New Predator Pitches Up For Pooe

Trainer Robyn Klaasen and owner “Stincky” Pooe (glasses on top of head) lead in ther respective first Grade 1 winner, Purple Pitcher, who also provided a first Gr 1 winner for the late Australian-bred sire New Predator. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The late New Approach stallion New Predator showed what a loss he will be when his sons Purple Pitcher and Pure Predator finished first and a two length fourth in Saturday’s Gr 1 RAB SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein Standside.

Trainer Robyn Klaasen and owner “Stincky” Pooe landed their respective first Gr 1 wins courtesy of the gallant colt Purple Pitcher, who led from start to finish under Kabelo Matsunyane.

The Bush Hill Stud-bred Purple Pitcher had only finished a 4,20 length fourth in the TAB Gauteng Guineas and was allowed to open at odds of 16/1 for the SA Classic. However, Klaasen pointed out afterwards that the Classic had always been his chief target. He had shortened in to 10/1 by the off, while Gauteng Guineas winner Sandringham Summit remained steady at 6/10.

Sandringham Summit was dropped out from a wide draw of ten and ended up probably further back than he would have liked. He had about six or seven lengths to make up in the straight. He ran on well but Purple Pitcher, having rallied to see off William Iron Arm, stayed on resolutely and Sandringham was unable to fetch him, failing by 0,75 lengths. A possibly notable point is Sandringham Summit appeared to fail to change legs for the entire race, or at least for the entire length of the straight.

William Iron was beaten 1,50 lengths into third after moving up dangerously in the straight. Pure Predator gave the late sire New Predator a first and fourth in the race and Hotarubi did well to finish fifth, considering he was unsettled early.

Purple Pitcher has been raised six points to 120. Sandringham Summit remains on 123 while William Iron Arm goes up one point to 117. Pure Predator has been raised 12 points to 116 and Hotarubi remains on 116.

Pure Predator could provide Fanie Bronkhorst with a second Hollywoodbets Durban July runner. He got Running Brave into the race in 2021. Pure Predator actually ran on July day last year, finishing a a fine 3,80 length third to Main Defender in the BSA Sales Cup over 1300m.

Gold Circle put the post race interviews into text (see below).

KABELO MATSUNYANE (jockey): “This is a special 50th winner (of the season). I think my ancestors were with me today. God was definitely with me and had his guardian angels guiding me into this race. I went into the race very confident. I prayed over it and manifested it over my life. Robyn has done an amazing job with this horse. When working the horse this past week, I told Robyn that I was very confident going into the race and didn’t see him getting beat. He showed today that he’s definitely a horse with ability. I never thought I would be in front, but when the pace was a bit sedate and no one looked to take me on, I wasn’t shy to go to the front as I’ve won from the front with this horse before. My horse is gutsy and a fighter, and that’s what he did today.

ROBYN KLAASEN (trainer): “What an amazing horse he is to have. I don’t really have any words, but the Classic was always his goal. In the Computaform it says he was disappointing in the Guineas, but we always knew that this was the goal for him”.

MR POOE (owner): “We waited the 18 (1800m) for such a long time. The next one (3rd leg of the SA Triple Crown), we have a big chance. This is a future stayer. Once he hit the front, I knew it was over as there was no way they were going to catch him’.

Emperor's Palace Ride Of The Month, Vote And Win A Prize

Bernard Fayd’Herbe completed a top class ride on WSB Cape Town Met day by managing to flatten out his mount Cafe Culture which might just have made the difference in a tight finish (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Turf Talk have chosen five rides in February for the Emperor’s Palace Ride Of The Month competition.

Vote for one of the rides listed below and stand a chance to win a nice prize (last month the prize was a one night stay with breakfast at the Peermont Mondior Hotel at Emperor’s Palace).

To have a chance of winning submit your choice to editor@turftalk.co.za

An explanation of each ride is given acompanied by a video link.

When submitting, send the ride number of your choice and jockey’s name.

1. Bernard Fayd’Herbe – Cafe Culture 24/02 Cape Turf Club Cape B Stakes 1400m Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Fayd’Herbe was going to have to attempt to use Cafe Culture’s speed while making sure there was something still in the tank for the last 200m, considering this horse had been swamped late over this trip in his previous start when attempting a trip beyond a sprint for only the second time. From draw four Fayd’he duly used the Lucinda Woodruff-trained four-year-old Var gelding’s asset of speed to claim the rail. He then reined him in and was left in the box seat in about fourth place after widely drawn horses had come around. Inamorare moved up around the turn to get handier after the pace had slowed. The latter set sail for home, but Fayd’Herbe watched on without making any serious move until the 250m mark. He got a clear run and Cafe Culture had enough in reserve to use his asset of speed for the second time in the race. However, he had to make up two lengths in the last 150m. Fayd’Herbe got the most out of him with rhythmical use of the crop in the left hand and a right hand sliding up and down from mid-neck right up to the ears. Jockeys attempt to flatten a horse on the line in a tight finish in order to get the head stretched out and Fayd’Herbe put the stick away for the last three strides. He helped the horse get his head down on the line with his arms stretched full length and his hands actually pushed the horse’s head forward in the all important last lunge. As the race was won by the narrowest of margins, Fayd’Herbe’s tactical awareness, riding skills and strength in the finish made all the difference.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FAYD’HERBE’S RIDE ON CAFE CULTURE

2. Richard Fourie – Thunderstruck 24/02 Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes 1200m Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Thunderstruck had only just failed under Piere Strydom in his previous start in the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m when leading and narrowly beaten by the other frontrunner in the race Dyce. This time there was no Dyce and Fourie sat on the quarters of the leader Countdown to ensure there was something in reserve for the finish of the 200m longer race. When Future Variety began flying at him in the last 200m, Fourie had to draw on those reserves. He extracted the necessary extra and aided the horse in this frantic finish with not just one, but two deft changes of whiphand in the last 150m. Thunderstruck was odds-on and Fourie’s tactics and riding skills ensured that one of the meeting bankers arrived.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RICHARD FOURIE’S RIDE ON THUNDERSTRUCK

3. Ryan Munger – In The Ether 22/02 MR74 Handicap for fillies and mares 1000m Turffontein Inside

This Grant Maroun-trained five-year-old Announce mare has gained a reputation for her short but devastating run in. Munger was riding her for the third time in quick succession, so knew her well by now and from a wide draw duly dropped her out to last in this 1000m contest on Turffontein Inside. He crucially switched her on to the outside train when the opportunity arose, which ultimately ensured a clear run down the outside. The temptation when such a horse becomes detached halfway through a 1000m sprint would be to begin begin chasing. However, Munger did not fall to that temptation and kept her in the hands all the way until the 300m mark. He then gave her some light backhanders and In The Ether swept forwards. A deft change of whiphand was required when she began hanging outward away from the whip. In the post race interview it was also revealed she responds particularly well to a left-handed backhander. He executed the whiphand change well and two left-handed taps saw her taking off to win by a cosy length. Munger could afford to put the crop away when the horse began hanging inward late in the contest.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MUNGER’S RIDE ON IN THE ETHER

4. The Winter Lake – Muzi Yeni MR 96 Handicap turf 1200m Fairview

This Gavin Smith-trained What A Winter gelding had shown improvement with blinkers when winning over 1000m in December despite not getting the best of breaks. He was raised five points and two runs later Yeni was aboard for this 1200m race. Some might have questioned Yeni having the horse in the leading line without cover after a good break. However, in his aforementioned win two runs earlier under a different jockey he had been slowly away, yet took the lead before halfway, a potentiallly energy sapping manoeuvre, and still won easily. Furthermore, he had finished fourth under Yeni in the Listed RA Stakes ovber 1600m. Yeni would thus have known this horse not only had speed but also the ability to stay on. He duly holds the horse together in the lead until the 300m mark then drives him with the hands. The horse just required a couple of backhanders to see off a late challenge to win by a cosy 1,25 lengths under the always tactically astute Yeni.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH YENI’S RIDE ON THE WINTER LAKE

5. Rachel Venniker – All The Time MR 74 Handicap 1200m Hollywoodbets Scottsville

The Yogas Govender-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding All The Time is a horse who has a lot of zip and takes quite a keen hold, so ideally one needs to get him covered up early in a 1200m event down the straight. Rachel executed the perfect start from draw 2 , not slow but just slow enough to slot in behind the inside drawn horse. She kept All The Time glued to the back of that horse through the first half of the race. However, the latter had wandered over to the rail and didn’t have the cruising speed of All The Time, so it was wise to switch him outward into fresh air at about the halfway mark to 1) avoid being boxed in as the field often drifts over to the inside in the closing stages and 2) to allow him to stride more freely. After switching him into fresh air, she kept him perfectly relaxed until the 350m mark and then asked the question. All The Time responded and then, with the joint favourite El Draque looking dangerous towards the outside, she gave him a smack at the 200m mark. He duly repelled the challenger and Rachel just had to keep him going straight in the last 150 metres. He emerged a comfortable 0,90 length winner.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VENNIKER’S RIDE ON ALL THE TIME

Honourable mention:

Craig Zackey – Green With Envy 24/02 Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby 2000m Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Craig Zackey had full confidence in his horse and from a tricky draw of six reined him in early in order to ensure cover. He sat one out with cover on the back of the outer train and showed no sign of panic despite the race being reduced to an absolute crawl. He stayed put behind Hhuhluwe all the way around the turn and while the others began sprinting for home Zackey was still sitting high in the saddle until the 400m mark. He then got to work and the superior horse in the field swept past the opposition to win by 2,75 lengths. It could be called an armchar ride, but Zackey knew how good his mount was and his ice cool ride ensured there was no mistake.

Rachel Venniker’s winning ride in Saudi Arabia was one of the highlights of the month and would have been regarded as a well nigh perfect ride in SA, but she unfortunately broke a local rule so it can’t be included.

Gimme A Nother Takes Another Step Towards Greatness

Gimme A Nother obliterates the field once again with her devastating late burst (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Horse Chestnut was without a doubt the greatest of the quartet of horses who landed the Triple Crown and a horse running in the same colours, Gimme A Nother, might soon be challenging Igugu as the greatest to have won the Triple Tiara. However, that is only if she runs in and wins the Triple Tiara, because Mike de Kock said after her Gr 1 win on Saturday she might go for the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes instead of the last leg of the Triple Tiara, the Gr 2 SA Oaks.

Horse Chesnut and Igugu were also from the yard of the legendary De Kock, who also landed the Triple Crown with Malmoos.

The yellow and black colours of Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer that Horse Chestnut carried are these days raced by the Mauritzfontein Stud that the famous couple founded.

The latter is now being run by their granddaughter Jessica Jell and her husband Steven.

These colours have been carried to Triple Tiara glory already by two Mauritzfontein Stud homebreds, Tiger Ridge filly Cherry On The Top and Silvano filly Summer Pudding.

Neither of those two can be considered as good as the Australian-bred Galileo filly Igugu, because the latter went on to become only the sixth horse in history to land the July-Met double.

However, such is the consummate ease with which Gimme A Nother despatched the opposition in the first two legs of the Triple Tiara, she could not only become the sixth horse to land the Triple Tiara but she could also go on to challenge Igugu’s unofficial title as the best Triple Tiara winner.

South Africa’s new darling of the turf sat handier than her previous race in Saturday’s Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic under ice cool JP van der Merwe. She moved up steadily in the straight and then, as usual, took off late to obliterate them by 4,25 lengths.

Her time was 0,41 seconds slower than Purple Pitcher’s, but one can only win and she beats them easily every time and does it more impressively everytime.

The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred and Mauritzfontein-owned homebred has now won six on the trot.

She has Triple Tiara heroine Summer Pudding’s feat of winning her first nine races in her sights. The South African record unbeaten trot is eleven by Home Guard, which he clinched in 1969, and Gimme A Nother might challenge that record too.

Gimme A Nother’s stablemate Silver Sanctuary is fast becoming the Pablo Zeta of this year’s fillies crop. The latter was the bridesmaid to the great Horse Chestnut and the Drakenstein Stud homebred Silver Sanctuary has likewise seen the same yellow and black colours in front of her for the second successive Triple Tiara event. With that in mind there will also be the question of whether De Kock can achieve a Triple Tiara of exactas, i.e. first and second in all three legs of the Triple Tiara.

Let’s Go Now, Bavarian Beauty and Beating Wings were third, fourth and fifth respectively in Saturday’s SA Fillies Classic.

Gold Circle compiled the post race comments into text (see below):

JP van der MERWE (jockey): “We thought from day 1 that she’s better than average. I’m so happy everything is falling into place as this group 1 was the main goal. Last time she was very hot, playing up and sticking up, so well done to the stable as they decided to get a lead-pony and it’s played out well. In the race I got a nice position and was very happy where I was. In the straight she was a little bit flat-footed and I panicked a bit. I showed her the stick and then everything just fell into place. She quickened so well when I asked her for an effort and it was race over.

MIKE de KOCK (trainer): “It’s nice to have these horses but they do add years on your life. I’m getting a bit old for these types of things these days! When you’re a young buck and a bit more ‘ballsey’, you deal with it a bit more. There was obviously a lot of expectation, but when you have a filly like this, it’s natural to feel nervous that she’s going to do her best, but she just does. She turns up here and makes us look good. At the 400 today, she looked like she was going nowhere, but she can do that in work as well. As you ask her, it like there’re jets ignited. It looks like she might be better than the grandmother (Mother Russia) who was very good and so was her mother (Nother Russia). She still has to take on older horses before we get carried away. I’m not convinced about ‘The Oaks’, as there is ‘The Empress Club’ on the same day, which is a group 1 over the mile, which looks a more enticing prospect for me. At this stage of the game, I think we have to concentrate on the group 1 races, but we won’t make those decisions now’.

MARY SLACK: “She’s something out of this world. Jessica is in America, but apparently, she was already on the champagne at breakfast! She is beside herself. This is truly a family affair as she bought the dam (Nother Russia) from me, as I own the granddam (Mother Russia), so it’s all beautifully connected”.

Tony Peter and Calvin Habib's Halcyon Day

Calvin Habib’s emotions are clear as main Defender crosses the line to land his first Gr 1 victory in the wfa HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Tony Peter and Calvin Habib had a fine day at Turffontein Standside on Saturday with four winners together, including a Gr 1 and two Listed races, while the former’s sister-in-law Robyn Klaasen had a milestone first Gr 1 winner.

The top class Peter-trained Main Defender was opened as a 10/1 shot for the Gr 1 wfa HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and this must have been due to a question mark about his stamina and also possible questions about a habit of shifting to the right in the closing stages. He was also up against the like of the Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla. However, he was backed in to 28/10 second favourite and ran accordingly.

Dave The King ran a cracker last time out in his first run as a gelding and set the pace. The race did not pan out well for Princess Calla from a fair draw of five and she ended up having to sit one out and one back without cover as Sugar Mountain held his position on the rail. Main Defender was held up from draw eight and was initially trapped wide but the rider of Son Of Raj was fortunately happy for the former to slot in to the position he had. Main Defender, now covered in midfield, settled in to his familiar big ,relaxed action on the back of a fair pace. Dave The King made a bold bid to stay in front down the outside with Princess Calla, who was on the outside rail, challenging. However, Main Defender had moved through effortlessly down the centre and when asked the question by Calvin Habib at the 200m mark responded in supreme fashion to win readily by 2,75 lengths. He shifted outward after a right handed smack and then shifted in right across the course, as he had done in his last two starts, after being smacked with the left hand. This race appeared to prove his shifting antics are just a response to the whip rather than any soundness issue.

Dave The King finished second as Princess Calla’s less than perfect trip saw her tiring in the closing stages, although she held on for a 4,75 length third.

Cousin Casey was dropped out to the back and came from second last to run a 5,25 length fourth, a good run.

Son Of Raj showed he has plenty of class, an not just stamina, by running on for a 5,50 length fifth.

Main Defender, who is by Pathfork and was bred by Jagessar Limited and owned by JJ Nassif and GK and MM Habib, became the first three-year-old since Soqrat in 2019 to win this weight for age mile. He has been given a merit rating of 131 by the handicappers, so is now officially the best three-year-old in the land.

Peter has the two most exciting two-year-olds on the Highveld, if not the country, in Pistol Pete and Almond Sea. This respective Buffalo Bill Cody colt and Canford Cliffs filly remain unbeaten in three starts apiece.

They won the Listed Storm Bird Stakes and Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m by 3,25 and 8,25 lengths respectively on Saturday. Both were ridden by Habib.

Peter and Habib cinched the four-timer in the last race when the Bruce le Roux-bred Just As Well gelding Judgement Day won a maiden plate over 1600m. Judgement Day has taken seven races to win his maiden, but has often bumped decent sorts, so he should go on to win again.

Wilgerbosdrift And Mauritzfontein Are Challenging The Champions Drakenstein

The Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Bill Cody colt Pistol Pete is out on his own in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m under Calvin Habib and gave Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein the first of a treble as breeders at the Big T on Saturday (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein enjoyed a fine day on Saturday at Turffontein Standside with a treble of stakes wins and fittingly it happened on the day that they sponsor as well as on the day in which a Gr 1 was named after the founder of Mauritzfontein i.e. Harry Oppenheimer.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein’s homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme A Nother won the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and two horses Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein bred i.e Pistol Pete (Buffalo Bill Cody) and Mover and Shaker (Rafeef) won Listed races.

Mover And Shaker won the Listed TAB J J The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m. He is trained by Fabian Habib and was ridden by Denis Schwarz.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein were champion breeders in 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 and have put themselves in with a fine chance of landing another title.

They are now just R1,302,331 behind reigning champions Drakenstein Stud in this season’s title race.

Furthermore, they have taken their number of stakes winners for this season to ten and betwen them those ten have won 13 stakes races.

That puts tihem close to Drakenstein, who have had 14 stakes winners this season of 19 races.

Drakenstein are attempting to break the record for stakes winners in a season for the third time in succession.

Their 20 stakes winners last season (of 35 races) broke the record they had set the previous season of 18 stakes winners (of 23 races).

Drakenstein had a stakes win on Saturday with the Sean Tarry-trained Silvano filly Silver Hills, who won the Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m. It was her second Listed win in successive races, both times ridden by Serino Moodley.

A Day for Mark Khan and Bush Hill To Remember

Mark Khan’s new chapter begins in fine style (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Bush Hill Stud not only bred the winner of the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic on Saturday at Turffontein Standside i.e New Predator colt Purple Pitcher, but they also bred the winner of the fourth race, the Lance gelding Sea Shanty.

The latter maiden win was significant in that it was the former multiple champion jockey Mark Khan’s first runner as a licensed trainer and his first winner.

Ryan Munger was up and managed to extract a late charge down the outside rail to convert odds of 20/1 by 0,30 lengths.

Gold Circle converted the post race comments into text (see below):

RYAN MUNGER (jockey): “First runner (for Mark Khan) and it’s a winner. It’s a great start for Mr Khan’s training career. He’s dedicated a lot to this game and it’s nice that it’s started off like this. I’ll be the picture that goes on the wall riding Sea Shanty! I didn’t know a lot about this fella, but watched his replays which gave me an idea how to ride him. He was under pressure 600 out, but the last 100 he really turned it on well. It was a very good win from him.

MARK KHAN (trainer): “It’s been a nice journey but a tough journey. It’s moments like this that just make everything seem so sweet. This horse will get further … he will run a 1400 or a mile, but I couldn’t put him to that test today as he’s been off the track for 6 or 7 weeks, and needed to give him a chance to get back into it. It’s a wonderful moment and I have just got to enjoy it!”

Snaith And Van Niekerk Dominate Kenilworth Sunday Meeting

Tough Terrain clinches a four-timer for the Justin Snaith/Grant van Niekerk Partnership (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Dark Winter got favourite backers off to a flying start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday with a comfortable victory over the well-bred newcomer Tuscan Romance who drifted out to 25/1 before the start. Trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by Grant Van Niekerk, Dark Winter looked hard to oppose on paper and she duly obliged for Owner-Breeders Drakenstein Stud.

Tuscan Romance is clearly one for the notebook and the same comment applies to debutantes White Waters and Miss Argonaut who completed the Quartet. Sorceress Supreme was a touch disappointing in fifth placing and should prove capable of better going forward.

Lightly raced Lightning Glow showed further improvement from his recent maiden success to run out a narrow winner of the second race to give the Snaith/Van Niekerk combination a quickfire double. The well supported Luce Verde was running on strongly at the line to get within half-a-length of the winner and his second career victory cannot be too far away. Pace-setter Fly Futura stayed on nicely to complete the Trifecta, but Marshall Field was very one-paced and appears to have trained off.

The Adam Marcus stable has been in good form and Hampstead Heath was not winning out of turn when taking out the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1600m. Plum Pudding went clear approaching the final 200m but Hampstead Heath quickened well from off the pace under Bernard Fayd’herbe and the daughter of Rafeef gradually gained the upper hand to win going away with more than a length to spare. Plum Pudding kept on well to fill the Exacta position with Saint Brigid making some late headway for third.

Four Jacks appeared to have the best credentials in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and attracted good support from 6/1 into 33/10. The race was run a strong pace and Four Jacks came from some way back with a sustained run in the stretch to hold out the improving Tsunami Warning, giving Snaith and Van Niekerk their third winner of the afternoon. Tsunami Warning relished the step up in trip and the Kannemeyer-trained son of Danon Platina should shed his maiden ticket in the near future.

Time for Love was seeking a hattrick of wins when lining up in the fifth race, the Cape B Stakes over 1800m, but in a thrilling finish she was gunned down late by the fast-finishing Katsu with Prevalence a close third. Time For Love and Prevalence locked horns approaching the final 400m but all the while Katsu was making huge gains under JP van der Merwe and the Louis The King gelding got up close home to win a good race for trainer Lucinda Woodruff.

A successful Hobday operation has transformed Aspect from an ordinary maiden into a useful looking handicapper and the Global View gelding secured back-to-back victories when going start to finish in Race 6, the Cape C Stakes over 1400m. Allowed to jump away at 16/1, Aspect made every inch of the running and was never in danger of defeat. He was chased home by Master of Paris and Le Legionnaire with Kelp Forest a rather disappointing fourth. The latter moved up dangerously approaching the final 200m but never went through with his effort and became very one-paced in the closing stages.

This column’s selection for the seventh race, Fly To Rio, was allowed to start at 12/1 but she delivered after narrowly getting the better of a protracted struggle with F Eight over the final 300m. Queen Bomi ensured a solid early gallop but gave way early in the home straight as F Eight and Fly To Rio came forward to dispute the finish. The result was in the balance until the last few strides when Keanen Steyn extracted that little bit extra from the daughter of Pomodoro to get the verdict in a driving finish.

Snaith and Van Niekerk notched up their fourth victory in the 8^th race over 1000m when Tough Terrain came through late to grab The Abdicator in the shadow of the post. Craig Zackey opted to give The Abdicator a chance by settling off the early speed, rather than blazing a trail, and the change of tactics look destined to succeed when The Abdicator moved up strongly between horses inside the last 200m. But just as The Abdicator poked his nose in front Van Niekerk produced Tough Terrain with a well-timed challenge to score narrowly in a blanket finish. King Of The Gauls and Nordic Chief completed the frame with only half-a-length covering the top four.

After drawing a rare blank at Turffontein on Saturday, Richard Fourie had to wait until the final race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday to record his 196^th win of the Season. Riding Hear My Voice for trainer Paul Reeves, the daughter of Captain Of All finished strongly to collar Swift Action inside the last 50 metres with Wordsworth and On Board rounding out the Quartet.

Happy Birthday To Turf Talk sponsored jockey Craig Bantam!

Craig Bantam wins on the Andries Steyn-trained Wylie Jack in December (Picture: Wayne Marks)

A belated happy birthday to Turf Talk sponsored jockey Craig Bantam.

Craig has been getting more rides but not many more realistic winning chances and remains on seven wins for the season.

However, his time is coming because there is little doubt he is an accomplished rider who should get better with age and he has age on his side as he turned 28 on Monday.

Today’s Question

Pablo Zeta wins the 1998 Gr2 Gosforth Park Juvenile Colts & Geldings Stakes under Piere Strydom.

How many times was the Argentinian-bred Pablo Zeta (Candy Stripes) runner up to the great Horse Chestnut?

Midweek FIELDS

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Tuesday

Today’s Question Answer

Pablo Zeta was runner up to Horse Chestnut four times in all.

He was beaten in the Spring season on the Highveld twice by Horse Chestnut in the Listed Graham beck Stakes over 1400m and the Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m by seven lengths and 4,25 lengths respectively.

He then went down to Cape Town for the Gr 1 Cape Argus Guineas but Horse Chestnut pitched up too and thrashed him again, this time by 7,15 lengths.

He then managed to escape Horse Chestnut in the Gr 2 Newmarket Guineas as the latter was still recovering from his brilliant Met win.

However, to add insult to injury the Newmarket Guineas was won by Horse Chestnut’s stablemate Fort Defiance and Pablo Zeta could only manage fourth.

However, Pablo Zeta was at his best again for the Gr 1 SA Classic, but was nevertheless subjected to the usual humiliation by Horse Chestnut, this time being beaten by 3,80 lengths.

There are some who say Pablo Zeta’s heart was broken by Horse Chestnut and he consequently lost the will to win, although he did win his next start after the SA Classic, albeit in a B Division race.

He only won one more race after that and retired with a Gr 2 win as a juvenile being his only stakes success.

He was trained By Tony Millard until he went to Hong Kong and then after that by Geoff Woodruff.