Turf Talk Newsletter – 25 November, 2024

Last season’s record-breaking freshman sire One World is fast becoming a sire phenomenon.

His progeny, the Vaughan Marshall-trained One Stripe, his stablemate All Out For Six and the Brett Crawford-trained Captain West, ran first, second and fourth in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and he had the first three home in the other stakes race at the meeting, the Listed WSB Sophomore Sprint, with the Marshall-trained Lion Rampart, the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Kai Boy and the Greg Ennion-trained Miss World.

Furthermore, a Marshall-trained One World gelding called World Of Pleasure won a class 4 event on the day.

Marshall and One World thus had a treble together on the day.

One World has consequently overtaken Vercingetorix as the leading sire of three-year-olds this season.

One World is based at Drakenstein Stud, who bred both One Stripe and All Out For Six and they also bred World Of Pleasure.

Marshall trained One World’s father Captain Al, whom nobody expected to become a champion sire of legendary status operating out of Klawervlei Stud. He did become both of those, plus a champion broodmare sire and he is now well on his way to becoming a fine sire of sires.

One World has also outstripped expectations.

He smashed his father’s freshman sire record of number of winners and equalled his father’s overall record for number of winning two-year-olds in a season. He could have done even better if there had not been so much rain in the Cape at the end of last season.

One World’ progeny are now training on to be fine three-year-olds.

The seven-time champion sire Jet Master became champion sire for the first time when his first crop were only four-year-olds. One World could become the next SA-bred to achieve this feat.

The boom sire Vercingetorix has been ousted by his olders like Gimmethegreenlight and by his own sire Silvano to date, but this season might be Vercingetorix’s only opportunity to win the title. One World’s progeny are shaping up so well that he might sweep all before him when he has three racing crops on the ground.

The great Vincent O’Brien made a prediction that was to set up Coolmore as the best stud operation in the world. He predicted great things as a stallion for Northern Dancer and his theory was a horse can not pass on freakiness but can pass on courage. Northern Dancer’s courage was emphasised by the fact that his Kentucky Derby win, like many of his other wins, was by a narrow margin. He was also a small horse. What he lacked in size he made up for with heart. O’Briens predictions were correct as Northern Dancer became the most important thoroughbred sire of the 20^th century and saturates the breed today. He and his descendants have also helped Coolmore become possibly the best breeding operation in thoroughbred history.

Captain Al won the Cape Guineas from draw 16 of 16, despite being a sprint-miler type, and One World was able to keep the opposition at bay time and time again after leading or being handy.

They both clearly possessed courage and it is being passed on.

One Stripe, for example, raced without cover throughout in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup and yet won with plenty in hand. That likely means he has the temperament to respond to his jockey, whether it be to relax or to quicken, and he has the class and the will to win as well.

The annual debate on how good the three-year-od crop is and how the best of them compare to the best of the past starts intensifying around now, but after One Stripe’s impressive performance in the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday the signs are good.

Luck plays a big part in horseracing and only the really good ones can extract themselves from bad luck in running.

The way the Vaughan Marshall-trained colt finsihed his race off on Saturday, somebody who had just tuned in would have believed he must have had the run of the race.

However, that was far from the truth and in fact he raced without cover throughout.

On the downside, although showing a good racing temperament, he had been unruly after being saddled and permission had to be sought for him to avoid the pre-race parade and proceed ditrectly to the canter past.

One Stripe jumped from draw five and as his stablemate All Out For Six ensured a good pace out in front Gavin Lerena found himself one out and one back with no cover.

This would have been a concern for some, but Marshall would likely not have been one of them as he would have remembered One Stripe’s father One World enjoying being in front and always finding a good kick.

Gavin Lerena is a top professional and was not concerned either as he did not waste any time and energy looking for cover but accepted his fate and allowed One Stripe to settle into a rhythm.

One Stripe still had a lot to do at the top of the straight to catch All Out For Six, who is also by One World.

By the 300m mark he had crept up but time was running out.

However, nobody needed have worried as he then took off and caught his stablemate readily and won easing up 1,75 lengths.

His time was only 0,31 seconds slower than Double Grand Slam’s time earlier in the Summer Bowl. Double Grand Slam was admittedly carrying 62kg, 2kg more than One Stripe, but she is a year older and is not only the probable best older female in the country but was in a highly competitive field of nine. One Stripe was in a decent field of five, but none of them were proven top class in the same vein as the like of Red Palace and Rascova that Double Grand Slam was up against, so there is the feeling that One Stripe can lift his game.

However, nobody is getting carried away and there will be concerns about his antics at saddling time.

Renowned racing analyst of vast experience, Karel Miedema, only gave One Stripe an ability rating of 101 for the performance. He gave him a higher rating of 103 for his previous start when giving the year older Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot 1kg and losing by only a length. Snow Pilot went on to prove that to be a fine performance by One Stripe because in his next start he won in dominating style and looks to have improved as a four-year-old.

James Stevens (Racing Post)

The world’s best descended on Tokyo for the Japan Cup but it was local legend Yutaka Take who prevailed, delivering a perfectly timed ride aboard Do Deuce to win the race for the fifth time.

Deep Impact is among Take’s five winners and he kicked off a now-19-year streak for the hosts in 2006. One of his highest-profile sons, Auguste Rodin, was unable to strike a blow on his final run for Aidan O’Brien on Sunday, finishing eighth.

Do Deuce was last of the 14 runners for much of the way, making ground only in the final few yards of the back straight, but it proved to be the race-winning move as a motionless Take cruised widest and fastest past Auguste Rodin in midfield on the turn for home before surging to the front.

Durezza, ridden by a William Buick in scintillating form on his return to Japan, kept the pressure on the leader in the final furlong, along with the strong-finishing Shin Emperor, but neither could reach the favourite as they dead-heated for second, a neck in arrears.

The love for Take, 55, is huge and chants for the rider in his 38th year with a licence echoed around the city-circuit track from the near-80,000 spectators packed in.

Take, who continues to quash retirement rumours, said: “I love horseracing and always have this feeling of wanting to win, which is something I’ve been able to keep. That’s the number one thing in why I’ve continued my racing career.

“When I come across a wonderful horse like Do Deuce, that feeling gets stronger. Every day is a happy day for me, but it’s a bit sad there’s only one more race for the horse. I’ll keep trying my best and hopefully I can continue to have a future as well.

“We had three wonderful horses from overseas running in the race and I’m appreciative of that. The Japan Cup is an even more exciting race for it. It’s special for me to ride against better horses. I hope the Japan Cup will continue to be a leading race around the world. That would make me very happy.”

There was huge confidence behind the 13-10 market leader and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi was delighted a global audience got to witness the five-year-old’s talent.

The son of Heart’s Cry famously defeated the great Equinox in the 2022 Japanese Derby over course and distance, but that season ended in disappointment as he beat just one home in the Arc won by Alpinista.

Having been among those on the receiving end of Equinox’s rise to world-champion status in 2023, Do Deuce finished the year with victory in the Arima Kinen, and he produced another high-class performance on his Japan Cup warm-up to win the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last month. He will retire after the Arima Kinen next month.

“We had a miserable experience overseas,” said Tomomichi, who was winning the race for a second time after Cheval Grand in 2017. “This time we were running on a Japanese track and there was no way he was going to be defeated.

“I think he’s been strong on the day and I was really glad he was able to show that to the fans. I want everyone all over the world to see that performance and not what we saw in Dubai or France.”

King George winner Goliath finished best of the overseas runners in sixth, with German raider Fantastic Moon 11th.

Golden Destiny could follow up on his impressive maiden win in Race 8. (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Cape Racing

Race 1

3 CALL ME JANE ran a lovely race on debut behind Priscilla Maisey when finishing second, she looks to be a decent filly that will improve with every start, include her into all bets. 4 HERITAGE RIDGE was very unlucky in her most recent start when staying on strongly for third, she was very green and should appreciate racing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, watch her closely. 12 LOVE STORY ran a fair race last time behind a very nice sort, on her best form, she can sneak into the places. 1 LHASA drops in trip to 1000m, her recent run behind Miraculous was good, with a similar performance, she must have a nice Quartet chance.

(Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 12 – 1)

 

Race 2

16 MASTEROFTHEDESERT comes back to the races from gelding, he ran a cracker over 1400m last time behind Water Dragon, he drops back in trip, and this looks a nice race for him to exit the maidens, he will be hard to beat. 15 UNSUNG HERO never runs a bad race, he ran a terrific second behind a nice horse in his last start, he will be competitive again. 7 VICTOR HUGO made up good ground late on debut, there is no doubt that he will improve, include him into all bets. 11 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT has been rested for 73 days, he had no luck in running from a wide draw on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with a similar performance, he can go very close.

(Brandon Bailey: 16 – 15 – 7 – 11)

 

Race 3

11 WINTER GAMBLE enjoyed the drop back in trip to 1200m in her last start, the winner of that race looks way above average, she is still very much improving and will be hard to beat here. 5 BENEATH THE CLOUDS was well supported on debut when running just under five lengths behind the winner, the yard think highly of this filly, include her into all bets. 1 FRIDA KAHLO improved nicely from her first start to her second start, she will appreciate the extra 200m, watch her closely late. 6 LITTLE LEXI moved up like she would fight out the finish in her most recent run, on her best form she could earn again.

(Brandon Bailey: 11 – 5 – 1 – 6)

 

Race 4

5 KING’S QUEST was gelded on the 7th of October, he is a magnificent looking sort that should be very hard to beat in this race, from a good draw he will have no excuses. 8 HONOR OF KINGS stayed on powerfully late behind stable companion Regulation last time, he will need some luck in running from a tricky draw, but his form is good and he will be right there in the finish. 7 RIVER HAWK ran a much better race last time, it was his first run over some ground, he is clearly improving with every start, watch him closely. 6 ARIOVISTUS will love the step up in trip, include him into the Quartets.

(Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 7 – 6)

 

Race 5

3 MAJOR MASTER quickened up very smartly to win his maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the yard think highly of this three-year-old, from a good draw and stepping up in trip to 1600m, he could easily win again. 1 PINOT GRIGIO loved the step up in trip to 1400m last time, he won well beating Major Master by just under one length, he looks progressive and must have a nice each way chance from a good draw. 10 AZZURRI ran on strongly from a long way back to be beaten just over three lengths in a competitive Class 4, he will need lots of luck in running from a wide draw, include him. 2 TOUCHDOWN ran a great race from a wide draw in his last start, he gets a further rating drop and a good draw this time, he will be competitive at a decent price.

(Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 10 – 2)

 

Race 6

1 AMONG THE CLOUDS looked like she was going to lead them from start to finish in her last start, she just got tired towards the end of the race and finished a very creditable third, in hope that she can get some cover early this time, she will go very close to winning. 5 HELIOTROPE hit the line full of running to win going away in her last start, if she can bring that form to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday afternoon, she will earn again. 3 LADY SPRINGFIELD must have a huge winning chance, her form is good, and she is better off at the weights with Heliotrope, champion jockey Richard Fourie knows her well, include her into all bets. 2 FORGOTTEN SONG was given a great ride by Sean Veale last time, she enjoyed the step up in trip and the blinkers fitted, she could sneak into the places.

(Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 3 – 2)

 

Race 7

8 JAPANESE ROSE bounced back to form in her last start when finishing a great second behind Be Merry, the form of that race has been franked, off this rating she will be very competitive again. 3 SIDDELEY has run some great races through her career, her last run over 1200m was back on the 27th of January where she absolutely took off to run a super second behind Ripple Effect in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes, she has dropped in ratings which will help her chances in a big way. 5 SHE’S MY CAPTAIN is probably one of the most consistent mares to race in Cape Town, she will run her usual honest race again. 1 KYALAMI GIRL has been very frustrating to follow, on her day she can win a race like this quite easily, hopefully now that she is back at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, we will see the improvement needed for her to go close.

(Brandon Bailey: 8 – 3 – 5 – 1)

 

Race 8

10 GOLDEN DESTINY won his maiden very impressively on the 5th of November, early in his career he was highly tried against some very smart two-year-olds, now that he has his confidence, he should go very close in this tricky looking Class 4 event. 2 ELIZABEDI GOLD was still very green when winning his debut well, he looks to be a nice big gelding that will improve tremendously with every start, include him into the play. 12 PARATROOPER finished his race off beautifully behind Arctic Wizard, he needs a particular ride and then runs on powerfully late, he should be able to earn again for the connections. 6 LET IT BE SAID has a great action, he ran a super race out the maidens in his last start, with a similar performance he could sneak into the places.

(Brandon Bailey: 10 – 2 – 12 – 6)

 

Race 9

6 OLIVER continues to impress, he has won his last three starts with absolute ease, he drops back in trip to 1200m, he will come with a storming finish late and will be hard to beat again despite his rating going up five points for his last win. 2 DUMBLEDORE fought hard to the line to win well last time, he loves the 1200m trip and will be competitive. 4 ESCARPMENT stayed on really well from a small break on the 9th of November, although he was well beaten for second behind Tenango, he needed that run and should improve a good few lengths on Tuesday. 8 GIMMELIGHTNING rattled home over 1000m last time behind Dance Variety, with the right run in transit, he will be there again in the finish.

(Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 4 – 8)

 

Race 10

12 PINK PIGEON was desperately unlucky in her most recent start behind Scarlet Macaw, she was badly taken up for running at approximately the 300m mark, she is a beautiful athletic filly that should have no problems with the drop in trip to 1000m, include her into all bets. 9 ROCCAPINA has been rested for 87 days, the yard think highly of this filly, she will love the fact that she is racing up the straight again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will take lots of beating. 11 CHAMPAGNE KISSES ran a terrific race out the maidens last time, she is still improving and can earn again with a similar performance. 6 SWEETIE DARLING needed her last start, she is way above average and will improve lengths, include her into all bet types.

(Brandon Bailey: 12 – 9 – 11 – 6)

Article – Hello Lifestyle