”

She added, “He’s special because he has a reserve tank that he knows how to access.”

In fact all flight animals, including the horse, hold reserve red blood cells in the spleen. In the wild they release this reserve blood when coming under threat from a predator. That is why racehorses who are able to relax in both the preliminaries and in the race usually perform bettter, because they are able to save those reserves for when they need it the most i.e. in the finish.

Robyn confirmed that Purple Pitcher was a small horse, maybe not even 16 hands, but was a very good mover.

However, he gives away nothing in work.

She said, “If you saw him working you would not think anything of him.”

It was only the first time they put him on the grass they could see he had ability.

He arrived in the yard a maiden after four starts, but then won five on the trot, including a Sales race and the Dingaans, and he is now a Gr 1 winner after finishing fourth in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas.

The Bush Hill Stud-bred colt cost R170,000 at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale and is owned by Mr “Stincky” Pooe.

Gimme A Nother For Gr 1 Empress Club, Sanctuary For Oaks

The unbeaten Gimme A Nother (JC Photos)

Mike de Kock has announced on his website that, following discussions with Jessica and Steven Jell, owners of the unbeaten Gimme A Nother, the filly will be aimed at the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes on 6 April 2024, Derby Day at Turffontein.

Last Saturday’s SA Fillies Classic runner-up, Silver Sanctuary, will be prepared for the Grade 2 SA Oaks, while Champagne Cocktail will be rested on the farm and won’t be taking part on Derby day.

The decision about Gimme A Nother makes sense considering it is a Gr 1 race over a distance they know she is good at versus a Gr 2 over an unknown trip that will also potentially take a lot out of her.

In fact, none of the Triple Tiara winners to date have had long careers.

Gimme A Nother’s task in the Empress Club has been made a lot easier by the departure of Princess Calla for the USA.

Future Variety Has Two What A Winter Relatives At Nationals

Picture: Future Variety (Waayne Marks)

The promising Candice Bass-Robinson-trained sprinter Future Variety not only has a Lammerskraal-bred half-sister by What A Winter on the BSA National Yearling Sale, but also a Varsfontein Stud-bred close relative, who is also by What A Winter.

Lot 152 is the half-sister.

The Varsfontein Stud-bred close relative is lot 24.

The Var three-year-old gelding Future Variety, bred by Lammerskraal Stud, is out of the Parade Leader mare Furina, who is in turn out of the Equus Champion Older Sprinter in 2002, Enchantress.

Lot 24, the Varsfontein Stud-bred What A Winter filly, is out of Wylie Hall mare Wylie Wench, who is a half-sister to Future Variety’s dam Furina.

Wyle Wench was a useful racehorse herself, winning five times including the Gr 3 Acacia Handicap over 1600m.

This is a famous Varsfontein family, which includes the great sprinting pair National Currency and Harry’s Charm.

Both of the latter were trained by Mike Azzie and he also trained Wylie Wench.

Future Variety was just touched off by Gr 1 winner Thunderstruck in the Gr 2 Khaya Stable Diadem Stakes over 1200m last time out in just his 9th career start.

What A Winter, like Var, should also bring out the speed in the pedigree and when lot 24 and 152 go through the ring there should be some fierce bidding.

Fayd'Herbe And Gebert Are Emperor's Palace Ride Of The Month Winners

The Emperor’s Palace Ride Of the month goes to Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Of the five nominees he received the most votes for his ride on Splashout Derby day on the Lucinda Woodruff-trained Cafe Culture in a 1400m Cape B Stakes event.

Laurent Gebert emerged as the prize-winning voter.

He was the first name out the lucky draw that all those who voted for the winning ride go in to.

He wins a one night stay at the four star Peermont Mondior Hotel at the Emperor’s Palace with bed and breakfast included.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FAYD’HERBE’S RIDE ON CAFE CULTURE

Stick with Fourie at Fairview

Jack Milner (The Citizen)

It is almost impossible to go through a Fairview meeting without finding a race or two dominated by a Richard Fourie mount.

His first Champion Jockey title is almost in the bag and it is just a question now to see if he can better the record of 334 set by Anthony Delpech and claim the R1 million on offer for any jockey who can achieve it.

Fourie passed the 200-winner milestone at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and could be set for a treble on the turf track at Fairview on Friday, as he has some potent rides for trainer Alan Greeff.

He rides first-timer Hideki in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, and Greeff’s comments are highly encouraging – “will run well if not green”.

The Danon Platina colt has been priced up at 14-10.

Next up comes Heathcliff in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2700m.

Heathcliff has won four of his 18 starts and Fourie has been aboard him for three of those wins so clearly knows how to get the best out of him.

Fourie did not ride Heathcliff in his last two starts, which were his first two warm-up runs after a lengthy layoff. The Canford Cliffs gelding showed good improvement last time out when third behind stable companion and rival in this race, Bournemouth, over 2400m.

Stepping up to the 2700m, a distance over which Heathcliff has won, should bring out the best in him.

Arturo has only one win in 10 starts but it was over 1200m, the distance of Race 8. Blinkers were fitted on Arturo last time out, resulting in a good run when third behind improving sprinter Pompei Warning.

His merit rating has come down markedly and with Fourie up, that could make this three-year-old colt a lovely value bet.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Best Intentions, 2 Queen Ofthe Palace, 4 Bytheliteofthemoon, 1 Shine In Memphis

Race 2: 4 Hideki, 2 Cowboys Don’t Cry, 1 Anuschka’s World, 7 Serendipitous

Race 3: 2 Sun Spectacular, 3 Run For Me, 1 Jet Bund, 9 Sundrop

Race 4: 1 Imhotep, 5 Joe Harman, 7 Dumisani, 4 Belle’s First Wave

Race 5: 1 Heathcliff, 4 Bournemouth, 3 Peace In Our World, 6 Medlers Tart

Race 6: 1 And We Danced, 6 Silvery Blue, 5 United Express, 4 Sister Light

Race 7: 4 Executor, 11 Jade’s Caberneigh, 6 Symbol Of Love, 5 Cold Truth

Race 8: 11 Arturo, 10 Joyous Jubilee, 3 Mr Bodacious, 9 Georgie George

BEST BET

Race 4 No 1 Imhotep

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 4 Executor

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1×4

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 1, 4

Leg 6: 1, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R288

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 5, 6, 11

Leg 7: 3, 9, 10, 11

PICK 6

R1134

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11

Leg 6: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

JACKPOT 1

R54

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11

JACKPOT 2

R378

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

Paul Nicholls Previews His Cheltenham Runners

Picture: Bravemansgame is a Gold Cup contender (Credit: Sky Sports)

14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls previews his 2024 Cheltenham Festival stars – and reveals his dark horse for the Festival

Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls is once again sending a strong team of runners to the Cheltenham Festival
The 14-time champion trainer has stable stars Bravemansgame and Stay Away Fay ready to launch bids for Gold Cup and Brown Advisory glory
The trainer has also hinted at who his dark horse will be from his stable to bag a big winner at Cheltenham
https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/

Cheltenham Gold Cup – Bravemansgame

“Bravemansgame is right back on it in his schooling. I know we have got him better than he was in the autumn, which I made a bit of a pig’s ear of for various reasons.

“Last year, he ran a blinding race to finish second in the Gold Cup and I think he has a chance again. It’s between the favourite – Galopin Des Champs – and Fastorslow, Shishkin and Bravemansgame.

“He has a chance of running in this race and being placed again. Whether anyone can beat the favourite, nobody knows, but Bravemansgame looks great. I love this race and would love to win it again. “

Ginny’s Destiny – Turners Novices Chase

“His improvement has been phenomenal. Each race he has got better and better. The only other horse I have seen improve like this was Masterminded. There may even be a bit of improvement to come yet. He must have a lovely chance.”

“Masterminded was a multiple Grade 1 winner, who won back to back Champion Chases at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008 and 2009, so that is a flattering comparison.”

Stay Away Fay – Brown Advisory

“He had a nice gallop at Kempton last week and he is ready now. He races behind the bridle so we are thinking about putting cheek-pieces on him, to focus his mind a bit.

“We will put them on him to work on Saturday and if that sharpens him up then he will wear them in the Brown Advisory.”

Captain Teague – Albert Bartlett or Baring Bingham

“The ground will be the deciding factor in which race he runs.

“Captain Teague is a big price in the Albert Bartlett and the Baring Bingham. He will only run in the Baring Bingham if the ground is very testing.

“He is a Grade 1 winner and is probably one of our best chances.”

Fabian Habib Double Takes Him To 15th On National Log

Fully Loaded (Pomodoro) was led in by a huge entourage of connections (JC Photos)

Trainer Fabian Habib was the only double scorer at the competitive meeting on the Vaal straight course today.

He is now on 37 wins achieved at a strike rate of 15.35%.

He has risen to 15th place on the national trainers log.

Today’s Question

Which horse is pictured above?

Midweek FIELDS

Fairview Turf, Friday

Today’s Question Answer

The above picture is of New Predator when bought as a weanling on the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale in 2013 by South African bloodstock agent Kerry Jack for Aus$50,000.

Sadly he was not alive to reap the benefit of having a Gr 1 winner, having passed away last year.

However, his Gr 1-winning son, the Robyn Klaasen-trained Purple Pitcher, who won the TAB SA Classic on Saturday, is still an entire and it would be no surprise to see his owner, the enthusiastic Mr “Stincky” Pooe, breeding with him one day.