Turf Talk Newsletter – 16 October, 2024

Luke Ferraris In Fine Form In Hong Kong

The promising Patch Of Cosmo (blue headgear) looked impossibly hemmed in with 200m to go on Sunday at Sha Tin but after the split eventually came he used his long stride to prevail by a short-head under Luke Ferraris. (Picture: HKJC)

Luke Ferraris has had three wins in his last two meetings, including a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, and more pleasing is that his winner at Sha Tin on Sunday, Patch Of Cosmo, looks to be a most promsing sort and he will retain the ride.

On Sunday at Sha Tin Luke rode Patch Of Cosmo in the latter’s second career race outside of the Griffin races he took part in last season.

He had won on his seasonal reappearance in a restricted class 4 event for three-year-olds over 1200m despite being slow away from draw 12 out of 13 and having to loop the field for his run. On that occasion he made up the ground quite effortlessly with long strides and just got up to justify being backed into HK$4.80 second favourite.

On Sunday Patch Of Cosmo was in the same restricted class 4 over the same 1200m trip, but off a six point higher mark, meaning he had to carry top weight of 132 pounds and he had a tricky draw of eight out of 13.

He was a bit better away this time but turned for home in fourth last place and had a wall of horses in front of him.

Luke attempted to switch him to the outside for a clear run but Zac Purton was not budging on his mount and kept him hemmed in.

Luke kept his position on the inside of Purton and made his presence felt, but he was quickly running out of racetrack. However, at the 100m mark he finally got through the gap and with long strides the Manfred Man-trained New Zealand-bred Super Seth gelding got up by a short-head once again, converting favouritism at HK$2.70.

Luke said about the horse, “He’s done nothing wrong and he’s improving. I’ll retain the ride and he’ll run on the 9th of November.”

An indication of how much he has improved is that he was beaten three times in Griffin Class last season by Santorini, despite receiving weight from the latter, and at Sha Tin on Sunday he gave the latter one pound and a 5,25 length beating.

Hopefully, Patch Of Cosmo amounts to something, because an association with top horses is what the ex-pat South African trio of jockeys most seem to lack.

At Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday night) Luke rode a 376/1 double.

He led from start to finish on the Ricky Yiu-trained Victorythirtythree in a class 4 event over 1000m. He got the four-year-old to break cleanly following, an awkward break from the horse with another rider aboard last time. The All To Hard Australian-bred gelding roared to the front and after winning easing up by 0,75 lengths, paying HK$29, the commentator said, “Gee he is good from the front is Luke.”

Luke was aboard the New Zealand-bred eight-year-old Ferlax gelding Colonel two races later over 1200m in another class 4 event and he confirmed the commentator’s opinion by winning from the front again. He opened up an early three length lead, but then let him come back to them before kicking away from them again as he approached the final turn. He ultimately held on by half-a-length, paying HK$13 for the win. Colonel is trained by Luke’s probable chief supporter Mark Newnham.

Luke is now on six wins for the season, so is the leading SA rider in Hong Kong by a margin of two from Lyle Hewitson, whilst Keagan de Melo is on two wins after not enjoying much support.

Luke has only had 45 rides so is keeping up a fine strike rate of 13.33%.

Hollywood Five Wins Away From 600 Milestone

The beautifully-bred Gary Rich-trained Oasis Dream gelding Allaroundtheworld gave the Hollywood Syndicate the first leg of a double today and he was well ridden by Calvin Habib (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

There is an old adage in racing that “pace is everything” and a classic case in point was seen on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today (Wednesday) when the Gary Rich-trained Allaroundtheworld swept through to put The Hollywood Syndicate just six wins away from their 600th career win.

Later, the Hollywood Syndicate made it number 595, so are now just five wins away from number 600, which will come with bonus rewards.

The trainer, jockey, groom and commentator of their 600^th win will all be rewarded.

This creates plenty of excitement as it is a reward for a victory but also for being in the right place at the right time.

The 600^th win will see a bonus reward from Hollywoodbets of R10,000 to the trainer, R10,000 to the jockey, R2,500 to the groom and R5,000 to the winning commentator.

In the fourth race over 2000m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today, Cod Of Conduct was driven into the lead from draw from draw five, but he became lit up in the process and was unable to be restrained.

Code Of Conduct had soon pulled himself into a big lead.

This situation often leaves the jockey of the second-placed horse in a quandry as he or she would not want to let the leader get away too far, but also needs to keep something in reserve for his own mount.

However, considering Code Of Conduct folded tamely at the top of the straight, the rider on the next horse in line, Circle Of Grace, went too fast and this set it up for the horse following him, the Gary Rich-trained Hollywood Syndicate-owned Allaroundtheworld.

Allaroundtheworld is superbly bred and relished getting that fast pace.

He was bred, and initially raced, by Drakenstein Stud.

He is by top Juddmonte-owned sire Oasis Dream, who won three Gr 1 sprints in England and has sired 27 Gr 1 winners himself.

Allaroundtheworld is out of the SA-bred Gr 1 winner by Mambo In Seattle, Same Jurisdiction.

He was still a maiden after seven starts with Justin Snaith and was consequently put on a BSA Online Sale in March 2022 and bought for R80,000 by the Hollywood Syndicate.

He was still a maiden after a further eight runs for Clinton Binda on the Highveld before being moved to Gary Rich in August 2022.

This was a good move because it soon became apparant that he enjoyed the polytrack, running three seconds before finally getting out the maidens in his fifth start for Rich in a 1400m event.

Today was in fact All Aroundtheworld’s fourth win for Rich, three of them on the poly.

Having settled well while striding out nicely behind that strong pace under Calvin Habib, Allaroundtheworld easily mastered Circle Of Grace and went on to win by 2,50 lengths, with Circle Of Grace holding on for second ahead of Blazing Light.

In the last race over 1200m, the Gareth van Zyl-trained Danon Platina gelding Stars In Heaven made it a second win on the day for a Hollywood Syndicate horse bought in training.

This formerly Gary Player and Dave Mclean-owned R450,000 horse was still a maiden after six starts, including four in Cape Town.

He was then purchased by R100,000 by Hollywo0od on the BSA February Online Auction this year.

Hollywood kept him in the Gareth van Zyl yard and have now been rewarded with two wins, the first of them in Cape Town and the second one today.

Stars in Heaven jumped from a wide draw in the 1200m handicap event today, but this 72 merit-rated gelding found good cover in mid pack under Marco van Rensburg as there were three horses running in a line in front.

He made up some gound when going down the inside, but looked to be making no inroads on the leader until an astute change of whiphand by van Rensburg. The horse changed legs and surged late to catch Professor Lupin and win by 0,30 lengths.

Trainers will be trying to time it right to have their Hollywood horse in the winner’s box for number 600 and the next couple of weeks racing around the country will have that added bit of intrigue!

Calvin Habib, Marco van Rensburg and the Andre Nel yard all had doubles at Wednesday’s poly meeting.

Habib is on 16 wins for the season at a strike rate of 6.67%.

Van Rensburg is on 19 wins at 9.55%.

Nel is on 13 wins at 14.13%.

The Vercingetorix Breeze Up Six From Maine Chance Farms

Lot 91 is a colt by Vercingetorix out of the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess and that makes him a half-brother to Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas runner up Pyromaniac and to twice Listed-placed Passchendaele (Picture: Cape Racing Sales)

Maine Chance Farms offer six youngsters by their resident and renowned stallion, Vercingetorix, at the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale which takes place on Sunday 27th October 2024 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.

Lot 91, Primal Instinct is a bay colt out of G1 SA Oaks winner, Pine Princess. All three of her foals to race have won, including Pyromaniac (5x winner plus a second in the G2 Gauteng Guineas) and Passchendaele who has recently been on the tear in the Eastern Cape. There is loads of Black Type going back through second dam, Scent of Pine and third dam, Northern Pine, making this October colt a most attractive proposition.

Surreal Song goes in as Lot 97 – this daughter of Vercingetorix is a first foal of Duke of Marmalade mare, Sanskrit. The second dam, Shina was a fine producer throwing the high class, Horizon who is now a stallion, and Greyville KRA Fillies Guineas winner, Santa Clara. Third dam, Spirit of Eagles produced Silvano, an awesome stallion who, safe to say, made a massively positive impact on the SA Stud Book.

Slender Silhouette is a filly by Vercingetorix ex Sommerlied, a speedball whose career highlight was a victory in the G1 SA Fillies Sprint. Vercingetorix has sired 397 runners for 284 winners, including 41 SW’s and 10 G1 heroes. Some of his best progeny include 2024 Durban July star, Oriental Charm, Mrs Geriatrix, Cousin Casey, Alesian Chief, Pomp and Power, Vernichey, Ambiorix, Chansonette, Double Grand Slam and Surjay.

Victoria Lavelle was also super-quick. This Captain Al mare won four races including the Laisserfaire Stakes. She has a bay filly by Vercingetorix, stabled in D37 who goes through the ring as Lot 111.

Maine Chances next offering is Be All You Can Be, Lot 119 out of Bilateral, a G1 Golden Slipper winner who went on to be an accomplished middle- distance performer. Second dam Buccellati was a prolific producer as was 3rd dam State Treasure – their pages are laden with Black Type.

Maine Chance’s draft concludes with Lot 123 – the bay colt, Cedar Point is out of the Galileo mare, Cidada who sports an intriguing, predominantly Irish pedigree.

Ross Fuller will be available to assist with viewings and handle any queries relating to a typically high quality, Maine Chance draft. He is contactable on 082 587 7045 or via email – ross@mainechance.co.za.

Lammerskraal Stud – CRS Breeze Up October 2024

Lot 23 is a Querari filly out of four time-winning Second Empire mare Mary Hinge, who was twice Listed-placed, and this makes this filly a full sister to Gr 2 winner Maryah and a half-sister to Gr 2 runner up Mary O. (Picture: Cape Racing Sales)

Lammerskraal Stud offers a Querari filly and a What a Winter colt as Breeze Up candidates at the CRS auction to be staged at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th October starting 14h00.

Mighty Mary, the filly, comes first, as Lot 23. She is out of stamina influence, Mary Hinge who won 4 and was 3rd in both the Winter Oaks and the Sun Classique H. Mighty Mary’s full sister Maryah was a precocious and talented juvenile, winning thrice up to 1400m, including the Gr2 Greyville Debutante Stakes. Mary Hinge also produced Mary O, winner of the Beach Beauty Mile and runner up in both the KZN Fillies Guineas Gr2 and the Flamboyant Stakes Gr3.

Querari, is arguably one of SA’s best value commercial stallions. He is the sire of 610 runners, 410 winners and an impressive, 43 SW’s.

Likewise, the sterling, What A Winter is a fixture near the top of the Sires Rankings. He covered Gr2 Gold Bracelet runner up, Perfect Air and the result is Lot 33, a bay colt named Winter Snap.

The female line is a long standing Lammerskraal success-story. Second dam, Icy Air bred the Champion Sprinter in SA in 2019-20, Russet Air (also by What a Winter) and Icy Trail, victorious in the Gr2 Premier Trophy. Icy Air also produced Icy Winter Air, the dam of dual Gr1 winner, Make it Snappy (winner of both the Fillies Guineas and Paddock Stakes). This colt is very closely related to her.

Lindi Garlicki is the person to contact at Lammerskraal Stud. Her cell phone number is 084 527 1257. Email is also an option – lindi@lammerskraalstud.co.za

Can King Regent Take The Crown?

King Regent pictured winning the first leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challlenge Series and he is now one win away from being the first horse to ever win all three legs (Pauline Herman Photography)

FINAL LEG OF THE 2024 NMB RACING POLY CHALLENGE

The R175,000 third and final leg of the 2024 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge takes place over 1600m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday, 18 October.

The challenge comprises three legs, progressing from 1200m in Leg 1, stepping up to 1400m in Leg 2 and culminating in Leg 3 over 1600m.

Since the inauguration of the Challenge in 2016, no horse has been able to win all three legs and secure the bonus of R250,000. The Jacques Strydom-trained Gogetthesheriff came closest in the very first year of the Challenge, securing the first two legs before finishing a 0.50-length third to Jet Explorer in the final leg in a thrilling finale.

However, aiming to go one better is the Glen Kotzen-trained King Regent. King Regent is a 5yo gelding by Dynasty, bred by Ridgemont Highlands, campaigned in the interests of Miss Gisela Burg and Mr Martin Wickens and ridden to victory in the first two legs by jockey Denis Schwarz. He overcame a wide draw and being slow out of the gates to win the first leg of the challenge by a comfortable 3.25 length margin on 23 August. On 27 September, he produced an electrifying burst from the back of the field to follow up in the second leg by 0.50 lengths from Luna Halo and he will attempt to complete the challenge – and collect the R250,000 bonus – over 1600m this Friday.

However, it is not going to be easy. There are 8 runners carded, including local favourites Cherry Ano (Gavin Smith) and Inherit The Rain (Alan Greeff) who will attempt to stop the Cape raider. Also worth noting is that King Regent has not won over 1600m. However, the manner in which he won the second leg will have given trainer Glen Kotzen a lot of confidence.

Either way, the proposition of history in the making will be sure to draw an enthusiastic Gqeberha crowd to shout him home.

Field for the R175,000 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1600 (Open – 3rd Leg (Non-Black Type))

1 – 1 KING REGENT (G S Kotzen) D Schwarz 62kg

2 – 6 CHERRY ANO (G D Smith) C Zackey 62kg

3 – 4 BUSH TRACKER (S B Kotzen) L Mxothwa 62kg

4 – 2 INHERIT THE RAIN (A C Greeff) R Fourie 61kg

5 – 8 GLOBAL ALLY (A C Greeff) K Minnie 61kg

6 – 7 THE MAURITIAN (A C Greeff) C Maujean 59.5kg

7 – 3 SYX HOTFIX (G D Smith) M Yeni 59.5kg

8 – 5 EUPHORIC (JVA Strydom) D B Geerthsen 53.5kg

Same Trainer: (2,7) (4,5,6)

Moola Man Could Rake In The Moola

Moola Man winning over course and distance in early July (JC Photos)

The Vaaal straight course meeting should see high draws being favourable in the five races down the straight, although there are three races around the turn over 1700m and in those races, races 4, 5 and 6, low draws will be favourable. However, it must be kept in mind that Muzi Yeni won a race down the straight with this course set up at the last Vaal meeting when sticking to the inside rail, so that might throw a spanner in the works.

The highest rated race is the 6^th race, a MR 84 Handicap over 1700m, and Moola Man is made the best bet at the meeting and also a P6 banker, although it must be said there would be more confidence if he was drawn better than seven out of eleven. Wider draws can sometimes be an advantage on this course if cover can be found in a one wide position because those hold up horses drawn low have to depend on a decent pace being set otherwise they can be trapped on the rail and cramped until the spur is reached at the 600m mark. However, the reason Moola Man is taken as a banker is because he is a progressive sort whose best performance was over this course and distance and he will relish this step back in trip. The Lancaster Bomber four-year-old gelding is out of a West Man mare and his pedigree suggested there would be concerns of him not staying 2000m last time out. Those concerns proved to be valid as he did not find extra late. The chief danger to Moola Man could be the in form Royal Edition. He won over 2000m last time, but is now only 1kg better off with Moola Man for a two length beating by the latter over this trip back in July. Eiffel Tower showed some class early in his career and is 2kg better off for a 1,75 length beating by Moola Man over 1600m, so he is also right in it. His St. John Gray-trained stablemate Eiger Sanction is in terrific form and comes off a hattrick from 1800m to 2000m, but the handicapper hit him with a five point raise after his last win. Total Surrender has to be respected too, considering he beat Moola Man when they last met over 1600m and now faces him on just half-a-kilogram worse off terms and in fact, taking weight for age into account, he faces him on the same terms. Total Surrender is a five-year-old though and perhaps not as progressive as Moola Man.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1100m Kings Again won well on debut and the form has been franked and she has the highest draw of all off a reasonable 85 merit rating. So Seductive is drawn one from the outside and is in fair form. This is her third run of the season, so she might have come on from her last outing over 1200m at Turffontein Inside in which she was staying on for third to promising stablemate Chasing Happiness. Global Thunder is in fine form and can’t be ignored. Stars and Bra’s has shown hints of ability, but does have the low draw of one. Godspeed went close with Gavin Lerena up in her penultimate start over 1400m and he gets back on board over a trip she went close over three runs ago. The only other runner, Royal Horizon, is not out of it.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m Ancient Wisdom should be improving being by Ideal World and will also enjoy the step up in trip. She also has a good draw, so is taken to win it despite the formlines pointing to Glamorous Lady as the one to beat. Glamorous Lady is knocking on the door and Muzi Yeni stays aboard, but she does have a wide draw to overcome. Plum Blossom, Ambitious Lady and Emperor Wu are also worth considering for the Pick 6.

In the fifth race over 1700m Guerilla Warfare represents an in form yard and should enjoy the trip under a 2,5kg claimer from a middle draw in the small field. American Biscuit has been consistent over this trip category and has a 4kg claimer up albeit from a tricky draw. Vava Vegas won the only time he tried as far as 1600m, so he is interesting here over 1700m.

In the seventh over 1400m Dark Tide has not been far off lately over 1200m and might enjoy 1400m from a nice high draw as he did win over 1600m early in his career and has been staying on lately. Calida is drawn on the right side and if repeating his last start he can go close. Tried And True ran well on her yard debut in KZN over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and in fact beat Dark Tide by 2,35 lengths, so she could be in the shake up from a middle draw. Northern Kitten is drawn towards the right side and that might bring her into the places. Written In Stone would be fancied if better drawn, but on the other hand a race was won at the last meeting with this same course set up when the rider decided to stay on the inside rail, so that makes him an interesting runner under the jockey who has been getting on so well with him, Louis Nhlapo.

In the last race over 1200m Alone Time won from start to finish when having a favourable draw in the maidens and he has a favourable draw here. His Lordsip looks promsising and won when unfavourably drawn last time and will have to do so again from a low draw. Captain Efficient has the form to be a contender here although he will have to overcome a low draw. King Of Numbers can earn if repeating his best performance.Coming In Hot can’t be ignored from a high draw.

In the first leg of the Bipot Sonic Jet, Miss Lia and Cat O’ Clock should fight it out.

In the first leg of the PA Green Sapphire and Pursuit Of Fame could get punters through.

The Everest Is Now A Gr 1 And Biggest Ever Crowd Expected

James McDonald holds his Everest trophy towards the crowd after winning on Nature Strip in 2021 (smh.com.au)

Chris Roots (smh.com.au)

There will be a sell-out crowd to watch the first group 1 Everest winner being crowned at Randwick on Saturday.

The world’s richest race on turf, which is only in its eighth running, has never sold out four days out from race day before, and the crowd could top 50,000 at Randwick to watch the $20 million showcase and the King Charles III Stakes.

“This race is hitting the very high target that we set for it, and now it has received the fitting and deserved honour of group 1 status,” Racing NSW’s Graeme Hinton said.

“Two thirds of the sell-out crowd on Saturday will under 35, which is an entrance point for the next generation.”

Australian Turf Club chief executive Matt Galanos expects the crowd to exceed the 46,498 that saw Winx’s final race in 2019, and it will once again be a party atmosphere for Sydney’s biggest race day.

“The TAB Everest has become the hottest ticket in town and is attracting new fans in record numbers,” Galanos said.

“Saturday will set a new modern-day record number of patrons at Royal Randwick, eclipsing even the unprecedented final run of the immortal Winx.”

The Everest (1200m) will also carry group 1 status for the first time. Racing Australia confirmed the richest and highest-rating sprint in the world had earned and been given with the status.

“We have written approval from the Asian pattern committee and thus the Asian Racing Federation for The Everest and the All Star Mile to be granted Group 1 status effective immediately in a letter we received last week,” Racing Australia chief executive Paul Eriksson said.

“The letter could not be more clear, it said with immediate effect, so The Everest is a group 1 race. It is why we announced the two upgrades last week.”

While there was some conjecture about the group 1 status of The Everest following a fiery meeting of Racing Victoria officials and its stakeholders on Tuesday, Eriksson and Australia’s representative on the Asian Pattern Committee, Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott, could not be clearer about its status.

Eriksson said following the new black type protocols that the Racing Australia board unanimously approved, the All Star Mile and The Everest were put forward for group 1 consideration after meeting the rating standard.

“The Everest and All Star Mile have been ratified as group 1 races by the Asian Pattern Committee and the Asian Racing Federation,” Scott said.

“I was on the call when Winfried [Engelbrecht Bresges] announced they were both group1 races and said congratulations.”

Celestial Legend charges through late to win the Randwick Guineas in March.

Horse racing

Celestial Legend back to favourite trip in the King Charles

Engelbrecht Bresges is the Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive, ARF chairman and International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Racing Australia has not announced any other upgrades to group and listed racing, but Racing NSW has moved 12 of its races up in status this spring.

It has been six years since any race was upgraded in Australia after a stalemate between Racing NSW and Racing Victoria.

Today's Question

Picture is of Clairwood’s entrance pavilion in the 1940s.

Question: Why was there no racing at the now defunct Clairwood Park racecourse from about mid 1942 to July 1945?

FIELDS, Thursday 17 OCTOBER

Vaal

Today’s Question Answer

Clairwood was used as a military camp in the second half of the second world war.