Turf Talk Newsletter – 21 January, 2025

Strange, Strange Met, But Full Of Intrigue

Turf Talk rate the Brett and James Crawford-trained Zapatillas (purple colours) as one of the best value each/way runners in Saturday’s WSB Met. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Usually the favourites for the WSB Met go in to the race with a good reason or two why they can win and the chief protagonists usually boast top recent form.

However, this year’s Met is strange in that there are clouds hanging over the heads of a few of the horses at the top of the boards, while others would have to defy history.

Turf Talk takes a look at the interesting points and the anomalies in the form of this year’s runners in order of the betting market with the sponsor.

28/10 Eight On Eighteen – he finished just 1,25 lengths behind the best horse in the country, One Stripe, in his last race in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and he is a big, progressive sort who should relish the step up in trip. However, he will become just the fourth three-year-old following Horse Chestnut (1999), Badger’s Coast (2000) and Oh Susanna (2018) to have won this race since Feltos won it in 1945.

9/2 Oriental Charm – he is out to become just the eighth horse in history to have won both the July and the Met. His best credentials are that he won the Hollywoodbets Durban July and made a fine seasonal reappearance when winning the Gr 2 WSB Green Point Stakes over 1600m. However, he carried bottom weight of 53kg in the July and, in his only Gr 1 appearance since, he was beaten 8,95 lengths into seventh in the wfa L’Ormarins King’s Plate. He will now be having his third run after a layoff and will relish the step up in trip. However, an 8,95 length beating in the King’s Plate is not usually associated with Met second favourites.

15/2 See It Again – he is a dual Gr 1 winner over this trip and he has been the best performed runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July twice and the best performed runner in the Betway Summer Cup this season. However, he comes off a last place finish in the King’s Plate, beaten 16,70 lengths, an unheard of build up performance for any horse who has ever won the Met. He would be the horse to beat if that run is ignored and on his side is that he has produced one stand out performance in each of the previous two seasons he has come to Cape Town, so maybe the Met will be his stand out Cape performance this season. Against him is that he ran in Durban before travelling up to Jo’Burg for the Summer Cup and he then travelled to Cape Town. Experienced horsemen view that fact as a big detractor.

19/2 Red Palace – has good form and female winners of the Met have not been rare in recent times with all of Igugu (2012), Smart Call (2016) and Oh Susanna (2018) doing it in the last 15 years. However this will be her first ever race in open company against the boys.

14/1 Future Swing – he is consistent, but his last win was when carring 54kg in the WSB 1900, hardly inspiring form for a potential winner of SA’s greatest weight for age middle distance race.

14/1 Montien – the L’Ormarins King’s Plate runner up has good hard knocking form, but failed in his only attempt beyond 1800m and his last win was in a Gr 3 more than a year ago.

14/1 Rascallion – was last year’s runner up and comes in to the race in good form, winning the Gr 3 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m, but the only seven-year-old to win it this millenium has been the 80/1 shot Martial Eagle (2013).

20/1 Atticus Finch – Summer Cup winners have a dismal record in the Met with the previous horse to have won both races, or at least versions of the races, being Prince Bertrand, who won the Johannesburg Autumn Handicap in 1949 and won the Met in 1953.

25/1 – Magic Verse fnished second in the Gr 3 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy off a merit rating of 91, so although raised to 114 his improvement from hard knocking handicapper to Gr 1 wfa winner would be a giant leap.

35/1 Litigation – close third in the Premier Trophy, his only Graded win has been in the Gr 3 London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein just under a year ago.

40/1 Royal Aussie – he has been in the frame in the LKP twice and looks like a miler, with his only attempt beyond it being in last year’s Met when beaten nine lengths.

50/1 Master Redoute – has not run since winning last season’s Gold Cup. Has a good turn of foot and enjoys a scrap, but he is ring rusty and the Gr 3 Ridgemont Pensinsula Handicap carrying 53,5kg over 1800m is his best middle distance win.

55/1 Zapatillas – the Premier Trophy fifth-placed horse comes out better on mile form on a line through Royal Aussie than Oriental Charm does, so he might represent good value considering he was one of the unlucky runners in the 2023 Met.

60/1 Pacaya – has a Gr 2 and Gr 3 1900m and 1800m win respectively, and comes off a 2,10 length sixth in the Premier Trophy. He has flattered to deceive, but now that there is no talk about him perhaps he will deliver.

70/1 Baratheon – only seventh in the Premier Trophy and has never won a stakes race before.

100/1 Al Muthana – a twice Gr 1 weight for age mile winner, but this trip stretches him and he has been off form for a while.

Rascova Heads Kotzen's Promising WSB Met Day Team

Glen Kotzen will be hoping to take R100 off Gary Player on Saturday, the standing bet between the pair whenever the Kotzen-trained Rascova and the Player-owned Double Grand Slam clash. Saturday’s Majorca will be their 11th clash and the score is 6-4 in favour of Double Grand Slam. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Glen Kotzen has some good chances on WSB Met day and this includes two runners in Gr 1 events.

He said, “We’re going to have a cracking day. Obviously we’ve still got to wait for the final bloods, which is only on the morning of the race. But I’m really, really chuffed with how they’re working and the way I’ve placed them.”

The Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes over 1600m is in the unusual spot of race 2 on the day and Kotzen, asked whether his charge, the gallant Lancaster Bomber filly Rascova, would enjoy the step down in trip from the 1800m of the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes confirmed, “Yes, definitely last time up the pacemaker never suited us, because she went so fast, so we ended up being the pacemaker. The 1800m has always been a touch far for her, so this is the race that we wanted to get her fit and ready for, and she’s had a great prep coming into this race.”

She is drawn two with Gavin Lerena up and faces her arch rival Double Grand Slam for the eleventh time with the score at 6-4 to Double Grand Slam.

Kotzen believes the latter is the chief danger as he questions the form of the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. Fatal Flaw won that race by a cosy two lengths, but second place was filled by the 93-rated Scarlet McCaw and Glen questioned whether the latter was a Gr 1 racehorse. The question will be answered on Saturday, because both Fatal Flaw and Scarlet Macaw are in the Majorca.

Later, Kotzen runs the talented and versatile Dynasty gelding King Regent in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m and he said, “His form up the straight is deadly (two wins and a close third in four starts). In the King’s Plate his bloods weren’t 100% right and he still ran an okay race. He doing nicely and I’m just freshening him up and I’m looking forward to seeing him run.”

King Regent can start slowly on occasion, but Kotzen said, “He jumped nicely the other day and I don’t see why he won’t jump well again. It just depends on who’s going mad next to him.”

King Regent has a nice enough draw of seven and his regular rider Denis Schwarz rides. Kotzen believed any one of about ten horses could win the race and he made King Regent a good outsider.

Kotzen’s day starts in race one with the eyecatching Call Of The Karoo (William Longsword) running in the Listed Heineken Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1100m, although she is drawn on the wrong side by trends in barrier position eleven of eleven.

Glen said, “She will have to come over from the draw but it is not too much of a hassle. She’s definitely a runner. If the jockey (JP van der Merwe) had known her first time out she would have got a little bit closer. But anyway, I’m very happy she’s had a great prep. This has been a race that we wanted her to run in, and we’ll see.”

She was a 3,75 length second to the smart Black Cheetah over 800m on debut, but she is a long-striding sort who was staying on well on debut and will appreciate the step up in trip. Black Cheetah beat a good field next time out to frank the form.

In the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m the yard run Blackberry Malt and Holding Thumbs.

Glen said, “In the 2000m race at Fairview in October Blackberry was beaten a shorthead and two lengths behind him was Holding Thumbs, so he has got to have a chance if he stays, we’ll see. They don’t go a cracking pace in these staying races, so it could be an easy 2,800m. We don’t know if he stays the distance, but he’s by Ideal World and he’s an honest and solid horse and he’s doing well.”

He said about Holding Thumbs, “He’s won over 2.500m (and he was a close second last time over 2500m). I’ll put the blinkers back on him, I think that he was running around in the closing stages last time out. He’s honest and I think he’s got a big shout.”

He added, “But the horse to beat at the weights is Mucho Dinero, as he is many kgs better off with a lot of the horses he faced last time. But he isn’t the soundest of horses, so who knows what’s going to come to the track?”

Kotzen runs Disting and Golden Tatjana in the Listed SABC Olympic Duel Stakes over 1200m and he said, “Disting needed her last run quite badly and she can be competitive. We are going to fit her with earmuffs and a hood as she seems to like it. It’s quite an open race, but I think she’s got a chance.”

He continued, Golden Tatjana, “She returned from a knee chip for her last run and she’ll run a much improved race.”

In race ten over 1400m he runs Commanding and Walk With Me and said, “Commanding just found one horse better last time (the smart Garrix) and on paper he’s probably our best runner on the day. He’s got a draw, he’s working well and we think he’s a huge runner.”

He added, “Walk With Me hasn’t got the best of draws and he’s quite a quirky little horse. He’s a nice horse and we’ve been waiting to give him a run around the bend and it will be nice to give the owners a runner on the day.”

Turf Talk Charity Golf Day Will Raise Funds For Equine Trust

The picturesque Rondebosch Golf Club will host the inaugural Turf Talk Charity Golf Day on Friday. (Picture: Chronogolf).

In just 3 days time the inaugural Turf Talk Charity Golf Day will take place at Rondebosch Golf Club. All monies raised on the day will be in aid of the Western Cape Equine Trust.

The golf day, which takes place the day before the WSB Met, has received tremendous support from Breeders, Owners and Trainers and we are delighted that we have a full field of 25 fourballs. Tee times are from 11H30 with the competition for the day being a fourball alliance with two scores to count.

Players will be welcomed to the day with welcome drinks courtesy of Vaughan Marshall Racing and a Hollywoodbets goody bag with a Vasco Taverna golf shirt, a cap from Thoroughbred Breeders Association and a Crawford Racing Golf Towel. Players will also receive 2 sleeves of Srixon Golf Balls sponsored by Klawervlei Stud and Winx respectively.

Gary Player will be joining in to play a few holes as a guest throughout the late afternoon.

There are four sponsored drinks holes with a Mercedes Benz GLA200 up for grabs for a Hole in One on the 2nd powered by Kuda and New Turf Carriers. Other hole sponsors include Maine Chance Farms: Point Lonsdale, Equi-feeds and Pro-Dosa Boost.

World Sports Betting have generously sponsored the halfway house refreshments.

Prize giving will be preceded by a braai dinner for all players.

Plenty of prizes up for grabs with sincere thanks to go Bidvest, Cape Racing, Jonsson Workwear, Gold Circle, Golfers Club, Betway, Sun International, Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Rondebosch Golf Club, Mano’s, Atlantic Padel, New Turf Carriers and Hollywoodbets.

Apart from the special closest to pin and longest drive prizes etc, there will be prizes up to 8th Position for the participating teams, not forgetting longest day.

Turf Talk approached a number of individuals to assist with some STUNNING auction items. Currently we have a Golf Getaway at Fancourt sponsored by Mrs Plattner, A Golf Getaway at Highland Gate courtesy of Dayalan Chinsammy, Round of golf and lunch with Mark Currie of Investec Bank at the elite Millvale Golf Course and one night’s accommodation with two rounds of golf at Leopard Creek generously donated by Gaynor Rupert.

Should anyone have any items to offer for either the Auction or for the prize table, please contact jo@turftalk.co.za

Looking forward to a successful fundraiser – we believe the weather is going to be outstanding.

Cheveley Bring Two More Potential July Winners

CHEVELEY STUD

CAPE RACING SUMMER SALE 2025

Vaughan Koster continues the thoroughbred breeding legacy of his wise father, Wilfred Koster at this boutique stud in Ceres. They maintain a proud, reputation for producing honest, sound and happy horses.

Lot 62 (pictured above the headline to the article): a Legislate filly out of the Visionaire mare, Tango Time, who is a half-sister to 8x winner, Running Brave. The stallion has strong stats from limited opportunities, producing the SW’s Hoedspruit, So Flawless, Zimbaba, Speed Machine et al. This is Tango Time’s first foal.

Lot 81 (pictured above): a Querari (GER) filly x the Oratorio mare, Bequest, is also, a first foal. 2nd dam, A Daughter’s Legacy was an 8x winner. Old-timers will remember the 4th dam, Breyani who was the Champion Filly in SA back in the early 80’s. The sire, who typically offers exceptional value given his output, is responsible for 43 SWs from 625 runners.

Contact Vaughan Koster on 082 446 8999 to find out more/arrange viewings.

ENDS

For further information, contact

Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za

Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za

Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Almond Sea Stays On 112

Almond Sea comes from last to win the Betway Swallow Stakes. (JC Photos).

NHA Press Release

Handicapping Ratings Update

BETWAY SWALLOW STAKES (Listed)

ALMOND SEA remained unchanged on her official rating of 112 following her victory in the Listed Betway Swallow Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1160m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Saturday. In fact, it was ALMOND SEA herself who was deemed to be the most suitable line horse to assess this race, hence her unchanged rating.

Runner up, POBLANO had to be capped at 93 due to the specific conditions of this race that do not allow for an increase of more than three points for placed runners.

There were, however, drops for two runners following this race. SIMPLY MAJESTIC went down to 96 from 98 and YOU BRING ME JOY dropped to 86 from 90.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Millstream's Quintet Will Get Plenty Of Bids

MILLSTREAM FARM:

Jan Mantel trucks in five yearlings to the CRS Summer Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 23rd January 2025.

Lot 8 (pictured above the headline to the article) is a Canford Cliffs filly out of the Querari (GER) mare, Fresh, whose only foal to race is Tyrion Lannister, a solid performer with Piet Botha’s Dare to Dream Racing Stable.

An appreciation of Brazilian bloodlines would help when assessing Lot 13 (pictured above), an Erupt (IRE) filly out of the Brazilian mare, To You. Suffice to say, the second dam, All for Love was the Broodmare of the Year in Brazil in 2007/8 so that segment of the page is laden with South American, Bold Black Type.

Lala won seven game races for Doug Campbell in KZN, and she has a colt by Royal Mo (USA). Lot 25 can be viewed in Stable B1.

Lots 49 (pictured above) and 74 are both by Rafeef (AUS) – the Leading First Season Sire in SA in 2020/21. The former is out of Sails Set, a Captain Al race mare who won four times over the short cuts when trained by Brett Crawford.

Rafeef took out the G1 Computaform Sprint in his racing prime when trained by Mike de Kock and Lot 74 (pictured above) is bred to get a move on being out of the Trippi mare Yellow Card who has thrown G3 Pointsettia Stakes winner Vihaan’s Pie and since- exported- to- Hong Kong, Macthief/Ms Ally.

Jan Mantel can be reached on 082 801 2499 or via email: jan@millstreamstud.co.za

ENDS

For further information, contact
Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za
Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media
Facebook: @caperacingsales
Instagram: @caperacingsales
Twitter: @CapeRacingSales
Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Soetendal's Filly Could Bring Sweet Rewards

SOETENDAL ESTATE (Agent):

Julia Pilbeam acts as an agent for Lot 42 (pictured above), a bay Erupt filly out of the six- time winning, Master of my Fate mare, Preferential.

The dam of Arabella Fig is a half-sister to G1 Premier Champion’s Stakes 2nd, Kilcoy Castle and a three- quarter sister to Berlinetta. This is the same family as Justin Snaith trained, top division sprinter, Gimmelightning and Glen Kotzen’s Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner, Too Phat to Fly.

The third dam, She’s a Treat, was an especially well performed Harry Hotspur mare.

ENDS

For further information, contact

Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za

Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za

Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds' Decent Duo

BLUE SKY THOROUGHBREDS

CAPE RACING SUMMER SALE 2025

Bruce le Roux and Tinus Gericke’s from Blue Sky Thoroughbreds situated in the KZN Midlands have two yearlings on offer at the Cape Racing Sales Summer Sale.

The auction takes place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, 23rd January 2025.

Lot 16 (pictured above the headline to this article): a New Predator (AUS) colt x Imperial Wish by Silvano. He is a half-brother to Luna Wish, from the family of American Graffiti, Inaninstant and Nastergal.

Lot 93 (pictured above): a Master Of My Fate colt x Cup Of Rubies by Mogok. That makes him a half-brother to multiple GSW Crimson King and the versatile top notch, turf and Poly Champ, King Regent. This is the family of Barahin, Mochachino, Mocha Java and Hunting Tower.

Blue Sky also stands former champion sprinter, Chimichuri Run.

ENDS

For further information, contact
Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za
Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media

Facebook: @caperacingsales
Instagram: @caperacingsales
Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Today's Question

Who was known as the “Man o’ War of South America” and the “People’s Horse”.

The picture is of the subject (wikipedia)

FIELDS, Tuesday, 21 January

Vaal Classic

Today’s Question Answer

Today’s Question Answer

Botafogo was an Argentinian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Argentinian Quadruple Crown and was the Argentinian Horse of the Year. He is considered one of the greatest Argentinian racehorses and was known as the “Man o’ War of South America” and the “People’s Horse”.

He is considered a national pride, and received widespread coverage in general and international media, including The New York Times.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT BOTAFOGO