Fourie Barometer 382 (updated after racing on 24/07/2024)

Will The Best Weighted Prevail In The Champions Cup Again?

Picture: Jet Dark beats Kommetdieding in the 2022 Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup (Candiese Lenferna Phorography)

The pair that should have finished one-two on paper, Princess Calla and See It Again, did finish one-two in the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup last year and it was the same the year before with Jet Dark and Kommetdieding.

Princess Calla was merit rated 127 to See It Again’s 131 last year, but she received a 2,5kg gender allowance, which put her half-a-kilogram better off and she duly won by 1,30 lengths.

Jet Dark on 130 and Kommetdieding on 128 were the two highest rated in 2022 and Jet Dark prevailed by a quarter of a length.

This year the three highest rated horses, and thus the best weighted trio, are See It Again on 131, Dave The King on 127 and Flag Man on 126.

Michael Roberts seemed bullish about See It Again’s chances and he is not only doing well but he jumped well in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. If he is able to jump as well it should see him having better luck than last year when ending up too far back. He is drawn widest of all though.

Dave The King is the best fit for the perennial comment about this race suiting horses who come in fresh and are not coming out of a tough July run. This year there is only three weeks between the July and the Champions Cup, which has given the July horses one week less to recover than they had last year, which could be another factor in Dave The King’s favour. Furthermore, he finished just a shorthead behind See It Again last year and is known to have improved with the gelding he has had since, as it has seen him settling better in his races.

Flag Man was the subject of bullish comments by trainer Gareth van Zyl today, who said, “He is very well. I haven’t been to Summwerveld in just over a week, so my Dad’s been putting the finishing touches on him and he sent some pictures through today and he’s really looking fantastic. The feedback from Serino and from my Dad is that the July hasn’t emptied him out at all and he’s ready to give it his best. We don’t want to use him as much as we did in the July, preferably. It seems like there will be a good pace in this race, which will allow all horses to run on. Flag Man is not an over-raced horse, he doesn’t have a lot of mileage in his legs.”

The next two in the ratings are Cousin Casey and Royal Victory, who are both merit rated 125.

Sean Tarry said he had never had Cousin Casey better and he is drawn in pole.

Royal Victory is said by trainer Nathan Kotzen to be very well and he added, “He pulled up sound and has not left a grain of a cube since the July and he’s nice and fresh.”

This will in fact be Royal Victor’s peak run, considering he only had one run into the July. Nathan said the draw of eight was not ideal but he added that could allow Muzi Yeni to ride him “colder than he did in the July.”

Double Superlative is rated 124, unusually low for a WSB Met winner. The yard said he was likely a run short of his best going in to the July, so he should now be cherry ripe.

Barbaresco is rated 122, but is a very interesting runner because the distance of the July might have blunted his finishing speed. He finished very strongly in the Daily News 2000 and this 1800m trip might just be ideal.

Purple Pitcher (120) has a lot of courage and is hard to pass once in front, but he was off the bit some way out in the July and might prefer a more galloping track like Turffontein Standside.

Hluhluwe (116) has flattered to deceive over middle distances, so he has a bit to prove. However, he has not had much luck at all during the Champions Season, so could still step up to the plate.

Will The Umngeni Unearth Another Isivunguvungu?

King Of The Gauls is one of a trio of young horses in the Listed Umngeni Hanidcap on World Pool Gold Cup day who could go on to bigger things in the sprinting arena (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Listed Umngeni Handicap over 1000m on the turf brings down the curtain on the stakes races for the season on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but it will be watched with more than passing interest by purists this year because this was the race which unearthed the Equus Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu two years ago.

There are three youngsters in the race who look to have the ability to go on to bigger things in sprint arenas, Dreamland, Pistol Pete and King Of The Gauls.

The focus of this article is on the Tony Rivalland-trained King Of The Gauls because he could represent good value at 8/1 with Hollywoodbets.

His last run did not pan out well and could explain that price.

He is likely to drift on the day too, because he is drawn widest of all in the 14 horse field.

He is part-owned by racing aficionado Robert Bloomberg, who said, “The first issue last time (in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m) is we didn’t think we were going to get a run (he was first reserve before coming in after a scratching) and Tony eased up on the horse and he was probably a gallop short. He was terribly above himself in the parade ring, on his toes, snorting like a bull. When I saw that, I knew his race was run before he even got to the start. Things soon went pear-shaped in the race from a wide draw. Grant (Van Niekerk) was instructed to slot in. If you watch the replay there was an overhead cam and there was a gap at one stage for him to slot in on the fence. However, by his own admission, he couldn’t hold the horse going to the start, and I never ever envisaged him being in front of Cruise Control or Golden Sickle, who are arguably the two quickest horses in the country. But that’s what happened. You know, once the horse took him on, he had no alternative but to let the horse go. I’m surprised he lasted until the 150m mark under the circumstances, so being beaten four and a half lengths after he left the horse alone wasn’t as bad as it may appear on paper.”

The first two things in the Vercingetorix geldings favour are he will be better prepared this time and this is also 200m shorter, which logically will allow him a better chance of settling as the pace should be quicker. He should thus have a better chance of slotting in from another wide draw.

Gavin Lerena will be aboard this time.

Robert continued, “Gavin, unlike Grant last time, knows the horse from Cape Town. You just cannot fight this horse. You need him to do what he wants to do. The two biggest dangers must be Dreamland, who is going for five in a row, and Pistol Pete. Richard has the number one draw on Dreamland and Pistol Pete is drawn reasonably and has tremendous gatespeed. Gavin’s just going to have to try and get across. My horse has got superb gate speed and he got across very easily last time without using up much horse. So hopefully Gavin can do that again. But you have to settle this horse. Having said that, you can’t fight him in the process. So, you know, it’s a fine line. But hopefully he can do that. He’s going to have to try and slot in and get the horse to drop the bit. You just can’t go to the front and get involved in a speed duel and have what happened last time. It’s going to be tough from the draw, but he’s a really good horse. You have just got to catch him right on the day.”

Dreamland makes plenty of appeal from pole position because he has superb natural pace, that has seen him lead in his sequence of wins on the Highveld, and he is able to kick off that pace and put the race to bed. He has gone up from an 86 to 105 in the merit ratings as a result of those wins. However, he is superbly bred, being by Lancaster Bomber out of an Oasis Dream daughter of the champion sprinter Val De Ra, and could have more to come.

Pistol Pete is very quick and will be ideally suited to the minimum trip.

There are sosme other points of intrest in the race.

The six-year-old gelding Pray For Rain, now trained by Carl Hewitson, goes for his third win in this race, having been successful in 2021 and last year.

The three-year-old Underworld looks to have plenty of class and could be aimed at classic events next season. He has his first run after a rest and gelding and his class could give him a shout.

Mercury Sprint Video Preview And Trainers Comments

Lucky Lad is the favourite for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint and goes for his third career Gr 1 victory (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

Michele Wing Of Gold Circle compiled the below video preview of the Mercury Sprint and the transcribed trainers comments.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MERCURY SPRINT VIDEO PREVIEW

PREVIEW : Mercury Sprint Grade 1

Lucky Lad and At My Command to dyce it out!

Trainer / Jockey Comments (top 5 runners in the betting)

13. Lucky Lad : “He’s had a good prep into this race. He’s a very talented horse, but drawn very deep. If he has some luck in running from the draw, he’ll be a massive runner”, Sean Tarry.

5. At My Command : “Last time, I think it was the draw that ‘killed us’ in the Post Merchants. Drawn wide is never going to help you in a sprint race, especially at Hollywoodbets Greyville. With regular pilot in Craig Zackey aboard, I make him to be a big runner. He has a peach of draw. I think between him and my other 2 stable companions, it’s going to be hard to beat us 3”, James Crawford.

2. Surjay : “He has a nice draw of 2, with regular pilot of Louis on board. If he can get some cover early and run on late I do make him to be a very big runner. It’s overdue for him and a matter of time for his day in the sun. I’m hoping the Mercury Sprint can be the day”, James Crawford.

3. I Am Giant : “You can put a line through his Post Merchants run. He was unfortunate in running, but was flying the best home out of all the horses. With his draw and Kabelo on his back, I like him in this race. He’s flying at home”, James Crawford.

4. Royal Aussie : “He hasn’t had a good prep as unfortunately he had a virus and we had to scratch him out the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. The whole idea was to bring him up for that. He’s deadly over 1400m. I don’t think the sprinters are that great at moment and could be a dark horse”, Justin Snaith.

6. Snow Pilot : “He’s over-racing at the moment. He’s comes back into a sprint and I might put a pair of scoops on. Draw does make a difference over the sprints at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Sean’s horse is drawn wide, but he does have Richard on!” Justin Snaith.

13 runners go to post

Sunday 28 July 2024 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 6 15:30
Click for field : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Click for racecard : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Still Image : Candiese Lenferna

Champions Cup Video Preview And Trainers Comments

Cosmic Speed is the favourite for the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champions Cup (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Michele Wing Of Gold Circle compiled the below video preview of the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champions Cup.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CHAMPION STAKES PREVIEW

PREVIEW : World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes Grade 1. Sean Tarry holds a strong hand!

Trainer / Jockey Comments (runners in current betting order)

9. Cosmic Speed : “Cosmic Speed was impressive on ‘July day’. He’s come through that very well. I’m sure he’ll cope with the step-up in trip. Draw is not too bad and hopefully he’ll be running on strongly”, Sean Tarry.

13. Legend Of Arthur : “He’s a lovely colt. He needed his last run, which was a prep for this race. That has brought him on to exactly where he needs to be. Richard has elected to stick with him here. Unfortunately, we are drawn very poorly, but if he overcomes the draw, I’m sure he’ll be competitive”, Sean Tarry.

4. Great Plains : “Last time he over-raced at the back … and then hooked wide and ran wide the whole way. I don’t know what to make of the race. To turn things around in 3 weeks, in this type of field, is going to be tough”, Justin Snaith.

14. Truth : “Truth has it all to do from the draw, but he’s working very nicely at home. Hoping he can run a nice race”, Candice Dawson.

10. Grand Crescendo : “I’ve thrown him in the deep-end, but he’s coming off 2 nice wins. This will let us know exactly where we are in this company”, Candice Dawson.

6. French Flame : “He’s well drawn, which is a big advantage at Greyville. He was unlucky last time, but he beat himself. He picked them off to win his race and then ducked-in badly at the 200m mark. It cost him the race. 1600m trip is no problem, but a very competitive race”, Dean Kannemeyer.
14 runners go to post

Sunday 28 July 2024 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 5 14:10

Click for field : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Click for racecard : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Still Image : Candiese Lenferna

Snaith Double Stretches His Lead To over R1.7 million

Protect the Dream (Querari), ridden by Grant van Niekerk, gives Justin Snaith a double on the day and he clinched the exacta in this race too. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Justin Snaith scored a double at Hollywoobets Durbanville today and also had three seconds, two thirds and a fourth.

He accumualted a handy R221,838 in stakes earnings on the day.

Sean Tarry, the other protagonist in the intriguing race for the national trainers championship, only had one runner at today’s Vaal Classic meeting and he finished unplaced.

Snaith has gone to R20,355,038 in stakes earnings for the season.

Tarry remains on R18,594,263 and is now R1,760,775 behind.

Tarry has six runners at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, before the World Pool Gold Cup day meeting on Sunday, where he has a strong hand in a number of the lucrative feature races.

Snaith has 20 runners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, but the weather forecast looks threatening once more.

He has runners on World Pool Gold Cup day, but does not have quite as strong a hand as Tarry.

The other double scorers at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today were Aldo Domeyer, Candice Bass-Robinson and Peter Wrensch.

Muzi Yeni was the only double scorer at the Vaal Classic meeting.

Douglas Whyte Stakes Video Preview And Trainers Comments

The fairytale filly Quid Pro Quo will be out to be the first to win all of the Gr 1 Allan Robertson, THe Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Golden Explorer Golden Slipper and the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Michele Wing Of Gold Circle compiled the below video preview of the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes and the transcribed trainers comments

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE DOUGLAS WHYTE STAKES PREVIEW

PREVIEW : Douglas Whyte Stakes Grade 1

Quid Pro Quo bids to make history!

Trainer / Jockey Comments for top 6 in the betting (in current betting order)

12. Quid Pro Quo : “You have the confidence in her that when she sees daylight, it’s all over. She has a brilliant turn of foot. S’Manga was concerned about the way she pulled up (last start). She is sound and had a bit of a puffy near-fore joint, which we’ve been sitting on all along, but no unsoundness or anything of that kind. She’s doing very well. Besides the draw, we have very high expectations”, Barend Botes.

13. Lock and Key : “Her form is unbelievable. We’ve got Keagan de Melo, but a wide draw. We do give her a chance and will be running on strongly at them”, Chad Little.

2. World Of Alice : “She’s a progressive filly and coming along the right way. Draw is a bonus. Looks like the Botes and Kotzen fillies are the ones to beat, but they’re both drawn deep. She’s not out of it and should be right there”, Sean Tarry.

9. Spirit Of Levana : “She beat the colts last time. She’s drawn out at 9, but Gavin (Lerena) is cool, calm and collected. I think he’ll suit her as she is a feisty filly … I’m sure he’ll get on with her!”, Chad Little.

7. Fatal Flaw : “She’s come out of her last race very well. She needed it and has come on a lot from there. I really like this filly and think she’ll be in the first 2 or 3 on the day”, James Crawford.

4. Whistle The Tune : “She was an immature filly when we brought her here, but she has started to pick up momentum. She should have run 2nd the other day, but got badly interfered with. Beautiful draw and she retains Richard (Fourie). Richard had the pick of the 3 and has opted to ride her”, Chad Little.

13 runners go to post

Sunday 28 July 2024 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 4 13:50

Click for field : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Click for racecard : https://www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/race-card…
Still Image : Candiese Lenferna

Fairview Turf Friday Formguides And Selections

Three Rocks has been taken to bounce back to form in the first leg of the first Jackpot (Pauline Herman Photography)

Gold Circle

R1 (2) Dafnes Daughter was fancied on debut some time back, she wasn’t far in her last start when returning from the break and could continue to progress. She will have a huge winning chance. (3) Fantasy Girl hasn’t been far in recent starts and will be a massive runner with Richard Fourie aboard. (1) Audacious has scope to improve and should go well as she makes her provincial debut. (8) Sweet Cake made progress in the last start and can build on that. ( Devonne Govender 2-3-1-8)

R2 (3) First Wish ran extremely well in the last start and will be there however has a wide draw. (6) Vintage Crystal has been placing consistently, she will be involved in the finish and is very capable of winning. (7) Dumisani has been holding solid form and will be a strong challenger. (8) Accumulate has a light mass and could get involved, she wasn’t beaten far in recent runs in KZN. ( Devonne Govender 3-6-7-8)

R3 Very competitive race. (2) Catch Your Breath has been in great form, she does have a wide gate to deal with but she showed plenty of determination in her last victory and will be the firm first selection. (6) To The Hilt has been holding form well, his last run was excellent so warrants huge respect. (1) Pedro ran a cracker in his last start and will be there in the mix. (3) Destiny’s Angel ran a cracker beating Gunsmoke and another good run is expected. (Devonne Govender 2-6-1-3)

R4 (1) Three Rocks is a very smart horse. Her last run is best ignored, if she brings her “A” game she could smash them here. (2) Miss Greenlight has been there in recent runs, she has plenty ability and is a must include. (3) Gimme’s Lassie ran extremely well in the last start, she was narrowly beaten and will be right there in the mix. (8) Idita has always been rated by the yard and can run into the placings. She warrants respect with the claimer up. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-3-8)

R5 (4) Forest Spy has been racing extremely well and will have another huge winning chance in this highly competitive contest. (3) Ubisika represents plenty of value, things may not have gone his way in the last start however he is very capable. He has a slightly better draw compared to the last start and it will be no surprise to see him win at decent odds. (1) Gimme’s Laddie was impressive in his last victory and can certainly follow up over this shorter trip of 1200m.

R6 (4) Son Of Zeus caught the eye in his last start and will have a huge winning chance based on that performance. The fact that S’Manga Khumalo stays aboard is a massive plus. (3) Masked Vigilante was unlucky not to win on the 5th July 2024. He was fancied in the last start however didn’t deliver on that occasion finishing fourth. He cannot be discounted in this contest so is a must include in all bets. (15) Anuschka’s World wasn’t far in his last start and has scope to do well. (17) Arividicio ran well in his last start and can get much closer. ( Devonne Govender 4-3-15-17)

R7 (4) Kingdundee has been very impressive recently. He steps up to 1400m now and takes on a lively field however he looks to have plenty of class. Craig Zackey knows him extremely well and he could take some beating here respectfully. (5) Makazole has been running on smartly in some strong company in KZN and will be there. (6) Mauritius Kestrel is highly regarded by the yard and a bold showing is expected. (8) My Best Shot has the Richard Fourie factor so must be respected, his form is good and he can get involved. ( Devonne Govender 4-5-6-8)

R8 (5) Gimme More Time represents good Cape form and will be a huge contender for top honours. (2) Kingdom Of Heaven has plenty of ability and another good run can be expected, he can follow up on that last gutsy win. (8) No Place Like Home was narrowly beaten by the second selection and there won’t be much to choose once again between them. (3) Fateful Day is holding consistent form and another honest run is expected. ( Devonne Govender 5-2-8-3)

Who Have Been The Best Of Galileo's 99 Gr 1 Winners?

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly Content failed by three-quarters of a length to become Galileo’s 100th individual Gr 1 winner last Saturday at the Curragh in the Irish Oaks.

He surpassed the previous record set by Danehill of 84 Gr 1 winners in June 2020 and it is surely just a matter of time before the super sire reaches his ton.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW GALILEO’S POSSIBLE TOP TEN GR 1 WINNERS

Today’s Question

Vengeance Of Rain (Picture: HKJC)

Anthony Delpech claimed the best horse he ever rode was the David Ferraris-trained Hong Kong-based horse Vengeance Of Rain. Who was sire of this surperstar?