Fourie Barometer 338

Princess Calla with shipping agent Gerard Connolly outside the entrance to the USDA quarantine facility in New York. She raced on Saturday and on a flight that went from Johannesburg via Barbados for refuelling arrived in New York on Thursday

Shipment includes five Gr.1 Winners in historic quest for South African racing and breeding

Yesterday on 7th March 2024, a chartered Boeing 747 flight carrying a valuable cargo of 11 thoroughbreds – five of them Gr.1 Winners – touched down at JFK Airport in New York following a direct flight from Johannesburg with a refuel stop on Barbados and on to JFK.

It was the first direct export flight from South Africa since 2003 and was orchestrated by a small group of dedicated men and women determined to take South Africa from its current domestic isolation into the broader world.

Having achieved both Champion Owner and Breeder status with her Drakenstein Stud in 2023, Gaynor Rupert and her Racing Manager Kevin Sommerville became interested in expanding the reach of South Africa and entered discussions with Robin Bruss of Northfields Bloodstock to see what could be done about the direct export status to the USA.

Bruss and Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International had stood behind the last chartered flight directly to the USA way back in 2003, more than 20 years ago and had enjoyed good success globally with South African horses, Gypsys Warning (SAF) won the Matriach S. Gr.1, Crimson Palace (SAF) won the Beverly D S. Gr.1, Iridescence (SAF) won the Queen Elizabeth II S. Gr.1 and Ipi Tombe (ZIM) won the Dubai Duty Free Gr.1.

Together with Shipping Agent Gerard Connolly of CTB Forwarding Pty Ltd., and Mersant International New York, the group planned a meticulous strategy to get some of the best South African horses to the USA with a view to campaigning them into the Breeders Cup World Championship taking place at Del Mar Racecourse in California on 1st-2nd November 2024.

When Drakenstein’s homebred filly BEACH BOMB (Lancaster Bomber-Beach Beauty) won the Cape Fillies Guineas Gr.1 in December and followed up to win the Cartier Paddock S. Gr.1, a Breeders Cup designated ‘win and you’re in’ race, the stage was set down for the $2million (R38m) Breeders Cup Fillies & Mares Turf Gr.1 over 2200m.

Gaynor then added four other fillies to the flight GOLDEN HOSTESS (Gr.3 Winner and four times Gr.1 placed), DISTANT WINTER (Gr.3 Winner and 3rd Thekwini Fillies S. Gr.1), and HUNTING TRIP and COLDHARDSTARE (GR.3 placed).

Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International bought Equus Champion 3 Year Old Filly BLESS MY STARS (Gimmethegreenlight-Star Express) winner of the 2023 SA Fillies Classic Gr.1, in a partnership with Gary Barber and Anant & Vanashree Singh. She will also aim for the Breeders Cup Fillies & Mares Turf Gr.1.

He also added FEATHER BOA (won 2023 Jhb Spring Challenge Gr.2, and 2nd by a nose to Bless My Stars in the SA Classic Gr.1) and EGYPTIAN MAU (won Princess Charlene Starling S. Gr.3 and 2nd in the Thewini Fillies Championship Gr.1 for 2yo.)

The group invited other top owners to participate:

Hollywoodbets Syndicate booked in 2023 Equus Champion Sprinter, dual Gr.1 winner ISIVUNGUVUNGU (What a Winter – Miss Tweedy) who will aim for the $1m (R19m) Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Gr.1 over 1000m.

Ridgemont Stud added dual Gr.1 winner MAKE IT SNAPPY (Dynasty-Icy Winter) who won the 2022 Cape Fillies Guineas Gr.1 and the Paddock S. Gr.1. Early plans are to mate her to one of the world’s great stallions in Kentucky.

The final booking came from Mario Ferreira’s reigning Horse of the Year, PRINCESS CALLA, (Flower Alley-Platinum Princess), Queen of the Turf in South Africa, winner of 12 races, 11 of them Graded Stakes, including five Gr.1 wins amongst them the 2023 HKJC Champions Cup Gr.1 over 1800m defeating the colts, and more recently the Majorca S. Gr.1 by 3,5 lengths.

 

Princess Calla has the options of the $1m (R19m) Breeders Cup Fillies & Mares Sprint over 1200m or the $2m (R38m) Breeders Cup Turf Gr.1 over 1600m against the colts.

 

Post arrival quarantine will be 60 days in New York after which the horses will likely start training at Saratoga and commence their prep.

REACTIONS:

Breeders Cup’s Josh Christian:

We are thrilled that the South African horses have arrived in New York on their way to the Breeders Cup World Championships! None of this would be possible without the help and support of Gaynor Rupert, Barry Irwin, Robin Bruss, Kevin Sommerville and Gerard Connolly. We are looking forward to see them at Del Mar in November and having the best from South Africa, Asia, Europe and the America’s will make the Breeders Cup a true World Championship.

Chairman TBA of SA:

South African thoroughbred racing and breeding counts itself as fortunate to have had the support of Team Valor International’s Barry Irwin. After two decades, this flight of hope, Breedes Cup dreams and champion fillies directly to New York represents a watershed moment for our industry. Congratulations and thank you B Eye for looking this far south again.

Cape Racing’s CEO Justin Vermaak

The arrival of this talented group of horses into the USA is a watershed moment for South African Racing and Breeding. This group of horses should be more than capable of performing at the very top level in the USA. When they do we can expect a global renewal of the demand for the South African thoroughbred. Robin Bruss has been at the forefront of the South African bloodstock industry for many decades and it is fitting that he should achieve this breakthrough thanks to his dedication, expertise, and relentless passion. These characteristics earn him support from global industry leaders, no less so Barry Irwin and

Gaynor Rupert, who have placed their support behind this venture. Without them it would not have been possible.

Team Valor’s Barry Irwin:

It has been meaningful to get this over the line since it is 20 years+ since the last time Robin and I did it. I hope that the results are just as successful. It would have been nice if the enterprise received a bit more support from key players. But as the old saying goes, TISAB !

This is South Africa, baby !

SA Equine Health & Protocol’s Adrian Todd:

The fact that Robin has managed to co-ordinate a flight using the USA protocol of direct export with post quarantine arrival is wonderful news. SAEHP has consulted closely with Robin on technical matters pertaining to this route and continues to move forward to the end goal of multi-faceted export routes out of South Africa.

Northfields Bloodstock’s Robin Bruss:

The USA export route allows South African horses to compete almost up to flight date as Horse of the Year Princess Calla did on Saturday and was in New York four days later. The difference lies between the EU stance of pre-travel quarantine and USA’s post arrival quarantine. South Africa is the 8th largest racing country in the world and established great success in the first decade of the 2000s winning Gr.1 races on four continents. Exports have been severely constrained for the past 10 years whilst waiting for difficulties in the pre travel quarantine system to be resolved. We are the sleeper in world racing, and we want to be back on the stage, win lose or draw. I pay tribute to Gaynor Rupert and Barry Irwin for their willingness to go the extra mile and make things happen and give thanks to the supporters of this venture including Breeders Cup Ltd. We hope to make a splash in your country, the first of many – and will see on 1 November at Del Mar !

 

Breeders Cup at Del Mar 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPIYxBqtkfA

South Africa’s best on the World’s Stage – days gone by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9VMF3qOYKQ&t=7s

Marauding Horde is raced in partnership by some of the biggest connections in South African racing, Laurence Wernars, Drakenstein Stud, Lammerskraal Stud, Wilgerbosdrift Stud,  and the partnernership of Ridgemont and Devin Heffer (JC Photos) 

The Listed Hawwaam Stakes, the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial and the Listed TAB Aquanaut Handicap are the highlights of the nine-race meeting at Turffontein Standside tomorrow.

Viva Brazil has been scratched from the Hawwaam Stakes which has left the door open for Marauding Horde. The latter has a wide draw but looks to be a progressive sort who is crying out for this trip. He should be able to wear the field down in the straight after being dropped out. He is merit rated only 83 but has got better with each step up in trip and the form of his win over 1800m has been franked by Judgement Day winning in eyecatching stiyle on Saturday, albeit over 1600m. Marauding Horde is by Vercingetorix, who is known to produce more speed and precocity than his father Silvano, but he has alslo produced the Gold Cup winner over 3200m, Nebraas. Furthermore, Marauding Horde’s Indigo Magic dam My Lady Bluff is a half-sister to the Gold Cup winner Major Bluff and her only win was over this trip. George Handel is officially the second best in at the weights and is officially 2kg better off with Marauding Horde. In his last win over 1800m, running off an 87 merit rating, he beat some decent older horses like On The Horizon, Street Art and Twin Turbo. His subseqeunt run over the same trip in soft ground was disappointing, but he ran a fair fifth last time out and the weather forecast suggests the ground will be nice and dry and fast on Saturday. George Handel’s sire Oratorio won the prestigious Gr 1 Eclipse over this trip. However, his dam by King Of Kings won three times from 1200m to 1400m, so he does have to still prove he stays the trip. He has a fair draw of four out of eleven. Thunee Player was a touch disappointing last time but won his maiden well over this course and distance and should be in the shake up from draw six, although he is only rated 80 so is up against it according to the official weights. Dubai Hills has to be included having won impressively over 1800m in his penultimate start, even if he did run a touch disappointingly in comparison over 2000m next time out when starting at 9/4 and being beaten 2,75 lengths by The Brief. That brings Hawkbill right into it because Hawkbill had beaten The Brief before that. Hawkbill had a tough task last time against the well weighted East Coast when being tried in blinkers for the first time and ran a reasonable third. He is officially the best weighted runner here. He has Piere Strydom up from a tricky draw of eight. He is a galloping sort with plenty of scope and might lead. Eiffel Tower has shown some class and his Bankable dam’s eight wins included three between 2400m and 2600m, so this Potala Palace colt should stay the trip on pedigree. He finished 9,50 lengths back in his first try at 1800m last time, but he was caught wide from a wide draw and overraced so a line can be drawn through that run. He should get cover from draw two this time and is a contender. Atarime is hard to leave out because he is drawn well and won well in the maidens when stepped up to this trip. Taxhaven is still a maiden but on paper will finish on top of Thunee Player. Dhoni was staying on well over 1400m last time and although his Kahal dam only won up to 1400m he is by July winner Pomodoro. Crepuscelo has had three moderate runs since his maiden win and doesn’t make appeal. No PLace Like Home failed in his first attempt at 1800m and has another wide draw.

In the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m Frances Ethel is a scopey, long-striding sort who has caught the eye in her two wins from just three career starts. She has a good draw and strikes as one who is looking for this trip. Sukhumvit is also looking for this trip and this long-striding sort can make a bold bid if it pans out well from a tricky draw of eight out of 14. Forgiveness ran a cracker against stablemate East Coast last time when way out at the weights over this trip and she can also be involved if able to overcome a wide draw. Mary’s Greenlight was unlucky when running on against Frances Ethel over 1600m last time and is now 4,5kg better off for a 1,80 length beating. However, she is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a mare by Irish-bred sprinter Kyllacchy, so is not sure to stay a trip that she has not been tried over before. Explosve Bond is a progressive stayer and should be running on. Those are the ones who make most appeal.

In the Listed Aquanaut over 2400m Rule Book is hard to predict as he is lazy at home and takes a lot of racing, but with two runs in the last two months he could be in good shape and he can put his last disappointing effort behind him. Prime Example won well over this course and distance last time and should make a bold bid  from a good draw. East Coast must have been given a confidence booster when winning last time over 2000m and has always struck as a staying sort. Good Council has been bridesmaid recently to the seemingly invincible stayer Zeus, so will make a bold bid despite having topweight and a wide draw. Raiseahallelujah is an admirable stayer who can never be ignored. However, it is an open race with the like of Black Thorn also having staying class and Red Maple being one who should come into her own, so including the field in the Pick 6 could be the way to go.

It should be an intriguing day’s racing.

Frances Ethel looks to be a promising middle distance type and is selected to win the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial (JC Photos)

R1 1 TO THE RESCUE is taking a while to come to hand but the ability is there and he should be staying on well as usual over a suitable course and distance in his first run as a gelding 5 VOLTE FACE has improved and can place again over a suitable course and distance 3 KAROO GOLD beat Volte Face narrowly last time but there is a reversal in draw fortunes 2 CALLABURN has the form to be involved here but does have a tough draw (1-5-3-2)

R2 8 ERUPT THE DAWN by Erupt is a half-sister to the useful Dawnofanewday and this is a suitable course and distance 1 SAY IT WITH ROSES only has a shorthead to make up on Erupt The Dawn and they have identical draws to last time. 2 VOLARE E MAMBO is a progressive sort who will enjoy the course and distance but she has a tricky draw 9 INCREDIBLE INDRANI made a fair debut and can improve over this trip (8-1-2-9)

R3 3 YOUCANTHURRYLOVE could be right there if reproducing his penultimate start which was a win over 1800m 2 JET DYNASTY is ideally course and distance suited and should make a bold bid 1 TROIS TROIS QUATRE is also course and distance suited and the best of him might still not have been seen yet 4 POORLITTLERICHGIRL’s last run has been franked as the winner finished fifth in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic (3-2-1-4)

R4 7 SWING UPON A STAR is drawn on the right side and and has been in good form and he could be better than his merit ratiing suggests so being a little out at the weights is not a big concern 3 COLD FACT has a nice high draw too and has the ability to go close 5 I AM GIANT is a classy sort who might not have shown his best yet but the number one draw is a concern 10 MOONSHININGTHROUGH has plenty of ability and from a high draw can make her presence felt (7-3-5-10)

R5 4 FRANCES ETHEL is a promising sort who has been catching the eye and she is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw 5 SUKHUMVIT has a lot of potential and should make a bold bid. 6 FORGIVENESS looks to be progressive and she can be involved if overcoming a wide draw 1 MARY’S GREENLIGHT has class but has to carry topweight over a step up in trip (4-5-6-1)

R6 4 VIVA BRAZIL is progressive and from pole position should make a bold bid over an ideal trip 6 MARAUDING HORDE looks promising and should relish another step up in trip although he does have a tough draw 3 GEORGE HANDEL has shown glimpes of class and should be in the shake up from a fair draw although he has to prove he enjoys the step up in trip 9 THUNEE PLAYA is a promising sort who is ideally distance suited (4-6-3-9)

R7 8 RULE BOOK thrives on a lot of racing so should have come on from his last disappointing effort. 9 PRIME EXAMPLE is an honest stayer who could still have more to come 3 EAST COAST showed his class last time out and that might have given him the confidence to show his true potential 1 GOOD COUNCIL is consistent and without Zeus in the field should make a bold bid. (8-9-3-1)

R8 2 SILENT WAR is distance suited and has a fair draw so should be able to use his good turn of foot. 5 SCALLYWAG disappointed last time but is better thyan that 10 PLAYER has some fine form and should be in the shake up although he has a tough draw 1 ZUZAN is always capable of winning and can never be ignore although he is not a reliable place getter (2-5-10-1)

R9 6 STREET ART has proven class and is distance suited. 3 LITIGATION is in fine form and is also course and distance suited 5 MERIDIUS is capable of a strong finish and should be cherry ripe. 1 ZEUS is an outstanding stayer but he is also effective over middle distances as he was placed in the Summer Cup. (6-3-5-1)

The drama between the NHA and Tony Peter has not stopped the latter from training winners and he landed the second Gr 1 of his career on Saturday with Main Defender (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

A conclusion has been reached on one of the court cases which arose from the well documented incident that took place at the Tony Peter yard on Betway Summer Cup day.

The NHA sent out the following press release today:

Mrs Marcelle Peter had laid criminal charges in November 2023 against Mr Riaan Janse Van Rensburg, a Senior Special Investigating Officer in the employ of The National Horseracing Authority, from events that took place at Mr Anthony Peter’s stables at Turffontein Racecourse on the day of the Summer Cup on 25 November 2023. 

Following the completion of investigations by the South African Police into this charge, the Control Prosecutor at the Booysens Magistrate Court, on 4 March 2024, on considering all available evidence, inclusive of the video footage of the days event, declined to prosecute for lack of a prima facie case. 

The other court case which arose from the incident is a R70 million lawsuit against the NHA by Tony Peter for defamation and is ongoing.

The R200 000 Newlands Stakes for 3yo’s over 1400m tops the bill at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and is billed as the third event on a 9-race programme. A small but quality field will face the starter at 13:35 and trainer Brett Crawford appears to be holding a pair of aces.

He is represented by recent winners Lindbergh and Zil Moris either of which could take home the lion’s share of the purse, but I have a distinct preference for Lindbergh. He is drawn in pole position, receives 4,5kgs from his stable companion and will have stable jockey Louis Mxothwa in the irons. With Solomons Seal likely to go forward Lindbergh should get the run of the race and he seems at his very best over this trip.

Zil Moris came from the clouds to win his last start over track and trip when beating Future Prince and it’s a big plus that Richard Fourie retains the ride. From the widest gate of all, Fourie is likely to adopt similar tactics and the son of Fire Away should be doing his best work at the finish. Eric Sands saddles the Langerman winner My Golly Molly, also a son of Fire Away who is now starting to fire up the winners.

My Golly Molly made an inauspicious start to his 3yo campaign but showed some improvement over 1200m recently when having his first run as a gelding. Having beaten Hluhluwe in the Langerman as a juvenile, My Golly Molly clearly has ability, although it must be borne in mind that the going that day was very much on the heavy side and he may prefer a little cut in the ground.

Lightly weighted Tyrion Lannister could spring a surprise, but Lindbergh gets the vote to come out on top over Zil Moris and My Golly Molly.

Tequila Sky deserves to finally shed her maiden ticket and she could get it right in the fourth race and opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. She has most to fear from Love Shack and the improving and relatively unexposed Fastnet Filly (Ire) and, while Tequila Sky is my first selection, all three need to be included in Pick 6 permutations. Pilot Flame who made a promising debut last month gets the services of Richard Fourie and is also worthy of consideration.

The fifth race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, looks wide open with all of Storm Boulevard, Kwite A King and Continental Express boasting winning chances. Etoilefillante and Song To The Moon are also going the right way and should make their presence felt in a race where punters are advised to cast their nets a little wider.

It does not get easier in the sixth race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. Hoodia ran below expectations last time but should do better here from a handy draw. Mont Loisir just failed behind weaker last time, but he certainly rates a lively threat despite being drawn towards the outside. Igugulethu and King Of Numbers must be considered along with Prince Of Tibet while Lord Saye (GB) can continue to improve but faces a tough task from the deepest draw of all.

In trying to narrow down the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m, I am going to put my faith in Wugug and Go Like Flo to confirm their good form coming into this race. Go Like Flo is 2kgs better off for a length beating by Wugug over the course and distance a month ago which suggests there should not be too much to choose between the pair this time around. Glee Club and recent maiden winner Qhawekazi can show further improvement, but I am going to be in the camp of Wugug and Go Like Flo.

Pomodoro’s Jet let us down over 1400m on Derby Day but can make amends in the eighth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m, despite a poor barrier position. Pomodoro’s Jet is unbeaten two-from-two over track and trip and with a bit of luck in running he may be able to keep that record intact. There are many with chances, most notably Blackberry Malt, Gainsford and hattrick seeking Quartermain but on a day when punters are faced with another challenging Pick 6, I am going to throw my lot in with Pomodoro’s Jet.

There is no doubt that the ultra-consistent course and distance specialist, All About Al, sets the standard in the ninth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m. Sean Veale gets aboard All About Al for the first time and I have a feeling that his riding style will suit the Adam Marcus-trained gelding down to the ground. Gimmelightning was a length behind All About Al last time and does pose a threat while all of Axl, Seeking The One, Meu Capitano, Captain Arrow and USA’s Hope must be taken seriously. In short, if you look past All About Al then best you go wide.

Pomodoro’s Jet (far side) is pictured just getting the better of the subsequent Gold Rush winner Rapidash and he has been selected to win the 8th race (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Gold Circle

R1 On form 1 WORLD OF PLEASURE stands out after a second and third in just two starts and is the first selection but the race is not as one sided as it may seem. 9 BUZZ BOMB is an interesting runner who has been feature raced in all of his starts and finished 6th in the very strong Cape Slipper formline. Richard Fourie has been booked for the ride which certainly enhances his chances. 3 BURNING MAN is open to further improvement after gelding. If 7 PROHIBITION can repeat a similar effort to his debut run he can be competitive. Respect any betting support for the newcomers (Devon Pretorius: 1-9-3-7)

R2 The field for the opening leg of the Bipot is dominated by first timers and if there is any market support, they must be included. Of the raced runners, 2 RAMA FORCESSA has been gelded after two efforts in juvenile feature races and now in a normal juvenile maiden plate, he should be one of the leading contenders. 3 AFRICAN PRINCE was not disgraced on debut in the Cape Slipper and should improve from that run. 1 TURBO TWENTY was a well beaten 5th on debut when One Stripe won by 6 lengths and came out from that run to win the Cape Nursery. In a weaker field, he should be in the quartet. (Devon Pretorius: 2-3-1-9)

R3 1 LINDBERGH won well in his last start in a competitive field with a light weight and faces a tough task to repeat that effort here. However, he is progressing with every run and is narrow first selection over stable companion 7 ZIL MORIS who has the highest rating in the race after bouncing back to form when winning his last start. 6 MY GOLLY MOLLY has been missing in his last couple of starts but it seems that he is bouncing back to his best form with big strides of improvement in his last three starts. He is also the best weighted in the race. 2 SOLOMONS SEAL is the best of the rest (Devon Pretorius: 1-7-6-2)

R4 5 TEQUILLA SKY is overdue for a win having finished within a length of the winner in her last three starts. This should be the perfect race to shed the maiden tag. The biggest danger could be 6 LOVE SHACK who is a model of consistency and has only managed to finish outside the quartet twice from nine starts. 8 FASTNET FILLY drop back in trip to a sprint after finishing third over 1400m. She’s finishing closer with every start and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her pop up in this field. 2 PILOT FLAME ran a great race on debut when finishing fourth and should improve from that run. (Devon Pretorius: 5-6-8-2)

R5 Based on the 10th of Feb Fly Futura formline, 7 STORM BOULEVARD should have the beating of 5 KWITE A KING however, the latter came from too far back and if a little closer he can turn the tables this time round. 3 CONTINENTAL EXPRESS has improved with every start and shouldn’t be far off but is held by the mentioned runners. 1 SONG TO THE MOON ran on in his latest to finish third but the strength of that formline has yet to be tested. (Devon Pretorius: 5-7-3-1)

R6 7 IGUGULETHU comes in with good form after carrying 61kgs in an open maiden in his last start. He has a strong finish and now steps up to 1400m and back in a normal maiden plate without having to give weight away. He must be respected as a runner with a big chance. 12 MONT LOISIR was a beaten favourite in his last start over track and trip but a chance is taken to redeem himself in a slightly tougher field. 4 HOODIA goes around the turn for the first time but has a good draw to contend with and he should be good enough to finish in the quartet. 3 COSMIC RHYTHM returns after gelding and takes a big drop in trip which will suit him after a few efforts over further. (7-12-4-3)

R7 Competitive fillies and mares handicap and a case can be made for the majority of the field. 6 GO LIKE FLO ended her winning streak when 3 WUGUG came out to win again first run out the maidens. Nothing much separates these two on revised weight terms and it could go either way. However, a chance is taken on 8 SENHORA VICTORIA. She has returned to her best form and despite beaten by 3,25 lengths in her last start, the winner of that race came out to win the listed Cape Fillies Classic a few weeks ago. With form like that behind her name, Senhora Victoria certainly has strong winning claims. Stable companions 5 PHILOSOPHISE and 7 WINDRUNNER must be respected (Devon Pretorius: 8-6-3-7)

R8 11 POMODORO’S JET was well supported in his last start but after an awkward run in transit and a slow run race, he only got into the race late on and ran on into fourth. Ignore that run, he should bounce back and is the one to beat. 6 BLACKBERRY MALT has found form again and depending on how Lindbergh ran earlier in the day could be a guide to Blackberry Malt’s chances here. 8 GAINSFORD has top weight to shoulder and would probably enjoy a little further but he’s never far off and can’t be left out. 2 QUATERMAIN is looking for three wins in a row but does step up in class (Devon Pretorius: 11-6-8-2)

R9 Competitive sprint to end off the meeting and there could be some good value lying around. 4 SEEKING THE ONE has been gelded and ran well above his rating in his last start over 1400m and was not penalised for that run. He drops back to a sprint and is the value selection for the day. 6 CAPTAIN ARROW has been feature race in his last three starts and in last ran in the G1 Cape Flying Championship. He’s now back in a Class 3 handicap and he should go close to winning. 3 ALL ABOUT AL looked like a winner with 50 metres to go but was caught on the line. He’s been consistent and should give another good account of himself. 5 MEU CAPITANO is better than his recent starts suggest and should be able to finish in the quartet (Devon Pretorius: 4-6-3-5)

Bomber Girl is a useful sprinter and is selected to win the seventh race on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on Sunday (Candiese Lenferna)

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Punters will need to have their thinking caps on when they face a competitive card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Adding to the local’s problems is that two Highveld trainers, Tony Peter and Fanie Bronkhorst, saddle runners and they are not here to sample the sponsors famous currie ‘bunny chows’.

Bronkhorst saddles Valieva in the card opener who improved nicely second time out and should make a bold bid. He will face strong opposition from Garth Puller’s runner Kalahari Roller who showed up well on debut at lengthy odds and Richard Fourie can continue his onslaught on Anthony Delpech’s 334 record of winners in a season.

However, most of the field consists of first timers of which Lukhayf and The Mikado have the right pedigrees.

The second is tough maiden. She’s A Machine has drawn widest of the ten runners but landed the odds on debut and can follow up for Stuart Ferrie. Tony Peter sends out Golden Chandelier who finished a distant third behind star stable companion Almond Sea at her penultimate start and followed up with a win. She is well tried. Icy Lancaster was green on debut and not far behind. She is sure to come on from that effort. So too Magical View and Fourie’s mount Pull A Fast One. The betting could be your best guide.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 the form of those that have run is not too flash so watch the market on the first timers closely. Of those that have run, Gorgeous Dude showed up nicely at long odds on debut. He has a tricky draw but is sure to come on over the extra furlong. Moon Harvest has had plenty of chances but this is his third run after a break and Fourie gets the leg up. Long Gallery has not been far back over five furlongs and the step up in trip should suit.

In the first leg of the jackpot, Trippis Tune has come on with each outing and looks primed for this from pole position draw and can draw first blood for Tony Peter. Torix Night has drawn alongside and has been consistent. He should feature in this company. Catavar steps up in trip and takes the turn for the first time. He should enjoy the extra furlong. Professor Lupin returns from a lengthy break but has shown some fair form. Watch for any market support.

The fifth could be a case of Vihaan’s Bomb versus Agamemnon. Vihaan’s Bomb steps up in trip but has improved with every step up. He was a close-up second last run and looks primed for this. Agamemnon stays the trip and has been in good form at his last two. If Vihaan’s Bomb fluffs his lines, Agamemnon will be there to pick up the pieces. Rainbow Of Roses has shown up well at her last two and has the advantage of a sex allowance while Basie Raakvat finally steps up to what could well be a more suitable trip and is one to watch in the market.

The sixth is a competitive handicap. Aisling has a tricky draw but is never far back and has come on nicely for her new stable. She is smart on her day. Malcolm’s Dream is not the easiest at home but is talented. She has come good of late and with some luck in running could land this. If Sovereign Grant has recovered from a recent panel beating, she did well over the extra ground and should make a big effort. Lucky Miss has a big weight but goes very well over course and distance and has a 1.5kg claimer up to help.

In another competitive handicap Bomber Girl made a smart returtn to KZN after a fine effort in the Gr 3 Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside before that. Fourie gets the leg up and the stable is in form. S’Manga Khumalo took off like he was being chased by a swarm of bees on Sabatini in a Pinnacle Stakes last time out. Under a more judicious ride she can do better here. Vision To Achieve jumps in class but comes off some useful recent form and only has 52kg and Muzi Yeni on her back. Captain’s Christy seldom runs a bad race and was a beaten favourite last time out.

A competitive handicap round off the card but Jet Legacy is lightly raced but has run two crackers of late. Distance suited he should be in the firing line. Pendragon was much improved with a tongue-tie last run and goes well this trip. Fourie rides for Tony Peter. Bless Me Fred won well last run with a claiming apprentice up and can repeat with Rachel Venniker in the irons while Trafalgar Square has jumped in the handicap after winning two in a row on the poly but has come good of late.

JP McManus has a top-quality team for the Cheltenham Festival, including new Champion Hurdle hope Iberico Lord for Nicky Henderson Picture Credit: Edward Whitaker

JP McManus makes major moves in bid for Cheltenham glory after buying two favourites and adding Iberico Lord to Champion Hurdle

David Jennings and Jack Haynes (Racing Post)

JP McManus has splashed the cash with less than a week to go to the Cheltenham Festival, adding ante-post favourites Meetingofthewaters and Its On The Line to his enviable squad and supplementing Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord for the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

McManus is the most successful owner in the history of the big meeting and is 4-6 with Paddy Power to enjoy five or more winners across the four days.

The high-profile owner has a long line of purchases from fellow shrewd operator Paul Byrne, including The Shunter, Corbetts Cross and Feronily, and continued their alliance by acquiring Ultima Handicap Chase favourite and Grand National entry Meetingofthewaters.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old is 5-1 favourite for the first handicap of the festival on Tuesday and a 20-1 chance for the Randox Grand National at Aintree the following month, while Its On The Line, trained by Emmet Mullins, has usurped Ferns Lock as the 9-4 favourite for the St James’s Place-backed Hunters’ Chase.

McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry said: “Meetingofthewaters looks a nice progressive chaser and he was very good when winning the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was impressive there and looks like he has a decent chance next week.

“It was a funny race that Its On The Line ran in at Naas, and Patrick [Mullins, on Billaway] looked like he’d no chance turning for home, but he didn’t half come home strong. Its On The Line still managed to pull out more and he seems pretty good at that game. He’s still a young horse and hopefully he’s a few nice years ahead.”

The defection of Constitution Hill on Monday from the Champion Hurdle, along with the likelihood of easy ground on the opening day, led to McManus paying £18,000 to supplement stablemate Iberico Lord, who started this season with victory in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham’s November meeting.

Iberico Lord was introduced into the Champion Hurdle betting at 25-1 with bet365 after the confirmations were revealed on Wednesday and was subsequently backed into 16-1.

Last year’s second State Man heads the betting at 4-11 and features in a potential field of 12 that includes Stayers’ Hurdle second favourite Irish Point and Mares’ Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth.

A first-four finish would ensure connections make a profit on the supplementary entry and Iberico Lord’s trainer Nicky Henderson believes the progressive six-year-old, who had been a leading contender for the County Hurdle, could be in the shake-up.

“We’ve been doing the maths and I would be very much hopeful he could finish in the first four,” said Henderson. “Once you take the cream off the top, it becomes a wide-open race, and Luccia will be in there for us and hopefully be involved too.

“On ratings Iberico Lord has a long way to go, but on the other hand he has been climbing the ranks fast and the race has a different complexion to it compared to a few days ago. The ground might well be better for him on Tuesday than Friday if it starts to dry up.”

The going at Cheltenham improved to soft (from soft, heavy in places) on Wednesday with 8-10mm of rain forecast at the weekend.

McManus has nine favourites across the meeting, including 4-5 shot Fact To File in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and evens chance Dinoblue in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase. The owner is 2-1 with the bookmaker to have a winner on each day of the festival.

Paddy Power spokesperson Paul Binfield said: “JP looks to have an awesome hand this year, which is reflected in that we make him 4-6 to have five or more winners, and he’s 1-4 to be top owner and it’s 6-1 bar.

“When you look at his potential squad you can see why as he has Dinoblue, considered by many as the banker of the meeting after chasing home El Fabiolo at Leopardstown, Corbetts Cross and the hugely exciting Fact To File among a massively talented team.”

McManus enjoyed four winners at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, including A Dream To Share in the Champion Bumper and Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Sun Spectacular (Master Of My Fate) clinches a double on the day for Kelly Mitchley and is the second leg of a treble for Richard Fourie (via Racingtoday TV)

Richard Fourie rode a treble for Alan Greeff today on the Fairview turf to increase his projected number of winners for the season to 338.

Kelly Mitchley and Marco van Rensburg both scored individual doubles.

Fourie goes to 204 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 21.68%.

Van Rensburg is on 9 wins at 6.5%

Greeff is on 75  wins at 14.73%.

He is 8 wins behind East Cape log leader Gavin Smith.

Mitchley is on 40 wins at 9.48%.

The picture shows one of the 20th century’s Triple Crown winners.

How many horses won the SA Triple Crown in the 20th century?

In the early part of the 20th century, the Benoni Guineas formed one leg of the South African Triple Crown. In those days, the other two legs were the SA Derby and Benoni St Leger.

The Benoni races were run at the now defunct Gosforth Park.

The first 3yo to sweep the South African Triple Crown was the unsound Colesberg (Wilfrid-Lily Maid).

Colesberg was also a high-class two year old and scored his Triple Crown clean sweep back in 1920.

Remarkably, the South African Triple Crown was won for four consecutive years in the early 1920’s. Colesberg’s victory preceded those of Dignitary (1921 Pictured Above), Antonio (1922), and Red Ronald (1923).

The last horse to claim the South African Triple Crown in the 20th century was the great Horse Chestnut in 1999, although the races that make up today’s three race series has changed since the 1920’s.

The first leg in Horse Chestnut’s season was a first leg of either the Cape Guineas, which he won, or the Newmarket Guineas, and then the SA Classic and SA Derby.

Since Horse Chestnut three more horses have done the SA Triple Crown, Louis The King (2014), Abashiri (2016) and Malmoos (2021).

The latter trio all won the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas, the Gr 1 SA Classic and the Gr 1 SA Derby ti achieve the feat.