Turf Talk Newsletter – 29 January, 2025

Gavin Lerena is all smiles after the Gareth van Zyl-trained Mamas Baby gave him a treble at Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

It has been a difficult week for Gavin Lerena after what might soon be known as WhipGate, or WhipGates (!), but it has not stopped his sublime form from continuing unabated.

Today on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly he rode a treble and moved into the lead in the national championship.

He has had 129 wins at a strike rate of 27.33% compared to the 127 of Craig Zackey at 17.96% and the 119 of Richard Fourie at 24.74%.

The treble followed a double on Tuesday at the Vaal Classic track.

Since the emergence of new video evidence that shows him not to be the instigator of the fracas at Turffontein on Sunday, Lerena has generally won some sympathy at least from the public, although nobody is condoning his retaliatory measures.

Gavin’s first winner after the incident was on the Alec Laird-trained Foreverinmydreams on Tuesday at Vaal Classic and he said at the end of the winning interview, “Just a special mention to my family, to all my supporters, to my close friends and to the trainers and the owners who have all been behind me, thank you very much.”

Those words spoke volumes and it does appear that industrymen are generally in support of Lerena due to the level of provocation that appeared to precede his astonishing reaction.

However,  the reaction has unfortunately gone viral around the world and does not generally contain footnotes explaining the other side of the story.

The other jockey involved in Sunday’s incident was Jason Gates, who has had ten wins this season at a strike rate of 6.62%.

If he is found to have deliberately struck Lerena, which the video available seems to clearly show, he could be in hot water. In fact one bit of video evidence has emerged that appears to show him striking Lerena a number of times before Lerena eventually reacts.

Gates deserves a fair inquiry too and the official patrol video will provide much clearer evidence.

Some are predicting a lengthy ban for Lerena.

However, if Christophe Soumillon only got two months for physially dislodging another jockey, there are some who are saying Lerena’s penalty is unlikely to be much more than that.

Three months seems to be a fair estimate, with perhaps some of it suspended due to his good previous record coupled with the mitigating circumstances.

The system in South Africa often allows jockeys to delay suspension starting dates by going through the various appeal processes.

However, whether he will be able to delay it in such a way to keep his championship hopes alive might not be feasible.

Mucho Dinero wins cosily on Saturday under Aldo Domeyer. (Picture: Wayne Marks). 

The Justin Snaith-trained Triple Time was one of the most talked about horses before Saturday’s WSB Met meeting but it brought to mind the old adage by the legendary punter, owner and publisher Phil Bull, whose motto was, “At the racecourse, keep your eyes open and your ears closed.”

The form pointed to Triple Time’s stablemate Much Dinero being the right one for the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m, because he had finished third over 2500m in his previous start carrying 60kg and giving lumps of weight away, and he faced a lot of the same horses on Saturday on much better weight terms.

Triple Time finished a shorthead second in last year’s Western Cape Stayers, but didn’t appear to have had as good a preparation as Mucho Dinero for a 2800m event this time around as he was coming in off an 1800m race, the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy, where he was unlucky to be unplaced.

Triple Time, nevertheless, might still have been the right one, but unfortunately the race just did not pan out well for him.  He was caught one out and one back without cover throughout, while Mucho Dinero had cover on the rail behind the second and third pair throughout.

Mucho Dinero thus picked off Triple Time quite easily in the straight to win by a cosy 1,75 lengths from Love Is A Rose with Triple Time a further half-a-length back in third.

King Pelles had beaten Mucho Dinero by 3,25 lengths last time out over 2500m in the Glorious Goodwood Chairmans Cup, but he was now 7,5kg worse off and duly finished a 2,45 length fourth with Otto Lukyen next best.

Stalwart front-running Jo’Burg raider Poets Warrior was a disappointing sixth and Future Pearl was even more disappointing in seventh.

Mucho Dinero did not enjoy his KZN campaign last year, so it remains to be see whether he will head to Durban for races like the Gold Cup.

Cape Breeders wrote the following article about the stallion Twice Over’s success in the Western Cape Stayers.

Cape Breeders

Klawervlei Stud’s four time G1 winning stallion Twice Over made his presence felt at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met day.

Twice Over geldings Mucho Dinero and Triple Time finished first and third respectively in Saturday’s G3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers to provide their sire with a 1-3 finish in the R500 000 contest.

Both Much Dinero and Triple Time are trained by Justin Snaith and owned by Nick Jonsson.

Mucho Dinero made a big impression in claiming the 2025 New Turf Carriers Western Cape.

Under a positive ride from Aldo Domeyer, the gelded five-year-old hit the front 200m from home and powered away to score by a length and three quarters. (His paternal half-brother Triple Time had a rough race and may have been unlucky not to get closer to the winner).

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Mucho Dinero has won seven of 20 starts, with the classy gelding having also triumphed in the 2024 G2 Anthonij Premier Trophy and 2024 Listed Woolavington Stakes.

He was a R1 400 000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.

Out of the Casey Tibbs mare Cash Register, Mucho Dinero is bred on the same Twice Over/Casey Tibbs cross as dual G1 Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again and multiple stakes winner Young Love.

Twice Over has enjoyed plenty of success on Met day, with a son of the stallion, Double Superlative, winning the 2024 G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.

Bless My Stars was a Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic winner and is pictured above winning the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The former Sean Tarry-trained Gimmethegreenlight mare Bless My Stars ran in the Gr 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf over one mile and half-a-furlong (1700m) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday and was never really in it, but did stay on well .

The Todd Pletecher-trained mare, now owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International, was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

From a tricky draw of 9 out of eleven Bless My Stars did not jump too well and was near the back early.

She remained there until the final turn when making up some ground.

However, the front two had sprinted clear with the favourite Sacred Wish chasing them whilst those at the back made no impression.

Be Your Best, who came from second place in the running, was the winner and Bless My Stars, who started third favourite paying 7.70 on the Tote, was beaten 5,75 lengths into 6th place.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE REPLAY

In her first start in the USA over a mile on the Gulfsteam Park turf on December 21, Bless My Stars finished a two length sixth.

Ridgemont-bred Read All About It, owned by Ridgemont and Devin Heffer and fittingly trained by Mike de Kock, is Hawwaam’s second runner and first winner. (JC Photos)

Cape Breeders

Wilgerbosdrift’s exciting young stallion Hawwaam got off the mark as a sire when his first-crop son Read All About It made a winning debut on Sunday.

Trained, like his sire, by Mike de Kock, two-year-old Read All About It was allowed to settle early before Muzi Yeni unleashed him close home.

From there, Read All About It hit the front and he powered away to win Turffontein’s 4Racing Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate (1000m) by a length and a half.

Bred by his part-owners Ridgemont, Read All About It is out of the London News mare Picadilly Miss.
The colt is just the second runner for his sire Hawwaam, with Hawwaam’s first runner, Take It As Red, finishing fourth in her only two starts.

A son of six time South African Champion Sire Silvano (whose star sire son Vercingetorix is carrying all before him this season), champion Hawwaam won ten of just 13 starts, with the strapping bay earning R6,769,775 in stakes.

Like Vercingetorix and Dynasty, Hawwaam won the G1 Daily News 2000, with his remaining G1 successes coming in the S A Classic, Premier’s Champions Challenge (twice), and H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

Hawwaam won eight graded races, with the champion winning over distances ranging from 1200m to 2000m.
Bred on the potent Silvano/Jet Master cross, Hawwaam is out of the Jet Master sired G3 Prix Du Cap/Listed Off To Stud Handicap winner Halfway To Heaven, Equus Broodmare Of The Year in 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

Hawwaam, a full-brother to Kings Cup runner-up Celestial City, is a half-brother to 2020-2021 Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge and dual G1 winner Golden Ducat.

Hawwaam has a single lot on offer at the Cape Yearling Sale -a filly (Lot 53) whose twice winning dam is a 3/4 sister to the stakes winning dam of G1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes winner Humdinger.

L’Homme Presse (left) beats Stage Star in a thriller at Cheltenham. (Picture: Sky Sports Racing).

‘I know it will be a quicker pace in the Gold Cup, but we’ve still got a ticket’.

At The Races

It could prove an exciting spring for connections of L’Homme Presse, who now have Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup dreams after his Cotswold Chase heroics.

Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old has been a star for the Herefordshire handler and his collection of owners over the years and after finishing best of the Brits when third in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, he outmuscled Stage Star to notch his ninth career success last Saturday.

It was the third time he has returned victorious to the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure, after success in the Dipper in 2022 was followed up by a Cheltenham Festival win that March and his team were delighted to see him showcase his class once again as they enjoyed yet another special afternoon at Prestbury Park.

“It was a tremendous day and I don’t think I took a breath from him jumping two out to crossing the line, it was just surreal and one of those moments you just stand there speechless – time stood still until he crossed the line,” said Pam Sharman, who owns the horse alongside her brother Ray Sharman, Andy Edwards and Peter and Patricia Pink.

“It was sensational, there were 20,000 people at Cheltenham and the cheers they give your horse make it so special.

“He was an absolute dude and Charlie (Deutsch, jockey) said he was so laid-back during the race – and when Charlie kept trying to get him going, it was as if he was saying ‘not yet Charlie, when I’m ready’. As soon as he really asked him after the second-last, he went.

“You wouldn’t know he had a race, he trotted back in. Charlie got a super ride round and he said the horse enjoyed himself, which is the main thing – I’m not sure about me, but the horse did.”

After Dan Skelton stated Grey Dawning will skip the Gold Cup this year, L’Homme Presse’s victory means he is set to fly the flag among a compact home team of British-trained horses set to take on the might of Ireland and the likes of Galopin Des Champs in March.

L’Homme Presse, of course, led the field over the penultimate fence in last year’s blue riband before suffering an injury and fading into fourth, but having answered any nagging stamina doubts when staying on gamely past Stage Star, all roads now lead back to the Gold Cup with renewed optimism.

“I know it will be a quicker pace in the Gold Cup, but we’ve still got a ticket,” continued Sharman.

“He just did enough to get his head in front of Stage Star and it just goes to show the answer to the question is yes, it did hurt when someone stood on his heel in the Gold Cup, because he definitely stayed the distance last Saturday.

“I think Venetia has 40 per cent of the British-trained entries because she also has Royale Pagaille and more than anything, you would love to win it for the yard, they are such lovely people.”

As well as a tilt at the Gold Cup, Sharman and her fellow owners have the tantalising prospect of watching L’Homme Presse tackle the famous spruce of the Randox Grand National after he was one of 90 initial entries for Aintree’s April showpiece.

With class now seen as one of the key ingredients found in winners of the Merseyside marathon, the Grade One regular would be far from out of place in the final line-up.

However, a final decision on his participation will be made by “the boss”, Williams.

“I don’t know how I will be able to last four and a quarter miles without breathing,” continued Sharman.

“He would be a great sight round there and he has got the class. Class horses win that race these days and that’s the bottom line. He will be near the top of the weights, so there will be no worry about getting in, but it’s a long way off and we will see what happens in the period leading up to it.

“Venetia knows what she is doing, she’s the boss and we’ll leave it in her very capable hands.”

Edward Rye has been tipped to win the 7th race. (JC Photos).

Vaal Classic Thursday 30 January Formguides

The highest rated race at the Vaal Classic track meeting today is the 7th, a MR 96 Handicap over 1200m, and Edward Rye could take advantage of a change in draw fortunes.

The Argentinian-bred Catcher In The Rye gelding was not disgraced in his last two starts, both over 1160m, when beaten 7,50 lengths into fourth and 4,85 lengths into third considering that on the first occasion he had an unfavourable low draw of three out of eleven and on the second occasion in a small four horse Graduation Plate field he was giving the winner, the 116 merit rated Cosmic Speed, 1kg, whereas in a handicap he would have been receiving 10,5kg. He jumps from pole position in this race with championship leader Craig Zackey up. Wyzeact has speed and some class but does have a tricky draw of nine to overcome. However, he has come three points down in the merit ratings and was probably sent for home too soon last time. If getting cover and waited with for longer he could be a threat.Cian THe Conqueror finished 2,60 lengths in front of Wyzeact last time and is now only 1,5kg worse off if apprentice claims are ignored and drawn well, so he can make a bold bid. Fastnet Filly is in fine form and only half-a-kilogram under sufferance so could be dangerous from draw five. Chieftan should handle the step up in trip and will be a threat from draw three under Gavin Lerena.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1500m Page Boy made eyecatching late progress over 1200m last time after losing losing significant ground at the start. He is by Flower Alley out of the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella, so should relish the step up in trip. He has a wide draw but Piere Strydom is up and he will likely be given every chance. Chariot Of Fire showed dome ability in three runs and might have benefited from a four-and-half month layoff. Spy Story is usually thereabouts and can earn again.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1500m Aurora Green was slow away, green and outpaced on debut over 1200m and was well beaten. She should enjoy the step up in trip and as an unexposed sort who received some betting support last time she might improve over this trip where she faces an uninspiring field, although a wide draw makes it tough. Ghostbuster has shown some ability and has in form Ryan Munger aboard. This race will be a good opportunity for Intro, who has run some fair races.

In the fifth race over 1800m Dimako’s Jet won well last time just over two months ago over this trip and the form has been franked, especially by the three length third-placed Mount Etna, who won her next two starts. Rani Of Kittur, like Dimako’s Jet, got five points for a win last time and the form has also been franked, but he was beaten by Mount Etna before that. I Am Regal goes very well for Muzi Yeni and should be in the shake up. Kadizora is an honest hard knocking sort and should be right there. Mount Etna could also earn although her current mark of 88 seems to have anchored her a bit.

In the sixth over 1800m Free In Seattle is distance suited and has been knocking on the door, although a wide draw will make it tough for Muzi Yeni. Ancient Wisom won his maiden by ten lengths but it was an uninspiring field and she has to run off an 83 merit rating, so this will be tougher. Gloria Mundi was beaten by over four lengths by Free In Seattle last time but has a better draw this time and Craig Zackey is up. Sensoria tries further which is interesting as shenis in form and her edigree gives her a chance of staying. Great Barrier was not far behind Sensoria last time.

In the eighth race over 1000m Pacific has been knocking on the door and should be right there as the handicapper has not touched his rating for those last three good runs. Smith And Wesson has pace and can stay on , altough a number one draw over this course and distance might be the wrong side to be on. Lonely As A Cloud has appreciated being sent sent overu the minimum trip and could be involved. Captain Efficient has honest form and should be in the shake up. In The Ether could also be involved, having betaen Lonely As A Cloud narrowly last time.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1200m Phenisile Mongqawa has a fine chance of adding another win on Like A Prayer, who is improving and has a plum draw.

In the first leg of the PA over 2000m Shes Everyting is knocking hard and will enjoy this trip. Instant Attraction is always involved and from pole position over an ideal trip should go close. Lunar Rainbow should earn if repeating her last start.

The Wolf (Master Of My Fate) gives trainer Stuart Ferrie a treble and Tristan Godden a double. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Stuart Ferrie won three of the first four races on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Wednesday and two of them were ridden by Tristan Godden.

There was also a treble for Gavin Lerena, whilst Alyson Wright also scored a double.

Lerena is now on 129 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 27.33% which sees him two wins clear of Craig Zackey at the top of the national log and ten clear of Richard Fourie.

Godden is on 27 wins at 10.80%.

Ferrie is on 18 wins at 17.14%.

Wright is on 20 wins at 10.93%.

In the KZN Jockeys championship, Rachel Venniker leads on 40 wins from Sean Veale on 37 and Gavin Lerena on 27.

In the KZN Trainers Championship Garth Puller is out in front on 20 wins and then all of Mike Miller, Alyson Wright, Gareth van Zyl and Peter Muscutt are on 20 wins, Michael Roberts is on 19 and Stuart Ferrie is on 18 with Frank Robinson and Andre Nel on 17.

Who was the first South African-bred horse to win a Gr 1 in Dubai?

The subject picture is shown above.