Zim Triple Crown Hero To Race In SA
Buster Barnes became the seventh horse in history to win Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown when winning the Gr 3 Coca Cola Zimbabwe Derby over 2400m by ten lengths (Picture: Racing At Borrowdale Park In Herare)
The Zimbabwean Triple Crown victor Buster Barnes, who went on to win the lucrative Gr 1 OK Grand Challenge over 1800m, will be joining the Mike de Kock yard later this month and KZN-based jockey Deryl Daniels will continue to partner him.
Trainer Debra Swanson is realistic about what the Millstream Farm-bred Erupt gelding has achieved to date, but is hopeful he can prove himself up to South African black type class.
She said, “He’s literally going from kindergarten to university in a few hours! But, we’re very excited that Mike has agreed to train the horse. That will definitely give him the best opportunity to do his best down there. We’re looking at around about the 20th or 21st for his load to be on its way to South Africa. I love the horses I train and they’ve been fantastic and I’m very, very proud of them, but the reality of it is he’s beaten very little here. If you look at two of his stablemates Ideal View and Jet Mirage, they were battling one and two-time winners in Gqerberha but are now multiple winners in Zimbabwe and are rated 101 and 107 respectively. So Buster Barnes is going from a very small pond to a very big pond and he’s just one of the more talented fish in the small pond. But Deryl has ridden some good horses in Durban and he thinks this horse will hold his own. He’s not quite your Durban July cut, but he might be the handicap below. It’s up to Mike but the plan at this point is to start him off with one of the smaller little features there and see what Mike can get out of him. He’s still very immature. He’s going to be a nice four-year-old. There’s not a lot of competition up here, so before his merit rating goes through the roof, let him go down there and see what he’s got in the right divisions and go from there. Let’s see what Mike can do with him and if Mike thinks he’s worth keeping in South Africa, then long may that last. If Mike thinks he’s not quite that grade, then he can come home. So we’ll just take it one day at a time and just let Mike guide us.”
Buster Barnes beat the Castle Tankard winner Raffles by two lengths in the OK Grand Challenge, although he was receiving 10kg. Raffles was merit rated 98 in SA before departing for Zimbabwe so is no slouch.
Furthermore, Buster Barnes won the OK Grand Challenge in effortless fashion.
However, he was then beaten in the Republic Cup over 1900m when getting going too late and being unable to catch Jaeger Moon, who had won eight races in Gqeberha before going to Zim.
Debra said, “In sprints Buster Barnes was traveling quite well, but we taught him to settle on the bend. Obviously, his main agenda at first was the triple crown, so he had to settle to get the full two-four, which he did beautifully. But he got into the habit of relaxing too much on the bend and taking his time to get going, and unfortunately, the other horse got first run on him in the Republic. He was getting going beautifully, but the line came too soon, so he didn’t disgrace himself. He was blowing quite a bit after the OK, but he was actually only just getting going. Deryl actually eased him up as he was getting going. The handicapper clearly thought that he could have won by a lot further, because Deryl obviously put his hands down and started saluting quite a way out.”
The handicappers raised him ten points to 96 after the OK victory.
Debra also trained the previous season’s OK winner, the Mayesh Chetty-trained Wylie Hall gelding Down To Business, who did the OK Grand Challenge/Republic Cup double.
Down To Business proved himself up to South African black type class when winning the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in his fifth start for Peter Muscutt.
Debra said, “The horse looked amazing with Pete, he had grown into himself. Pete seems to think that he’s an out-and-out stayer and I’ll take his word for it, because he’s probably forgotten more than I’ll ever know. But my gut feeling is that the horse is an 18 to 2000 horse, maybe 2.2 in the right sort of field. I don’t think he is an out-and-out stayer. So I’m hoping Pete will prove me wrong and go from there. He doesn’t show a lot in work, he’s quite one-paced in work, but in his races at the right pace he does have quite a nice, strong finish. I think that’s why Pete’s inclined to think that he’s an out-and-out stayer. Unfortunately, he was scratched from his last start because he had a minor tendon issue. So they gave him box rest and sent him down to the Cape to rehabilitate and then stay on for the Cape season.”
Asked to compare the now four-year-old Buster Barnes with the now five-year-old Down To Business, Debra replied, “I think Buster Barnes has got a lot more speed. I think he’s got a stronger, quicker turn of foot. But Down To Business is a much bigger, stronger sort of horse. They’re completely different animals. Buster Barnes is a smaller horse and is quite short-coupled. He’s got a lovely turn of foot. Down To Business is a big, lanky sort, he’s typical of a Wylie Hall, a big striding horse and he takes a little bit longer to get going. But when he does get going, he eats up the ground. I can’t really compare them. They’re very, very different. But yes, Down To Business has held his own down south nicely and if I had to put my name on the block, I do think Buster probably has got a little bit more scope. So I think Buster should probably be a little bit more competitive than Down To Business has been. If I could have my way, I would have had them on the opposite tracks. I would have had Buster Barnes on the small, Greyville track. I think he could sprint off a lot better, and I’d have Down To Business at Turffontein where he would have that long, open straight to get going. But as fate has turned out, they are on the opposite sort of tracks.”
Meanwhile, Deryl Daniels is very excited about the opportunites that lie ahead with Buster Barnes.
Buster Barnes is owned by the Centaur Syndicate, whose chairman is C John Smith, and considering his words about Deryl it is not surprising he has kept him aboard.
Smith was full of praise for Daniels after the Triple Cown and said, “To win the Triple Crown, the jockey needs to ride his races in three different ways and be able to go to plan B with ease. What does surprise me 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 – and he can ride at 53kg. Here is a jockey SA trainers should be using a lot more – but not until Buster Barnes retires!”
Deryl is mindful he does not have too long left in the saddle so, while still workriding and having a few race rides, he has taken on a new role breaking in the young horses at Adam Kethro’s spelling farm in Alverstone. He said his riding would pick up when the Zimbabwe season starts again and he then gets full books of rides every second weekend.
Just Reckless Resting, Strawberry Bear Will Be Back
Just Reckless slams them in the Gr 2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Mike Miller yard ended off last season with a bang when the Summerveld stable’s star two-year-old filly Just Reckless (Gimmethegreenlight) won the Gr 2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante Stakes over 1200m in scintillating fashion, coming from off the pace with a devastating finish under Tristan Gooden to down the odds-on favourite Rodeo Drive, who had been viewed by many as the meeting banker.
However, she will not race again this calendar year as she has been given a well deserved holiday.
Mike’s son and assistant Sterling Miller, who is a part-owner in the filly, said, “She ran in the first or second juvenile race of the season and was on the boil the whole season, so she’s on a nice deserved break at home. She’s looking a million dollars and I think we’ll probably have a look at a few races in Jo’burg later on. We’ll probably stick to 1200m and 1400m races.”
The yard’s popular speedster Strawberry Bear (Flying The Flag), who won the Gr 3 Byerley Turk in April last year, has had issues but will be back. He has not been seen since last December and that run itself was a comeback from a six month layoff.
Sterling said, “He did a tendon and was sent to Mike Stewart’s farm (on Noordhoek Beach) for rest and rehabilitation and he returns in December.”
Sterling said about another of the yard’s black type performers, Narina Trogon, who was purchased into the yard last season and has already won three Listed races for them (from 1600m to 1750m), “He runs on Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1500m. Gladatorian looks hard to beat, but Narina Trogon has turned tyhe corner since coming to KZN. His chief target this year will be the Christmas Handicap.”
The Miller yard have no fewer than 54 two-year-olds, so will be a stable to follow in the second half of the season.
Racing's Global Perception Crisis: Why Silence Is No Longer an Option
Protesters are removed from the course before the 2022 Epsom Derby Credit: PA/Tim Goode
In a world increasingly shaped by social consciousness and activism, fueled by a sensationalist media corps, horseracing finds itself at a sensitive and potentially critical juncture. Globally, the industry is under growing scrutiny and facing a barrage of criticism, as concerns about animal welfare, transparency, and ethical practices dominate public discourse.
Charl Pretorius wrote in his Off The Record column over the weekend that horseracing should be ready to counter misinformation about the industry as it has the potential to bring the sport to its knees.
CLICK HERE TO READ CHARL PRETORIUS’ LATEST OFF THE RECORD COLUMN
Leading French Sprinter Mgheera confirmed for Tattersalls Online September Sale
Picture: Mgheera
Tattersalls
Listed winning and Group 2 placed sprinter MGHEERA is set to be offered for sale in the Tattersalls Online September Sale, scheduled to take place from Wednesday 18th September – Thursday 19th September at www.tattersallsonline.com.
Leading French Sprinter Mgheera will be offered in the Tattersalls Online September Sale
The four-year-old filly is being offered with a current Timeform rating of 107 and is due to line up in the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp this Sunday. She also holds an entry to the Group 1 Prix de L’Abbaye on Sunday 6th October.
A daughter of international sire sensation ZOUSTAR, the sire of Group 1 winners in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, MGHEERA is out of the winning INVINCIBLE SPIRIT mare BLUE AEGEAN who herself is a half-sister to Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes winner DISTINCTIVE.
MGHEERA has proven to be a revelation for trainer Manon Scandella-Lacaille having joined the Marseille-based handler last summer. The filly has progressed through the ranks from handicap success to Listed victory in the Prix Hampton at Chantilly, and also finished second in the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene at the same course in June. She finished third on her most recent start in the Listed Prix du Cercle at Deauville behind subsequent Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner BRADSELL.
The full catalogue for the Tattersalls Online September Sale will be published on Thursday 12th September at www.tattersallsonline.com. Wildcard entries are still being accepted and all enquiries regarding the sale can be sent via email to tattersallsonline@tattersalls.com or by calling +44 (0)1638 665931.
Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections
Siberian Steel, pictured winning on the Highveld, has been tipped to win the seventh race over 1200m for Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie (Picture: JC Photos)
Gold Circle
R1 (7) Sierra Sky seems to be making progress and can build on that last run in a very open looking race which has no stand out form. (5) Elusive Hunter has never been far back and will get into the action. (6) Mad World gets a decent draw and can get involved. (2) Karoo Bokkie has been fancied in the betting recently but hasn’t shown much, she has scope to do better. ( Devonne Govender 7-5-6-2)
R2 (2) Take A Mulligan has had many tries but will win soon however you can’t be really confident. (5) Crimson Comet is seldom far back and will have a chance. (6) Lennoxtown has the scope to improve and shouldn’t be ignored. (3) Kamaria is capable on getting involved in quartets. Watch the market for any support as this is a tough race to assess. ( Devonne Govender 2-5-6-3)
R3 (1) Light Of Day has decent KZN form so will be the first selection. She gets the best draw and should make her presence felt in a big way. (2) Get It Done is very capable on her day and will have a huge winning chance. (6) Hugsandhighfives is never far back and will be right there in the mix. (8) Millennium Dancer gets a much better draw and will be in the mix, she represents good value for places. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-6-8)
R4 (3) Guerra is holding form well and will be the firm first selection. He has a decent turn of foot and will be a huge runner. (7) Launch Code ran extremely well in the last start and another big run is expected. (4) Lt Alexander can get a lot closer and on best form has a winning chance so include. (9) Fujisan is very capable on his day and can get involved. ( Devonnne Govender 3-7-4-9)
R5 (7) Destiny’s Angel ran well in her last start and does meet stronger opposition here. He is holding smart form and will carry 56kgs which makes him a massive runner. (4) Central City has plenty ability and can blow them away on best form. (3) Tirpitz wasn’t far in the last start and can get a lot closer. (1) Dowser ran well enough at big odds, although finishing 6th he wasn’t far back and can get a lot closer over the 1600m trip. ( Devonne Govender 7-4-3-1)
R6 (5) Guarding The Wall is holding good form and rates a strong winning chance from a good draw. (1) Travel Master is never far back and will be the main danger based on his last run. (7) Duke Of Orange is holding form and will be right there in the mix so include. (6) King’s Sailor won the maiden easily and has scope to go well so can be included in larger perms. ( Devonne Govender 5-1-7-6)
R7 (3) Siberian Steel has run well on the poly over this trip and rates a big winning chance. (5) Bethel is holding top form and will be a big runner again. (9) Abound is always there and can produce a big finish. (1) Donny Tee is capable on his day and can follow up from that good recent win. ( Devonne Govender 3-5-9-1)
R8 (3) Knockemstiff was very impressive in the last start and is capable of following up. (6) Cruzador is always there in the mix and is very capable on his day so respect. (2) Jade’s Caberneigh wasn’t herself in the last start so that run is best ignored, she can bounce back. (1) Thing Called Love won’t be far and has scope to do better. (Devonne Govender 3-6-2-1)
Cunha Given The Honour Of Training Horse Named After Legendary Brian Clough
Chris Hughes with his two-year-old colt Clough
It is hard to keep ex-pat SA trainer Dylan Cunha out of the news such is the impact he has been having training in the UK. Besides having his 41st winner in England at Lingfield yesterday (Wednesday) he has now been given the honour of training a horse that television personality and sports and racing Presenter Chris Hughes has named after the legendary football managar Brian Clough. Clough took the relatively small club Nottingham Forest to two successive European Cup titles (1979, 1980). He also took both Derby County and Nottingham Forest from second division teams to be champions of England for the first time in both clubs’ history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time. He was also a good footballer himself. He scored a phenomenal 204 goals in 222 games for Middlesborough. He scored 63 goals in 74 matches for Sunderland and won two England caps. He was a controversial character and thus never managed England despite popular demand but is known as the “greatest manager England never had.”
The below article about the horse “Clough” appeared in the Racing Post earlier this week.
‘Just make sure it’s a bloody good horse’ – presenter Chris Hughes honours football legend Brian Clough with first runner
Andrew Dietz (Racing Post)
Reality TV personality Chris Hughes has become an owner in his own right for the first time – but he had to get permission from a famous football family to name his two-year-old colt.
Clough is set to make his debut for Hughes and Newmarket trainer Dylan Cunha this month, with his name approved by legendary manager Brian Clough’s sons Nigel and Simon.
In his role as Coral ambassador, Hughes fronts up the bookmaker’s racing club, but Clough will be the first horse to run under his name.
“I’ve bought him with my best friend Matt Broughton and he’s a really nice horse,” said Hughes. “Matt’s a Forest fan and I’m a Sunderland fan and we were thinking of names with a mutual connection and came up with Clough, as Brian Clough was a bit of a Sunderland legend and a Forest legend.
“To get it signed off by the BHA, we had to get it approved by members of the Clough family. The two sons were delighted and said they’ll come down and watch him one day. But they said there was one condition – they said, ‘Our old man would have said, just make sure it’s a bloody good horse’.”
The ITV Racing presenter is a jumps fan at heart but is looking forward to the excitement of ownership on the Flat.
“I grew up with jump racing and my dad had horses, but I like Flat racing,” he said. “There was an opportunity there to buy a horse with Dylan, who I know well. I’ve ridden out there a few times and Newmarket is an interesting place.”
Clough, who will sport the colours of Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, is in line to make his debut at Yarmouth on Tuesday week.
“It’ll be an educational run as he’s going to be a middle-distance horse, so he’ll run more strongly as a three-year-old,” said Hughes.
“He’s a lovely looking animal who moves well. He’ll run in red and white stripes with a red cap, so you won’t miss him. It’s exciting.”
Candice Bass-Robinson Interviewed By Vicky Minott On Taking The Reins
Candice Bass-Robinson with her 2022/2023 Equus Champion Three-year-old Male and dual Equus Champion Miler, Charles Dickens (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The Equus Award-winning presenter Vicky Minott interviewed Candice Bass-Robinson in the show Taking The Reins today.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ANOTHER FASCINATING TAKING THE REINS INTERVIEW
Championship Leader Yeni Enjoys Halcyon Day At The Vaal
Muzi Yeni clinches a four-timer as Prince Of Kildare powers to an easy win after being backed in to favourite (JC Photos)
Muzi Yeni had a four-timer at the Vaal today to go further clear on the national championship log, although his wins did include a dead-heat.
Yeni is now on 39 wins for the season and he has achieved that at a strike rate of 17.89%.
He is 14 wins clear of Sean Veale and 18 clear of third-placed Gavin Lerena.
Today's Question
The picture is of the subject (HKJC)
Who has had the most winning rides in Hong Kong racing history?
Midweek FIELDS
Fairview Poly, Friday
Today’s Question Answer
Ex-pat South African Douglas Whyte had 1813 wins in Hong Kong, but that could be surpassed this season by Zac Purton, who is 68 wins short of Whyte’s record.
