Fourie Barometer 376 (updated after racing on 23/05/2024)
30 more wins needed to break the record
Hluhluwe The Dark Horse Or Is He?
Trippi gelding Hluhluwe faces an acid test at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The justin Snaith-trained Trippi gelding Hluhluwe could be the dark horse in Saturday’s Gr 1 Daily News 2000.
He has always been well regarded and proved his class when winning the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup, beating Snow Pilot and Green With Envy by 0,40 lengths and 0,45 lengths respectively.
However, if he was to become the horse some were predicting he would become then his subsequent three Hollywoodbets Kenilworth runs were disappointing.
Starting at 33/10 for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, he finished a two length third, although he did beat Green With Envy again, albeit by a shorthead.
He was then never a factor in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, beaten 6,20 lengths into tenth with his stable companion and Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot finishing in front of him again.
However, even looking back at Hluhluwe’s Punter’s Cup win over 1600m, he did not turn it on in an electrifying manner, but rather just stayed on resolutely, and he repeated that type of finish in the Guineas and King’s Plate.
So it was resasonable to believe he needed further than a mile.
His pedigree also suggested he needed further. His dam Lebombo Breeze’s only win was over 1800m and she is by stamina influence Giant’s Causeway. Furthermore, Hluhluwe’s half-brother Breeze Over (Twice Over) is a useful stayer and finished a narrow second in the Listed Tab Gold Bowl over 3200m. Furthermore, Lebombo Breeze is a half-sister to Fresnaye, classy winner of the Listed Winter Oaks over 2200m and also the Gr 3 Victress Stakes over 1800m and the Listed Stormsvlei Mile.
However, when Hluhluwe was stepped up to the trip many believed he needed, the 2000m of the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, he disappointed again, beaten into fifth place, 5,25 lengths behind the progressive Green With Envy.
The Cape three-year-old crop were categorized as below par after the King’s Plate.
Green With Envy has gone on to confound that theory, but he has left his Cape contemporaries, including Hluhluwe, behind.
However, the hope for Hluhluwe’s connections and fans now is that he needed the gelding he had subsequent to the Cape Derby.
He had his first run as a gelding in the WSB Guineas, and it wasn’t a bad effort as he stayed on steadily to finish fourth, two lengths behind the winner Green With Envy. However, he did not threaten to set the track alight and was once again beaten by Snow Pilot.
He will now go over the trip he is bred for … and this time as a gelding.
Will this ignite the good looking son of Trippi?
The keen hold he took early on in the WSB Guineas might have been due to inexperience around a left-handed bend and he was running fresh.
He will need to settle better this time, otherwise it might be more of the same.
However, hope springs eternal with racehorses who threaten to be top class and seemingly just need some sort of spark to release that latent potential.
This is reflected in the words of Jonathan Snaith, who said today about Hluhluwe, “He seems to have improved after gelding and this will be his second start after a break. His last start was pretty decent and he’s bound to improve a lot on that run. He’s a horse that is better than his form would suggest. Hluhluwe is well held by Green with Envy on form but Justin does feel this son of Trippi will get closer than in previous attempts.”
The yard also run The Grey King in the Daily News.
He is well held by Green With Envy, who not only beat him by 1,25 lengths in the Gr 3 Schweppes Politician Stakes over 1800m but is now 5,5kg better off too.
On the upside, The Grey King was beaten just 1,40 lengths last time out over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and the Gareth van Zyl-trained winner Flag Man has been supplemented into the Daily News 2000. This is significant because The Grey King gave Flag Man 5kg and the latter’s supplementary entry suggests he is highly regarded.
Jonathan said about The Grey King, “He has it all to do at the weights but is arguably the most successful syndicated horse so far in South Africa. If he stays the trip and settles in the race, he could sneak into minor money in this Gr1 event. He seems to have a near impossible task at the weights despite being at his very best back home. His pedigree suggests he’ll have absolutely no issue seeing out the ten furlong trip. Justin is hoping he can produce his best effort yet.”
The yard also run the enigmatic One Way Traffic in the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.
The six-year-old Dynasty gelding has been in much better form this season than he was last and this was emphasised by his narrow second in the WSB Highland Night Cup over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in his Champions Season pipe opener.
Jonathan said, “One Way Traffic is pretty much back to his best and he is flying back home. He should be the one to beat. If he wins this race, he’ll head for the Gold Circle Derby next. This will be One Way Traffic’s third attempt at trying to win the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.”
Turf Talk Syndicate's First Runner On Sunday
Varsfontein Stud Is Fifty Years Old
sahorseracing.com
Varsfontein Stud, located at the base of the Perdeberg mountain amid the vineyards and wheat fields of the Boland in the Western Cape, has a rich history dating back to the mid seventies when it began as a Thoroughbred breeding operation. Today, it stands as one of South Africa’s leading Thoroughbred racehorse producers.The farm turns 50 years old this year.
Founded in 1974, Varsfontein Stud has bred 49 G1 winners to date in its proud history. The stud started with a flourish under its original owner Anthony Kalmanson, with Varsfontein’s first stallion, Mexico II, making a significant impact on the breed in South Africa. Mexico II sired the champion Harry Hotspur, and the very first yearling sold by Varsfontein, Kings Rhapsody, won 11 races, including the famous Smirnoff, which is now known as the G1 Gold Medallion at Scottsville.
Varsfontein Stud is renowned for its high-quality bloodlines, boasting a reputable broodmare band that includes proven home-bred families and new bloodlines from locally purchased and European-imported fillies. Each year, the farm presents the offspring of these mares at various yearling sales, though a select few are kept to race under the iconic red and white Varsfontein Silks.
The resident stallions at Varsfontein hold a place of honor, significantly contributing not just to the farm’s success, but to the South African Thoroughbred industry at large. The farm itself is a picturesque haven, with sprawling lawns under ancient oak trees and traditional Cape-style buildings and stables. Yet, behind this serene facade, a dedicated team works diligently to produce and present top-class racehorses with the utmost professionalism.
The current champion stallion resides there in Gimmethegreenlight. He also sired Sandringham Summit, a horse due to retire to stud next season. Erik The Red and Master Of MY Fate also reside on the farm.
Congrats on 50 years!
Gr 1 Daily News 2000 And Woolavington 2000 Video Previews
Pure Predator is the third favourite for Saturday’s Gr 1 Daily News 2000 (Picture: JC Photos)
Michel Wing put together these big race previews for Gallop TV
PREVIEW : Daily News 2000 Grade 1
“GREEN WITH ENVY goes into the Daily News on Saturday, as his final preparation for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.“FRANCES ETHEL is flying at home. She’s had a flawless ‘prep’ and I’m exceptionally happy with her. She’s been ‘putting in’ some serious races. I’ve asked her to step up on multiple occasions in her career. Some of the fields have been big and strong, but she’s done it. On Saturday, she’s drawn 2 with 57.5kg and is the best rated horse in the race. There’s obviously a few runners that can be competitive on the day and it doesn’t look an easy field. On her work and wellbeing, we’re expecting a really good run from her. She’s going to be a massive runner and must be respected”.
Gaynor Rupert Has A Gr 2 Runner In Ireland On Sunday
You Send Me winning her maiden at Cork last year (Picture: Healy Racing)
A Gaynor Rupert part-owned Starspangledbanner filly will be running in a Gr 2 in Ireland on Sunday and is rated a general 10/1 shot.
The James Stack-trained filly You Send Me is owned in partnership by Craig Bernick & Cayton Park Stud & Mrs Paul Shanahan. Cayton Park Stud is Gaynor’s UK-based breeeding operation.
The four-year-old You Send Me has had six starts for one win and last time out finished second in a Gr 3 over seven furlongs at The Curragh by a mere head.
As a three-year-old she was second in a Gr 3 over a mile at Leopardstown by just half-a-length, so clealry has plenty of ability.
On Sunday, she is due to run in the Gr 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes over a mile at The Curragh.
She is currently a general 10/1 shot.
The favourite is the Joseph O’Brien-trained Rogue Millenium, who won the Gr 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over a mile at the Royal Ascot meeting last year.
James Stack, trainer of You Send Me, is the son of the legendary Tommy Stack, who rode Red Rum to his third and most famous Grand National victory.
Tommy Stack was a twice national hunt champion jockey who became a successful trainer out of Golden, County Tipperary. He trained a 1000 Guineas winner (Las Meninas 1994) and an Irish 1000 Guineas winner (Tarascon 1998) and his other notable successes were winning a Gr 1 in France and two Gr 1s in America.
James “Fozzy” Stack took over his father’s yard in 2017.
Meanwhile, the Gaynor Rupert homebred Dubawi colt God’s Window (a homebred owned outright by Cayton Park Stud) was beaten ten lengths after setting the pace in the Gr 2 Dante Stakes over a mile and two-and-a-half furlongs at York last week, but the John and Thady Gosden-trained horse is still standing his ground at this stage in the Epsom Derby.
The final declarations are on Thursday May 30 and the race is on June 1.
God’s Window is generally quoted at 100/1 after being well beaten in both of his build up races.
Before the Dante he was beaten six lengths in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester, also over a mile and two-and-a-half furlongs.
As a juvenile he won on debut over a mile and then finished a two length third in a Gr 1 over a mile.
His last two runs were preceded by an easy win over a mile and half-a-furlong.
He holds an entry in the Gr 1 St. James Palace Stakes over a mile at the Royal Ascot meeting on June 18.
It would be no surprise to see him skip the Derby in favour of that race.
Via Africa Passed In After Appearing In Sad State At Aus Sale
The Equus Champion Sprinter of the 2013/2014 season, the Duncan Howells-trained Var filly Via Africa, has appeared in an apparently shocking condition and with a sad looking demeanour at a Sale in Australia.
The pictures above and below were sent by a former South African racing industryman.
The industryman was incensed by what he saw in the pictures and believes there should be an investigation.
Via Africa has produced a Gr 1 winner in Australia and the farm who acted as agent in the sale are apparently reputable, so it is hard to understand.
An experienced breeder out here was asked to comment on the pictures and this breeder said, “Undoubtedly a lack of good nutrition. Has not been fed even a maintenance diet. Maintenance meaning that a barren mare can do well on good hay alone/ good pasture. Which means she has received far less than the minimum 10kg’s /day quality hay she should have received, had she not been on good grazing. No way she has been though. Disgraceful!”
The video advertising the sale paints Via Africa in a better light.
Asked to comment on the video the above breeder said, “Yes in the video her coat has a good sheen to it. She does however look like an “old” mare.
She is actually only 14 years old, so should be in a lot better shape.
An AUS$600,000 reserve was set on her at the Sale.
She was not surprisingly passed in.
Her produce record tells a story on its own:
Produce Record: Dam of 4 live foals, 2 to race, both winners.
2017 Pleasant Endeavor (g by Redoute’s Choice). 6 wins at 1000m, 1200m,
$1,158,815, to 2023-24, HKJC Choi Yuen H., Citi Private Bank H.,
Parmigiani Fleurier Excellent H., Magazine Gap H., Mai Po H., Lugard
H., 2d HKJC Magnolia H., Panasonic Lighting H., Chinese Banyan H.,
3d HKJC Pok Oi Cup, Tenpin Bowling H.
2018 IN THE CONGO (c by Snitzel). 3 wins–1 at 2–at 1100m, 1400m,
$1,769,075, ATC Golden Rose S., Gr 1, San Domenico S., Gr 3,
Heineken 2YO H., 2d ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S., Gr 2, Run to the
Rose, Gr 2, Sydney S., Gr 3, Rosebud H., L, Fujitsu General 2YO H.,
Newcastle JC Hunter H., 3d ATC Galaxy H., Gr 1.
2019 Protea (f by Vancouver). Unraced.
2021 Autumn Glow (f by The Autumn Sun). Unraced.
2022 (foal by Snitzel). Dead.
2023 (foal by Snitzel). Dead.
Missed in 2020
Formguides And Selections For Fairview Friday
Danielson, Peter, Tarry Doubles
The Candice Dawson-trained Trippi filly Exchange Student gives Raymond Danielson a double on the day (JC Photos)
Raymond Danielson, Tony Peter and Sean Tarry all had doubles at the Turffontein Inside meeting today (Thursday).
Danielson goes to 40 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 8.97%.
Tony Peter has had 83 wins at 20.96%.
He has the highest strike rate on the national log.
Tarry has had 72 wins at 12.46%.
Today’s Question
The picture above gives a clue to the answer (lookandlearn.com).
What was especially significant about the Epsom Derby winner of 100 years ago in 1924?
Weekend FIELDS
Fairview Turf, Friday
Today’s Question Answer
The 1924 Epsom Derby winner, the George Lambton-trained Sansovino (Swynford) was owned by Edward Stanley, the 17th Earl Of Derby.
The 17th Easrl Of derby was the great-great-grandson of the 12th Earl Of Derby after whom the race is named.
The 12 Earl Of Derby’s only win in the Derby was in the 8th running in 1787 with Sir Peter Teazle (Highflyer).
The 17th Earl Of Derby won the Derby three times.
His second win in 1933 was with the great George Lambton-trained Hyperion (Gainsborough).
His third win was in 1942 with the Walter Earl-trained Watling Street (Fairway).
