Fourie Barometer 386 (updated on 04/06/2024)

9 more wins needed to break the record

Green With Envy Connections Fight Back After MR Appeal Loss

Green With Envy with Craig Zackey up after winning the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Green With Envy Appeal Dismissed – Counter Argument From Khaya Stables Manager Jehan Malherbe And Trainer, Dean Kannemeyer.

(Turf Talk Editor’s opinion on the matter at the bottom)

The Merit Rating Appeal by connections of Green with Envy against the increase in his merit rating from 123 to 127 after the Daily News was dismissed on Monday 3rd June 2024, and the deposit forfeited.

Effectively, NHRA appointed adjudicators, Karel Miedema, Gabriel Soma and Aveen Sewpersad sided with the official assessor, Lennon Maharaj.

For many observers, that’s the end of the story. The official handicappers wielded the powers vested in them and have subsequently been vindicated by an Appeal Board. In doing so, the connections of Green With Envy have forcefully been put in their place and shown up as self- interested chancers.

That does not convey anything like the full picture, however. Several cogent, well researched arguments were advanced by Khaya Stables and Dean Kannemeyer Racing stating the case for Green with Envy to be kept at the same rating.

After all he was officially rated to win going into the Daily News and only just scrambled home from vastly improved Flag Man in a messy, false run affair.

International best practice under such circumstances is to err on the side of caution and use the winner as the line horse – not go back down the field and pluck soundly defeated horses for that purpose. Reason being is that by constantly choosing well-beaten line horses, over time the ratings become inflated, (a form of “bracket-creep”) which undermines the integrity and legitimacy of the figures.

The official handicapper has justified his decision (using his own set of ratings, of course) and was utterly contemptuous of any alternative viewpoints in his written response.

We don’t want to be seen as sore losers but a careful analysis of the arguments we advanced, none of which unfortunately had any impact on the panel who dealt with the query, deserve a public airing.

Consider the following – then you be the judge:

The line horse in the Daily News, Mid Winter Wind, unproven past 1400m had, in fact been raised in the KZN Guineas. Those Guineas ratings are in themselves questionable with Green with Envy coming off an excellent G1 Cape Derby score, being bumped up in the G2 Guineas, despite it being another false run race.

Well exposed three-year-old, Hluhluwe was another to be hiked up after the Guineas, together with Navajo Nation (beaten in a handicap at his previous start) who was increased by 7 points.

Questions must therefore be asked about the validity of those Guineas ratings. Now, to further compound the problem, a horse raised in suspect circumstances and a query over ten furlongs, Mid Winter Wind, gets used as the line horse in the Daily News.

This results in another jump for Green With Envy, together with a massive jump for Flag Man a mere two weeks after his previous rating was attained. As if this should not get the alarm bells ringing, well exposed Highveld horse, Barberesco, who suffered severe interference in a rough Daily News, is also subjected to a 13-point boost.

Hluhluwe virtually dislocated his jockey’s shoulder after pulling badly and drifting wide around the Greyville turn so a rational observer would think he ran below par, yet the official handicappers have pegged him as running close to his rating. Such is the knock- on effect of these questionable increases.

Likewise, Hotarubi was also hopelessly wide on the turn throughout, suggesting that he too could not deliver a personal best under those circumstances. Yet with these new OMR increases, he runs almost to his rating, in the official handicappers’ eyes, that is.

This begs the question – did the handicappers watch the flow of the race and interpret the result soundly and judiciously, given an uneven pace. Evidence was led showing that the Daily News was the fourth slowest in the last 17 running’s.

And a sophisticated interpretation of the fractional times showed finishing ratios typical of a race not run at anywhere close to a true pace throughout. A 100% ratio of a finishing segment relative to the final time would indicate an exactly evenly run race. Less than that, say 96%, would suggest tiring, decelerating horses feeling the effects of a strong early pace.

In the case of the 2000m Daily News, where the final sectionals were super- swift for the distance, the first three ran the 400m to finish segment in around 22.5 seconds, which computes to a sky-high 110% of the final time.

The handicappers stubbornly chose to ignore this factual evidence of a stop start, messy affair where many horses endured tough trips. Green with Envy returned bashed about and bruised, with Pure Predator injured in running. Regardless, the handicappers literally took an aggressive view to bump up the OMRs of the principals.

Opinions are the life blood of this fascinating brain game. Even experts with years of experience are constantly learning new things; must concede points when they get things wrong, and ideally should adopt a humble rather than dogmatic approach.

“Much is unknowable, and we are not as smart as we think,” can be a guiding maxim in horse racing where no individual, or official for that matter, is bigger than the game.

Our abiding concern, however, is that the official handicappers are so hell bent on preserving the sanctity of Grade 1’s in SA that they nearly always inflate ratings regardless of what took place in these races.

Using their own, often flawed, ratings to justify their own, often flawed ratings is a compounding exercise in folly. When confronted by an alternative take on things they tend to come out in uber- defensive mode with guns blazing.

On previous occasions, when engaging in polite discussion about the ratings of Khaya Stable’s horses we have been rudely rebuffed without a hint of the handicapper even considering a dissenting viewpoint.

Whilst graciously accepting the ruling, we feel strongly that our case, far from being a devious, misguided attempt to gain an unfair advantage as the official handicapper provocatively believes, has legitimate grounds.

Though we are now ready to move on, the decision to withhold the Merit Rating Appeal deposit rankles, and smacks of punitive over-reach. The forfeit of the deposit makes us wonder if there is underlying vindictiveness towards Khaya Stables.

To mitigate against any possible bias and mere rubber-stamping of the official line at follow up enquiries, perhaps the local Appeal Panel should be scrapped and in future, appeals be heard by internationally respected handicappers.

Beyond the individual merits of this Green With Envy case, which was always going to lead to spirited debate given the implications for the forming of Durban July weights, this dispute raises much deeper and substantive concerns about the official process, and application of handicapping principles in South Africa.

Jehan Malherbe Dean Kannemeyer

Racing Manager Khaya Stables Trainer

Turf Talk Ed – The main flaw in the argument above imo is it fails to acknowledge that the handicapper (who is supposedly desperately keen to inflate Gr 1 ratings), not only used Hluhluwe as the line horse in the Cape Derby, despite him having never run over the trip before, they even went further than that, when Green With Envy could have legitimately been given a 127 had Beach Bomb, who beat the Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, been used as the line horse.

Here is the handicappers assessment of the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, which was run at a crawl:

“The Handicappers opted to use HLUHLUWE to the net 99 performance which he achieved in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas rather than his gross rating of 111. This has the effect of keeping the race to a level of 119 and not 121 as would be the case if HLUHLUWE’s gross rating was used. The Handicappers noted that the race was slowly run in the early stages and felt that this lack of a true test may have resulted in a more compact finish which could have the effect of flattering some of the lower rated horses in the Derby. Accordingly, a slightly lower level seemed to be the prudent choice here.

BEACH BOMB was not deemed to make a suitable line horse for this race as she was weighted to win comfortably off her rating of 117 and using her would mean an 8-point increase to the current level of 119. BEACH BOMB remains unchanged on a rating of 117. The Handicappers also rejected the 87 rated ORIENTAL CHARM as a probable line horse as this will reduce the level of this Grade 1 race to nothing more than a Class 4 Handicap.”

So the handicappers did obviously ackowledge a slow run race in the Cape Derby.

The Green With Envy connections also question the ratings given in the WSB Guineas, but fail to mention that if there was one horse who did not deserve to be leniently treated in the race, it was Green With Envy! He was coming off a layoff, had to come from last in a race run over a trip short of his best at a slow pace and with a tail wind, and he still beats one of the two best three-year-olds on the Highveld, who got first run on him, and also reverses his own Cape Guineas form with Snow Pilot!

Here is the handicappers assessment of that race, and note once again they acknowledge the slow pace in respect of some horses who were flattered by it, but surely Green With Envy should not have escaped unpunished?

GREEN WITH ENVY was increased from 119 to 123 after he got-up to impressively win the Grade 2 WSB Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.

His win was eye catching as the runner-up SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT was given every chance and in fact had first run on GREEN WITH ENVY who quickened up smartly.

Third-placed placed SNOW PILOT was used as the line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 120.

Fourth-placed HLUHLUWE was increased from 111 to 117 for finishing 1.4 lengths or 3 points behind the 120 rated line horse at level weights. MID-WINTER WIND was increased to 116 from 114 for finishing a short head behind the now 117 rated HLUHLUWE at level weights. NAVAJO NATION, who was beaten only 2.45 lengths by the winner, was given a marginal increase from 103 to 110 despite achieving a higher performance figure. The Handicappers felt that NAVAJO NATION was suited to the slow run tempo of this race and may be flattered by his margin behind the winner and opted not to take his performance figure literally.

No horses from this race were given a rating drop.

The Green With Envy connections also state some incorrect statistics in their counter argument – the Daily News 2000 was in fact the second fastest of the last five renewals, according to the ARO website, although it was the 6th slowest (not 4th slowest) in the last 17 years.

So, considering the race was run in soft going, the time was not too slow.

In The Cape Derby, Green With Envy was not pressed, and beat Oriental Charm by 3,25 lengths. The latter has subsequently proved that run was no fluke and is rated 118. Given the ease of victory, rating Green With Envy nine points higher than Oriental Charm would not be an unrealistic stretch.

In the Daily News 2000 Green With Envy is at last stretched in a race over his right trip, with Flag Man running him all the way to the line.

The bare facts show that there are no fewer than four horses who ran to their pre-race rating if Green With Envy is given a 130, they being Pure Predator, Hotarubi, Hluhluwe and William Iron Arm … and yet they only gave Green With Envy a 127.

Green With Envy’s connections say, “The handicappers stubbornly chose to ignore this factual evidence of a stop start, messy affair where many horses endured tough trips.”

Although they have not officially said so, they indeed appear to have acknowledged the race being less than perfectly run by giving Green With Envy a three point lower mark than he probably should have been given.

If that is regarded as an incorrect statement, imagine if the connections of another July runner had appealed Green With Envy’s 127 rating as being too low … the panelists would have had more chance of uphelding that appeal given the bare facts of the result.

Perhaps the Green With Envy connections have a case in saying Mid Winter Wind was fallttered in the WSB Guineas, but his use as the line horse was surely for the sake of leniency.

No matter who is right or wrong in the case, Green With Envy is a seriously progressive horse with a quite phenomenal ability to turn it on in seemingly effortless fashion.

He also has a man with all the right credentials training him, with Dean having won the July three times before.

Interestingly, he has shortened in the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting sxince the Daily News 2000 and is now 22/10 with the sponsor.

He will be oout to emulate the great Dean Kannemeyer-trained Dynasty, as well as Big City Life and Legislate, as horses this century who have won all of the Cape Derby, the WSB (SA) Guineas, the Daily News 2000 and the July in the same season.

HWB Durban July Field Trimmed To 36

Frances Ethel is back in the mix for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, with Team Valor International owner Barry Irwin saying after the Woolavington 2000 she would not run in SA again, but subsequently having a change of heart (JC Photos)

And then there were 36 … No major surprises as July field is trimmed

The original number of entries for next month’s race at Greyville was 61.

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

It was nip and tuck for the sponsor of the Hollywoodbets Durban July after second declarations for Africa’s biggest horse race – with no major surprises among the entries withdrawn.

Ruling favourite Green With Envy tightened half a point in the ante-post betting – despite all his principal rivals standing their ground and despite trainer Dean Kannemeyer losing an appeal against the colt’s four-point penalty for winning the recent Daily News 2000.

An appeal panel unanimously agreed that the official handicappers got their assessment of the Daily News spot on and dismissed the plea with costs.

The rating hike pushed Green With Envy to 127, the third highest among the remaining 36 July hopefuls.

The most notable casualty at the second declaration stage was Pure Predator, a 20-1 shot trained on the Highveld by Fanie Bronkhorst.

The three-year-old’s scratching followed a disappointing effort in the Daily News 2000, in which he started as second favourite but finished well beaten in fourth, more than five lengths behind impressive winner Green With Envy. (Turf Talk ed – Pure Predator was allegedly injured in the Daily News 2000).

Other well-rated entries opting out of the July on Monday included Mid Winter Wind, My Soul Mate and Mondial. Trainer Mike de Kock had earlier indicated wonder filly Gimme A Nother would not run in Durban on 6 July as she was being exported to the US. He also alerted punters that Safe Passage wouldn’t be accepting.

Frances Ethel

Interestingly, Brett Crawford-trained three-year-old filly Frances Ethel is among the acceptors, with a R7,190 non-refundable fee paid, despite her owners Team Valor saying last week she would not race in South Africa again ahead of relocation to the US (Turf Talk Ed – Barry Irwin of Team Valor announced last week he had had a change of heart).

Frances Ethel was the sole female on the First July Log recently published.

A fresh Log is overdue with form updates rolling in as the KwaZulu-Natal winter season rushes ahead – not to mention a surprise supplementary entry in the shape of Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative, who everyone had thought was already enjoying life on a stud farm.

The latter slotted into the Hollywoodbets boards at 14-1 – eighth on the list.

Snaith’s entries

His trainer Justin Snaith might not have a candidate among the highest echelons of the betting, but his seven remaining entries are all among the top 20 names, with the like of Without Question, Mucho Dinero and Hluhluwe drawing steady punter support.

Reigning champion trainer Snaith took out three of his original entries – the same number of withdrawals as former champ Sean Tarry, who also retains seven.

The most intriguing of the Tarry coterie is Lucky Lad, sensational winner of the 1200m Golden Horse Sprint at Scottsville. The way he streaked past rivals on Saturday marked this guy out as special, but he has yet to race beyond a mile and the July’s 2200m is wholly unchartered territory.

Just as curiously, Lucky Lad is asked to do a quick turnaround and line up in the 1600m Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Greyville this coming weekend, against a dozen of the country’s best milers.

Virtuoso Tarry knows what he is doing and punters and bookmakers are taking no chances, whittling Lucky Lad’s odds down to 25-2 joint fourth favourite for the July – from an opening call out in the bundu.

JULY BETTING

5/2 Green With Envy

6-1 See It Again

10-1 Flag Man

25-2 Lucky Lad, Royal Victory, Winchester Mansion, Future Swing

14-1 Double Superlative

16-1 Oriental Charm, Mucho Dinero

20-1 Without Question

25-1 Purple Pitcher, Hluhluwe, Snow Pilot

33-1 Main Defender, Royal Aussie, Cousin Casey, Frances Ethel, Silver Sanctuary, Barbaresco

40-1 to 250-1 the other 17

Hemel n Aarde Send Seven Quality Lots To CRS Winter Yearling Sale

Lot 29 is by Dynasty sire Horizon and her unraced Press Statement dam is an Australian-bred half-sister to a Gr 2 winner in Australia. This filly’s third dam is the dam of Igugu. With such a pedigree and good looks, she should attract a lot of attention (Picture: Cape Racing Sales)

Hemel n Aarde Stud situated inland close to the coastal town of Hermanus in a beautiful, fertile valley, continues to punch above its weight. The boutique stud has bred many good value, high quality horses over the years. They dispatch seven yearlings to the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale on Thursday, 6 June 2024. The auction takes place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth – kick-off is 11h00.

Lot 29, named Apricity, is a first foal sired by handsome son of Dynasty, Horizon from Lady of the Hour (by Press Statement) She is thus a half -sister to notable Stakes horse in Oz, the David Payne trained, Tarka who won at Gr2 and Gr3 level and was also Gr1 placed). Third dam Zarinia produced Igugu the HOTY in South Africa in 2010/11, so there is considerable substance to the page.

Lot 59 is an unnamed Hawwaam filly out of the High Chapparal mare, Santiburi. Hawwaam was, of course, a multiple Gr1 winner and Champion Three-Year-Old colt in SA in 2018/19. His oldest progeny are yearlings.

Adorada won four races between 1400m and 2000m – she too has been put to Horizon and the resulting produce goes into the ring as Lot 87. Digging a bit deeper, note third dam Countess Alexis who threw 10-x winner, Exelero and Master Mascus who caused a sensation on the island of Mauritius in 2011/12.

Lot 92 is another Horizon yearling. Dam, Aunty Carol is a half-sister to Demanding Lady, famously the dam of freaky-brilliant miler, Charles Dickens, G1 Cape Derby victor, Charles and Somerset Maugham.

Freshman sire, Heavenly Blue combines with Cashmere Mafia for Lot 100. Heavenly Blue won the SA Classic (Gr1) and is a son of Snitzel. Second dam Olympic Special threw 13-time winner, Memphis Mafia and Eastern Cape dasher, Bob N Weave.

Lot 109 is a bay colt by new speed sire Erik the Red and out of Dancing in Seattle, a game six- time winner at Fairview. There is a surfeit of Black Type on the female side of the page.

Hemel n Aarde offer (as agent) Lot 70, Time will Tell, a William Longsword baby out of the Silvano mare Star of Silver and thus a half to top division E.P. performer, Gimme the Stars.

For further info, contact David Hepburn Brown on 082 898 1231 or david@hnastud.co.za

DOWNLOAD IMAGES: https://www.caperacingsales.co.za/2024/05/24/crs-winter-yearling-sale-vendor-promotion-hemel-n-aarde/

ENDS

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za

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Millstream's Magnificent Nine At CRS Winter Yearling Sale

Lot 30 is a filly by Royal Mo who is out of a full-sister to Dubai World Cup runner up Lizard’s Desire (Picture: CRS Racing)

Jan Mantel’s boutique Millstream Farm sends nine yearlings to market on the 6^th June 2024 for the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale 2024.

Lot 30 is a Royal Mo filly out of Lady’s Desire, a sister to the remarkable Lizards Desire, who overcame relatively humble origins to compete with distinction in SA, Singapore and Dubai.

Lot 32 is an unnamed Querari colt ex Leading Fast, who is a three-quarter brother to Little Ballerina, recent winner of a key form race for current juveniles, the Cape Slipper. Little Ballerina also won the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery at Turffontein

Royal Academy mare, Lupin won four times and sports an international pedigree. All three of her foals to race have been winners (Gladstone won six races) and she has a Quasillo baby entered as Lot 38.

Likewise, Sails Set also won four times (when trained by Brett Crawford) and she has produced a colt by emergent sire, Rafeef, who has already hit the target with 18 Stakes winners from just 182 runners. Go to stable A24 to inspect this attractive colt, listed as Lot 58.

Lot 76 is a Danon Platina filly out of the Brazilian dam, To You. Second dam, All for Love was the Broodmare of the Year in Brazil in 2007/08 after throwing Champion Older Male, L’Amico Steve and further down the page is packed with still more South American Black Type. Champagne Rose – granddaughter of For Freedom in 3^rd dam now a Gr1 and Gr2 winner

Erupt (a son of Dubawi) has a bay filly carded as Lot 84 out of the Medagio dÓro mare What a Thrill. Second dam Buckleupbuttercup was a prolific seven- time winner, up to Gr2 level in America.

Former champion miler and middle- distance colt, Legislate has since punched above his weight in the breeding sheds, making a big impact from small crops to race. Lot 93 is his bay filly out of Barega (a half to Lady of Steel) whilst second dam, Fair Maiden won the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes and third dam, Fair Bianca narrowly missed when second in the Majorca Stakes. Mondial out of Amur Affair in 3^rd dam ran 3^rd in SA Derby Gr1

Following immediately afterwards as Lot 94 is an unnamed The United States filly ex Bye Bye Baby (Trippi). The United States is a son of famed Irish stallion, Galileo.

Millstream conclude their offerings with Lot 97, a Futura colt out of stakes placed Captain’s Flo. He is a first foal – digging deeper into the bloodlines note fifth dam, Goldenflo who produced legendary champion sprinter of the mid 90’s, Flobayou.

Jan Mantel can be reached on 0828012499. Alternatively, jan@millstreamstud.co.za

DOWNLOAD IMAGES: https://www.caperacingsales.co.za/2024/05/28/crs-winter-yearling-sale-vendor-promotion-millstream-farm/

ENDS

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za

Cape Racing Sales Social Media:

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Drakenstein Send Five Proud Lots To CRS Winter Yearling Sale

Lot 110 is by boom sire One World out of a once-raced daughter of the top class Jet Master mare Ebony Flyer which makes this colt’s Duke Of Marmalade dam a half-sister to Cape Guineas-placed Cot Campbell (Cape Racing Sales)

Drakenstein Stud, beautifully situated beneath craggy mountains in the winelands on the approach to Franschhoek, are currently SA’s Champion Breeders, having finished in the Top 3 the last four years. As such, whatever they bring to market is eagerly anticipated by discerning buyers. They dispatch five babies to the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale, taking place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 June 2024.

Lot 3 is a Futura colt by Fantastic Trip – both her colts to race are winners. Second dam, Lady Windermere was the Champion 3YO Filly in SA in 2008/09 and there is plenty more Black Type when delving deeper to third dam, Ballad of Reading’s progeny.

Lot 57 is a colt by Querari out of Rock on Baby who has already thrown promising young sprinter, Amber Rock. The second dam Cutty Sark was a successful producer as Santa Maria (won the Gr3 Diana Stakes), Sailing Ship and Sail (placed up to Gr1 level) were notable talents.

Ashikule is a chestnut Erupt colt out of 4x winning mare, Shatoosh. He goes into the ring as Lot 66 and pedigree afficionados will note that second dam, Mink Coat, who has thrown several good winners is a half- sister to Gr1 Summer Cup heroine, Flirtation.

Drakenstein’s inspired purchase of American stallion, Trippi was a true master stroke. It will be fascinating following the progress in the breeding sheds of this great sire’s daughters. Lot 95 is a colt by first season sensation, One World, out of the Trippi mare, Cape Bluebell. Second dam, State Blue was a speedball who won seven times up to Gr3 level and was placed in G2 events.

Drakenstein’s last offering at this sale will be Daniel, a son of boom stallion, One World ex Dark Duchess, a half-sister to Cot Campbell who was placed in the Cape Guineas before going to Hong Kong. Third dam, Sunshine Lover, yielded the Champion 3YO Female Miler in 2007/08, Captain’s Lover, making Lot 110 well worth closer physical inspection in Stable C18.

The Pinhook incentive scheme, introduced in 2023, will again be a sale feature at CRWYS. The incentive allows speculators to make purchases at this sale while only having to pay for the stock once selling at the Ready to Run Sale in October.

All graduates qualify for the CRS Juvenile bonus, which pays R100,000 to the winning connections.

Kevin Sommerville will be in attendance to welcome prospective buyers and provide special insights into these athletic Drakenstein bred individuals. Use cell 072 167 9971 or email kevin@drakensteinstud.co.za

DOWNLOAD IMAGES: https://www.caperacingsales.co.za/2024/05/27/crs-winter-yearling-sale-vendor-promotion-drakenstein-stud/

ENDS

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at
justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at
janine@caperacing.co.za

Cape Racing Sales Social Media:

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

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Happy Valley Wednesday Formguides And Selections

Lyle Hewitson has seven rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday (Picture: HKJC)

Tim Carroll (At The Races)

Race 1: Class 5 Stanley Gap Handicap (11.40am) (5 furlongs)

5 HAPPY TANGO is a veteran that is drawn a tad high, but they do have a decent straight run before the bend and the draw isn’t as crucial over this trip as it is over six-furlongs. The selection has been placed both tries over this trip this season with a several of these in behind on both occasions & he was tad unlucky in one of those having been crowded at the start & forced to race upside down from the back. He’s a speedy type that should be able to grab a forward position and looks well placed with a 7lb claim.

Dangers:

1 King Invincible bombed over six-furlongs at Sha Tin last time but he was only beaten a lip over course & trip the start prior when having his first spin at this level and could easily bounce back.

10 Good View Glory is a ten-start maiden that has shown some improvement lately and although he usually goes over six-furlongs and is ridden from the second half of the field, he may enjoy having a solid gallop to aim at with first-time blinkers fitted.

2 Plentiful is a seven-start maiden not seen since July of last year when beaten just over two-lengths having met with support in the market and whilst he may need this, he drops in grade and he did win a recent trial.

Race 2: Class 4 Tai Tam Gap Handicap (12.10pm) (1 mile 3 furlongs)

6 SHARPEN BRIGHT was well held by Legion Of Merit, who he meets on 6lb better terms, over this trip at Sha Tin last time, but the leader got away with a pedestrian pace on the front that day and the selection was one of only two runners to make up any late leeway albeit without threatening. The David Hall 4yo looks a slow burner that still has scope for improvement over this trip and he does seem to enjoy Happy Valley, having finished runner-up before winning over this trip here in March from just two runs on the track this season. Ideally, he’d like a strong gallop to aim at, and whilst that’s unlikely, he should get a far more honest gallop than last time, and he did position up in midfield both starts here this season.

Dangers:

2 Billionaire Secret has his first start on the city track in over a year and will find this more to his liking now that he drops in grade with his last three starts at this level on turf netting two gold and a silver.

1 Intrepid Winner goes from the top of the handicap, but he drops down to Class 4 company for the very first time and he did win over course & trip at a level above this earlier in the campaign.

9 Legion Of Merit has found a bit of form recently which has coincided with stepping up in trip and he did finish in front of the selection when making all over this trip at Sha Tin last time, but he does go up 6lb having got away with walking them on the front last time.

Race 3: Class 4 Mount Nicholson Handicap (12.40pm) (6 furlongs)

2 ACE POWER was unplaced his first two starts but left that form behind when winning over course & trip last month. Interestingly, despite the yard being considered shrewd, he went off at double figures that night, which may suggest he caught them slightly off guard. He does go up 5lb for the win and he only just got there right on the line, but he picked up strongly over the concluding stages, which is always a positive sign, and he’s entitled to improve further.

Dangers:

12 Modest Gentleman has a modest overall record, but he has only had two runs for Dennis Yip, finishing runner-up two back before winning over the five-furlongs last time and although he moves up in grade & trip, he carries 11lb less at this level and is worth including with the current yard seemingly getting a nice tune out of the 5yo.

9 Gimmie Five is a five-start maiden that met with support last time when having his first spin on the city track, running a career best to grab the bronze, and he should have more to come.

4 Packing Power is a debutant that has looked sharp in a couple of recent trials and with Purton booked, a market watch is strongly advised.

Race 4: Class 4 Mount Nicholson Handicap (1.10pm) (6 furlongs)

7 SO TREASURE is a low mileage maiden than ran a career best last time at just his fourth career start when runner-up over course & trip to rival that went off favourite that he was conceding 5lbs to. The Mark Newnham 4yo drew high that night, having to work to get across to lead and was only picked off late by the winner, who had the run of the race on his tail all the way. The selection goes up 1lb for that, but he draws perfectly in 1 and should be able to grab a forward spot this time without having to spend any pennies early.

Dangers:

8 Sea Sapphire is a speedy type that broke his duck over this trip at Sha Tin in March and although unplaced, he hasn’t been beaten far his last two, he has a favourable draw and 7lb claimer Ellis Wong takes over from a senior rider.

2 California Cible, who has only had four runs since October & should strip fitter, wasn’t beaten far last time when having his first spin at this level and he drops a further 1lb in the handicap.

1 E Universe made all over course & trip two back but bombed badly last time, however Purton now takes over and although one of several here that like to punch forward, he does look to have a helpful draw.

Race 5: Class 4 Cricket Club Valley Stakes (Handicap) (1.40pm) (1 mile)

9 CAN’T GO WRONG, who was Group 2 placed in Australia earlier on in his career, has taken plenty of time to find his Hong Kong legs, but he’s been very consistent of late, having won over course & trip in a grade below this in March, before running with merit in four defeats at this level. He was beaten in a four-way photo last time when ridden further back than ideal due to a high draw, with the rider stating as much after the race. The selection draws in 1, which means he may need some luck, but I think they’ll ride him closer to the pace this time, and he looks worth a play in an open contest.

Dangers:

7 Kasa Papa, who was Group 3 placed in Australia (2021), is yet to break his local duck in twenty starts, but he went close last time when beaten a lip having been given plenty to do, and that was just his second start for Tony Cruz who looks to have found some improvement.

4 Setanta arrives with a 5lb penalty having rocketed home when winning over course & trip last time and although his wins have been few and far between, a recent change of yard seems to have brought about a return to form, but he is usually ridden cold and there’s no more than an honest gallop on offer.

1 Sixth Generation goes from the top of the handicap, but he has been runner-up his last two carrying big weights and is one to consider for the exotics.

Race 6: Class 4 Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (2.10pm) (1 mile)

3 SKY TRUST goes up 6lb having broken his duck over seven-furlongs last time when having his seventh start, and now has his first spin at Happy Valley and his first try over the mile. I don’t see the former being an issue, but the latter is a positive as the son of So You Think certainly gave the impression, he would relish a step up in trip last time when giving the leaders nearly eight lengths at the top of the straight. He lands in a contest with a solid gallop on offer, which looks ideal, and Hugh Bowman sticks solid having ridden him for the first time when he won.

Dangers:

2 I Can broke his local duck over course & trip two back at just his third try over this trip and lost very little in defeat last time when beaten a lip by a rival he was conceding 9lbs, with the first two clear of the others.

11 Northern Beast won over course & trip at a level below this in April and has had very little luck at his last two spins in this grade, but he does have what looks to be a helpful draw and Purton is a first-time booking.

4 Atomic Beauty won over course & trip two back before being beaten a lip by an unexposed type dropping in grade last time, and the race does map favourably from the draw, but he does go up a further 2lb for his last run.

Race 7: Class 3 Shouson Hill Handicap (2.45pm) (1 mile)

10 HELENE WARRIOR, who was a twice winning juvenile for Michael Bell when known as Red Zone Hero, has run with a bit of promise all four local starts without winning. The selection was a never nearer fourth over this trip at Sha Tin last time and whilst he doesn’t get close to the winner, the run can be marked up given he was slightly held up in thee straight. The Danny Shum 3yo will be having his first spin on the city track, but he lands in a contest with a strong gallop on offer, which suits, and the meeting is being held on the ‘A’ course, which is the widest of all seven used, thus those ridden from off the pace usually get their chance.

Dangers:

1 Frantanck goes from the top of the handicap, and he is a pace runner in a race that sees several who like to punch forward, but he has recorded two recent wins at Sha Tin over this trip, he’s ideally drawn in 1, and the tight layout of the city track looks a good fit.

6 Rocket Spade, who won the 2021 New Zealand Derby, is yet to break his duck in twenty-two local starts, but his mark drops into the 60’s for the first time and there a strong gallop on offer that will suit his late closing style.

11 Chain Of Gold, who won a couple of low level races in Australia, had very little luck last time when less than a length behind Lovero at his sixth local start, and it’s worth noting Purton sticks solid at what is toward the bottom end of his riding weight.

Race 8: Class 3 Violet Hill Handicap (3.15pm) (6 furlongs)

3 LADY’S CHOICE, who was a twice winner over this trip at Sha Tin last season is yet to win in eleven starts during the current campaign, yet has managed to climb 8lb in the handicap, which is a testament to how consistent the Michael Chang 4yo is. I suppose some may question his willingness to get his head in front, but to be fair, he has been close-up in behind some smart rivals. The selection will be having his first every spin at Happy Valley, and I think that could work the oracle as he has natural pace, but he’s likely to have the run of the race on the leaders tail here.

Dangers:

2 Watch Buddy was a thrice winner over course & trip between November & February and although unplaced his last two, he had no luck in one of those and was found to be lame post-race last time and could easily bounce back after a short lay-off.

1 Kaholo Angel was an easy winner over course & trip two back and made up plenty of late leeway when fourth having been snagged back from a high draw last time in a pace dominated race, but he once again has a tricky draw.

12 Kyrus Dragon, who was a twice winner in Australia, is yet to win in eight local starts but he was given plenty to do from a high draw when placed last time and whilst he won’t be on the front, he should be able to sit closer from the low stall.

Race 9: Class 3 Violet Hill Handicap (3.50pm) (6 furlongs)

6 CALIFORNIA TOUCH broke his local duck over course & trip at a level below this in April and although placed his last couple of runs in this grade, this is a lessor Class 3 than the last two that he’s contested. The selection was only beaten a lip last time when runner-up to a rival that was completing a four-timer, with the first two well clear of the others. He’s been tried from the front his last three, and with the other two pace runners (Mega Bonus & Ka Ying Cheer) drawn outside, he’s likely to make a bold bid from the front again.

Dangers:

2 Wings Of War took fifteen goes to get off the mark in Hong Kong but he did win in good style over course & trip last time, thus it’s hard to argue with the 7lb penalty, and the race maps strongly from the low draw.

1 Sugar Sugar has a tricky draw & goes from the top of the handicap, but he’s a five-time course & trip winner that will be suited by stepping back up from five-furlongs, and the 5lb claim for Alfie Chan (on top for four of those five wins) helps.

4 A Americ Te Specso isn’t one of the John Size stable stars, but he is a four-time course & trip winner that likes to be ridden cold off a strong gallop, and he should get a solid clip to aim at here.

BETTING ON HONG KONG RACING

Punters can bet into the Hong Kong pools online through Tote.co.uk

WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT

Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 27 combinations (3x3x1x3x1x1), which will cost £2.70 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1- 2 CALIFORNIA CIBLE 7 SO TREASURE 8 SEA SAPPHIR

LEG 2- 4 SETANTA 7 KASA PAPA 9 CAN’T GO WRONG

LEG 3- 3 SKY TRUST

LEG 4- 1 FRANTANCK 6 ROCKET SPADE 10 HELENE WARRIOR

LEG 5- 3 LADY’S CHOICE

LEG 6- 6 CALIFORNIA TOUCH

TIM’S BEST BETS

2.10pm HAPPY VALLEY

SKY TRUST (NAP)

3.15pm HAPPY VALLEY

LADY’S CHOICE (NB)

3.50pm SHA TIN

CALIFORNIA TOUCH (NB2)

Tattersalls Online June 5th/6th Sale - 140 Lots, Breeze-Up Session

Picture: Lot 8, a colt by Earthlight out of Zip Along | Tattersalls Online (Alisha Meeder Photography)

The catalogue for the Tattersalls Online June Sale can now be viewed here, with 140 lots set to be offered when the sale takes place on June 5-6, including 51 two-year-olds in the second edition of the Online Breeze-Up Session.

The 51 lots, which include the progeny of first-season sires such as Earthlight (Ire) and Kameko, breezed prior to the sale at Chelmsford Racecourse and Dundalk Stadium. The breeze-up footage and timings for all lots have been recorded and are available on the Tattersalls Online website. Each will also be offered with a Pre-sale Five Stage Veterinary Certificate

Of the 71 horses in and out of training set to go under the virtual hammer, Dragon Icon (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 68) is one of the most accomplished having finished fifth in last year’s G2 German 2,000 Guineas after winning his first two starts. Consigned by Roger Varian’s Carlburg Stables, the four-year-old is a full-brother to the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Aunt Pearl (Ire).

Baroda Stud will offer a draft of five lots which includes the 87-rated colt Respectful (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) (lot 100), a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Doctor Geoff (Ire) (Fast Company) and the Group 2-placed Show Respect (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). The draft also features an unraced three-year-old filly named World Vision (Ire) (lot 58), who is by Galileo (Ire) out of the Group 3 winner and dual Group 1-placed Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).

Eight broodmares, five point-to-pointers, four stores and one yearling will also be offered for sale when bidding opens at noon on Wednesday, June 5.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS OF THE SALE

Trainer Bedi Intends To Appeal Tuesday's Objection Decision

Wolverhampton: placings were reversed in the second race on Tuesday evening’s cardCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Racing Post (Jack Haynes) June 04, 2024

Trainer Jessica Bedi intends to appeal against the stewards’ decision to reverse the placings in the 1m1½f handicap at Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening.

Bedi’s Prince Hector, the mount of Paula Muir, passed the post a nose in front of the David Dennis-trained High Court Judge following a protracted battle up the home straight.

However, the stewards deemed Prince Hector had drifted off a straight line, inconveniencing the Rob Hornby-ridden runner-up, and issued a revised result.

Bedi, who was successful with Pateen at Cartmel last week, said: “Prince Hector loves it around Wolverhampton so to bring him back here and have a race taken from us – for not really much of a reason – is a bit devastating.

“Paula did absolutely everything in her powers to keep him straight and had her whip in the correct hand. We intend to appeal against the decision – for the sake of Paula, the horse and the owners involved – and I feel like it’s been stolen from us. He drifted slightly but the other horse was drifting as well, so we’ll see.”

Paula Muir: rode first-past-the-post Prince Hector

Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Simon Mapletoft, who was presenting on course for Sky Sports Racing, said there was a general feeling of surprise about the decision on track and spoke to Louise Moore, the BHA’s chief steward at the meeting, about the decision.

Moore said on Sky Sports Racing: “From about a furlong out there was a steady carry – albeit very steady – from the winner to the second and a nose was the margin at the line.

“We took a bit of time to deliberate over this, and while initially Mr Hornby’s horse went right of its own accord, Miss Muir’s horse inside the final furlong just kept inching across and intimidating Mr Hornby’s horse.

“There was no contact but we do take intimidation into account when considering a result. We had to consider that if the second horse had an uninterrupted run to the line, could it have finished in front of the winner? We felt his run had been interrupted; he was carried several horses’ widths off his intended line for a considerable length of time.”

Asked if Muir had done much wrong, Moore said: “No but she got herself into a sustained battle and she had to keep her horse straight.

“She accepted there was a bit of a drift, and said she had her whip in the correct hand, but if you feel yourself coming off a correct line, we would like to see you put your whip down, pull on that left rein to get your horse straight again, and that would have enabled Mr Hornby’s horse to straighten up, and in our opinion, without that carry, he would have finished in front of Miss Muir.”

Muir was suspended for two days for careless riding and will be on the sidelines on June 23 and 24.

Gavin Lerena Double

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Tsar Bomba secures a double for Gavin Lerena (Picture: Racing Today)

Gavin Lerena was the only double scorer at the Vaal today.

He goes to 145 wins for the season scored at a strike rate of 19.94%.

Today’s Question

The picture is of the subject

Who is the current leading sire in Europe?

Midweek FIELDS

Vaal, Tuesday

Today’s Question Answer

Picture: Lope De Vega: Ballylinch Stud sire is on fire with two French Classic winners. Credit: Patrick McCann

Prix du Jockey Club triumph for Lope De Vega and Haras de la Morsangliere as Look De Vega strikes

Kitty Trice (June 2)

The unbeaten Look De Vega appeared a star in the making for the red-hot Lope De Vega with a clear-cut win in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.

Leading home the fellow Lope De Vega-sired First Look, the Carlos and Yann Lerner-trained colt was making it three from three after a Fontainebleau win at two last November and then a Longchamp conditions race score last month.

The bay was, notably, providing the Ballylinch Stud resident and fellow Prix du Jockey Club scorer with his 21st top-flight winner and second French Classic success of the season after Rouhiya’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches triumph for the Aga Khan.

Lope De Vega’s latest star was bred by owner Haras de la Morsangliere alongside Ecurie des Charmes and had been a private €160,000 sale from Arqana’s August Yearling event in 2022.

Intriguingly, Haras de la Morsangliere is renowned for raising showjumpers but has now stormed into the racing world in some style. Look De Vega’s dam, the winning High Chaparral mare Lucelle, was the first thoroughbred mare Joelle Mestrallet bought, having been picked up at the 2013 Arqana August Sale for €85,000 by Meridian International.

Mestrallet said: “It’s a wonderful story of friendship and encounters. I met Monsieur Urano and bought Lucelle, this colt’s dam and the first thoroughbred I bought. That was only ten years or so ago. I fell in love with her at Madame O’Reilly’s just before she was due to be sold.

“Then I was introduced to Monsieur Lerner, who bought half. It was also a chance to meet Ronan [Thomas, jockey], who has done some fantastic work with the horse and had such confidence in him from the start. He might not have had as much experience as would be ideal for this level of race, but he did it nonetheless.”

Comparing racing to the showjumping arena, she said: “When you are in a showjumping competition – and I have a mare who won at championship level for her age group [seven-year-old] – it is a long haul and it is more about suspense, and the way the emotion builds to a crescendo. This is intensely stressful to watch.”

Look De Vega is the fourth foal out of Lucelle and is a half-sibling to three winners, including the useful Titian, by Iffraaj, as well as Wootton Bassett’s three-time-winning daughter Alma Bella. Lucelle has a two-year-old colt by Almanzor.

Lucelle is out of the winning Cape Cross mare Larceny, making her a half-sister to Lancashire Oaks winner and Ribblesdale Stakes third The Black Princess. Larceny is a close relation to another Prix du Jockey Club winner in Lawman, as well as a half-sister to Prix de Diane winner Latice and Satri, winner of the Prix du Palais-Royal and second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Wertheimer homebred Aventure made it a good day for Irish-based sires when streaking to success in the following Group 3 Prix de Royaumont.

The filly, who picked up black type when second in last season’s Prix des Reservoirs and also runner-up this term in the Prix de la Seine, hails from one of the bluest-blooded Wertheimer families.

The daughter of Gilltown Stud’s Sea The Stars is out of Singspiel mare Balladeuse, winner of the Prix de Royallieu. The 19-year-old half-sister to Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Plumania and Group 1-winning producer Dancequest is also the dam of Prix Vermeille winner and black-type producer Left Hand and Romanciere, third in the Prix Jean Romanet.