Fourie Barometer 372 (updated on 13/05/2024)

Future Swing - Model Case Study For Futura's Progeny

Future Swing (left) clinches a quadruple for Richard Fourie on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Justin Snaith has done a fine job in continually bringing Future Swing on, culminating in a superb win in the Gr 2 WSB 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The yard’s handling of Future Swing could provide a case study in how to manage a Futura.

Futura has from day one appeared to produce rangy, big-actioned types.

They were clearly going to need a bit of time and were going to get better with age and when going over gound.

That is exactly how it has panned out for Future Swing’s career.

Jonathan Snaith confirmed, “Supreme patience is required by the trainer and connections in bringing a Futura to his or her best. Future Swing only broke his maiden in the October of his three-year-old season and only hit his straps over summer as a four-year-old.”

The yard were confident of a big run in Saturday’s race.

Jonathan spoke last last week to Turf Talk about the yard’s runners and Friday’s newsletter carried the following paragraph, However, the one of the Snaith trio that Jonathan himself most likes for the race is Future Swing and added that was especially the case when considering Richard Fourie was aboard. Like Mucho Dinero, Future Swing had not run since LKP day before his last run and like Mucho Dinero his main mission is the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He said Future Swing had therefore also needed that last start and he also expected him to bounce back over this more suitable trip. The yard regard him as a stayer and the July trip of 2200m would probably be the bottom of his optimal range. However, they are trying everything they can to get him into the July.

He duly delievered.

He showed enough early pace to secure the rail in a handy position from draw three.

He then strode out beautifully under Richard Fourie at a relaxed tempo behind a reasonable pace set by the Brett Crawford-trained Oriental Charm (Vercingetorix).

Futura is a son of the July-winning legend Dynasty, whose progeny have always been suited to Hollywoodbets Greyville due to their ability to accelerate.

Future Swing duly showed a fine turn of foot at the top of the straight and with his big action then stayed on resolutely to get the better of a resilient Oreintel Charm by 0,30 lengths.

The Snaiths other two runners, Mucho Dinero (Twice Over) and Without Question (The United States) also put up good performances.

Mucho Dinero gave the winner 2kg and was beaten 2.30 lengths into fifth and Without Question gave the winner 6kg and was beaten three lengths into seventh.

Justin Snaith has won four of the five WSB 1900s run this decade (Belgarion (2020), Do It Again (2022), Pacaya (2023) and Future Swing (2024)).

Belgarion went on to win the July and dual July-winning legend Do It Again was an desperately unlucky fourth in the big race in 2022.

Ravi Naidoo’s Kalinga is a part-owner of Future Swing, together with Drakenstein and Pam Isdell, and the horse runs in Naidoo’s French grey and violet cap colours. Naidoo might be double-handed in the July because he is the outright owner of the Sean Tarry-trained Cousin Casey.

Future Swing was receiving 2kg from Oriental Charm on Saturday. The latter is only a three-year-old, so Future Swing is not going to have it easy confirming form with him in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, considering he will, as things stand, be 3kg worse off for a mere 0,30 lengths beating and the latter will also have had a further two months of weight for age growth behind him.

That is just on paper though and Future Swing, who is clearly coming into his own, was shortened into 10/1 for the July by the big race’s sponsors Hollywoodbets, while Oriental Charm was initially shortened to 20/1 but has since come in again to 14/1.

The yard have said it was unlikely Future Swing would run again before the July.

Jonathan Snaith spoke about all of the yard’s July entries, saying, “Future Swing came through his race particularly well and he’ll most likely not run again before the Hollywoodbets Durban July where he will carry 54kg, most likely under sufferance. No jockey has yet to be confirmed.

Mucho Dinero improved dramatically (from his run and Kabelo said he was a little unlucky and the slower pace cost him. He is going straight into the Cup Trial as part of his final preparation for the HWB Durban July. This will be his third run after a rest, and he’s expected to produce a tremendous effort. He’s a monster runner in the Cup Trial!

Without Question was blowing heavily after his race and was clearly in desperate need of this run. The connections have not yet decided on his next mission before embarking on the HWB Durban July.”

Another Snaith July entry, The Grey King, also ran at Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting and with first-time cheekpieces on this three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding put up a good front-running display. He had to carry joint topweight of 61,5kg in the Middle Stakes event over 1900m and finished a 1,40 length second. The winning time of the race was 1,38 seconds slower than the WSB 1900, but The Grey King was carrying 7,5kg more than what Future Swing carried to victory in the 1900. Jonathan pointed out that he was arguably the most succesful syndicated horse in the country, having had just eight starts for two wins, three seconds, including in a Gr 3, and one third. He runs for The King’s Club and has about 30 partners or syndicate members in all. Sean Veale will be riding him in the Daily News 2000.

Meanwhile, the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner Royal Aussie will go for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and also the Gr 1 Champions Cup on the last day of the season.However, a run in the July has not been decided on yet. The four-year-old Royal Mo gelding’s below par 9,05 length eighth in the WSB Met was his only race to date beyond a mile, so there is a stamina question mark.

Jonathan said Triple Time Triple had had a minor setback and he would most likely be taking the Gr 3 Gold Circle Derby route into the July. This Twice Over gelding had been in fine form, finishing a 1,50 length second to Future Swing in the Gr 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m when giving the latter 4kg, a shorthead second in the Gr 2 New Turf Westeren Cape Stayers over 2800m and then, in his KZN pipe opener, a 2,80 length second in a Progress Plate over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

The Snaith’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot comes off a decent 0,60 length third to July favourite Green With Envy in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas with the top class Sandringham Summit splitting them. He will either be going for the Gold Challenge or Daily News 2000. A decision will only be made one the connections have seen the nominations.

The highly regarded Trippi gelding Hluhluwe ran a decent two length fourth in the WSB Guineas in his first outing as a gelding. He will be going for the Daily News 2000 over a much more suitable trip and Grant van Niekerk will be up.

Big Hopes And Dreams For This Farm!

Suzette and Basie Viljoen and jockey Richard Fourie with some of the silverware accumulated by their superstar Equus Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom (Picture: Cape Racing)

Sarah Whitelaw

Basie and Suzette Viljoen’s Hopes And Dreams Stud is a farm with one eye on the future. Formerly known as the Arc-En-Ciel Stud, Hopes And Dreams is situated just outside Wellington in the Western Cape.

The farm recently consigned its first National Yearling Sale draft, with Suzette saying of their National Sale experience, “For our team at Hopes and Dreams Stud, prepping and presenting a horse for sale is still a learning experience. Although we are very proud of our team and horses. We were satisfied with the prices achieved and look forward to our first runners on the track.”

Hopes And Dreams had six yearlings on offer at the 2024 National Sale, and all six found homes. The farm’s top lot was a Hawwaam filly, bred on similar lines to the likes of Bulsara, Marina and July winning champion Marinaresco, who was knocked down for R425 000.

The farm will also be offering drafts at both the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale and Cape Racing Ready To Run & Unbroken 2Yo Sale.

Hopes And Dreams Stud have four lots on offer at the upcoming Winter Sale, with the quartet made up of yearlings by Captain Of All (2), Erik The Red and Royal Mo. (The latter is sire of the Viljoen part-owned Royal Aussie, a game winner of the recent G2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes).

Suzette says of the team assisting Hopes And Dreams Stud, “We have a very powerful team with a lot of experience and knowledge. All of them are important to us in their own way.” Furdy Swartbooi, Charles Henning and our new addition Maretha Kotze are involved with stud management, while Yolanda Swartbooi works in the office.

Hopes And Dreams is currently home to 100 mares, with the farm’s mating plans focusing on what stallion suits each individual mare best. Among the new stallions mentioned by Suzette that she is particularly keen on are Drakenstein Stud’s pair of A Case Of You and Charles Dickens as well as the Varsfontein Stud bred champion Sandringham Summit, who is set to stand at the place of his birth.

Arguably the most famous current resident at Hopes And Dreams Stud is Captain’s Ransom. A daughter of outstanding sire Captain Al, Captain’s Ransom was Horse Of The Year, Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare and Equus Champion Sprinter in 2021-2022.

The Moutonshoek bred star compiled a wonderful record on the track, with Captain’s Ransom winning 13 of her 19 starts including six Grade One contests. Out of the first four just once in her career, Captain’s Ransom was as versatile as she was brilliant capturing the 2022 G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m and downing male rivals to land the 2022 G1 Mercury Sprint over 1200 metres.

In total, Captain’s Ransom won no fewer than nine graded races in a career which saw her bank more than R3.5 million in prize money.

Understandably, Suzette has a soft spot for her charismatic champion, saying of her, “She is a true champion in everything she does. She is uncomplicated and does everything in her stride. She shares a paddock with her half sister United’s Ransom and they love attention and carrots.She is a darling with an attitude. She loves attention at her terms. She is the most intelligent girl I have ever see.”

No mating plans have been set in stone for Captain’s Ransom, who is in foal to another Justin Snaith trained champion Jet Dark, but her owner has said that the bay mare has received valentine cards from Jet Dark, Charles Dickens and Hawwaam, suggesting exciting times are ahead for the champion.

While Suzette is inevitably keen that Hopes And Dreams produce many winners of South Africa’s top races, she does hold one special ambition. “We would love to win the G1 L’Ormarin’s Kings Plate with a filly. Being a weight for age over the ultimate distance of one mile this is a true test for a racehorse.”

With a top-class band of broodmares, destined to be sent to some of South Africa’s most exciting young stallions, Hopes And Dreams Stud looks destined to produce that G1 L’Ormarin’s Kings Plate winner sooner rather than later!

Gimme A Nother - Scratched From July And Headed For USA

Gimme A Nother had become the new darling of the SA turf (JC Photos)

The unbeaten Mike de Kock-trained Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme A Nother has been scratched from the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

De Kock said on his website: “After consulting with Gimme A Nother’s owners, Jessica and Steven Jell, a decision was made to plan a campaign for her in the United States. I will be flying to the US this week to explore our best racing options for her. If all goes well, we’ll be sending a couple of other runners with her to continue their careers in the US, and hopefully we can attract other top South African runners to race there.”

Mike said that it was unlikely that Gimme A Nother would race in South Africa again. “We’ll be shipping her as soon as we have an agreed course of action,” he noted.

Gimme A Nother, a three-year-old by Gimmethegreenlight out of Nother Russia, is unbeaten in seven career starts. Her wins include the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, the Gr 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes, the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Classic , the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Stakes and the Gr 3 Betway Fillies Mille.

The South African record for number of successive wins for an unbeaten horse is held by the 1965-born SA-bred Home Guard (Pent House II (GB)), who won his first eleven starts before being defeated for the first time in the 1969 July, in which he ran a 0,75 length second to Naval Escort.

However, that record will remain intact if the plan to take Gimme A Nother to the USA comes to fruition.

Kieswetter Thrilled By ‘Unbelievable’ Season For Il Etait Temps

Craig Kieswetter leads in Il Etait Temps after his Gr 1 victory at Punchestown (Picture: Brian Lawless (PA))

by Adam Morgan (Sporting Life)

Craig Kieswetter is backing Il Etait Temps to continue punching above his weight when he returns from a well-earned rest next season.

The pint-sized six-year-old is owned by the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud in conjunction with their partners at the Hollywood Syndicate and the former England international cricketer has revelled in Il Etait Temps’ heroics this year as he has picked up three Grade One prizes over fences.

After three attempts, a victory at the Cheltenham Festival remains elusive, so correcting that record and competing in some of the year’s biggest chasing events will be top of the Willie Mullins-trained grey’s agenda when he returns from a summer at grass.

“We’ll give him a good break now and come out again battling and fighting next year,” said Kieswetter.

“We’ve been trying for a good few years to get the win at Cheltenham and hopefully it will come, but we have to enjoy everything this lad has done for us already.

“Il Etait Temps has had a ridiculous season. Three Grade one wins and placed in some other big races – he’s won the Irish Arkle, Aintree and now Punchestown, it’s unbelievable.

“I was just happy to experience one of his big days as a lot of the time I’ve been in South Africa, so it was great to be on course and I’m very much looking forward to giving plenty of the top horses a run for their money next year with our tiny little horse.”

Having captured the Irish Arkle and Manifesto Novices’ Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival and Aintree respectively, Il Etait Temps turned the tables on Cheltenham Festival scorer Gaelic Warrior to top a brilliant year in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at the season-ending Punchestown Festival.

South African-based Kieswetter has struggled to catch most of his champion’s triumphs in person this term, but was delighted to be trackside at Punchestown for this end-of-year highlight.

“What a day, I landed from Cape Town the day before, popped in for the race and it was unbelievable,” he said.

“The crowd at Punchestown is outstanding and he might be tiny, but he’s mighty. Gaelic Warrior made him look like a lead pony in the parade ring, so it was pretty cool to see him win. He’s very unique in his look and it goes to show size doesn’t always matter, it’s the size of your heart.

“Danny (Mullins) gave him a peach of a ride and was really patient on him and it was just an awesome day. Gaelic Warrior is an impressive horse both to look at and in his race record and in any graded race, you come up against proper champions and he’s exceeded all expectations.”

Highveld Horse Of The Season Award Is A Cliffhanger

History-making Royal Victory has as good a chance as any of landing the coveted Highveld Horse Of The Season award (JC Photos)

Royal Victory, Purple Pitcher and Gimme A Nother are the three dual Gr 1 winners on the Highveld this season, but the star gelding Main Defender will also be a strong candidate to land the coveted Highveld Horse Of The Season Award.

The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 18 May.

Gimme A Nother is unbeaten in seven starts including two Gr 1s, two Gr 2s and a Gr 3. Mike de Kock had been heard to say say he was reserving judgement on her until she faces the best from around the country, which she will now not do because she is headed for the USA. However, it is not only her record but the manner of her wins that give her a strong chance of winning award. She has put daylight between herself and the opposition in all five of her Graded victories and in all seven of her career wins. Yet, she has sometimes looked to be in trouble halfway down the straight. That she can still win in such commanding fashion shows that she is no ordinary star. She gets better and better with each start too.

The Paul Peter-trained Pathfork gelding Main Defender has only won one Gr 1, the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, but he started the season by winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m by 6,50 lengths, he then beat Sandringham Summit by a shorthead in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Back Stakes over 1400m, albeit when reciving 1kg, and he followed up with victory in the Gr 3 Betway Got The Green Light Stakes over 1400m before winning the Horse Chestnut by 2,75 lengths. The latter win saw him being raised to a 131 merit rating. That makes him the highest rated horse on the Highveld.

The Nathan Kotzen-trained Pathfork gelding Royal Victory won Jo’Burg’s traditional biggest race, the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over 2000m by a comfortable 2,25 lengths, albiet with bottom weight of 54kg, and he then proved he could win at Gr 1 weight for age level too when winning the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge by half-a-length over the same course and distance. He was raised to a 125 merit rating after the latter victory. However, the collateral form shows his weight for age win to be every bit as good as Main Defender’s. Main Defender beat Dave The King by 2,75 lengths in the Horse Chestnut, while Royal Victory beat that same horse by 4,25 lengths in the Premier’s. Royal Victory also beat Cousin Casey, Son Of Raj and Puerto Manzano by wider Margins than managed by Main Defender, although Safe Passage did get closer in the Premier’s than in the Horse Chestnut. What should give Royal Victory a strong chance of landing the Horse Of The Year award is that he made history – he is the only out of province horse to ever win the Premier’s and he is only the second out of province horse this millenium to win the Summer Cup. With such scant success from out of province horses in both races, his double is a remarkable achievement.

Last but certainly not least, the Robyn Klaasen-trained New Predator colt Purple Pitcher has only been beaten once in his last eight starts and he is notable for his supreme courage. He is a horse who always seems to find more when it is needed and this has enabled him to win the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic from the front, the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby from a prominent position and he also won the prestigious Gr 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans as well as a BSA Sales race. His only loss for the Klaasen yard was when needing it over the too sharp Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas trip. It would be tough for him to lose out on the Horse Of The Season award when considering the racing adage, “You can only win”.

The Sean Tarry-trained Thunderstruck would also be a contender if his form from Cape Town counted towards the award. He won the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint as well as the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem in Cape Town and he was runner up in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship.

A press release with all the Highveld Feature Season Awards nominees was sent out last week and is shown below:

4Racing is thrilled to announce the return of the 2024 Highveld Feature Season Awards, set to take place at The Galleria in Sandton on Saturday, 18 May 2024. This prestigious horse racing industry event will serve as a platform to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the stars of Highveld Feature racing throughout the season which ended this past Saturday with the Championships Finale.

The Highveld Feature Season Awards recognise excellence across a range of categories, highlighting the diverse talents and performances that have graced the Highveld racing scene over the past season.

The nominees for the 2024 Highveld Feature Season Awards are:

Champion two-year-old filly:
• Almond Sea
• Little Ballerina
• Simply Majestic

Champion two-year-old colt/gelding:
• Fire Attack
• Pistol Pete
• Proceed

Champion three-year-old filly:
• To be announced at the awards ceremony

Champion three-year-old colt/gelding:
• Main Defender
• Purple Pitcher
• Sandringham Summit

Champion older filly/mare:
• Feather Boa
• Mrs Browning
• Silver Hills

Champion older horse:
• Royal Victory
• Thunderstruck

Champion sprinter:
• Dyce
• Lucky Lad
• Main Defender
• Sandringham Summit
• Thunderstruck

Champion Middle distance horse:
• Gimme A Nother
• Main Defender
• Purple Pitcher
• Royal Victory

Champion Stayer:
• Crimson King
• Frances Ethel
• Purple Pitcher
• Rule Book
• Zeus

Nico Kritsiotis, Chairman of the voting process, leads a diverse panel of judges including, Jack Milner and Bradley Ralph. The selection process was meticulous, with some categories attracting a lengthy discussion while others were more straightforward and predictable. However, the judges are confident that the final decisions accurately reflect that a fair and correct process had taken place.

“Hosting the Highveld Feature Season Awards this year is a true honour for 4Racing, as it allows us to shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent and achievements within our racing community. This day is not just about celebrating the winners, but also about recognising the dedication, passion, and hard work that all stakeholders contribute to our sport. We congratulate all the nominees and look forward to an unforgettable evening,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.

The winners in the following categories are based on a points structure and will be announced at the Awards function:

Champion Work Rider
Champion Apprentice
Champion Breeder of the season
Champion Owner of the season
Champion Jockey of the season
Champion Trainer of the season

The following points structure was applied:
1st 2nd 3rd
Grade 1 12 9 7
Grade 2 9 6 4
Grade 3 6 3 1
Listed 2 – –

All equine winners will be eligible for the highly coveted Horse of the Season award, adding an extra layer of anticipation. 4Racing extends its best wishes to all nominees in their respective categories and look forward to hosting them on the evening.

Lerena And Daniels Shine On Fine Day For Zim Racing

Happy Raffles connections with the 2024 Tankard winner and Gavin Lerena (Pic – Zimbabwe Equine News )

Gavin Lerena won the big one, the Castle Tankard, and Deryl Daniels was aboard the latest horse to complete Zimbabwe’s triple crown on a halcyon day for Zimbabwe racing at Borrowdale park on Saturday.

C John Smith is not only Zimbabwe’s equivalent of Greg Bortz, but also found time to write about the day.

The Sporting Post carried the below article:

1960 saw the first running of the Castle Tankard and on Saturday 11 May 2024 we saw the latest renewal of this Group 1 Handicap with a purse of over R900 000.

As expected, recently arrived Raffles creamed it with an awesome ride by Gavin Lerena, who picked up three winners on the day.

Raffles won in the fast time of 120,06 for the 2000m.

Second was another recent SA purchase, Majestic Warrior ridden in an equally well-timed drive by Deryl Daniels.

Wantage ran a cracking third and last year’s winner, Ideal View ran a creditable fourth.

This outcome might spur other SA owners to consider a raid across the border – but it’s too late for the next Group 1 – the OK Grand Challenge – with a purse of R1,800,000 to be run over 1800 meters on 8 June.

The qualification criteria – at least one run in Zim before the big race – has now passed as there is no scheduled meeting before the OK – but it is something for them to consider for next year.

And what a racecourse Borrowdale Park is (Turf Talk ed – Deryl Daniels described it as the best racecourse in Southern Africa).

The course looked superb on Tankard Day and the stands were packed for the racing, the beer, the fashion and the entertainment – all put on by sponsors, Delta Corporation – brewers of so many top class beers and soft drinks.

Rumours of the death of Borrowdale Park and the Mashonaland Turf Club are grossly exaggerated.

In discussion with a number of Stewards, it was established that the finances of the club – which had been under pressure for a few years – were now in decent health and the Board’s drive to re-purpose the club’s assets through the development of its retail park and its infield farming activities were paying handsome dividends and that there were a number of other typically creative Zim initiatives about to bear fruit in the near future. That Borrowdale Park can now sustain itself in these ways is made doubly impressive when it is recognised that the Club receives not one cent from gambling. Having said that, it is understood that discussions are underway to rectify this shortcoming.

All of this means that the future of Borrowdale Park is assured – how many race course operators can make such claims in such circumstances?

Such prospects will be music to the ears of those who are members of the Centaur Syndicate – now reported to be the most-long standing racing syndicate anywhere in the world. Centaur is currently in its forty seventh successive year in racing at Borrowdale Park. Its mantra is to try and invest in horses which might be able to lift the coveted Zimbabwe Triple Crown – the Guineas (1600m), The Zimbabwe 2000 and the Zimbabwe Derby (2400m) – and to do so with budgets that are consistent with the purses on offer at Borrowdale.

Long term Centaur Chairman, “CJ” Smith, says, “The economics of owning race horses are not too clever – anywhere really, but especially in Zim, but the members are in it more for the sport and bragging rights than profits.

“Winning the Triple Crown is such a difficult mission to achieve and has only occurred about seven times in the history of the Zim accolade – so that is why we have it as our mission – because it’s tough to achieve. There’s a winners of the big handicaps every year, indeed, I and some good pals were very pleased and proud to win the 2023 Castle Tankard with Ideal View, but elusive Triple Crowns still remain our chief goal.

And the current season has filled Centaur with much pleasure – no more so than when Buster Barnes cruised through to win the Zimbabwe Derby on Tankard Day. To buy a yearling or young two year old, bring it through the months soundly to the three different races of the Triple Crown is not easy. Not only has the horse to be exceptional but so too does the trainer. Debbie Swanson has proved she has such credentials. As for the jockey, he needs to ride his races in three different ways and be able to go to plan B with ease. Jockeys such as Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena are supremely talented in these things and it’s no surprise that they have so much success. What does surprise me a quite a lot is that the jockey we chose to ride Buster Barnes is not better supported in South Africa. I know there was a period when Deryl Daniels was not riding and for a variety of reasons but he is back now – in full command of himself and I am impressed. His style, his balance, his calmness and his overall riding skills are there in abundance (I am sure he was once Champion Appie) – and he can ride at 53kg. Here is a jockey SA trainers should be using a lot more – but not until Buster Barnes retires!

On Tankard Day not only did Deryl complete the Triple Crown in the orange silks of Centaur when winning the Derby by a country mile, but he also rode brilliantly on Majestic Warrior to run second to Raffles in the Tankard.

With regards to Buster Barnes, he was bought at the 2 year old sales in South Africa in late 2022 at a cost of R200,000. He is by Erupt, who is by Dubawi. For me, this sire is surprisingly not as popular in SA as perhaps he should be, you know he ran in the 2015 Arc and was only a couple of lengths off Golden Horn and then later he ran in the Japan Cup and again was unplaced but just a couple of lengths off Shonon Pandora. The dam Servilia is by Caesour – the Northern Dancer cross we look for – and she was a sprinter and winner of five or six races over 1000 to 1200 meters. So a bit of stamina and a bit of speed from a Mr Prospector – Northern Dancer cross. One of the classic nicks which Centaur has pursued for years – a stayer with a good turn of foot. Well done breeder Millstream.

Buster Barnes will now be targeted at the OK Grand Challenge – and Deryl Daniels is assured of the ride – if he wants it. Beyond that, the plans are less clear. Should he win the OK, he will need to do so in a very fast time if he is going to have any chance of prospering in South Africa – but we shall cross that bridge when we come to it”

Also on Tankard Day, another of CJ’s projects surpassed all expectations. The ZimFun Racing Club Ltd.

“Ahh this was a bit of a Covid induced idea – to form a racing club as a limited company and offer shares for $100 each – ideally an annual purchase – and use the format to encourage folk to get involved in racing for not a lot of money or risk, bring former owners back into the racing fold, provide a bit of a learning nursery for those who might want to buy their own horses but need to know a bit about the game first and to bring a few more people to the races. And to do all this without any paid admin function – the whole thing is run by volunteers and all capital goes to buying and keeping horses in training.

Modestly speaking it’s been a great success. I think we have about 200 shareholders of which about 50 are stalwarts. And we have had some great horses, not least of which is our current gelding, Var Aglow – by Var out of Jet Aglow. Debbie Swanson trains him and on Saturday he went for his sixth win in succession. He had won four races for ZimFun – which race in the bright yellow colours with the Smiley Face Emoji – but had to carry 61kg. I didn’t think he could do it but duly obliged and did so impressively. ZimFunners have become renowned for their noise and extravagant champagne fuelled celebrations – Saturday was no exception.

How long I can keep this show on the road remains to be seen but at this stage it is doing all we hoped it would do and new owners are emerging from the ranks of ZimFun shareholders”

It is refreshing to learn first-hand that the prophets of Borrowdale Park doom are being proved wrong and yet it is not surprising when it is recognised once again that Zimbos don’t give up easily and are renowned world-wide for “making a plan”

In closing, CJ said “The best is yet to come, watch this space and make a plan to be racing at Borrowdale Park – soon.”

Fairview Key To Fourie's Goal

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Richard Fourie continues smoothly on his quest to not only be champion jockey, which is already in the bag, but is also well on his way to breaking Anthony Delpech’s record of 334 for the most winners ridden in a season.

At the time of writing, he was sitting on 292 winners, which means he needs another 43 to break that record with around to-and-a-half months remaining in the season.

If he does achieve that goal, a bottle (or maybe a magnum) of expensive French champagne deserves to go the way of Eastern Cape trainer Alan Greeff who has unwaveringly supported Fourie this season.

Going into Wednesday’s meeting on the Fairview Polytrack, Fourie has ridden 94 winners in the province which accounts for 31.8% of his tally. Interestingly, the best province so far this season for Fourie has been KwaZulu-Natal where he has brought home 97, with 72 in the Western Cape and 30 on the Highveld.

As is the case at most meetings in the Eastern Cape Fourie has a full card of rides, all for Greeff, tomorrow and a number of them have winning hopes. He could kick off in Race 2 where he rides Marquez, a recent addition to the Greeff yard.

The four-year-old son of Rafeef comes from Mike de Kock and officially joined the Greeff yard on 11 March. His last start was at Turffontein on 4 November last year and he performed well enough to finish a 1.10-length second behind Walled Garden.

He ran in blinkers for the first time on that occasion and please note that while Marquez was not originally carded to run in blinkers, that has now changed and Greeff has now declared his charge will have them fitted.

He will contest a Maiden Plate over 1200m and if not in need of the run this gelding will be hard to beat. Obviously, this will be his first race on the Polytrack but no doubt Greeff will have given his Marquez a workout on the surface.

Another of Fourie’s rides to catch the eye is Gideon’s Daughter in Race 5, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1900m.

This daughter of Skitt Skizzle proved costly to follow earlier in her career but she is getting better and stronger since upped in distance.

The three-year-old has won twice in nine starts with both wins coming on the Polytrack.

Gideon’s Daughter was impressive with back-to-back victories in December/January over 1600m and has held her form well since then.

She was entered for the East Cape Derby last Friday so picking this race instead could add another feather in the cap for Greeff.

A race earlier, unreliable Meetatthewindsor could go close to winning for the Fourie-Greeff combination in this Classified Stakes over 1600m.

The Pomodoro gelding has been at very best on the turf but is distance-suited and did enough in his effort on the surface on 12 March when a fast-finishing fourth to suggest he can win on the Polytrack.

Gavin Smith also continues to have a steady stream of winners and Queen Of Jazz in Race 1, Gimme’s Laddie in Race 7 and Globetonic in Race 8 should all run decent races.

Queen Of Jazz performed well in first-time blinkers last time and was touched off by Reunion Hotspot on the post over 1400m, the distance of this evet, on the Polytrack. Craig Zackey takes the ride and she will be tough to beat this time.

Gimme’s Laddie, also with Zackey up, won on local debut on the Polytrack. It was only his second run since being gelded so a three-point penalty may not be enough to stop him.

Globetonic is not easy to catch right but it could be time for him to pop up again.

The Great Britain gelding has won four of his 16 starts and most of those at fair prices.

Jockey Louie Mxothwa has a decent strike rate with Smith and won on Globetonic the only time he rode him.

He should be a decent price and is worth an each-way bet.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Queen Of Jazz, 2 Double Trade, 5 Maxigirl, 1 Blueberry Blue

Race 2: 2 Marquez, 1 Justcantgetenough, 7 Newton Heath, 6 War Sword

Race 3: 1 Storm Boulevard, 5 Elusive Mata, 4 Colonel Green, 2 Petteia

Race 4: 5 Meetatthewindsor, 3 Heknows, 2 Reach Forthe Stars, 6 Wind Sock

Race 5: 1 Gideon’s Daughter, 7 Gold For Africa, 5 Raising Quinn, 6 Midnight Crystal

Race 6: 5 Magdala, 2 Si Gioca, 7 Jade’s Caberneigh, 1 Fairy Tripp

Race 7: 3 Gimme’s Laddie, 10 Fiery Duke, 4 Transact, 2 Cool Winter

Race 8: 5 Globetonic, 7 On The Road Again, 1 Makhachev, 9 Timbavati River

BEST BET

Race 1: 7 Queen Of Jazz

VALUE BET

Race 8: 5 Globetonic

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1×2

BIPOT

R108

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5

Leg 5: 1, 5, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 5, 7

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 7

Leg 5: 2, 5, 7

Leg 6: 3, 4, 10

Leg 7: 1, 5, 7

PICK 6

R1728

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 5

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 5: 3, 4, 10

Leg 6: 1, 5, 7

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 4: 3, 4, 10

JACKPOT 2

R144

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 3: 3, 4, 10

Leg 4: 1, 5, 7

City Of Troy Hype Has Not Ended

City Of Troy heads out to work under Dean Gallagher at Ballydoyle on Monday morning. Credit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O’Brien: ‘We’ve never sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as City Of Troy’

Aidan O’Brien believes he has never sent a colt “with as much ability” to the Derby as City Of Troy despite last season’s star two-year-old turning in a bitterly disappointing effort in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The champion trainer partially blamed himself for that performance but it has failed to blunt the enthusiasm of punters who have supported City Of Troy into as short as 3-1 favourite for the Epsom Classic on June 1.

The Justify colt enjoyed a stunning juvenile campaign that culminated in a devastating display in the Dewhurst, in which he thundered three and a half lengths clear of Alyanaabi. Hopes were high he could produce something special at Newmarket on his seasonal return, when he was sent off a 4-6 shot, but the distress signals were clear from a long way out and he ultimately trailed in ninth of the 11 runners, beaten 17 lengths by the Charlie Appleby-trained Notable Speech.

O’Brien said all has gone well with City Of Troy in the ten days since the Guineas and attributed the below-par performance at Newmarket to a combination of the horse getting upset moments before the stalls opened and under-preparation in the build up to his first Classic, the trainer accusing himself of treating the Derby favourite like “too much of a god” through the winter.

Punters are hoping O’Brien can work the oracle for the second year running after Auguste Rodin disappointed in a similar manner in last year’s 2,000 Guineas prior to bouncing back in spectacular style at Epsom before going on to become a dual Derby winner at the Curragh and landing the Irish Champions Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Despite having saddled a record nine winners of the Derby, O’Brien feels City Of Troy may be the most talented colt the stable has ever sent to the Epsom Classic.

O’Brien said: “For us, I’m not sure we ever sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability. Everything he was doing last year, the statistics were adding up. Even though he won a Dewhurst and only ran over seven furlongs last season, we always knew he was going to be a middle-distance horse.

“Everything has been good since Newmarket. He has done nothing since to make us change the plan which was to start in the Guineas and go to the Derby.

“The Guineas was just one of those things. He went in the stalls last and the way things worked out, he might have been better off going in a bit earlier as when he went in, he spooked and reared. He wasn’t flustered but obviously his mind wasn’t in the right place as he’s a very calm and relaxed horse.”

Expanding on the Newmarket disappointment, O’Brien said: “The minute he hit the ground then the stalls opened. Usually when they do something like that, their heartrate would go up to 120-150 beats and the minute he landed, he took off. So he probably started out at that heart rate when he should be starting off way lower. They go into the red-zone when they go over 200 beats and he probably got there before halfway. It was impossible for him to keep going.

“The Guineas wasn’t meant to be and I feel myself that I hadn’t him prepared properly but what we learned will hopefully help us prepare him properly for the Derby.”

Group 1 winning two-year-old Los Angeles advertised his Derby credentials when landing the Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday and he is also in contention for Epsom having been cut to 8-1 after that success, while Capulet, who won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester last week, is also a possible.

O’Brien added: “We were very happy with Los Angeles on Sunday. He’s a big, relaxed horse and we always thought he’d step up big time when he went a mile and a half. He’s definitely a possible for Epsom.”

“Capulet could go to Epsom. He was always going to step up going a mile and a quarter and we felt he could step up even further over a longer trip. He has plenty of class and Ryan was very happy with him at Chester.”

Ylang Ylang will spearhead the stable’s Oaks challenge after she stayed on encouragingly to finish fifth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. She heads the market for the fillies’ Classic at 5-2, while stablemate Rubies Are Red could join her after finishing second in the Lingfield Oaks Trail on Saturday.

O’Brien said: “We very happy with Ylang Ylang’s run in the Guineas. We thought going there that she was more of an Oaks filly and that’s how she ran. Ryan was very happy with her. He let her find her feet and he felt that she was coming home very well.

“Ryan said Rubies Are Red was very green at Lingfield and he nursed and taught her but she got stuck back a long way. When she straightened up, he felt she really came up well. She’s definitely an Oaks-type filly.”

Today’s Question

Gavin Lerena won the Castle Tankard on Saturday on the Bridget Stidolph-trained Time Thief gelding Raffles. But who are the connections of the horse named Raffles who won the race pictured above in 1973?

Midweek FIELDS

Fairview Poly, Tuesday

Today’s Question Answer

By an extraordinary coincidence the Colin Lee-trained horse named Raffles, which is pictured above winning at Borrowdale in 1973, was owned by the grandmother of Victoria Lerena, the wife of Gavin Lerena.