Turf Talk Newsletter – 28 May, 2024

Fourie Barometer 381 (updated after racing on 28/05/2024)

21 more wins needed to break the record

Double Superlative's July Plan - Muscutt To Ride

Justin Snaith, Daniel Muscutt and Double Superlative might well be going for a rare WSB Met/Hollywoodbets Durban July double meaning owner Nick Jonsson will soon have six July entries and four of them will be by Twice Over (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Justin Snaith-trained WSB Met winner Double Superlative was a surprise name among the entries in a big race this week, because it was generally believed he had been retired to stud.

The exciting news is the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July is very much on the cards for the five-year-old Twice Over entire and his Met rider Daniel Muscutt has already been approached to take the ride.

Owner Nick Jonsson said, “We were thinking of sending him to stud and there wasn’t really enough support to get me excited about it. So, he is sound and he had a bit of a break after the Met and Justin put him back in training and we thought, ‘Let’s have a go.’ He is a fantastic horse, he is only lightly raced, he’s only had 13 starts and is a five-year-old, nearly six. He is enjoying his racing too, he is in a good space, so let’s have a go.”

Double Superlative is entered in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, but is likely to avoid it in favour of running in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on June 15.

Nick said, “He is ready for the Gold Challenge, but we’re not sure we’re going to run him there. We’ve entered him just in case we change our minds, but he probably won’t run in that race. We’ve entered him in a Pinnacle for the 15th, which we think is a better race for him, and then he’ll run in the July.”

Nick added, “He is obviously well weighted in the July. He will get 4kg from See It Again and as things stand he will only be giving Green With Envy half-a-kilogram.”

He continued, “So he’s in a good place in the weights if he runs, but that’s our plan, to run him in the July.”

He said, “So let’s see, he is in a good space but of course he hasn’t run since the Met, he’s got to have a warm up, let’s see how he goes.”

Nick concluded, “We will supplement when we want to, there is no big rush. I think he is obviously a big runner at that weight if he runs, and at this stage we plan to run him, and I have got Daniel Muscutt to ride him. He’s going to come out and ride him and let’s see if we can do the double.”

Only seven horses in history have won both the Met and the July and Double Superlative will be out to become the eighth.

Nick will be out to win his third July and have his second individual July winner.

His first July winner was the dual July-winning legend Do It Again, who is by the unfashionable sire Twice Over.

Having failed narrowly to win the big race last year with Twice Over colt See It Again, Nick will soon have six July entries this year, See It Again, Double Superlative, Mucho Dinero, Triple Time, Without Question and Hluhluwe. Amazingly the first four of those mentioned are all by Twice Over. Nick Jonsson is obviously not among the many who have snubbed Twice Over. See It Again and Double Superlative will both have massive chances and Mucho Dinero could also be a sneaker if bouncing back to his best.

Jonathan Snaith had said earlier about Double Superlative, “He is particularly well. He loves his training and his racing and is such a happy horse right now.”

He added, “Depending on his performance and fitness level, the connections will make a decision either on the Hollywoodbets Durban July or the Champions Cup.”

King Tarry Of Hollywoodbets Scottsville Is Readying His Troops

Lucky Lad, pictured winning the Gold Medallion, will be out to win a second Gr 1 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and looks well weighted in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint. (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

Sean Tarry is the most successful trainer in the history of the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting with a phenomenal 18 Gr 1 wins and on two occasions he has gone close to doing the grandslam in one day i.e. he has twice won three Gr 1s on the day and gone close in the other Gr 1.

He spoke over the weekend about his preparation for Saturday’s Festival Of Speed meeting.

He began “There’s still a week to go, a lot has to go right, but at this stage we’re happy with where we are.”

In the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint he runs last year’s Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Lucky Lad.

Lucky Lad is one of only three horses in the handicap and he only has to carry 54,5kg, which is just half-a-kilogram more than the minimum weight.

Tarry said, “It’s actually quite an interesting weight structure. Obviously it’s a true handicap with the bottom weight being 54kg and that has put quite a few horses under sufferance. I think Lucky Lad’s got a lovely weight. I’m not really focusing on what the others are carrying, but for him I’m pretty pleased. I think he is very well weighted.”

Lucky Lad missed the first half of the season after having a wind operation and the laser surgery appears to have worked a treat, because in his last start, when coming from a seemingly hopeless position to win the Gr 2 Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside, he produced as devastating a finish as he did when winning the Gold Medallion.

Lucky Lad’s chief target was initially the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, but when seeing the weight structure of the Golden Horse and also considering his dual Gr 1 winner Thunderstruck has been retired, he felt he would be silly not to run him.

He added, “I might even consider backing him up in the mile.”

Lucky Lad is drawn eleven out of the 16 runners in the Golden Horse. He in fact had the identical draw last year in the Gold Medallion.

Tarry runs the 113 merit rated Mrs Browning in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint, which makes her the third best rated runner in the race behind the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained three-year-old pair, the 115-rated October Morn and the 114-rated Winter Cloud, and he also runs the 108-rated Winter Greeting.

He said, “Both fillies hit the race on their third run after the rest, their peak runs, and I was very pleased with both of their last starts, so at this stage we’re optimistic.”

He continued, “Mrs Browning had a good season (from August to December), but was just a bit busy, so we just backed off of her and gave her a few months off. She needed her first run back, but it was still a good run, and I thought she might just need her second run, but she got the job done. So she has done well.”

He added, “Winter Greeting is just doing a bit too much when she goes further, but she’s got enough speed too. Even in the sprint last time she actually did too much. I thought if she had cover she would have gone very close. She only got beat a length, but if she didn’t travel too well early, she just about wins it.”

Tarry believes the tough Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1200m course and distance should suit Winter Greeting, provided she finds cover.

The yard send out Proceed and Cosmic Speed in the Gold Medallion.

Tarry said, “Their preps have been good. The form’s decent, so we’re just hoping. If there’s nothing too special, they’ll have chances.”

He said about Proceed, “I just thought his SA Nursery run was all wrong.”

He agreed this horse should be suited to the tough Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1200m as a progressive sort capable of running on well.

Cosmic Speed finished 1,75 lengths behind Fire Attack on debut over 1000m and the latter went on to win the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery. Cosmic Speed then came out and won his second start over 1200m by a comfortable 2,25 lengths.

Tarry runs Rodeo Drive in the Allan Robertson Championship.

He said, “She just won a maiden the other day, but she won impressively. So we test the waters now and see how good she is.”

Anthony Andrews Catches Them Napping

The Futurist Comes Home On His Own (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Pocket Power Stakes and Stormsvlei Stakes Review

Cape Racing

33/1 outsider, THE FUTURIST, committed daylight robbery in Leg 3 of the Winter Feature Racing Season, the Pocket Power Stakes Gr3 over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He quickly opened a massive, uncontested and, as it turned out, insurmountable lead before cruising in untroubled by over 50m. He was followed in by Pacaya, Navy Strength and Otto Luyken, who raced in a different time zone and could barely be sighted on the wide-angle TV pan shot.

The Futura gelding had finished stone last either side of a rest. And even though he’d run second in this race last year behind Solar Power, and was fitter for the benefit of a comeback outing 43 days ago, this was a classic case of pace makes the race and what happens when a horse shakes way loose on the lead. Most punters and, it must be said, the other jockeys in the race, were caught looking completely the wrong way.

Winning trainer Brett Crawford said, “I’m surprised the other jockeys let a genuine front running horse get away like that. Anthony Andrew (substitute jockey) judged the fractions perfectly.”

THE FUTURIST is sired by Futura, and this was his fifth score from 22 starts.

On a day when on-pace runners were perfectly suited by the shorter run in of the Winter course, RED PALACE also went start to finish in the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes over 1800m – Leg 3 of the Winter Feature Racing Season for fillies and mares – to record her third career victory.

The bay Potala Palace filly is trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, and was expertly ridden by Anthony Andrews for a partnership which includes the breeders – his parents, Terry and Annabel Andrews.

Said Bass-Robinson of the resurgent filly who so nearly upset the colts in the ’23 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, and ran well in the Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes before losing her way slightly in January ’24 which necessitated a three-month layoff: “She needed her last two but was spot on today. She was too classy for them – the short run in suited her – this is really pleasing.”

RED PALACE can be feisty, yet is hard to pass when in full galloping mode. She got over easily enough from draw 7, then sustained a strong tempo throughout to win by a clear margin at a starting price of 11/2.

Handily placed horses, LOVE IS A ROSE and TIME FOR LOVE pretty much followed her around the circuit to complete the order of finish. PRINCESS IZZY was the only horse to make slight progress from off the pace and ran a never threatening fourth.

Handicappers Ratings Update, Green With Envy Rating Appealed

Picture: Trainer Dean Kannemeyer and the connections of Green With Envy have lodged an appeal against Green With Envy’s 127 merit rating, which he was awarded after his Gr 1 Daily News 2000 win (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

It should be noted that the connections of Green With Envy have appealed against the 127 merit rating he was given for his Gr 1 Daily News 2000 win.

NHA Press Release

Daily News 2000 (Grade 1)

GREEN WITH ENVY was adjusted to a rating of 127 from 123 following his success in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 over 2000m on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 25 May.

The Handicappers believed that MID WINTER WIND made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remained unchanged on 116. It was also considered that MID WINTER WIND was attempting the 2000m trip for the first time in his career and felt the evidence suggested that he saw out the extra distance comfortably. MID WINTER WIND did appear to at least confirm his 5th place in the Grade 2 KZN Guineas in this event when also finishing in 5th place. Furthermore, the Handicappers also observed his official sectional time (courtesy of Hollywoodbets) found on the gallop.co.za website is as follows:

Horse Form – Mid Winter Wind – (gallop.co.za)

As is evident above, MID WINTER WIND produced a 400m to finish time of 47.951 in the KZN Guineas(1600m) and 47.861 in the Daily News 2000 (2000m) and a 200m to finish time of 23.159 in the KZN Guineas (1600m) and 23.274 in the Daily News 2000 (2000m). Given the factual evidence at hand, the Handicappers feel that MID WINTER WIND comfortably stayed the distance as a matter of fact.

In rating the race using MID WINTER WIND as the line, PURE PREDATOR runs to a rating of 116 which is a rating he achieved in the Grade 1 SA Classic and the Grade 1 SA Derby, this effectively makes him a line horse as well and there are certainly no stamina doubts about this horse who has been a model of consistency.

The previously unexposed runner up, FLAG MAN was adjusted to 126 from 92. His improvement here can be attributed to the fact that he has gone from winning a Middle Stakes race to narrowly losing a Grade 1 event. The 3rd place finisher, BARBARESCO was increased to 122 from 109 and has also recorded his 1st Grade 1 placing. These adjustments placed the top 3 horses in the correct Handicap rankings with PURE PREDATOR (119) and MID WINTER WIND (116).

HLUHLUWE was given a 1-point drop from 117 to 116 so that he is not rated higher than the 116 rated MID WINTER WIND. The only other horse to have received a change in rating was WILLIAM IRON ARM who was dropped to 114 from 117.

Please note that the connections of the winner, GREEN WITH ENVY, have lodged an appeal against the merit rating adjustment he received for this event. The NHA will do a press release after the appeal is heard by an independent appeals panel.

Tabgold Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1)

SILVER SANCTUARY remained unaltered on a rating of 116 after she won the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 for fillies and mares over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Here, the Handicappers believed that the winner made for the most suitable line horse, hence her unchanged rating.

In arriving at this decision, the Handicappers took into consideration that this race was run at a very sedate pace, this is evident in the fact that the time recorded for this event was 2.17 seconds slower than the time recorded for the Grade 1 Daily News 2000.

Runner-up HOLD MY HAND, who was the only runner to receive a rating increase in this event, was raised from 108 to 114.

The only horse to receive a drop in ratings was MY SOUL MATE, who dropped from 115 to 113.

Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Handicap) (Listed)

DOWN TO BUSINESS has had his rating raised from 98 to 101 after winning the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (handicap) over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers believed that the runner-up RAISEAHALLELUJAH made for the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on 99. In assessing the race this way 3rd finisher BARATHEON ran to a mark of 98 and 4th finisher INDIAN OCEAN ran to a mark of 95 and were both accordingly adjusted to their performance figures.

The only other horse to receive an increase in ratings was PIRATE PRINCE, who was adjusted to 92 from 89.

Two horses received drops to their ratings, NEBRAAS was dropped to 106 from 108 and GOOD COUNCIL was dropped to 103 from 105.

Pocket Power Stakes (Grade 3)

THE FUTURIST was adjusted to a rating of 104 from 98 after emphatically winning the Grade 3 Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (winter course) on Sunday.

The Handicappers felt that OTTO LUYKEN made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remained unchanged on 97. The winner was protected by a 6-point merit rating cap due to the specific race conditions which state that the first three finishers may receive up to a maximum of a 6-point increment.

In any case, the Handicappers were not going to take the 9,25 lengths winning margin literally given this horse’s overall profile and the probability that THE FUTURIST may well be flattered by an enterprising ride.

Three horses received a drop in ratings, NAVY STRENGTH was dropped to 101 from 102, FLOWER OF SAIGON dropped to 102 from 104 and FUTURE PRINCE was restored to 95 from 100 after failing to confirm the increment he received for his performance in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile.

Stormsvlei Stakes (Listed)

RED PALACE remained unchanged on a mark of 108 after leading from start to finish to land the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (winter course) on Sunday.

PRINCESS IZZY was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse and she remained unchanged on a rating of 99. The runner up, LOVE IS A ROSE was increased from 101 to 104 after shouldering top weight while the 3rd placed TIME FOR LOVE was adjusted to 94 from 88. TIME FOR LOVE actually ran to a higher mark but her rating was capped to a 6 point increase due to the specific condition that state the first three finishers may only incur and increment of up to 6 points.

The following horses received drop in ratings, BROADWAY GIRL is down to 87 from 88, WINDRUNNER dropped to 83 from 86 and DOUBLE CHECK dropped to 85 from 88.

Milkwood Stakes (Listed)

PARIS LASS received an increase from 94 to 103 after she won the Listed Milkwood Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m on the Polytrack at Fairview on Friday. The race was originally scheduled for the turf course but was moved to the Polytrack because of weather-related reasons for the 2nd year running.

In assessing the race, the Handicappers felt that 3rd placed GIMME’S LASSIE made for the most suitable line horse, and she remained on a rating of 101. In rating the race this way, the runner-up THREE ROCKS ran below her rating hence her unchanged rating of 109.

The only other horse to receive and increase in the ratings was MISS GREENLIGHT, who was given a marginal increase from 88 to 92.

Three horses received drops to their ratings, GOLDEN PACIFIC was dropped to 100 from 101, ANCIENT EPIC was dropped from 90 to 88 and AUNTY LIZZY was dropped from 88 to 86.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Maine Chance's Fabulous Fifteen For Winter Sale

Lot 6 is by Querari out of Silvano’s high class performer Frequent Flyer (Cape Racings Sales)

Cape Racing Sales

One of South Africa’s foremost breeding establishments as a Top Ten breeder for over 20 years, Maine Chance Farms, will dispatch 15 yearlings to the CRS Winter Yearling Sale.

The auction takes place on 6 June @ 11h00 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Lot 6 should get things underway for the farm with a bang as bay colt Frequent Traveller is by high quality producer, Querari out of the accomplished Gr1 placed Silvano mare, Frequent Flyer. Querari over Silvano is a proven successful mating.

Lot 8 is a chestnut Quasillo filly ex Galadriel, a half- sister to Lochlorien. Quasillo, a son of European HOTY in 2009, Sea the Stars, was the Champion three-year-old in Germany in 2015. His filly is followed immediately by Good Omen, another Querari colt out of smart race mare, Goodtime Gal.

Maine Chance then offer Lots 23 – 27 in succession. The first in this batch is by speed sire, What A Winter – a filly out of the Irish mare Kitoko, with French blood mixed in through second dam, Breathe.

Lot 24 is a result of a mating between Querari, the son of European Champion, Oasis Dream, and La Calisto. Letter of Marque is thus a full brother to La Quinta, an attractive, way- above- average sprinter trained by Snaith Racing. Second dam La Calima produced 8 x winning speedball, Los Colmos. This is the same family as Silvano’s sire, Lomitas who rated a sky high 131 on the International Classification.

Querari, who was the top rated older German horse in 2010 with a Timeform figure of 121, has Lot 25 a bay colt out of La Chouette. Best of her progeny is the still- in- training Tout a Fait, a tough to pass 1400m exponent that has already won five times. Second dam, Night Diva was the Champion Older Stayer in SA twenty years ago, so this page has an intriguing blend of speed and stamina.

Lot 26, Life of Leisure is a bay filly by Gold Standard out of the Querari mare, La Collosa. Second dam La Calima’s accomplishments were acknowledged when previewing Lot 24, whilst third dam, La Colorada was rated the top filly on the 1983 German 2-year-old Free Handicap.

Lady Penny is a first foal for Lady Clarisse by home- town hero, Querari, who stands at Maine Chance. The female side of Lot 27 is absolutely laden with Black Type.

Rafeef was the leading first season sire in SA in 2020/21 and is proving an instant commercial success after 18 stakes winners – and counting. His daughter, Lilting Song is out of Silvano mare, Lip Service and this bay filly goes through the ring as Lot 34. Lip Service is a three quarters sister to Lyrical Linda, winner of the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes and brother to Gr1 winner and sire, Liege. This is a classic mating: Danehill and Lomitas delivered Arc hero, Danedream.

Lot 40 should generate a frisson of excitement when stepping into the ring. This Querari filly is out of the Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa, making her a full sister to well-performed Maria Querol, and related to an extremely promising Dean Kannemeyer trained, youngster, Rhydian.

Lot 51, an Hawwaam filly out of the German mare Perija (by Shamardal) has quality Euro bloodlines stretching back generations on the female side. To illustrate, third dam, Praia foaled 16 x winner, Potemkim, Joint Champion Older Male in Italy in 2016.

Lot 56 is a bay Querari colt ex Quena (by Silvano) called Quiet Place. He is inbred to the famous two and three-year-old German Champion Filly of 1992/93, Quebrada.

The last two offerings at CRWYS from Maine Chance are both by Erupt, an Irish bred son of Dubawi.

Lot 65, Surreal Moment’s third dam Scented Royal was the Champion 2-year-old-filly in SA in 1988/89 and is a renowned Maine Chance foundation mare, whilst Zen State’s (Lot 85) dam, Zeta Jones is a three-quarter sister to July victor Marinaresco, Gr2 scorer and Gr1 placed 10 x winner, Marina and high class, Bulsara.

Feel welcome to direct further enquiries to Dannielle Kuttel. Contact details are mobile 083 7007 351 or email danni@mainechance.co.za

DOWNLOAD IMAGES: https://www.caperacingsales.co.za/2024/05/23/crs-winter-yearling-sale-vendor-promotion-maine-chance-farms/

ENDS

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za

Cape Racing Sales Social Media:

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Cape Racing Social Media:

Facebook: @CapeRacing1

Instagram: @cape_racing

Twitter: @caperacing1

YouTube: @CAPERACING

Website: www.caperacing.co.za

Sha Tin Wednesday Analysis And Selections

Prime Mortar has been tipped to win Race 5 (Picture: HKJC)

Tim Carroll (At The Races)

Race 1: Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1215pm) (1 mile)

4 ADEFILL, who is a dirt specialist with all five career wins coming on this track, bombed as favourite two back, but the run is easily forgiven as he copped a bump at the start and was held-up at the back in race that was run slowly and developed into a sprint home. The selection bounced back to form when narrowly denied over course & trip last time when he had Yellowfin in behind, who he now meets on 3lb better terms, and although he’s no slow coach, there is a strong gallop on offer & it’s likely he’ll be saved up for the last shot, thus the small field will help.

Dangers:

5 Yellowfin, who moves up in grade under a 6lb penalty having won over this trip at Happy Valley last time, is one of three pace runners in the small field, but her carries a lot less weight than the other two, and he did hack up over course & trip earlier in the season.

1 Telecom Fighters is a classy type on his day that was runner-up with a couple of these in behind when last seen over course & trip in March, and he’s likely to make a bold bid from the front.

2 Bundle Of Charm usually goes over six-furlongs, but he has won both his starts on this track this season and is in shrewd hands.

Race 2: Class 5 Mei Lam Handicap (1245pm) (6 furlongs)

9 DAILY TROPHY is a seventeen-start maiden, which is hardly a strong selling point, but he has run well on this track a few times this season, and this is a moderate affair. The selection was beaten a lip by Super Joy, who he meets on 5lb terms, when last seen over course & trip in April, which looks a strong form line for this. With all things being fair & equal, there shouldn’t be much between the pair again, however, the selection ran through the line strongly that night after a tardy start and Hugh Bowman is back on board.

Dangers:

1 Beau Gosse was unplaced at Happy Valley last time, but he had a tough trip planted wide from a high draw when less than a length behind Super Joy, who he meets on 3lb better terms, his only try on this track in March, blinkers go on, and he has a favourable draw this time.

8 Super Joy arrives with a 4lb penalty having broken his duck over course & trip last time having been runner-up in four of his previous five steps, and the race maps favourably from the low draw.

5 Diamond Soars has had thirty starts but interestingly only three on the dirt given he has won and been placed on this track, and a return to the dirt could be the catalyst for an improved effort.

Race 3: Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (115pm) (6 furlongs)

4 REGENT GLORY recorded just his third win from twenty-eight starts when going in over course & trip last time, but it’s worth noting he’s only had four spins on this track for two wins. The selection was able to box seat behind the two leaders last time, and he’ll probably look to work across from a high draw here, but he won by nearly two lengths running away with something in the locker last time, thus a repeat performance would see him go close, despite a 6lb penalty.

Dangers:

7 Diamond Flare hacked up over course & trip in December and whilst he has failed to score again since then, he has been placed a couple of times on this track and he has the perfect draw in 1 given he’ll look to go from the front.

10 Triumphant Warrior is a low mileage maiden that drops back from a mile, but he has been placed a couple of times over this trip, including on this track in February, and he should have all the favours from the low draw.

1 Must Go won over course & trip last month and although unplaced his last two, he didn’t have a lot of luck last time with the rider losing a stirrup iron out of the gates which saw him further back than ideal, but he does go from the top of the handicap and has a tricky draw.

Race 4: Class 5 Shui Cheun O Handicap (145pm) (1 mile)

3 RELIABLE PROFIT will be a bit of a swing given he hasn’t shown a lot at his last few starts on turf, but he’s having just his third run back this year following a setback, and although yet to hit the frame in nine starts, he has run with some promise on this track a couple of times. The selection wasn’t beaten far when fourth at a level above this in a stronger race in September when running from a 9lb higher mark, and if he can get back to that level, he would give this a decent shake, hopefully at a decent price.

Dangers:

2 Go Hero is an eleven-start maiden, but he was only beaten a nose here last time when having his first try on the dirt track, and Purton is a first-time booking.

4 Charming Steed was a wide margin winner here two back before finishing runner-up at Happy Valley last time, but he is 7lb higher in the handicap than when winning and will have to overcome a high draw.

7 Perfect Peach, who will be sporting first-time cheek-pieces, will be having his first spin on the dirt and he’ll probably be ridden from the second half of the field, but there’s a strong gallop on offer and he did win on the turf track from a 9lb higher mark last season.

Race 5: Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (215pm) (6 furlongs)

5 PRIME MORTAR goes up 8lb having won by a margin over this trip at Happy Valley last time when having just his third start of the year. He was impressive that night as he had to work hard from an outside draw but was still able to find plenty when pushed. He does go onto the dirt for the first time, but I’m confident he’ll excel on this track given he hacked up in a trial here earlier this month, running quick splits, and his natural pace is a good fit.

Dangers:

3 Self Improvement recent figures look average, but he drops down to this level for the first time having won in a grade above this over course & trip at the start of the season, and he’ll find this easier than recent assignments.

1 Euro Rocks was only beaten a length after a tardy start last time when having his first run at this level and this looks withing his scope.

7 Everyone’s Victory has recorded all three career wins on this track and although his last success was over a year ago, he has been placed his last two and is worth considering for the exotics.

Race 6: Class 4 Lee On Handicap (245pm) (9 furlongs)

7 STARSHIP EIGHTY, who won on turf when last seen over this trip but has also been successful on this track, draws toward the outside, but I wouldn’t be to be concerned as they will most likely want to snag him back anyway, and he gets a solid gallop to aim at here. The selection can be forgiven an unplaced run last time when he met more trouble than the early explorers but was only beaten two-lengths. He will need some luck given his run style, but he should be in the mix with a clear round.

Dangers:

8 Forever Folks has had just the two starts on this track this season, recoding a win here last month before a narrow defeat last time over the mile when doing his best work late, thus he should enjoy stepping back up in trip.

11 Brave Witness is a nine-start maiden that met with support when runner-up at Happy Valley last time and although beaten all three starts on this track, he has improved since then and the step up to nine-furlongs for the first time looks helpful.

1 Kimberley takes a drop in grade having won over ten-furlongs on the turf when last seen at this level, and he did place from a 7lb higher mark on this track earlier in the season, but he goes from the top of the handicap and has the outside draw.

Race 7: Class 3 Chung On Handicap (315pm) (6 furlongs)

6 HONG KONG HALL is a progressive type that was placed behind Sing Dragon his first start on this track before making all over course & trip last time with a few of these in behind. The David Hall 4yo goes up 7lb for a two-length winning margin, which does make things a bit more challenging given this is a strong class 3, but he won with a bit in hand last time and it is likely that there is more improvement to come.

Dangers:

1 Sing Dragon is a promising type that is undefeated all three starts on this track and he does tend to find plenty for pressure, but he only just held on last time, he goes up another 6lb and he draws the outside.

4 Super Win Dragon was having his first start of the year when doing his best work late to grab the silver behind the selection last time, and he does meet his rival on 7lb better terms.

3 Victory Moments continues to run well in defeat, and he should get the run of the race on the leaders’ tail from the low draw, but he has now been turned over four-times on the bounce when at the very pointy end of the betting.

Race 8: Class 3 Fung Wo Handicap (350pm) (1 mile)

2 WOODFIRE BRO has only ever had two starts on this track, winning over course & trip in September 2022, then last time out when runner-up to Massive Action, beaten a lip with a couple of these in behind. He endured an awfully tough trip that day, planted wide without cover all the way from a high draw. If you swapped the runs around of the first two, you get a different result, thus he should be able to turn that form around easily enough on 4lb better terms and from a favourable draw.

Dangers:

1 Berlin Tango is one of the more honest horses in training and whilst his last win was some time ago, it did come from a 12lb higher mark, and he arrives having been beaten a narrow margin behind Massive Action and the selection last time when picking up strongly the last bit.

9 Aestheticism could easily be the selection if this was on turf, but he’ll be having his first run on dirt under a 5lb having won over the mile on the turf last time, and he is a late closer, thus he may need a bit of luck.

5 Massive Action has recorded four wins from thirty-one starts, but he arrives under a 5lb penalty having won over course & trip last time at just his third spin on this track and he’s likely to make a bold bid from the front.

BETTING ON HONG KONG RACING

Punters can bet into the Hong Kong pools online through Tote.co.uk

WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT

Today’s Place Pot will be races 3 through to 8. All up we will be playing 27 combinations (1x3x1x3x3x1), which will cost £2.70 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1- 4 REGENT GLORY

LEG 2- 2 GO HERO 3 RELIABLE PROFIT 4 CHARMING STEED

LEG 3- 5 PRIME MORTAR

LEG 4- 7 STARSHIP EIGHTY 8 FOREVER FOLKS 11 BRAVE WITNESS

LEG 5- 1 SING DRAGON 4 SUPER WIN DRAGON 6 HONG KONG HALL

LEG 6- 2 WOODFIRE BRO

TIM’S BEST BETS

1.15pm SHA TIN

REGENT GLORY (NB2)

2.15pm SHA TIN

PRIME MORTAR (NAP)

3.50pm SHA TIN

WOODFIRE BRO (NB)

Dyce Shoulders A Soldier’s Burden In Golden Horse

Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce is alone at the top of the weights in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Most runners are under sufferance in Scottsville’s big sprint

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

The line-up for the Golden Horse Sprint at Scottsville this weekend looks like the ransacked, bedraggled shelves of a shop after a slashed-price, big-bargains sale.

Retirements, exports and other factors have denuded South Africa’s stock of top-class speed thoroughbreds – to the extent that only four of Saturday’s 16 runners are not under sufferance.

Remarkably, this situation has arisen in one of the country’s premier speed contests; a Grade 1 race worth R1-million.

The ever-gallant Dyce stands alone atop the pile, with his merit rating of 130 ensuring he carries the maximum weight of 60kg. The five-year-old must concede 5.5kgs to three opponents and 6kgs to the rest.

An old soldier’s heavy backpack makes the tough, uphill, 1200m charge in Maritzburg a notable challenge for Lucky Houdalakis’s Highveld raider, but he’ll still be a popular choice among punters.

Progressive three-year-old Lucky Lad is the rival likely to be in the same neighbourhood at the top of the betting boards. This five-time winner trained by Sean Tarry carries 54.5kg – off an MR of 121 – along with the Brett Crawford duo of Surjay and At My Command.

Interestingly, Lucky Lad is still among the Hollywoodbets Durban July entries – even though he has never raced further than a mile.

Last year’s Golden Horse runner-up Thunderstruck was retired from racing last week due to injury, while 2023 Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Princess Calla has been whisked off to the US – along with another top speedster in Isivunguvungu.

Still, the lopsided handicap could make for an interesting battle on the day, with the likes of Crawford’s third runner I Am Giant, Roy Magner’s game Melech and Peter Muscutt’s local hope Quasiforsure all having claims.

The field for the SA Fillies Sprint might also be described as below par this year, with Candice Bass-Robinson’s pair October Morn and Winter Cloud looking a cut above most of the opposition.

Tarry led into the winner’s circle three of the four big-race winners at last year’s Scottsville speed fest, so he has to be a factor again. Apart from Lucky Lad in the main event, he saddles the improving Mrs Browning in the fillies piece.

FIELDS

(draw, name, weight, MR, trainer, jockey)

Golden Horse Sprint

1 I Am Giant 54 107 Brett Crawford Kabelo Matsunyane

2 Swing Upon A Star 54 104 Tony Peter Calvin Habib

3 Surjay 54.5 119 Brett Crawford S’manga Khumalo

4 Ziyasha 54 116 Clinton Binda Juan Paul v’d Merwe

5 Hithemhardsunshine 54 108 Alyson Wright Athandiwe Mgudlwa

6 Quasiforsure 54 115 Peter Muscutt Tristan Godden

7 Dyce 60 130 Lucky Houdalakis Piere Strydom

8 At My Command 54.5 119 Brett Crawford Craig Zackey

9 Countdown 54 108 Glen Kotzen Gareth Wright

10 Cruise Control 54 117 Duncan Howells Sean Veale

11 Lucky Lad 54.5 121 Sean Tarry Richard Fourie

13 Sun Blushed 54 113 Michael Roberts #Rachel Venniker

14 Cliff Top 54 108 Peter Muscutt Diego De Gouveia

15 Pray For Rain 54 114 Carl Hewitson Grant van Niekerk

16 Zinovi 54 114 Mike de Kock Muzi Yeni

17 Melech 54 117 Roy Magner Raymond Danielson

Reserve

12 Fire ‘N Flames 54 98 Kobus Roux

SA Fillies Sprint

1 Kwinta’s Light 60 110 Justin Snaith S’manga Khumalo

2 Reefway 60 98 Kumaran Naidoo Tristan Godden

3 Baltic Secret 59 104 Justin Snaith Sean Veale

4 October Morn 59 115 Candice Bass-Robinson Raymond Danielson

5 Mrs Browning 60 113 Sean Tarry Richard Fourie

6 White Pearl 59 112 Mike de Kock Piere Strydom

7 Shantastic 60 108 Dean Kannemeyer Craig Zackey

8 Shipholia 60 96 Gareth van Zyl Athandiwe Mgudlwa

9 Convocation 60 97 Gareth van Zyl Gareth Wright

10 Time Fo Orchids 60 110 J A Janse van Vuuren Gavin Lerena

11 One Fell Swoop 59 104 Tony Peter Calvin Habib

12 Winter Greeting 60 108 Sean Tarry Serino Moodley

13 Asiye Phambili 60 111 Duncan Howells #Rachel Venniker

14 Gimme A Shot 60 106 M G Azzie/A A Azzie Muzi Yeni

15 Winter Cloud 59 114 Candice Bass-Robinson Aldo Domeyer

16 Elegant Ice 59 102 Lucky Houdalakis Juan Paul v’d Merwe

Aidan O'Brien Set To Saddle Three Runners In The Derby

City Of Troy has drifted in the betting for the Derby over the last 24 hours (Picture: rte.ie)

Rte.ie

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed City Of Troy, Los Angeles and outsider Euphoric as his three intended runners in the Betfred Derby on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle handler retains a strong hand as he looks to add to his record haul of nine victories in the premier Classic, with six horses left in the race at Monday’s confirmation stage.

But with Diego Velazquez instead heading for Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and Illinois and Portland seemingly not making the trip to Epsom, that number is set to be halved come the big day.

“That is what we’re thinking of, maybe the three, everything seems well with them all at the moment so that’s what we’re thinking,” O’Brien said in a France Galop zoom call on Tuesday.

O’Brien’s comments would appear to ease any concerns about the participation of City Of Troy after several bookmakers reported significant support for Los Angeles.

O’Brien is not overly concerned about the underfoot conditions for either of his two main protagonists.

He added: “That [ground] should be fine I think, they’re giving Friday and Saturday dry, so you often see the ground can be slow for the Oaks and perfect for the Derby. We think and hope it’s going to be nice ground and I think that’ll suit everybody really.”

O’Brien fully expects Moore to keep the faith in 2000 Guineas flop City Of Troy as he looks to follow in the hoofprints of last year’s Epsom hero Auguste Rodin by bouncing back from disappointment at Newmarket to claim Derby glory, with Wayne Lordan therefore set to keep the ride on Los Angeles.

“That’s the plan, that is what we were thinking of doing. I didn’t hear anything different and I think that has been the plan all along,” said O’Brien.

Matsunyane Treble, Fabian Habib Double

The Weiho Marwing-trained Angel’s Wish (Ideal World) gives Kabelo Matsunyane a treble (JC Photos)

Kabelo Matsunyane rode a treble at the Vaal Classic track today and Fabian Habib sent out a double.

Matsunyane is now on 71 wins for the season and he has achieved it at a strike rate of 10.50%.

Habib is on 44 wins at 13.50%.

Today’s Question

The picture is of the question’s subject (Picture: Donald Maclellan (independent.co.uk))

Who said, “If you want to understand the effect of weight on a horse, try running for a bus with nothing in your hands. Then try doing it with your hands full of shopping. Then think about doing that for four and a half miles.”

Midweek FIELDS

Today’s Question Answer

Jenny Pitman, first woman to train a Grand national winner.

The following article about Pitman was written in grand-national-guide.co.uk

In 1983 a horse called Corbiere won the Grand National and in doing so set a record first for his trainer because the trainer was Jenny Pitman and she was the first woman to train a Grand National winner.

The Pitman’s are a racing family, as Jenny’s son Mark who as a jockey got beaten into second place on one of her horses in the Grand National. He also won a Gold Cup with one of her horses. He was also her assistant trainer after giving up race riding and is now a trainer in his own right. Her then Husband Richard who also came second in the Grand National on Crisp is now a television racing commentator. Corbiere_and_Ben

Corbiere¹s win in the national came after he had won the Welsh National earlier in the season and so he was not by any means a poor horse. He was not a speed horse but more of a plodder and that is not always a bad thing in long distance steeplechases.

His record shows that he ran five times in the national where he won on his first attempt but thereafter was given big weights to carry but still came a creditable third twice and only fell once which shows a good heart and a good jumper.

Jenny is well known for her good treatment of horses and whenever she is asked about the chances that her horses have, she always starts with “Just let them come home safe and the rest will be a bonus”. She does not tolerate any abuse of her horses by jockeys either, and has been known to swing at them if there was any sign of harm coming to her horses.

She is always patient with horses and never runs them to make a quick buck but waits until another day when the horse is well. She is well respected in British racing and her patience has paid her back especially in the Grand National as she has also won the race with Royal Athlete in 1995 who was another horse with whom she had to be patient. And who could forget that it was her horse who finished first in the 1993 ‘Race that never was’.