Turf Talk Newsletter – 24 April, 2025

Picture: Smiling Blue Eyes as a three-year-old in South Africa. (JC Photos).

The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly Cheeky Wink, who is by 2018 Epsom Derby winner Masar out of South African-bred Dynasty mare Smilling Blue Eyes, was stepped up in trip to one mile four-and-a-half furlongs at Tipperary racecourse today (Thursday) and ran out an easy winner under Ben Coen.

Four-year-old Cheeky Wink runs in the colours of the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud and they also bred her, although they own her in partnership with Owen Heffer.

Coen sat on her from her pole position draw and she settled on the rail in about fifth or sixth place.

She showed a good turn of foot in the straight and was soon in command, beating Rock Of Ireland by 3,25 lengths and there was then another three lengths back to the rest.

Cheeky Wink has had eight starts in all for two wins and two places.

However, the encouraging part of the win was this was her seasonal reappearance and was the first time she had stepped up to the Derby distance or beyond.

She was running off an 85 official rating and it will be interesting to see how far she can progress from here.

Smiling Blue Eyes was bred by Highlands Stud farm and sold for R650,000 to Al Adiyaat at the 2015 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. She is out of a five-time winning Badger Land mare and is a half-sister to the Equus champion three-year-old colt, Russian Sage.

Smiling Blue Eyes, trained by Sean Tarry, won the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, having earlier won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile.

She only had eight starts in South Africa, before being sent to Dubai where she was unsuccessful in two starts.

She ended up on a Tattersalls Sale and Barnane Stud must have acquired her after she was purchased by bloodstock agents for 80,000 Gns.

It was fitting she ended up at Barnane Stud having been bred by Highlands, because the Kieswetters’ South African operation, Ridgemont Stud, bought Highlands Stud from the Beck family.

Smiling Blue Eyes had a Cracksman filly sell for 35,000 Gns at a Tattersalls yearling Sale in 2021, but it appears she never raced.

The family was given a boost today.

It is not suprising that Smiling Blue Eyes has produced a good stayer considering she is a cross of the stamina influences Fort Wood and Badger Land.

With Cheeky Wink being by a Derby winner she was certainly bred to stay.

It will be interesting to follow Cheeky Wink and perhaps she will one day switch to hurdling, considering Barnane Stud and Owen Heffer’s successful involvement in jumps racing.

Picture: The thrilling finish to last year’s Hollywodbets Durban July as Oriental Charm pips Cousin Casey. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

The announcement of the first entries for the 129th running of Africa’s Greatest Race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July,  will be made on Friday.

Tune in at 17h45 on Friday, 25 April to Gallop TV or Racing 240.

Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025 tickets are on sale now. Get yours today at Ticketpro.

Hollywodbets have had ante-post betting for a while already.

The current market is shown below (there is also ante-post place betting available).

Picture: Power King winning the Durban July. (Candiese Lenferna)

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained 2015 Vodacom Durban July winner Power King is remembered as a well weighted July winner rather than a champion racehorse and also for being a much deserved July winner for Lady Christine Laidlaw, who has been a great supporter of South African racing.

However, the 2015 July will always be celebrated for the emergence of the now late Silvano as the greatest July sire in history. This was not only his third July winner, but the first three past the post were all by this German-bred Maine Chance Farms-based stallion. Silvano has gone on to have a record five July winners and apart from his 2015 trifecta, he also got the exacta in 2017, first and third in 2013 and first and third in 2022, while his son Vercingetorix sired the 2024 winner.

The Maine Chance Farms-bred Power King was Kannemeyer’s third July winner and trainers do not achieve such feats without having exceptional conditioning and horse care skills.

Power King’s July win was a particularly good training feat as his natural foot had severely under-run heels and a distorted hoof capsule.

He thus had to be fitted with special shoes by Kannemeyer’s trusted farriers, Robbie Miller at Milnerton and Peter Strong and Dean Durrant at Summerveld.

Kannemeyer described Power King as a medium-sized horse who had “a lovely temperament.”

He was shortlisted by himself and bloodstock agent Jehan Malherbe at the national yearling sales and they secured him for R380,000.

Power King never showed much at home.

Kannemeyer said, “A lot of good horses don’t show much but are completely different at the racetrack. These are the ones you want to train. They come alive at the track and have a will to run. Furthermore, I have never seen a good horse who hasn’t had a good action. Power King surprised us on his debut (over 1450m at Clairwood on 24 July, 2013, ridden by Kevin Shea). We didn’t know where he was at beforehand and he then battled to take the turn. But in the straight he showed a sudden turn of foot and won comfortably.”

Despite his foot issues Power King came close to repeating Pocket Power’s Winter Series Triple Crown feat as a three-year-old, winning the Winter Guineas and Winter Classic and finishing second in the Winter Derby (all Grade 3s run at Kenilworth.)

He was wearing second-time blinkers in the Guineas and wore them for the rest of his career.

Power King added two more good performances to his CV in Cape Town, respective third and second place finishes in the Premier Trophy and the Peninsular Handicap, both Grade 2s over 1800m at Kenilworth.

However, he was well beaten against the best in the J&B Met under weight for age plus penalties conditions and arrived for the SA Champions Season merit rated only 100.

He started off his KZN campaign with an easy victory over the classy Ice Machine over 1400m at Scottsville in a Pinnacle Stakes event and the handicappers raised him the maximum six points.

Karl Neisius had been his big race rider in Cape Town but Delpech was aboard at Scottsville.

Delpech was replaced by MJ Byleveld for the Grade 2 Betting World 1900 at Greyville.

In this race Power King was lost at sea under the lights and had to come from last. However, his late burst took him within a long-head of the winner Dynastic Power.

Kannemeyer felt he had been unlucky in the 1900.

However, from another perspective he was lucky as a win would have seen him carrying more weight in the July.

The handicappers raised him three points to 109.and he was set to carry 53kg in the big one.

Neisius would have had to slim to make that weight but didn’t have to as Kannemeyer decided to keep him aboard his good but quirky stayer Hot Ticket, who was set to carry 56kg.

Fate thus had it that Stuart Randolph, who was easily able to make the 53kg weight, got the ride on Power King.

The athletic bay put up a satisfactory July gallop and on the Tuesday before the big race in a breeze up at Summerveld he threw his front toe out beautifully.

Power King is possibly the only July winner to ever wear “glue on” shoes. This allows “greater option in remodelling the hoof capsule”. An acrylic was not only used to glue on the shoes, but also to support Power King’s heels.

     

The before and after pictures showing Power King’s especially designed “glue on” shoes. 

The four-year-old gelding was drawn well in barrier six and Randolph placed him in midfield with cover.

This was the second July on the narrowed course and the false rail proved to be too wide out at four metres as many of the 18 runners suffered interference in the straight. From then onward it has been set at two metres and has either been a false rail or merely a spur.

Power King displayed his usual acceleration and a gap opened fortuitously at just the right time. He stayed on well to win by 0,75 lengths.

However, he had made contact with Punta Arenas a couple of times in the closing stages and the objection hooter sounded for the second year in succession. However, Punta Arenas looked to be responsible for the first bump which unbalanced Power King and the objection was overruled.

Here is the extended replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt4bMCbmZDI

Kannemeyer said everything had fallen into place for Power King during the season.

He concluded by understating, “I was happy, it is a great race to win.”

Picture: Querari

Cape Breeders

Maine Chance Farms’ high-class stallion Querari hails from a top-class family, and this female line struck again on Monday.

Promising three-year-old Ernst Blofeld got off the mark at the second time of asking when he won impressively at Kempton.

The John and Thady Gosden trained colt was sent straight to the front in Monday’s Virgin Bet/EBF Novice Stakes. Always in control, the 11-8 favourite registered a comfortable 1 3/4-length verdict.

Ernst Blofeld, a full-brother to the smart Jeff Koons and three-parts brother to multiple group winner Spirit Dancer, is out of Querari’s high-class half-sister Quidura (Dubawi), winner of five races including the G2 Ballston Spa Stakes and G2 Canadian Stakes.

Quidura’s G1 winning half-brother Querari is having another fine season in 2024-2025, with his stars of the season headed by G1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed and dual G3 winner Rainbow Lorikeet.

Heltenham won the feature race at Perth racecourse for Dan Skelton ridden by Harry Skelton. (Picture: Perth Racecourse) 

Saturday has ‘an air of inevitability’, but lead extended on Thursday.

At The Races

Dan Skelton made the most of a quiet Thursday afternoon for Willie Mullins by extending his title race lead to £57,477 with an across-the-card treble at Perth and Warwick.

The Alcester handler began the day £24,562 clear of the reigning champion, who saddled just one runner at Perth compared to Skelton’s 13 across three fixtures on the day.

Mullins was first in to bat, but his Magic McColgan was beaten into third place as the 8-11 favourite for the opening race in Scotland and picked up just £1,003, meaning Skelton was still £23,559 in front before kicking into action.

His first runner Halondo failed to figure at Warwick, but Gwennie May Jem and Doyen Quest earned over £13,000 between them with victories at the trainer’s local track, before Heltenham picked up £13,008 with a bold front-running success in Perth’s Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase.

Snipe, Hidden History, God’s Own Getaway, Ice In The Veins and Rock House all earned prize-money in defeat to add to the Skelton coffers before sending out four runners at Bangor’s evening fixture.

With Mullins not represented in Britain on Friday, Skelton has the opportunity to go further ahead with two declared runners at Perth and two at Chepstow.

But with 21 horses scheduled to be in action compared to Skelton’s nine on the final day of the season at Sandown Saturday, Mullins is a 1-7 favourite with Paddy Power to overturn the deficit and successfully defend his trainers’ championship, with Skelton a 4-1 shot to lift the title for the first time.

Speaking at Warwick, Skelton told Racing TV: “We’ve tried our best to extend the lead as best we can and he (Mullins) has always just kept us in check by running a few horses in the bigger races.

“I think there’s an air of inevitability about it unfortunately on Saturday, but I’ve enjoyed the last three weeks immensely and if we get beat we get beat.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself, my staff and my owners – they’ve been absolutely phenomenal.

“I knew what was coming (from Mullins on Saturday), I’m not surprised what’s there and he’s going to be hard to resist. I’ll go down there with a smile on my face and we won’t give up.”

Strata (Canford Cliffs) has won both of her starts sice arriving in the East Cape from Cape Town and can make it a hattrick in the fifth race. (Pauline Herman Photography)  

R1 (1) ABOVE THE HORIZON will appreciate the 1400m as well as a decent draw. He comes from a yard who take their time with their juveniles and big improvement can be expected. (7) SUPREME JUDGE ran well in his last start and will be a huge runner here. (3) MATT’S WARRIOR has a decent pedigree, if there’s any support for this runner he must be taken seriously due to the fact there isn’t much depth to form in this field respectfully. (4) PICK A POMODORO is making progress and could get closer. (Devonne Govender 1-7-3-4)

R2 (4) PRICELESS TREASURE has placed in both her starts and looks a massive contender. (1) BUDDLEJA ran well enough on debut and will get closer. (3) MIND FREEZE is capable of better and can make the frame here. (5) SMART STAR is another who will improve after that debut effort. The market may be the best guide. (Devonne Govender 4-1-3-5)

R3 (5) DUCHESS OF SEVILLE is holding solid form and could get it right here. (4) MIDWICKET is getting closer and will be in the firing line, big winning chance. (1) TWILIGHT BAY was fancied in the last start, she goes 1600m and she could go very close. (3) LAUGH TILL I CRY is capable of much better and should be respected here. That last run is best ignore, she is capable of winning this contest. (Devonne Govender 5-4-1-3)

R4 (1) HAARLEM has been racing well and will have a big winning chance despite the wide draw, he will have plenty time to negotiate that draw over this 2200m trip and has scope to go well. (5) HOME REEF ran well at big odds and can get into the action if repeating that run. (4) HEAD GARDENER wasn’t far in the last start and can get involved on best form. (10) SAN QUINTIN ran a cracker at big odds in the last start, represents good value for the placings. (Devonne Govender 1-5-4-10)

R5 (2) STRATA is in excellent form, she has shown plenty of determination in her last two wins and will be have another outstanding chance. (6) JADE’S CABERNEIGH is a very honest type and will in the mix, respect. (9) STRING OF LIGHTS is never far back and can get a lot closer, she has a decent enough draw and a light mass. (4) HAVANA GREY can get involved, she was narrowly behind the top selection on the 14/02/2025 and can get into the placings. (Devonne Govender 2-6-9-4)

R6 (8) GOLDEN PAVILION has run well on the poly track, he is in good form and rates the one to beat. (4) WHATEVER NEXT is a very honest type and will a big winning chance from a decent draw. (2) EYJAFJALLAJOKULL returns after a break and will be very competitive if not in need of the outing, he cannot be taken lightly despite the fact he has been rested. (1) KABON KAPI can be very dangerous if allowed to dictate here, she will have to go into everything. (Devonne Govender 8-4-2-1)

R7 (1) HEART PEAKS was a gutsy winner in her last start, she has run well on the poly and will have a big say here. (2) AS FATE HAS IT was narrowly beaten in the last start and another big run is expected. (3) CATCH YOUR BREATH has done well on the poly, she will have a huge winning chance. (9) VOLARE E MAMBO is never far back and will be in the firing line. She wasn’t far in her last two starts and cannot be ignored here. (Devonne Govender 1-2-3-9)

R8 Open race. (2) FIRE ALARM has decent poly form and warrants respect here. (5) LUCKY SPIRIT can be unreliable but the last run was good so will have to go into everything. (4) CRUZADOR is another who goes well on poly and rates a winning chance. He does have a tricky draw to contend with however he cannot be overlooked. (7) MILLION REASONS is capable of getting into the action and should go into larger quartets. (Devonne Govender 2-5-4-7)

Ka Ying Rising has drawn barrier four for this Sunday (27 April) (Picture: HKJC)

By Daryl Timms (HKJC)

Aiming for a 12th consecutive victory with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes had to endure a few nervous moments before the world’s highest-rated sprinter drew perfectly in barrier four for the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 April).

With only three barriers left to be drawn at the official barrier draw function at Sha Tin today (Thursday, 24 April), Ka Ying Rising was faced with the prospect of drawing either gates four, seven or the outside barrier of 13.

Luckily for Hayes, John Size’s Helios Express drew barrier 13 and then with two barriers left, Ka Ying Rising was allocated barrier four.

“I was very, very happy to see barrier 13 come out (for Helios Express),” Hayes said. “And I thought four was the dream barrier in that scenario. He is a horse that overcomes barriers but you don’t want to be the widest every time.”

Confidence continues to grow for Hayes who says Ka Ying Rising is in at least the best form he has been in all year.

He said the stable star would run a mighty race and if he gets a normal run, he should be a genuine $1.10 or $1.20 chance.

“And if he is better than $1.20, then back him,” he said.

A versatile galloper who adapts to all track conditions, Hayes said Ka Ying Rising could break his own Sha Tin track record of 1m 07.20s for 1200m if there was enough early speed in the race.

“If he flies the start, he might lead and take it up. If he jumps with them he’ll probably box seat behind some obvious pace but that’s really Zac Purton’s problem now,” Hayes said. “And he’ll have it worked out. He gets it done on the big days so I’m not worried at all.

“He can take a sit or lead, either way.”

Hayes said that he believes Ka Ying Rising is a bit faster than the three horses – A Shin Fencer, Danon McKinley and Beauty Waves – drawn inside him.

“Faster than most horses really,” Hayes said. “He’ll get the rail and Zac will be able to choose whether he leads or takes a sit.”

Japan has four contenders in the race headed by Satono Reve who drew six having last start won the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in his first run since finishing third to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 8 December.

Joao Moreira, who has ridden Satono Reve in his past two starts, again takes the ride on Sunday but isn’t underestimating the task it will take to topple the world’s top sprinter.

He said he was happy with the barrier draw.

“He is a big horse who needs a bit of space,” Moreira said. “It seems like the real pace will come from the outside.

“He is a bloody good horse and could be one of those causing an upset here. However, Ka Ying Rising deserves all the respect and he has done so well and is one of the best sprinters in the world, if not the best.”

Moreira said Satono Reve is reaching his peak as a six-year-old and doesn’t have to improve too much on last December’s effort to finish alongside Ka Ying Rising.

“It was good momentum and I just hope we can keep it up,” he said. “It’ not easy but we are going to try.”

Moreira said it was impressive performance in Japan when he downed what the globe-trotting jockey said was a very strong field. He said Satono Reve had improved since his Hong Kong mission and was more competitive.

“As you probably know, I sat on him this morning and looking around on the track with him and he gave me a good feel once again and I can’t see a reason why he can’t perform once again,” Moreira said.

How many fillies have won the Kentucky Derby?

The picture gives a clue.