Savanna Valjalo is two lengths clear at the finish on the Justin Snaith-trained 9/2 shot Gravity (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Savanna Valjalo is a new heroine of the racing public after bringing home the Tote favourite, the Justin Snaith-trained Querari gelding Gravity, in her first ever race ride in the Okapi Ladies International on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day.

On her Facebook page she described it as “the best day of my life” and dedicated the win to her beloved late show jumper “Shaggy.”

She said:

“L’Ormarins King’s Plate 2024: THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!! 🩵 Winning the Okapi Ladies International partnered with the special gelding, Gravity… it’s beyond a dream come true! Thank you Gravity, you absolute superstar!! 🩵 I went into the race dedicating it to Shaggy, and I have no doubt my guardian angel was with us.

Congratulations and thank you to owners Gina Goldsmith Greg Bortz and Leon Ellman as well as trainers Snaith Racing Justin Snaith Jonathan Snaith for the honour of riding for you, and the opportunity amongst a long list of other details I am endlessly grateful for!

My debut race, win, and the most magical day I will treasure for life.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the day possible and to Craig (Du Plooy) and Gina (Goldsmith) and Cape Racing for this incredible initiative!

To my family – having you all present at such a special occasion for me meant the world to me! Thank you for everything especially your ongoing encouragement, love, support, and excitement.

To Matchett Racing Sarah-Jane Clarke Paul Matchett for the instrumental role you’ve played in my journey from giving me my very first ride on a racehorse ever!

I’ve been left with a loss for words given the amount of kindness and support I have received, I am so grateful for everyone who has reached out and has played a role in my journey for the past 4 months.

What a way to start the year ahead! It still feels so surreal.”

Gold Circle put together a summary of the race below and after that is an article written by Gary Lemke before the race, which gives a good perspective of Savanna Valjalo’s life with horses.

GRAVITY and Savanna defy the odds!

Race 1  OKAPI LADIES INTERNATIONAL MAIDEN PLATE 1200M
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth R200 000 06 January 2024
Comments:

JUSTIN SNAITH: “We’ve always been behind this event from the beginning. I think it is a big part of South African racing and Gina (Goldsmith) has done a fantastic job in ensuring the girls are looked after … they come from all over the country. This was a horse that I thought would take a lot of beating. We came across Savanna and she’s such a fantastic rider. She’s got a lot that my jockeys don’t have; work ethic, she’s a nice person … she’s everything I’ve looked for in a jockey! It’s been a pleasure to help her”.

SAVANNA VALJALO: “I know I went into starting stalls as the last horse loading and thought, okay, it’s time! We were galloping and galloping and then came 200 meters came and I thought now I ride for my life. I am lost for words. I felt like the race went really fast, but at the same time, it was all in slow motion. I felt the nerves before the pens, that’s for sure! There’s nothing more thrilling than this!”

GREG BORTZ: “Thrilled with this one! To see the growth in this race year after year is mind blowing. Amazing to win the race. Gina has worked exceptionally hard to put all this on. I am happy for Gina that after all this, we wind up winning the race. Kudos to Savanna, I think she’s been riding for 30 years. To think she only got onto a racehorse 4 months ago and was so balanced, is absolutely amazing and so poised”.

GINA GOLDSMITH: “I am just so happy all 12 ladies crossed the finish line and are safe. Obviously, it’s a bonus to win the race”.

Winner: 7. GRAVITY / Justin Snaith / S Valjalo
2nd : 4. Riverstone / Gareth van Zyl / K Meaker
3rd : 12. The US of A / Patrick Kruyer / V Lerena
4th : 10. Love Shack / Candice Bass-Robinson / C van Niekerk
Winning Owners: Messrs Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Ms Gina Goldsmith
Winning Breeders: Cheveley Stud
Breeding: Querari x Earth’s Orbit by Captain Al
Race Record: 7 Starts : 1 Win : 2 Places : Earnings R170 175
Credit: 4Racing #goldcircle #racingnews

Race-1 (Turf) R200 000 1200m 12:25 Ref-276
1st R118750, 2nd R38000, 3rd R19000, 4th R9500, 5th R4750, RCIS R10000
OKAPI LADIES INTERNATIONAL MAIDEN PLATE
For all Maidens
1     1     Roll Of The Dice        63    0     A     *Kayleigh Oakes   HWJ Crawford/M Rix
2     2     Noon Day Gun            63    82    A     *Luchelle Kruger  Justin Snaith
3     3     Rougarouin        63    73    A     *Milica Dusanovic Candice Bass-Robinson
4     4     Riverstone        63    0     A     *Kim Meaker Gareth van Zyl
5     5     Connery           63    79    A     *Wilmien Fourie   Glen Kotzen
6     6     See You In A Bit        61.5  79    BA    *Helen Richardson Glen Kotzen
7     7     Gravity           63    82    BA    *Savanna Valjalo  Justin Snaith
8     8     Gimmethelimelight       61.5  80    BA    *Kelsey Mayhew-Munger   Justin Snaith
9     9     Wissa’s On Fire         63    0     A     *Danielle Rivalland     Gareth van Zyl
10    10    Love Shack        61.5  78    A     *Chiné van Niekerk      Candice Bass-Robinson
11    11    Ischyro           63    0     A     *Lily-Rose Jamieson     Lucinda Woodruff
12    12    The Us Of A       63    0     A     *Vicky Lerena     Patrick Kruyer
Same Trainer
(2,7,8) (3,10) (4,9) (5,6)

Gary Lemke article about Savanna before the big race:

To suggest that Savanna Valjalo has a competitive streak would be putting it mildly. Then again, as she says, “both my parents are also very competitive”.

As is her brother. Savanna and Brandon are twins, born 20 seconds apart on 11 July 1998 in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Who arrived first? “I did,” says Brandon, who became the first skateboarder to represent South Africa at an Olympics when he competed at the Tokyo 2020 Games. “I should have had a riding whip in my hand, I would have beaten you,” jokes Savanna. “I would have just ramped over you to be first,” her brother laughs.

I first met Brandon while on Olympic duty with TeamSA in Tokyo. He had pitched for the interview looking battered, but upbeat.

Wearing a cast covering his right wrist and forearm, he had competed in the men’s street event the day before. “Injuries are part and parcel of what we do. Other people damage their eyes by looking at a screen too much. We damage our bodies. “I’ve broken this wrist twice.” He then turned around and lifted his shirt. “Roasties,” he said. “You get used to it. You climb back on and go again.”

That energy and never-say-die spirit extends to his twin sister who will ride the fancied Gravity in the R200 000 Okapi Ladies International, a race modelled on the Glorious Goodwood Magnolia Cup, and which will kick start the L’Ormarins King’s Plate meeting.

We are standing in the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth parade ring and looking for a bit of shade on a sweltering late December morning.

Savanna is one of seven riders in the field of 12 who weren’t in last year’s inaugural Ladies International and she had typically been hard at work making the adjustments.

An accomplished show jumper from a young age, she is getting ready for her first race. And the Querari gelding Gravity, running in the colours of Cape Racing chairman Greg Bortz, Gina Goldsmith, who is heavily instrumental in making the Okapi International happen, and Leon Ellman, will be Valjalo’s mount. No pressure then.

We were also talking the day before the final field and draws were announced for the 1200m sprint down the straight. “In an ideal world, where would you want to be drawn? Against the rail on the inside, in the middle, or on the outside?” I ask. “It doesn’t really matter. I think the horses will be spread across the track.” She has drawn in the middle, gate No7 to be exact and comes into the race on a horse in good form, having finished runner-up in his last two starts around the Durbanville turn.

So, what brings Valjalo to this Ladies race?

“I’ve been show jumping for as long as I can remember, probably around 22 years? I’ve had some experience in a racing environment though because my dad is an owner and has shares in a few horses including (four-time winning filly) Feather Boa. I also have my first horse as owner, Twenty Drachmas, who broke his maiden in December!

“Then I heard about the Okapi Ladies International from Jonathan Snaith and I leapt at the opportunity. Jonathan then put me in contact with riding master Craog du Plooy. So, the first time I rode a racehorse was only a couple of months ago, and it was something completely new to me. But I’ve watched a lot of racing from the sidelines and always wondered what it would feel like to actually ride a racehorse.”

The 25-year-old also has a daredevil streak to her, like her twin, who is wearing a Red Bull cap of his sponsors. “Do you know that Red Bull doesn’t sponsor horse racing, or swimming?” Brandon says, matter-of-factually. Actually, I didn’t know. Like his sister, he is confident, which is something needed to succeed at the highest levels.”

As for the race itself, Savannah admits that her main mission “is just to have fun. To make sure I have a smile on my face, ride the horse nicely and give him the best chance. Obviously, the goal is to win the race. You’ve got to set the standards high, but ultimately it’s about the occasion and having fun.”

Valjalo is one of several lady jockeys in the field who have not ridden in an official race. But, she feels that her bond with horses is another thing that will stand her in good stead come Saturday.

“I think I understand horses a lot better than I necessarily understand humans,” she admits. “I feel that’s something to my advantage.”

And, as she speaks, I sense there’s something she’s hiding behind that deep confidence and A-Lister smile.

For someone who has been with horses for over 20 years, surely there must have been loss over that period?

“Yes,” she says. And then that smile disappears. “I have lost two horses. My pony died of old age and then a show jumper very close to my heart died at the end of last year. He is what brought me into racing.”

Tell us more about him?

“I called him Shaggy. His actual name was High Street Kensington. I got him as a young colt and I took him home. I keep all my horses at home, and I have four. But when I took him to shows he would get really nervous and unused to the number of horses there. So, I thought that it would be unsafe to him and others in that kind of atmosphere. I managed to get him some experience at Randjesfontein so that he could get used to other horses and a lot of distractions and things happening. But … at the end of last year he got colic and three surgeries later we couldn’t save him.”

I had noticed that her last Facebook and Instagram posts had been in November 2022, which is a long absence for a 25-year-old on social media.

The posts show pictures of Valjaro patting the horse with the big white face after completing a show jumping round. Another is a reel of her kissing him.

On Facebook she wrote: “My Shaggy…  No words will ever do your loss justice. Nothing could ever fill the void you left that I now feel without you here. You were so brave and fought so unbelievably hard for the past 3 weeks which were undoubtedly the worst weeks of your life and mine. I’m so sorry for all your pain and suffering my boy. This really isn’t how things were meant to be. We were still supposed to celebrate your 5th birthday and catch up on all the treats you missed out on, but I pray you are in your happiest place now my baby. You SO deserve it.”

There’s a pause and even the first sounds of silence in the parade ring. “I stopped riding competitively. And then I got contacted about this Ladies race and I decided to get competitive again, both in show jumping and racing. Shaggy has helped me pick up the pieces, get back in the saddle as they say.”

Shaggy will be on Valjaro’s mind when she puts her game face on and saddles up for the opening race on the L’Ormarins King’s Plate programme.

“I’m dedicating this race to Shaggy,” she says. “It’s also my older brother’s 31st birthday today (5 January), so hopefully I’ll be able to give him a birthday gift.”

The photographer is waiting.

There are six ladies being lined up for the lens.

The photographer asks for one of them to be lifted and lie horizontally, trusting her colleagues to not drop her.

Guess who takes up the challenge?

Picture: White Pearl pictured winning her maiden (Image: TAB4Racing)

Turf Talk

Gimme A Prince winning the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint (Chase Liebenberg)

Turf Talk

The twice Gr 1-winning sprinter Gimme A Prince will not be ready in time to defend his crown in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship on WSB Met day.

Picture: Lot 63 is a Hawwaam colt who is a half-brother to Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla (Image: Supplied)

Maine Chance Farms send 14 yearlings to market on the 25^th January 2024 for the CRS Cape Premier Yearling Sales, powered by Tattersalls. As befits a high- quality breeding establishment, there are potent pedigrees amongst their select draft.

Lot 118 is a colt, Bruh, by Danon Platina ex Bandola. The dam has two foals to race – both winners, with the early achievement of Bavarian Beauty who took out the G1 Thekwini Stakes, especially notable.

Lot 134 (Picture: Supplied)

Coming right near the end of the catalogue is Lot 134 (Pictured Above – image supplied), a not-to-be-missed Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Cosmic Dream, named Cosmic Encounter; thus, a full brother to top-class, Cosmic Highway (pictured below – images supplied), victorious in the G2 Cape Merchants a few weeks ago.

Cosmic Highway (Pictures Supplied)

Lot 63 (Pictured above the headline) is a son of Hawwaam out of Princess Royal, called Pivotal Role. Of course, Princess Royal threw 2023 Horse of the Year, Princess Calla (pictured below – image supplied), who is still going strong as a six-year-old mare, just missing out to Beach Bomb in past Saturday’s G1 Paddock Stakes, so this desirable bay is sure to get buyers’ pulses racing.

Princess Calla (Picture Supplied)

Lot 130 is Chance Encounter, a colt by much- vaunted stallion Vercingetorix ex speedy mare, Champery, which makes him a full brother to Chansonette, a G1 winner of the Cape Fillies Guineas, and 2^nd in the G1 Paddock and G1 Majorca Stakes.

Lot 6 Diamond Martini, a Querari filly out of Dynasty’s Blossom comes up early on the sale which commences at 14h30 on Thursday afternoon. The dam was a doughty stayer and winner of the Gold Cup over 3200m, so this intriguing pedigree from the legendary Aga Khan “D” – family combines endurance with Querari’s established influence for speed and durability.

Lot 89 is a fine athletic specimen. The striking colt is by champion sprinter, Rafeef ex Suzanita, an Irish mare by Lomitas and thus bred on the reverse cross of Arc winner, Danedream – Danehill over Lomitas. The second dam being 3/4 in blood to 4 x European and USA G1 winner, Stacelita, who in turn produced Japanese champion two- and three-year-old, Soul Stirring. The foal was born and raised at Newsells Park Stud which was then a sister stud to Maine Chance Farms. Symbolic Gesture is bound to attract major attention in stable E26.

Lot 28, In A Timely Manner (Legislate ex Inaninstant) is worth closer inspection. The half-brother to now 5 x winner Innamorare also sports plenty of Black Type on the dam’s side.

In addition to those already mentioned, others represented in Maine Chance’s draft are progeny of boom freshman sire, One World, What a Winter (2^nd in Stakes for ’22/’23 season), and The United States which covers a wide spectrum of SA’s best current producers.

Maine Chance has a proud history – often at the pinnacle of the South African Breeders Log and a perennial Top Ten listing in SA.

The Stud farm has stood legendary Champion Sires such as New South Wales, Jungle Cove, National Assembly, Golden Thatch and more recently – the great, late Silvano.

Current resident stallions are Vercingetorix, Querari, Quasillo and Erupt.

With Dr Andreas Jacob’s strategic planning evident, coupled with generational links to Europe, the acquisition of quality stock continues to supplement Maine Chance’s premier broodmare band.

For further enquiries contact Yearling Manager, Danni Kuttel on danni@mainechance.co.za

ENDS 

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

Picture: Constitution Hill winning last year’s Cheltenham Champion Hurdle (Skysports.com)

David Carr (Racing Post)

Defending champion Constitution Hill may be “flawless” according to Ruby Walsh but he has not frightened away the opposition in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

He was among 22 horses entered for the Cheltenham showpiece when it closed on Tuesday, five more than last year when the brilliant two-miler saw off rivals with a dismissive nine-length triumph at 4-11.

It is one fewer entry than the total put in the race in 2022, when Michael Buckley’s star was still a novice.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old has won all his eight races over hurdles by a combined total of just under 100 lengths and scored his seventh straight Grade 1 success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last month.

Walsh, who won the Champion Hurdle four times as a jockey, said of Constitution Hill in a Paddy Power podcast: “He’s just flawless. He’s damned close to perfect. At Kempton he was perfect and he’s such a good jumper.

“It’s like he just lifts his knees at a gallop and just takes the jump in a galloping stride. You barely notice him getting off the ground, he’s that good at it.”

Those handed the thankless task of trying to beat a horse who is a best-priced 1-3 favourite include last year’s runner-up State Man (9-2), who gained his seventh Grade 1 win in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Triumph Hurdle favourite Burdett Road is among the entries for the Champion but trainer James Owen said: “We put him in the Champion Hurdle in case something happened but the Triumph is the aim for this season and it’s all systems go for that.”

Matheson second Impaire Et Passe (14-1) is in the Champion and also among 36 entries for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

The initial field for that contest over three miles is eight up on last year and the race has attracted its highest entry since 2021.

Reigning French champion hurdler Theleme heads the betting at a best-priced 9-2.

There are 25 entries for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, beating last year’s figure by one, with 2023 Triumph Hurdle winner Lossiemouth heading the betting at a top-priced 11-4, although she has also been put in the Champion.

Notable omissions

Name: Rubaud
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle
Explanation: Being aimed at either the Kingwell or Betfair Hurdle.

Name: Marine Nationale
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle
Explanation: He had looked a potential rival to Constitution Hill when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year and was still quoted in many ante-post lists, but made an impressive chasing debut at Leopardstown last month and is staying over fences.

Name: Facile Vega
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle
Explanation: The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up made a successful chasing debut at Navan and is clearly being kept to fences despite a subsequent defeat at Leopardstown.

Name: Kateira
Race: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Explanation: Last season’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle second was runner-up in Listed mares’ company at Kempton but has not been seen out since and trainer Dan Skelton said: “She’s being aimed at Aintree, with a prep run depending on ground conditions.”

Happy Together has been selected to win the Gr 3 January Cup (Picture: HKJC)

Declan Schuster (HKJC)

Badel, Lor are happy together at the Valley

Alexis Badel is hoping to time it right aboard the rapidly rising Happy Together in Wednesday’s HK$4.2 million Grade 3 January Cup Handicap over 1800m.

Amid a sparkling season with three wins from four starts, Happy Together continues to up the ante, enough so to warrant his shot at Happy Valley’s sole Group race with Badel confident he has found the key to unlocking even more success for the five-year-old.

“I learnt from my mistake two starts ago at Sha Tin. You need to preserve his turn of foot and you have to be a bit more patient – I didn’t make the same mistake twice and it was a good win last start,” Badel said. “He’s doing very well and he keeps improving.”

Trained by Frankie Lor, Happy Together will carry 52.5kg. He most recently won a quality Class 2 at Happy Valley last month – his only race at the city circuit.

“To his credit, he has a good turn of foot. He can quicken well and he trialled well at Happy Valley when he was younger, so I was confident he was going to run a good race last time, as long as he could relax for me,” Badel said.

Happy Together tackles the Valley’s 1800m trip for the first time in the January Cup, while five-year-old’s boast a strong record with 13 wins in the race since it was first staged in 1999, including five out of the last six renewals.

“I’d prefer a good tempo – it’s easier for me. There’s no doubt he’s a nice horse and he’s in good form carrying no weight,” Badel said.

Happy Together meets Encountered, Money Catcher, Sword Point, Telecom Fighters, Tourbillon Diamond, Champion Dragon, Helene Feeling, Nimble Nimbus, Rising From Ashes, La City Blanche and Berlin Tango in the January Cup.

Lor and Badel combined to win the 2019 running with Simply Brilliant, who carried 52kg. Happy Together is one of three runners in the race for Lor, who also saddles Money Catcher and Sword Point.

“He’s good but this time he’ll carry 134 pounds (61kg),” Lor said of Money Catcher, who won the 2023 January Cup.

Sword Point was Group 2-placed two runs ago and pairs with Hugh Bowman this week.

“He’s good, I put Hugh Bowman on for last week’s gallop – he was happy,” Lor said.

La City Blanche contests his second Group 3 in Hong Kong in the January Cup. He finished third in November’s HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m).

Karis Teetan will partner the bay – who has won once over 1800m at Happy Valley – from barrier one for Tony Cruz.

“He goes in with a light weight and he’s won at Happy Valley before. Last start he ran into some really big horses. I think going into the race with a light weight that he has a chance – he’s run well at the Valley before,” Teetan said. “If he gets the right run this week, then he’ll get his chance.”

Badel rides another swift improver at the city circuit. The Frenchman gets the leg-up on Healthy Healthy for trainer Pierre Ng in the Class 3 Causeway Handicap (1200m).

“He had a light weight last time but he’s the type of horse who is big enough to carry the weight, it isn’t a bother. He looks well and he’s recovered from his last run,” Ng said.

Russian Emperor, Senor Toba and Straight Arron have been entered to run in the QAT Grade 1 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m), while Flaming Rabbit holds an entry for the QAT Grade 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (1600m). Both races are run on 17 February at Al Rayyan in Qatar. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Very average Class 5 to kick off the card. Happy Horse can lead in this race and be hard to run down under Hugh Bowman. He is hard to oppose and stand out as the strongest form choice. Modest Gentleman drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit. Long-standing maiden, but gets favours here. Fingers Crossed should gain a good run from the nice barrier draw. Has early speed and can surprise. Multimore can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Happy Tango well-placed and looks a chance in race like this.

Race 2: Simply Maverick had no luck last start but keep following. Broke through for an easy win two starts ago, suggesting the penny has dropped, and Vincent Ho taking over the reins here is a positive. Can bounce back. Owners’ Praise looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. To Infinity last-start winner over Simply Maverick who remains in the same grade, can run well again. Fearless Fire every chance last start but still ran a good race. Lovero down in class here and can surprise from barrier 1 under Chung’s claim.

Race 3: Red Hare King has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Barrier 1 is key to his chances and he maps with every chance here. Total Power drops down in grade and start following. He should be suited by a true tempo if it eventuates. Samarkand winner of last two starts and looks a top chance. Super Baby good effort last start leading all the way to win, but under a very slow race shape. Hard to say he gets that same set up here. Beau Gosse can improve second-up from a break from a low draw after over-racing from a wide draw first-up.

Race 4: High Rise Soldier good performance when storming home for third place last start. Comes into a lower draw and can map handier here, which should make a world of difference. Talents Supremo last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Wood On Fire caught the eye last start when running home well from a wide barrier. He could map closer from a mid-draw here. Great Achiever caught the eye last start running home powerfully on debut. Sea Sapphire showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight.

Race 5: Gallant Valour well supported last start and won accordingly. Racing well since joining Richards, and should get every chance to make it two wins on end from barrier 2. Easy Snip was an easy last start winner and can repeat the dose, but barrier 11 will make it harder. Lyrical Motion changed stables recently and has improved after an easy last-start win. A jockey change from Badel to 10lb-claiming apprentice Wong is the query. Joy Coming always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Happy Fat Cat drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit.

Race 6: The focus lies solely around two horses here in the G3 January Cup. Happy Together changed stables recently to Frankie Lor and has improved big time. From barrier 3, should gain the perfect run in transit on his first try over 1800m. Helene Feeling smart 4YO with a good chance here and this will be a good guide for his 4YO Classic Series chances in the coming months. Sword Point will find this easier than last start and can run well. Money Catcher winner of this race last year and looks a chance again. La City Blanche well-placed and looks a chance in race like this.

Race 7: Escape Route looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after a series of fourth-place finishes. Drawn well under Bowman, from where he maps with every chance. Lean Hero consistent form lately and can bounce back here from barrier 1. Univer- sal Horizon had excuses last start when racing wide without cover first-up. Blinkers go on first time second-up from a good draw. Romantic Laos always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Intrepid Winner last start winner who remains in the same grade.

Race 8: Healthy Healthy talented 4YO who has won three from four this term and should be able to continue his winning way. Copartner Ambition racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance again. Slight query he doesn’t map as ideally as last time here. A Americ Te Specso form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Atzeni needs to make use of the low draw early. Brave Star nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Celestial Colours having third start and may improve. Trialled okay recently and is improving with racing.

David Mollett

Sadly the lights have gone out for longtime steward Tommy Chalmers – the man whose company, Chalmers Electrical, installed the lights for the first night meeting at Newmarket in 1996.

Chalmers – a popular figure in sporting circles and an active member of Wanderers Club – passed away at his home in Benoni on Saturday.

The sad news was relayed to me by his daughter, Karen, who knew we had been close friends for over 40 years.

A vivacious character who loved his racing and was a longserving steward in Gauteng (then Transvaal), Chalmers spent his latter years commuting between South Africa and Tampa in the USA where his two sons had continued the family’s electrical business.

The excellent Johannesburg trainer, Roy Howe, trained a number of horses for a partnership which consisted of Chalmers, Bob Metcalf and myself. We won a total of 35 races mainly with horses leased from top KZN breeder, Robin Scott.

Nico Kritsiotis and I had hoped to go to Benoni before Xmas to take Tommy out to lunch but he had said he didn’t feel well enough. This was a cause of concern for us.

Tommy Chalmers will be fondly remembered by many people not only for his contribution to racing but his wonderfully friendly approach to everyone he met. He is survived by his wife, Anita, and three children.

Picture: Silvano filly St Cloud gave Alan Greeff a four-timer on the day and she was the third of them ridden by Richard Fourie (Pauline Herman Photography)

Turf Talk

Alan Greeff scored a four-timer on the Fairview poly today, three of them ridden by Richard Fourie.

Luyolo Mxothwa also scored a treble.

Greeff goes to 53 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 14.06%.

He closed the gap on reigning East Cape trainer Gavin Smith to four wins on the current East Cape trainers log.

Fourie goes to 134 wins for the season at 19.59%.

Mxothwa is on 41 wins at 10.99%.

The East Cape jockeys log is being led by Fourie on 43 wins with Mxothwa second on 26 and S’Manga Khumalo and Muzi Yeno joinf third on 25 apiece.

KZN breeder Alan Sutherland of Somerset Stud sent Foveros colt Teal, who was out of a Nothern Dancer mare, to the sales twice but nobody would look at the tiny horse.

Sutherland thus looked after him himself until he went to the Randjesfontein yard of Pat Shaw where he was sold to Dan Botes for R60,000.

Botes later backed him at 50/1 for the 1995 July, in  which he started 12/1.

Not only did Sutherland’s Somerset Stud breed the winner Teal, but runner-up Barrellen as well.

Front-running Surfing Home set the pace, only to fade as the field hit the top of the straight. Barrellen mounted a charge along with National Emblem, while Teal began to unwind a run from a good eight lengths off the pace.

With little more than 100m left, a 25/1 upset looked inevitable, but Teal fought tenaciously to catch the leaders with less than 50m left, going on to win by the best part of a length. Tickets And Tax came from far back to finish fourth, presenting trainer Pat Shaw with a one-four finish in the great race.

Teal retained his record up until then of never finishing further back than second, and joined Dancing Duel as the only horse to win the SA Guineas, Daily News 2000 and Rothmans July in one season.

This feat has been repeated since by Dynasty (2003), Big City Life (2009) and Legislate (2014).

Teal was ridden in all of his three-year-old starts by Johnny Geroudis.