One Stripe's Options Open After Fine Pegasus Run
One Stripe (yellow colours) in a picture taken just after the start of the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (picture supplied)
South African owners had double success at the Pegasus World Cup meeting, because 45 minutes after the Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Segoolam-owned One Stripe had done South African breeding proud by finishing second in the US$1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, White Abarrio, part-owned by USA-based South African Gary Barber, only just failed to defend his crown in the US$3 million Pegasus World Cup.
However, the focus was on the Drakenstein Stud-bred One World colt One Stripe, who now has the world at his feet after proving he enjoyed the step up to one mile and one furlong under a magnificent ride by Gavin Lerena.
The connections are yet to decide his next move, but trainer Graham Motion hinted afterwards that whilst the winner Test Score would be rested his stablemate One Stripe now had many options open to him and he was clearly optimistic about him having a bright future.
One Stripe failed by a neck to peg Test Score back.
It seemed to be the verdict of most that the key factor was the tightness of the Gulfstream Park turf track, where the straight must be less than 400m long, because in the end he just ran out of real estate as his powerful finishing run saw him closing rapidly and he was in front a stride after the line.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf did not seem to be remotely on the radar for One Stripe at Christmas time, but his fine run in an optional allowance claimer on Boxing Day swung it for him and Motion and his team deserve kudos for swinging his campaign around.
The US$6 million Dubai Turf now becomes a possibility and One Stripe has been nominated for that race.
However, there will otherwise be plenty of Gr 1 races for One Stripe to target in the USA with the US$600,000 Makers Mark Mile at Keeneland in April and the Arlington Million at Colonial Downs in August being examples.
One Stripe pinged the gates on Saturday and Lerena then did what the horse likes i.e. just left him alone and allowed him to find a rhythm.
One Stripe ended up one wide of the rail, which was important as it would allow him some options in the straight, and he was about fourth last in the 12 horse field.
He was a big tight for room in between horses though.
The horse on his outside moved up as they began rounding the turn three furlongs from home.
Gavin was thus able to switch One Stripe outward and he followed the outside train, where there was good pace as another horse had made a surging run from second last.
South African fans were not too perturbed when One Stripe did not make immediate inroads after the slingshot in to the straight and lost a little bit of ground to the horse he had followed, Almendares.
He has always taken his time to accelerate and this is because Gavin, as a fine horseman, ensures he is balanced before asking him for his final effort.
Gavin switched him further outward into space and then changed whip hands and it looked at this stage as if the horses on the inside were getting away, including Test Score who had hit the front with Almendares challenging him.
However, One Stripe then took off and began eating up the ground on the outside.
South African fans held their breath as it was touch and go whether he would fetch his Graham Motion-trained stablemate Test Score.
However, he just ran out of real estate and was beaten a neck.
Graham Motion said big things lay ahead for One Stripe, who had clearly enjoyed being stepped up beyond a mile for the first time.
He praised Lerena’s ride and rightly so. It was Gavin’s first ever ride in the USA, where the style of racing is very different to South Africa, and yet his ride was faultless.
One Stripe had impressed in his previous start over a mile on the same course and was just 0,4 seconds outside the course record.
One of the presenters did not give him much chance of a repeat, pointing out he had beaten horses last time out that would be “100/1 shots” if they were in the Pegasus Turf and then pointing out his unimpressive run in the Gr 1 Woodbine Mile and a “terrible” run in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Turf.
However, South African fans who know One Stripe would have seen the Woodbine Mile not panning out well under a ride that could have been criticised and he was given a ride in the Breeders Cup that went completely against his style as he was sent to the front at a fast pace, whereas he is a horse who likes to be left alone early before using his magnificent turn of foot in the straight.
Furthermore, there is nobody who knows One Stripe better than Gavin Lerena.
Gavin had a restriction on his visa and was thus unable to ride in more than just the one race, which was not ideal having never ridden in the USA before.
However, he is the ultimate professional and would have watched plenty of replays plus the racing on the day and he walked the course beforehand.
The betting public had more faith in One Stripe than the aforementioned presenter did and he was second favourite behind hot favourite Program Trading, who finished fifth.
It was a great day for Hollywood Racing and Riskesh Sewgoolam as they have much to look forward to with this star colt.
Sail The Seas, Legal Counsel Interesting Met Runners On LKP Sectionals
Sail The Seas won at L’Ormarins King’s Plate day last year (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Sectional Timing provides data that is hard to analyse, but on occasion there is a race where the sectionals are self explanatory and such a race was the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
Eight of the eleven runners in the WSB Met ran in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the sectionals for the latter race have become a useful tool with which to analyse the WSB Met.
The Real Prince ran the most efficient race in the LKP.
The pace up at the front set by Dave The King was ridiculous and gave Dave The King no chance.
In the Green Point Sail The Seas had sat some lengths off Dave The King’s pace and the field was stacked up behind him.
The field only just failed to fetch Dave The King in the Green Point.
In the LKP they were all stacked up behind Sail The Seas again, but Muzi Yeni went faster on Sail The Seas than he had in the Green Point, not wanting to have too much to do like the previous time.
However, the sectionals show him to have gone just marginally too fast in the sectional from the 600m to the 400m mark.
Yeni said later he felt he had gone for home too soon.
Sail The Seas was beaten only 0,45 lengths.
Karel Miedema’s raceform has a useful statistic that shows the sectionals as a percentage of the average time for that sectional.
100% is average, smaller than 100 is faster than average and greater than 100 is slower than average.
In the sectional from the 600m to the 400m mark in the LKP Sail The Seas went at 90% of the average time.
The Real Prince went at 89% for that sectional, but that was necessary as he had not been going as fast as Sail The Seas and he still had about five lengths to make up on him.
In retrospect Sail The Seas could have afforded to have taken a bit of a breather between the 600m and 400m and Yeni realised that close to home.
Sail The Seas paid the price for not taking that breather by running the final two sectionals at 94% and 100%, compared to The Real Prince’s 90% and 99%.
So, all in all, Sail The Seas went a bit too slowly in the Green Point when dictating the pace in front of the bulk of the field and he then went a touch too fast in the LKP.
How will he fare if Muzi gets the sectionals exactly right in the Met?
He must be a big runner considering he finished just 1,50 lengths behind Eight On Eighteen in last year’s Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby over the Met course and distance and he has had a better preparation than the latter for Saturday’s big race.
Furthermore, Sail The Seas is a colt by Vercingetorix and the progeny of the latter just seem to perform wonders at any age … little wonder the champion stallion broke the record for the most stakes winners in a season last term (23).
Sail The Sea’s dam was by Philanthropist and won three times from 1200m to 1400m, which does perhaps create a slight stamina doubt for him over 2000m.
However, Vercingetorix himself won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m, so his contribution to the genes will help Sail The Seas get the trip.
A fascinating Met runner is the biggest outsider Legal Counsel, the son of another excellent stallion in Legislate.
He went way too fast in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, running percentage sectionals from the 1400m to the finish of 90, 95, 93, 91, 90, 98, 106.
He ran together with the favourite Jan Van Goyen in the running and what is of great interest is he finished 4,85 lengths in front of the latter.
Considering the pace he went at he stayed on remarkably well to finish 4,45 lengths behind The Real Prince, just a neck behind Eight On Eighteen and half-a-length behind the like of Gladatorian.
1800m is the furthest Legal Counsel has ever raced and he won that start.
Legislate won the Gr 1 Cape Derby, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Durban July, so imparts enough stamina.
Furthermore, Legal Counsel is out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano. The mare is called Imperial Wish and in a career of just six starts she won twice. over 1000m on debut at Clairwood and then two runs later over 1600m on the Greyville poly.
Legal Counsel should stay the trip and how will he do if ridden more conservatively than he was in the King’s Plate?
Des Scott's Memorial In Umhlanga Tuesday 27 January
There will be a memorial to owning and breeding doyen Des Scott on Tuesday 27 January at 14H00 (for 14h30) at Grace Family Church in Umhlanga.
The details are shown in the picture above and the for a youtube live stream to the Memorial Click Here.
William Robertson Takes The African Holly At HWB Scottsville
William Robertson after victory in the Non-Black Type African Holly Stakes over 1100m (Picture: Race Coast)
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
William Robertson is every owner’s dream horse and has done the list of owners under his name in the racecard proud. ‘Willie’ may never have hit the headlines in the way of an Eight On Eighteen or One Stripe, but he is as honest as the day is long and has a constitution of iron. Corne Spies has done a wonderful job in keeping the son of Rafeef sound and enjoying his racing and the gelding fully deserved his win in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint back in March last year. However, he had been winless since in nine subsequent outings but back on what is possibly his favourite course and distance, he was hardly pressed to score the 16th win of his career from 52 starts. He landed the African Holly Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday with consummate ease.
As expected, King Of The Gauls under Andrew Fortune took off like a scalded cat but Ryan Munger sat in just behind with the balance of the field including fancied Cats Pajamas all out-paced.
King Of The Gauls was always in contention approaching the final furlong but Munger had barely moved and pressing for a final effort he left King Of The Gauls for dead with the balance trailing in with the washing.
While William Robertson as a seven-year-old is close to his ‘sell by date’ the Gareth van Zyl-trained Wild Justice is a young colt on the up and registered his fourth win from five starts when winning the B Stakes over 1200m.
Always in contention, he drew away to win comfortably from top-rated Talk To The Master who did have 4kg relief in the form of apprentice Dezahn Louw so it will be interesting to see how the handicappers view this run but not likely to increase much from his current 99 rating.
It was not an afternoon without incident. One sees Formula 1 drivers walk away from 250kph high-speed crashes with little more than a shake-up and good to go the following week, but jockeys are always on the edge as all that they have for protection is a skullcap and a body protector. Thankfully incidents are few and far between but when they do happen they can be catastrophic for both horse and rider.
The Maiden, second race on the card, the hot favourite Best Of All broke through his stall and bolted the course and was withdrawn. Nathan Detroit refuse to load, further delaying the start before also being scratched.
Mount Kennedy went down at around the 400m mark dislodging Athandiwe Mgudlwa.
Mgudlwa was taken to hospital. According to on-course medial reports he was fully conscious with no obvious breaks but is in observation for head injuries.
Most impressive winner on the day came in the card opener where Master Magician ran his field ragged. Mike Miller’s charge shed his maiden in equally impressive fashion and while one can question the strength of the opposition given this being early in the season, he does look to be a horse with a future although the vet may be called in given his pre-race antics with Tristan Godden just managing to stay aboard coming out of the entrance to the track.
Tienie Prinsloo will be on edge when Quickstepgal steps out onto the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth turf in the Gr1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes on Saturday but One Smart Cookie paid for his air fare to Cape Town as Serino Moodley produced her with a smart late effort to win the Middle Stakes ahead of the hard-knocking Tara Star.
Most Pick 6 tickets were in the waste bin after the first leg as 50-1 chance Reign On Impact got home ahead of Day Two in a decidedly modest field. The two came together a long way out but apprentice Louw’s 4kg claim came into play and S’Manga Khumalo was unable to get Day Two past. On course presenter and an astute studier of form, Rahiel Radhakrishna’s pre-race advice that the field in the first leg was the way to play, proved spot on.
Trust Heads Gauteng Guineas Entries
Trust could bounce back to winning ways in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas on February 7 , especially considering Jan Van Goyen is missing from the entries (JC Photos)
Johannesburg, South Africa — The first leg of the SA TAB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara for fillies kicks off at Turffontein on 7 February with the running of the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas and Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas over 1600m.
The first entries for both races closed on Monday, 26 January with 14 entries for the Guineas and 25 nominations for the Fillies Guineas.
Runners from the Mike and Mathew de Kock dominate the TAB Guineas entries with four runners, and although Grade 1 HWB Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen is not among them, they have some talented runners in the line-up in One Eye On Vegas, I’m A Fireball, Splittheeights and Yippe Kiyay.
Sean Tarry has three entries, headed up by Tin Pan Alley and backed up by Grand Empire and Shadowfax.
However, Candice and Tammy Dawson might be holding the winning card with Betway Dingaans winner Trust. He beat Jan Van Goyen in the Dingaans and having landed a No 4 draw is likely to start favourite for the race.
The only visiting trainer to nominate a runner is Eastern Cape’s Dean Smith, who has All Systems Go.
The Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas could be a real thriller with runners from all over country among the nominations. Justin Snaith has entered Lowveld Lily while Alan Greeff has Golden Palm, who has landed the No 1 draw.
Tyrone Zackey has talented Littlemissmillion in the field but she drew No 16, while Corne Spies will be disappointed Grade 3 Fillies Mile winner Hazy Dazy is even worse off at No 18. However, he will be consoled that Elegantrix drew nicely at No 7.
The De Kock yard has only one entry in Drumnadrochit, a daughter of Rafeef who has won two of her three starts. Unfortunately, she has drawn wide at No 20.
Once again, the Dawson stable could have the strongest hand with Warm Reception, a winner of three of her four starts, including the Listed Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m at this course.
Supplementary entries close at 09:00 on Friday 30 January, while declarations must be in by 11:00 on Tuesday 3 February.
Full entries below:-
FIRST ENTRIES FOR THE GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2)(For 3 year-olds (1st Leg SA Triple Crown)) R1,000,000 1600m
3 ALL SYSTEMS GO (D G Smith) 60.0
6 CONTINENTAL KING (D N Stenger) 60.0
10 COPPER EAGLE (R Klaasen) 60.0
9 GOLDEN WARRIOR (A Ndzilana) 60.0
7 GRAND EMPIRE (S G Tarry) 60.0
11 I’M A FIREBALL (M/M de Kock) 60.0
2 KING HARALD (R R Magner) 60.0
14 ONE EYE ON VEGAS (M/M de Kock) 60.0
13 RADIO STAR (M G Azzie) 60.0
8 SHADOWFAX (S G Tarry) 60.0
5 SPLITTHEEIGHTS (M/M de Kock) 60.0
12 TIN PAN ALLEY (S G Tarry) 60.0
4 TRUST (C/T Dawson) 60.0
1 YIPPEE KIYAY (M/M de Kock) 60.0
FIRST ENTRIES FOR THE WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)(3yo Fillies (1st Leg Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara)) R750,000 1600m
24 AL GREENGA (M N Houdalakis) 60.0
14 ALTA CAPITANA (S G Tarry) 60.0
11 AMAZON QUEEN (M Pandaram) 60.0
8 CHARGE IT (A Wright) 60.0
13 DAISY JONES (M G Azzie) 60.0
20 DRUMNADROCHIT (M/M de Kock) 60.0
7 ELEGANTRIX (C Spies) 60.0
23 FAIR PROPOSAL (R R Magner) 60.0
9 FIERY ROSE (M Khan) 60.0
3 FRANGIPANI (R Klaasen) 60.0
1 GOLDEN PALM (A C Greeff) 60.0
18 HAZY DAZY (C Spies) 60.0
10 KENSAL GREEN (A P Peter) 60.0
16 LITTLEMISSMILLION (T Zackey) 60.0
15 LOWVELD LILY (J S Snaith) 60.0
5 MAMLAMBO (H E Adamson) 60.0
17 MERRYWEATHER (J J van Vuuren) 60.0
21 PRETTY PERSUASIVE (J J van Vuuren) 60.0
4 PRINCESS KEIRA (S G Tarry) 60.0
19 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR (W/W Marwing) 60.0
22 SURPRISE PARTY (P F Matchett) 60.0
2 TINA LOVELACE (S G Tarry) 60.0
25 VALENTINA BALDUCCI (R R Sage) 60.0
6 VAMANOS (R R Magner) 60.0
12 WARM RECEPTION (C/T Dawson) 60.0
ENDS.
Ka Ying Rising Eyeing A 1400m Race For Record Bid
Ka Ying Rising eases to victory in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup.
Hayes eyes Sha Tin 1400m record after Ka Ying Rising’s historic G1 Centenary Sprint Cup romp
By Leo Schlink
Moments after Ka Ying Rising forged into Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling win in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 January), David Hayes predicted the world’s best sprinter could potentially break Sha Tin’s 1400m course record next month.
Reacting to Ka Ying Rising’s effort to post a 17th consecutive victory to match the winning streak of Silent Witness from 2002 to 2005, Hayes believes the superstar galloper can threaten Sha Tin’s 1400m record of 1m 19.92s – jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod – when he contests the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 22 February.
“Last year, he worked a bit and won it (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup), and I think he’s a stronger, better horse this year,” Hayes said. “I think he will handle the 1400m beautifully. I’m really excited for the next race. It’s another dimension for him.
“Last year, he nearly broke the course record at 1400m, and I think if the conditions are right, he can go close again.”
Ridden by Karis Teetan in last year’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in the absence of regular rider Zac Purton, who was injured, Ka Ying Rising clocked 1m 20.33s.
Ka Ying Rising today clocked 1m 07.66s – outside his own 1200m Sha Tin turf track record of 1m 07.20s – after being allowed to coast to the line in defeating Helios Express by one-and-a quarter lengths with Fast Network a further two lengths back.
Moderately away at the start, Ka Ying Rising quickly mustered speed to lead before Matthew Chadwick drove Beauty Waves to the front. Aware of Luke Ferraris and Lucky With You lurking to his outside, Purton ensured Ka Ying Rising had clear running before unleashing the gelding from the 300m.
Exploding clear, and with the race at his mercy with a four-length lead, Purton eased up noticeably over the final 200m, clocking a modest 11.47s.
“The winning margin wasn’t probably the greatest, but it’s probably the most Zac has ever eased him down,” Hayes said. “So, he had a very easy last 200 metres and he dominated as the market suggested he would. Just nice to see him do it.”
Ka Ying Rising improved his record to 18 wins from 20 starts and is unbeaten since the 12 February, 2024 with career prizemoney of HK$129.8 million.
Celebrating his fourth win in the race after victories with Aerovelocity (2016), Lucky Sweynesse (2023) and Ka Ying Rising last season, Purton said: “What can I say? We’ve said it all with the horse.
“I just had to make sure my bloke was in a rhythm. I’m surprised he run the time he run because it didn’t feel like he ran that quick sort of mid-early in the race. Yeah, he just different class.
“I never thought I would see it (a record-equalling 17th win in a row), to be honest. It’s very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far – and let’s hope he can keep going on with it.”
“After Silent Witness, I don’t think anyone thought they would ever see it again. Fortunately for us who are involved with the horse, he’s equalled him and can hopefully put his own benchmark.
“It’s pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you’re a long way in front, I can tell you. A race is a race. You’ve still got to go out and do it and hopefully he can hold his form, which we will expect he will.
“He’s got a big race next time, obviously he goes up in distance but he’s up for it.”
Summing up the mood of the six beaten jockeys, Helios Express’ rider Hugh Bowman said: “Another sound, consistent performance. The slower pace didn’t suit, neither does the fast pace when you’re chasing that horse.”
The Centenary Sprint Cup was the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, which also includes the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 26 April.
A HK$5 million bonus is on offer to the winner of all three legs.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (28 January).
Poblano Can End His Long Drought
Poblano has not won since his debut on 9 June, 2024, but has been tipped to win the 5th race (JC Photos)
The Vaal’s nine race meeting today is headlined by a MR 93 Handicap over 1000m for fillies and mares and the high draws are advantageous by trends over this course and distance.
Poblano has been catching the eye lately and will enjoy the step down in trip. In her penultimate start over 1200m on the Classic track she made up four lengths between the 800m mark and 400m mark to be in front and only faded late to finish a 1,85 length fifth. That was despite having had a shoe attended to at the start. Then last time out over 1160m at Turffontein Standside she looked the winner before being snared by the late charge of Chrome Tourmaline. She should be prominent early in this race and stay all the way to the line so looks the one to beat from a nice draw of five out of six. Bosum Buddy fought gamely to win over course and distance last time and has been raised three points to an 86. However, as she has gone close off an 89 before she has a chance. Roaming Spirit is 1,5kg better off with Bosum Buddy for a 1,40 length beating, which over this trip puts Bosum Buddy slightly ahead, but the latter has a nice middle draw. Miss Lia is capable of earning if reproducing her best. Caroline Island ran quite well after a long layoff last time and now has her second run after a rest. Let’s Go Lola would not be a surprise earner as she ran quite well in a Listed race over 1160m in her penultimate start at 100/1 odds.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Middle Stakes event over 2000m and Texas Missile could claim a hattrick. He was raised six points for his last win but this One World colt is progressive and can do it from a good draw. One More Star looks to be the second choice of the yard on jockey bookings but could give his stablemate something to think about because he has a good record over this trip and has a fair draw. Dance King is a capable sort who has proved to be up to his current merit rating and he has a fair draw over an ideal trip. Vesuvio has the form to earn here if reproducing his best. Royal Edition can never be written off and Gavin Lerena, who won aboard him in his penultimate start, is back aboard.
In the sixth race over 1000m Plumbago Park has the hardest draw by trends of one. However, she is consistent and is still capable of further progression. Tempranillo was a bit disappointing last time but can do better and is 5kg better off with Deal Maker for a 2,70 length beating. There She Goes goes for a hattrick over this trip and can go close from a nice middle with Mickaelle Michel, who won on her in her penultimate start, back aboard with her 1,5kg gender claim. Deal Maker has three lengths to make up on There She Goes but is only 2,5kg better of if rider weight claims are ignored. Amazonian won nicely last time and could be in the shake up.
In the seventh over 1000m Time For Charity has a form chance and as she is drawn on the right side she is the choice. Blindfire is capable of earning if reproducing her best over an ideal trip from a middle draw. In The Ether is capable of s strong finish if it pans out well. Misty Metal has a low draw but with a 4kg claimer up could earn. Red Hot Kisses is drawn highest of all and off a much reduced merit rating might bounce back to a semblance of form.
In the eighth over 1600m Dondoyaki has been transformed lately over a step up in trip and should go close again from a plum draw with a 4kg claimer up. Falconfly starts off on a reasonable 65 merit rating after a maiden win over 1450m and Craig Zackey can help overcome a tricky draw of six. Gift Of Royal won well last time and looks to be improving, so can earn from a middle draw. Commander Of All should be in the shake up in this line up, despite a wide draw. Sheets And Goggles could earn from a plum draw.
In the last race Quickfreeze won impressively second time out and has pole position over a suitable trip. Salute The Flag went close last time over this trip category and has a similarly tricky draw. Continental King looks to have plenty of ability and should enjoy this trip, although he has a tricky draw. Laughing William can go close if repeating his last start and he now has a plum draw. Father Christmas got five points for his last win, which was his third run on the Highveld, but he could progress further so is not out of it.
In the first leg of the PA War Talk can beat Asia’s Tiara.
In the first race Master Spy makes appeal with Zackey up despite returning from a six month layoff.
In the second race Babette’s Feast gets a good opportunity to get off the mark.
Today's Question
Which horse holds the world record for the most wins unbeaten?
The picture is of the subject
FIELDS, Tuesday, 27 January
Today’s Question Answer
Hungarian horse Kincsem (1874) was unbeaten in 54 starts.
