Turf Talk Newsletter – 03 November, 2023

Alistair Cohen Joins Cape Racing

Alistair Cohen, South Africa’s world-class race caller, has been appointed Senior Manager, Broadcasting and Commentating, for Cape Racing effective November 1st, incidentally his 33rd birthday.

The appointment follows Cohen’s periodic guest calling of Cape races over the last few months and recent negotiations with Cape Racing’s senior management. Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive, said: “We are delighted to have secured Alistair’s services on a permanent basis. He is very talented, both as a commentator and a presenter, popular with racing fans and within the racing community. He fits perfectly with our long-term plan to make racing in the Western Cape a truly world-class experience.”

Cohen’s duties will be going beyond race calling and will extend to the coordination of Cape Racing’s broadcasting products, including pre-race interviews and race day presentation.

He commented: “My brief is to direct and shape Cape Racing’s overall broadcasting content and product into world-class quality. I am excited to be working closely with Justin and team, all people who are driven, committed and hold themselves to the highest standards. Hollywoodbets and Greg’s vision surpasses anything done before in South African racing. They have skipped a millennium to the year 3000! I cannot not get over the development taking place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth – this racecourse will shortly be in the top 5 courses in the world, in my opinion. I cannot wait to start!”

Cohen’s career followed a swift upward trajectory after he joined Phumelela as a trainee race caller in 2010. He progressed to senior commentator and developed a dedicated following. In 2021, he landed himself the sought-after position of senior caller in Dubai, where he spent just short of two seasons calling the 2021 Dubai World Cup and the other high-profile Dubai Carnival features before returning to South Africa as a freelancer.

Calling the Cape’s flagship races was a significant factor in his considering his professional move. “I have called the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, but so far not the L’Ormarins Kings Plate, the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, or the SplashOut Cape Derby. I can’t wait!” he enthused.

As a youngster, Cohen was drawn to race calling by David Raphael’s riveting delivery in the QEII Cup in 1997. He regards the Australian, Matt Hill, as the highest standard for callers today and has taken guidance from the UK’s leaders Simon Holt, Mike Cattermole, and the mellifluous Richard Hoiles, whom he regards as “a sounding board.”

Cohen said that he owed a debt of gratitude to Mary Slack for supporting his career. “If it weren’t for Mary who stepped in to give our racing industry a lifeline, Hollywoodbets and Greg wouldn’t have been in a position to rescue Cape Racing, and the landscape would have been different.”

Cohen will be commuting between Johannesburg and Cape Town for a few weeks and said: “I enjoyed living in Gauteng and forged some good friendships. I look forward to seeing my 4Racing colleagues in the Cape, especially for the festival meetings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.”

Atticus Finch On A Summer Cup Scouting Mission

Atticus Finch is coming off a hattrick and should make a bold bid in the Gr 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at the Big T tomorrow (Saturday) (JC Photos).

Victory Moon is the last chance for runners to grab a place in the Summer Cup

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

It’s a last chance saloon to get into the 2023 Betway Summer Cup for most runners in Saturday’s Grade 3 1800m Victory Moon Stakes at Turffontein.

Of the 14 contestants, only Stuart Pettigrew-trained handicapper Whafeef is not among entries for Joburg’s biggest race on 25 November. And, of the 14, only five – None Other, Nebraas, Aragosta, Son Of Raj and Billy Bowlegs – have a spot on the latest Summer Cup Top 20 log of preferred candidates.

The likes of East Coast, Litigation, Star Coin, River Romeo and Atticus Finch are going to have to pull out an eye-catching performance if they are to crack the nod for the Summer Cup.

The connections of Atticus Finch, in particular, will be anxious to get their boy into the big race, with its whopping R5-million stake. The Alec Laird-trained gelding has been backed in from long odds to 14-1 in recent days, so clearly a coup is afoot.

Atticus Finch – named after a character from literature – won four of eight races, including his last three in a row; but his only feature race outing was a dull display in the Gauteng Guineas in February. He seems to be a late developer and should be as fit as a fiddle coming into the Victory Moon.

Half the field, including Atticus Finch, are carrying 52kg, so an upset would not be a major surprise. Among the lightly weighted brigade is Tony Peter’s Electric Gold, who ran a much-improved race after a five-month break and a gelding last time.

Another who is having a second run after a rest is well-bred filly None Other. Trainer Lucky Houdalakis gets his horses firing after layoffs and, though that comeback run looked disappointing it was well short of None Other’s best.

After the fireworks of Saturday’s Charity Cup meeting, the Big T offers plenty more pyrotechnics just a week later.

SELECTION:
9 Atticus Finch, 11 Electric Gold, 7 None Other, 3 Nebraas

Horse By Horse Guide To Every Race At The Breeders Cup

The Richard Dutrow-trained White Abarrio (Race Day), winner of the Gr 1 Florida Derby and Gr 1 Whitney, is one of the fancied runners for the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Classic (Picture: Jessie Holmes/Equisport Photos)

DSTV Channel 240 To Show Breeders Cup Action Live!!

The Breeders Cup meeting to be held at Santa Anita has 22 races in all, ten today (Friday) and 12 on Saturday.

The action starts at 20H30 SA Time tonight (Friday) and tomorrow’s big meeting starts at 19H10 SA Time.

At The Races has a comprehensive guide to the Breeders Cup meeting.

It has the cards plus statistics.

There is also odds and tipping.

Best of all there is a race by race guide which provides a pen picture of every horse in every race.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RACE BY RACE GUIDE TO THE BREEDERS CUP

Dettori revelling in 'Ryder Cup' atmosphere of the Breeders' Cup

Jockey Frankie Dettori celebrates aboard Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality) after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. He will be hoping to add a a second win in the Breeders Cup on Saturday aboard the Chad Brown-trained Zandon (Upstart) Picture: Classic Reed Saxon/AP

Huge weekend coming up includes Inspiral, King Of Steel and Zandon

sportsmax.tv

Frankie Dettori is savouring a “Ryder Cup atmosphere” as he prepares to take up several high-profile rides at this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Santa Anita.

The high-profile fixture looked as though it could be one of the Italian’s last after he announced his retirement late last year, but his recent U-turn means racing fans in California can expect to see plenty more of him over the Christmas period and next year as he prepares to move Stateside full time.

The 52-year-old has a handful of quality rides over the course of the weekend, including Aidan O’Brien’s Unquestionable in Friday’s Juvenile Turf with Inspiral in the Filly & Mare Turf and King Of Steel in the Turf among his big guns on Saturday.

Dettori is also booked to partner Zandon for American trainer Chad Brown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but nevertheless sees himself as competing for the away team.

“The Breeders’ Cup has a Ryder Cup atmosphere and I’m proud to be representing Europe,” he said trackside on Thursday morning.

“I’m looking forward to riding back here for the first day of the meet on Boxing Day.”

Of Zandon, Dettori added: “He is a solid, staying horse who finished third in the Kentucky Derby (last year).

“I’ve ridden for Chad a few times, but I won’t ride the colt before Saturday.

“I thought he looked good when he won the Woodward last time.”

Tab4Racing: Get Set For 3 Mega Days (Breeders Cup Live On 240)

TAB and TAB Gold customers have an array of compelling betting opportunities over the next three days, including four local race meetings, three of the biggest international racedays on the planet and a carryover Pick 6 pool set to total over R3 million.

The two-day Algoa Cup Festival at Fairview kicks off the action this Friday with an eight-race programme headlined by the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes over 1600m. The Festival continues on Sunday with the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m topping a nine-race menu that offers the chance to land a huge win on a R500,000 carryover-boosted Pick 6.

Saturday’s Turffontein-Hollywoodbets Durbanville doubleheader fits neatly between Fairview’s two big days with the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes at the Joburg meeting likely to offer vital clues to the outcome of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup three weeks later.

The international action gets underway on Friday evening with the two-day Breeders’ Cup spectacular in Los Angeles.

This is the best thoroughbred action on earth with an all-star cast from around the world converging on picturesque Santa Anita Racecourse in Arcadia for 14 Grade 1 blockbusters carrying total prize money of $25 million.

The five Grade 1s for two-year-olds will be run on Friday and, as always, the $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic and $4-million Breeders’ Cup Turf will be the highlights of Saturday’s action. The Santa Anita show gets going at 20:30 SA time on Friday and at 19:10 on Saturday. Catch it all live on Racing 240 on DStv and TAB and TAB Gold will offer Win, Place, Exacta and Rolling Pick 6 bets on both days.

The Friday meeting will wrap up at 01:40 on Saturday and little more than two hours later, and thousands of miles away, the Grade 1 Victoria Derby race meeting at Flemington in Melbourne will be underway.

This is the best raceday on the Australian calendar and it’s also a Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool event. TAB and TAB Gold customers can take Win, Place and Trifecta bets into the huge Hong Kong pools, plus Exactas, Rolling Doubles and a Jackpot into Tabcorp pools. What a great chance to win big on an all-graded-races card.

Victoria Derby Day is also the first of the four mega meetings that comprise the Melbourne Cup Carnival and is followed by Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 7 November), Oaks Day (9 November) and Champion Stakes Day (11 November). Seven-star action and you can bet on the lot with TAB and TAB Gold.

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Saturday November 4 Formguides

Mucho Dinero (pink cap), who will be ridden by Yuzae Ramzan, is the second favourite for the Listed Woolavington Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday behind stablemate One Way Traffic. Both horses are trained by Justin Snaith and both run in the colours of Nick Jonsson (Picture: Wayne Marks)

1 12:50 PM – Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate

Competitive opener. BIG UNIT, KAAPSE KLOPSE and GUARDING THE WALL all finished 2nd over course and distance last time and are likely to be involved again. STAR PERFORMER has been 2nd in his last 2 starts, including on his local debut last month, so wouldn’t be winning out of turn either. THE NIGHT FERRY, MYSTERY CACHE and RAMBLIN MAN are likely improvers who could also stake claims.

2 1:25 PM – Cape Racing Sales Class 5

SACAMBAYA is the only maiden in the race and has to concede weight to all under 61kg, but was only outrun late last time from a wide draw over 1600m so could be hard to peg back from gate No 1 returning to 1400m. LIKETHECLAPPERS belatedly doubled his tally when winning a similar contest over this track and trip last month and should go well again in receipt of weight under the minimum 2-point penalty. KELP FOREST is weighted to get closer to that rival though a bigger threat is likely to come from INCREDIBILL in his peak outing. Stablemate SHIFTING PATH should also get involved.

3 2:00 PM – Cape Turf Club Syndicates Maiden Plate (F & M)

Competitive maiden. The Azzies have already opened their Cape summer account and could double their tally with ANDI’S GIRL who improved to finish 2nd when trying this trip on the Highveld. DONNA MO and LICKETY SPLIT finished 2nd last time out in their respective races and are not incapable of going better with further improvement likely. SUN SPECTACULAR had excuses for her last start and can’t be written off just yet. LADY LOXTON, WEDDING BELLS and ESSENTIAL also have the form to be competitive. TWO A PENNY and FANNY KEMBLE complete the shortlist.

4 2:35 PM – Wolf Power Syndicate Class 4

Good race. SHAVOUT was positively ridden from the widest draw last time and was only outrun late. He is likely to go forward again but could find the lead easier in this smaller field. He is weighted to turn the tables on RULE OF THUMB whose recent 2nd was his only defeat in three starts over this course and distance. PREVALENCE also has a better draw this time so ought to pose more of a threat. LEXICAN POINT and LUCE VERDE are unexposed and should be competitive with improvement likely over this trip. DAS GUTE, GREEN MANDARIN and WINTER FROLIC are others capable of getting involved.

5 3:10 PM – Racecape Powered By Hollywoodbets Cape B Stakes

Tricky. KZN raider NATYAM is unbeaten in two starts on the Poly with a tongue-tie fitted. He has not been seen since July but has been deemed good enough to campaign during the Cape summer, so is likely to be competitive. MY BESTIE finished 4th in a Listed race in his first outing over this trip and is another who ought to run well off the same mark. CORONATION TIME, WILLIAM THE FIRST and SUDDEN SONG finished in that order in a similar contest over track and trip last time, and they’re all capable of getting involved too.

6 3:45 PM – destinationcaperacing Cape C Stakes

Wide-open race in which the fillies are best treated by the conditions. WOMAN’S WORLD has improved with each step up in distance and the fitting of blinkers. She won over 1800m last time and is likely to make further progress over the extra. MOTHERSHIP was ahead of TWICE THE MASTER, EXCEEDER and TOTHEMOONANDBACK over this course and distance last time. There’s not been much between the quartet and they’re all capable of staking a claim. CARAMEL FUDGE and PRICELESS are others capable of getting into the picture over this trip, along with LUCY THE PINK.

7 4:20 PM – Woolavington Stakes (Listed) (4-year-old Horses And Older)

Competitive renewal. MUCHO DINERO has matured nicely after gelding and could have more to offer over this distance off a light weight. Stablemate ONE WAY TRAFFIC caught the eye on his seasonal reappearance and has already proved effective over this distance, so is a candidate for success. SENSO UNICO is 1.5kg worse off with that rival but only wins at this venue and is likely to be competitive once more. Best-weighted LOVE IS A ROSE, BARATHEON and OTTO LUYKEN are also likely to pose more a threat on these terms. RAISEAHALLELUJAH and WITH PLEASURE are not without chances.

8 4:55 PM – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4

SAVANTRIX made an eye-catching reappearance in a stronger contest over an inadequate trip recently and he needn’t improve a great deal, even from the widest draw, to bounce back to winning ways. ALL ABOUT AL, MASKED VIGILANTE and FORT RED are capable hard-knockers likely to pose a threat, along with unexposed stablemates STRAWBERRY STINGER and WAR CHARIOT. Both GRAND BAY and WHISKEY BRAVO have scope to improve so could get into the picture too.

LKP Moments Competition To Attract Top Photographers Again

Troy Finch captured the winning LKP moment last season (Picture: Troy Finch)

#LKP2024 invites all avid Sporting Photographers to once again partake in the #LKPMoments Competition

As with previous years, Photographers wishing to participate in this prestigious competition are to seek out that winning moment which encapsulates the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, as one of the Cape’s greatest racing spectacles on the racing calendar.

Each Year Videographers are also Invited to Submit a Collection of Video Clips that Encapsulate the Spirit of LKP.

For further information and submitting your details for participation, please head to our website: www.lormarinskingsplate.co.za.

#LKP2024 #LOrmarins #CapeRacing #LKP163

Han Solo Is The Defending Algoa Cup Champion

Han Solo winning the Algoa Cup last year under Calvin Habib (Pualine Herman Photography)

Three of the last four winners will be back on Sunday for another crack at the R350 000 Listed Jonsson Workwear Algoa Cup, writes Henk Steenkamp.

Han Solo (Glen Kotzen) will defend his crown in an open looking race over 2000m on the Fairview Turf track.

Hoedspruit (Kelly Mitchley, 2021) and Cat Daddy (Kotzen, 2019) are the other former winners in the field of 16 runners.

When Hoedspruit won he was in the care of Western Cape trainer Justin Snaith but is with the Mitchley stable now and will try to break the East Cape winning drought.

Surfin’ USA, trained by Jacques Strydom, was the last local horse to win the Algoa Cup back in 2019.

Since then the Western Cape raiders have dominated the East Cape biggest race. The rivalry continues with 6 of the 16 runners Western Cape visitors.

ROLL OF HONOUR

ALGOA CUP

2022: Han Solo

2021: Hoedspruit

2020: Silver De Lange

2019: Cat Daddy

2018: Magnificent Seven

2017: Nebula

2016: Nebula

2015: Stonehenge

2014: Disco Al

2013: Disco Al

2012: Hill Fifty Four

2011: Forest Of Dean

2010: Hawk’s Eye

2009: Surfin’ USA

2008: Bill Of Rights

2007: Dunford

2006: Escapology

2005: Blue White

2004: All Three A King

2003: Shoes Of Silver

2002: Red Badge

2001: Shining Rock

2000: The Deceiver

1999: Olympic Bid

1998: Leonard

1997: Slew Per Stag

1996: Russian Ring

1995: Blue Dancer

1994: Major Run

1993: Pact Of Steel

1992: Mr Love

1991: Fusion

1990: Rosenknight

1980: Belle De Jour

1979: Mexican Diamond

1978: Old Master

1977: Keepsake

1976: Prince Desire

1975: Gotta Hope

1974: Coral Isle

1973: Coastal Command

1972: Lord Jim

1971: Bert

1970: Sonata

1969: Hasty Cloud

1968: Prussian Pride

1967: Young David

1966: Avena

1965: Blue Con

1964: Lochinvar

1963: Tudor Sun

1962: Minorca

1961: Streamline

1960: Skylarking

Today’s Question

Roy H (Picture: RacingDudes.com).

What does Roy H, the last horse to win the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Sprint twice, have in common with South Africa’s champion sire Gimmethegreenlight?

Weekend FIELDS

Turffontein Standside Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Fields, Saturday

Fairview Turf Fields, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer

Both Roy H and Gimmethegreenlight are by More Than Ready, although the former is a product of one of the American stints of the shuttle stallion and Gimmethegreenlight is a product of one of the Australian stints.

Roy H

bloodhorse.com

The son of More Than Ready landed back-to-back wins in the 2017-18 editions of the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), and was named outstanding male sprinter at the Eclipse Awards for each of those years. Trainer and co-owner Peter Miller took the the gelding in as a pony upon his retirement.

“What can you say about a horse like this who has given us so many thrilling moments?” said Miller upon the horse’s retirment. “He is the embodiment of class and we will definitely miss seeing him compete. Fortunately, we will not have to miss him for long as he will be retired as a barn pony and remain a very important part of our team. He is a ‘favorite son’ among our staff and the feeling seems to be mutual as Roy H loves to be around the other horses and loves to train.”

Owned by Rockingham Ranch and Miller, Roy H retired with $3,139,765 in earnings, with a 10-5-2 record from 23 starts, including victories in nine of his final 12 races. When he captured his two Breeders’ Cup wins, he was campaigned by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen. Bred in Kentucky by Ramona Bass out of the Elusive Quality mare Elusive Diva, Roy H was a $310,000 purchase by Rockingham from Wavertree Stables’ consignment to the 2014 Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Roy H last raced in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G2) in January 2019 at Santa Anita Park, which he won.

The gelding’s other stakes scores came in the 2017-18 editions of the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1), the 2018 Palos Verdes, and the 2017 True North Stakes (G2).

“He gave Rockingham Ranch and me a tremendous ride,” Miller said. “It was both an honor and a pleasure to train such a magnificent animal. He is sound and healthy and this seemed like the right time to make this change in his career. We’ve had him since he was a 2-year-old, so watching him grow and mature into a world champion has been a great gift.”