Vercingetorix Kickstarted Improvement For Grooms

Vercingetorix won three times in Dubai including the G1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m and the G2 Al Rashidiya over 1800m (Picture: Sporting Post).

Vercingetorix Kick-started The Improvement For Grooms 13 Years Ago

David Mollett

One of the big racing stories this year has been the betterment of grooms countrywide when it comes to remuneration and living standards.

Interestingly, it was Vercingetorix – currently the hottest property in the breeding industry – who got the ball rolling for grooms some 13 years ago.

Back in 2010, a Cooperative consisting of two grooms from Klawervlei Stud, one each from Highlands Farm Stud and Maine Chance Farms Stud, and three from Riverton Stud, acquired a weanling named Vercingetorix for R200 000.

Fast forward 12 months and Form Bloodstock’s, Jehan Malherbe, signed the sales at the 2011 National Yearling Sales at R1,4 million for the son of Silvano.

One can imagine the grooms had a party of note that night!

Four years later – in March 2014 – the New York Times ran a story headlined “Horse and Handlers Groomed for Success.”

It stated: “When Vercingetorix runs in the Dubai Duty Free on Saturday, a group of seven grooms in the Western Cape Province of South Africa will be gathered around the nearest television set.”

“The grooms – a Cooperative consisting of two grooms from Klawervlei Stud, one each from Highlands Farm Stud and Maine Chance Farms Stud, and three from Riverton Stud – purchased the colt as a weanling for R200 000 in 2010 and sold him as a yearling for R1,4 million in 2014 – a veritable fortune given their modest incomes.”

Last weekend Vercingetorix was in the headlines once again with two of his daughters fetching R1,5 million and R900 000 respectively at the BSA November Two-Year-Old Sale in Germiston.

James Armitage of Sandown Stud will be particularly happy to have fetched R900,000 for their Vercingetorix filly Warrior Royale and that she will be going to the in-form Summerveld yard of Mike Miller, having been purchased by his son Sterling Miller’s aptly named bloodstock company Pound Bloodstock.

It proved an excellent sale for Sandown. They had four of the top five selling lots, two of them purchased by Pound Bloodstock and the other two purchased by the Alyson Wright yard and Jonathan Snaith respectively, and their 12 lots grossed R3,89 million.

Vercingetorix’s five lots on the Sale averaged R634 000.

It was Malherbe who brokered the deal for Vercingetorix, who raced with such distinction for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Maktoum, to stand at Andreas Jabobs’ Maine Chance Farms.

The bottom line is that any breeder consigning a yearling by Vercingetorix to the Cape Premier Sale or National Yearling Sale in 2024 will be rubbing their hands in glee.

Perhaps the only blip for the stallion at the weekend was the no show of his son, Cousin Casey, in the Betway Summer Cup. There is no mention of the Sean Tarry inmate in the stipes report on the race. I had told my bank manager “You can have a bet to nothing – there’s no chance of him not finishing in the first four.” Tough game, racing.

Turf Talk published De Kock’s positive thoughts on Betway ahead of the Summer Cup which appeared on his website. He wrote: “I am writing to convey my thanks to Betway for what they are doing in the 4Racing regions – I am sure I speak on behalf of owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms based in Gauteng and Gqberha.”

The local media have gone out of their way to praise Betway’s grooms initiative (20 of these guys each pocketed R20 000 on November 25) as well as the role 4Racing CEO, Fundi Sithebe, has played in the promotion of racing on the Highveld. There hasn’t been such a good rapport from a CEO with the media for years.

Nevertheless – not for the first time – De Kock saw fit to criticise the local media. “Betway’s massive contributions seem to have gone over the head of our racing media and social media contributors. The media should be picking up on the grooms issue.”

This is incorrect. The media have been publicising the improved payment and accommodation for grooms for the last six months.

I know from personal experience of attending overseas meetings where the former champion trainer has had runners that he goes out of his way to give interviews to whoever asks. But when it comes to the local media, he cannot resist a chance to criticize.

What is really important regarding Turffontein’s big meeting last Saturday is how many first-timers will be coming back? Celebrities will have enjoyed the free food and drink but one wonders how many put their hands in their pockets and placed a bet.

My view that the result of the big race was not a good one for the majority of punters is not shared by Turf Talk editor, David Thiseleton.

He feels it wasn’t an “unfavourable result as punters may have cottoned on to the formlines that showed Royal Victory to have the likes of the favourite Atticus Finch and Cousin Casey well held on paper.”

David adds that “the winner must have been backed on the tote anyway considering he paid only R18 for a win.”

These are two valid points.

No problem in differing views from journos but my case is that punters must have been shocked that all of Atticus Finch, Cousin Casey, Puerto Manzano, Billy Bowlegs and Winchester Mansion failed to finish in the first four.

Let’s look at four of this quintet.

ATTICUS FINCH – Alec Laird is an outstanding trainer and many pundits and punters fancied his Victory Moon winner. Personally, I preferred his former stablemate, Billy Bowlegs, but that was another sad story. Atticus, backed in to 11-2, was hampered by Son Of Raj which got Athandiwe Mgudlwa a 14-day suspension.

BILLY BOWLEGS: S’manga reported something amiss with the Brett Crawford runner who was much better off at the weights with Atticus Finch. The vet reported the colt to be not striding out left hind. Neither were his supporters!

WINCHESTER MANSION: More despair for the Crawford camp as the Hollywoodbets July hero trailed in eighth. He was priced up the early 5-1 favourite but was friendless in the market and started at 14-1.

PUERTO MANZANO: No big race joy this time with Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner finishing tenth and failing to add to his bankroll of R4,7 million.

At the end of the day, it’s hats off to trainer Nathan Kotzen and jockey Muzi Yeni. They pocketed the substantial first cheque of R2 875 000.

Mark van Deventer Selects Beach Bomb For WSB CFG

The diminutive Lancaster Bomber filly Beach Bomb has inherited her mother Beach Beauty’s electric burst of speed. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Cape Racing

– Written by Mark van Deventer

Months ago, Candice Bass Robinson extolled the virtues of some lovely young fillies in her care. Beach Bomb and Red Palace have since made the progress she anticipated, so rate legit chances in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas, a Grade 1 over 1600m.

It shapes up as a true run mile given plenty of speed in the bottom half of the 14-runner field, with all of Royals, Red Palace, Rascova, Japanese Rose and 3/1 ante-post favourite Double Grand Slam showing a propensity to either lead or race handy.

Beach Bomb is drawn 12 which makes it a positional challenge for jockey Aldo Domeyer though she could get a midfield slot off a strong early gallop then use her powerful finishing kick to run at them in deep stretch. Her fluent victory in the Irridesence Stakes over 1500m on a heavily soaked track in July when she left Royals toiling in her wake, suggests the classy daughter of Lancaster Bomber out of the multiple G1 winning race mare Beach Beauty will relish a testing 1600m. At early quotes of 8/1 she appeals as an each-way bet.

Stablemate Red Palace took a while to come to hand but recently completed a Spring double at Hollywoodbets Durbanville with her last out win especially impressive. She dominated older rivals from the front and was already in a different time-zone going through the 300m marker that she could afford to free wheel in. The victory margin was 3.5 lengths ahead of Metar – but it could have been thirteen if she galloped out fully.

Double Grand Slam seems likely to get the run of the race from the inside alley. The Justin Snaith trained Vercingetorix filly has a versatile running style (can go handy or be held up) which gives Grant van Niekerk tactical options. She stayed on with real purpose behind the well-performed, Rascova in the falsely run, Western Cape Fillies Championships and it’s highly improbable that her reopposing foe will be gifted such a soft lead again.

Snaith knows what it takes to win this prestigious G1. In the Fast Lane (2013), Snowdance (2017) and Captains Ransom (2020) are luminaries on the honours roll.

Highveld conditioner, Mike de Kock last won this race with Majmu in 2014 and has a tremendous record in G1’s at the Cape. On that score alone, his entry Silver Sanctuary merits serious respect. It’s debatable whether she has the brilliance to actually win this, yet she overcome a rough passage to gamely take out the Summer Pudding Handicap three weeks ago and has a definite claim to be in the mix.

Japanese Rose is harder to assess. On official ratings she has it all to do but it’s quite possible her true ability is understated. There was much to like about her recent go -to- whoa defeat of Montelena two weeks ago when showing good early speed then quickening nicely. Trainer Brett Crawford is another who knows what it takes to win a Fillies Guineas – Front and Centre (2018) and last year, Make it Snappy got the job done for the canny Phillipi- based horseman.

It may seem disrespectful to only mention champion juvenile Mrs Geriatrix so deep in the preview. Her stellar exploits at two, when unbeaten from six starts, justifiably earned her the highest OMR of any filly in SA (112).

Opinion hinges on if you treat her flop behind Rascova in the Fillies Champs as an aberration (she suffered a wide/no cover/turbulent passage) or have more substantive concerns about the petite filly being able to maintain superiority over now physically stronger contemporaries.

On her best figures it seems essential to add her to most plays. After all, trainer Sean Tarry and jockey Richard Fourie are a high percentage duo in combination who win big stakes races right around the country for fun. Draw 13 is another quibble but to throw out a proven high-quality thoroughbred after one duff try just isn’t sensible.

Distant Winter, drawn even worse at 14, is the third string to the Bass Robinson bow. She’s run top races to Rascova, Winter Cloud, October Morn and Enemy Territory so is a must- use on single race exotic tickets.

Just be Lekker is another worth including in wider trifectas and quartets on the best of her past performances, but the Eastern Cape champ, Luna Halo was put in her place four lengths off Rascova, beaten with every chance, and again faces a difficult match-up.

In summary, potentially high-class, Beach Bomb gets the narrow verdict over Double Grand Slam and Red Palace. Silver Sanctuary is a rock-solid back-up; fast progressing 20/1 shot, Japanese Rose may be under-valued by the market and proven Graded heroine, Mrs Geriatrix is an obvious alternate in a hot vintage.

Pathfork Is Second On The National Sires Log

R5 million Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory is the leading earner this season with R2,931,250 (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Pathfork’s elevation to second in the national sires championship can not be dismissed with the proverbial “One swallow doesn’t make a summer” adage, because to put it plainly he already has three swallows.

He is also second in the number of individual stakes winners produced this season and all of Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory, Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge and Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes winner Main Defender and also the Listed-winning Gqeberha filly And We Danced have contribued to his lofty log position.

Only Querari has had more stakes winner with four, although together those four have won four stakes races, which is the same number of stakes wins Pathfork’s progeny have.

Querari’s four individual stakes winners are Questioning (Gr 3 Cape Classic), Baltic Secret (Listed), Zoomie (Listed) and Quantum Theory (Listed).

Gimmethegreenlight leads the national sires championship with earnings of R5,840,063, although he has only had one stakes winner so far this season.

Pathfork is second on R5,672,263, despite only having had 52 runners.

His season so far might see his popularity being revived.

Main Defender is one of only 12 Pathfork runners from his 2020 crop.

Potala Palace is an example of a sire whose fortunes were revived and he might have another boost this weekend through lively Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guiness runner Red Palace.

WSB Met First Entries Includes 14 Gr 1 Winners

Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner See It Again is the ante-post favourite for the Gr 1 WSB Met

The WSB Met had a first entry of 33 horses.

All three of the big guns were there, Charles Dickens, See It Again and Princess Calla.

Also in the field are other Gr 1 winners Safe Passage, Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory, Al Muthana, Puerto Manzano, Double Superlative, Anfields Rocket, Aragosta, Bless My Stars, Cousin Casey and Make It Snappy.

Nathan Kotzen said yesterday (Thursday) he was not sure Royal Victory would travel down and it seemed the chances of him running in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge are greater.

The 2024 first entry:

Event-1 R2 000 000 2000m (Turf)
CAPE TOWN MET (Grade 1)

Al Muthana (AUS)	Ricky Maingard	129
Anfields Rocket	Brett Crawford	117
Aragosta	Mike de Kock	112
At My Command	Brett Crawford	114
Baratheon	Piet Botha	100
Bless My Stars	Sean Tarry	119
Cape Eagle	Andre Nel	100
Charles Dickens	Candice Bass-Robinson	132
Cousin Casey	Sean Tarry	123
Double Superlative	Justin Snaith	120
Future Swing	Justin Snaith	98
Make It Snappy	Brett Crawford	125
Master Redoute	Andre Nel	99
Montien	Piet Botha	105
Pacaya	Justin Snaith	110
Ponte Pietra	Dean Kannemeyer	100
Princess Calla	Sean Tarry	127
Puerto Manzano (ARG)	J A Janse van Vuuren	125
Rascallion	Vaughan Marshall	122
Rockpool	Justin Snaith	109
Royal Aussie	Justin Snaith	118
Royal Victory	Nathan Kotzen	119
Runaway Song	Dean Kannemeyer	114
Saartjie	Andre Nel	109
Safe Passage	Mike de Kock	117
See It Again	Michael Roberts	131
Senso Unico	Vaughan Marshall	113
Shoemaker	Mike de Kock	111
Sugar Mountain	Candice Bass-Robinson	106
Triple Time	Justin Snaith	106
Universal	Adam Marcus	114
Waterberry Lane	Ricky Maingard	115
Without Question	Justin Snaith	120

The sponsor have made See It Again the favourite (ante-post market below):

See It Again 5/2

Charles Dickens 28/10

Princess Calla 17/2

Safe Passage 12/1

Bless My Stars 13/1

Without Question 14/1

Royal Victory 16/1

Cousin Casey 20/1

Pacaya 22/1

Double Superlative 25/1

Waterberry Lane 25/1

Make It Snappy 28/1

Rockpool 28/1

Puerto Manzano 33/1

Al Muthana 40/1

Royal Aussie 40/1

At My Command 40/1

Aragosta 40/1

Shoemaker 40/1

Saartjie 40/1

Cape Eagle 40/1

Rascallion 45/1

Montien 45/1

Ponte Pietra 45/1

Sugar Mountain 50/1

Anfields Rocket 55/1

Runaway Song 55/1

Universal 55/1

Senso Unico 55/1

Triple Time 55/1

Baratheon 80/1

Master Redoute 80/1

Future Swing 80/1

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Saturday Formguides And Selections

The At The Races tipster fancies Rascova to win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas (Picture: Wayne Marks)

At The Races

1 12:05 AM – World Sports Betting Supports The Equine Trust Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)

A 2yo fillies’ maiden with no form to go on, so the betting is likely to provide more of a guide to the chances of these newcomers. SORCERESS SUPREME, WHISTLE THE TUNE, ALL IS GREEN and BLOWN IN THE WIND are of particular interest given the positive feedback from their trainers.

2 12:40 PM – Woodhill Racing Syndicate Maiden Plate

Wide open. TRIPPI’S SILK, PRINCE OF TIBET and CONNERY revert to sprinting after creditable efforts over further. They have the form and experience to be competitive, having already proven themselves effective over this trip. DAIMYO, TYPICALLY FRENCH and DANCINGTOTHELIGHT are likely to improve with the benefit of an introductory outing, so must be respected. Highveld raider BABYLON wouldn’t be winning out of turn and is best kept safe in his first Cape Town outing. Newcomers HOODIA and ESCARPMENT have attractive pedigrees so are worth a market check on debut.

3 1:15 PM – Freemanstallions Maiden Plate

Good race. KAAPSE KLOPSE has bounced back to the earlier form/promise by finishing 2nd in his two outings with a tongue-tie fitted and wouldn’t be winning out of turn. NIGHT BOMBER has a bit to find but could improve to pose a threat. Grant van Niekerk gets off OLD Q, who was backed on debut, to ride SONG TO THE MOON which suggests the latter is the pick of the Snaith-trained quartet. PLEASEDTOSEEYOU and ROUGAROUIN are open to improvement after gelding, while PLUS FOUR ought to be capable of better. Newcomers HOLDING THUMBS, SPENCER and THE REAL PRINCE are worth a market check on debut.

4 1:50 PM – Drakenstein Stud Maiden Plate (F & M)

Good maiden. QHAWEKAZI was game in defeat when collared late over 1400m last time and needn’t improve a great deal to go one better over the extra 200m. Improving DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS is likely to make further progress over this trip so will be competitive from gate No 1. GIMMETHELIMELIGHT is another open to improvement going this distance. FAIRFIELD ought to fare better against her own sex while SAINT BRIGID should have more to offer over the extra and from a good draw after an eye-catching debut over shorter. TWO A PENNY is distance suited and will make her presence felt. Others could feature.

5 2:25 PM – wsb.co.za Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) (Fillies & Mares)

Cracking renewal. KISS ME CAPTAIN beat KWINTA’S LIGHT when making a winning Cape introduction and she is weighted to confirm her superiority, though the latter has the benefit of track experience. OCTOBER MORN was inconvenienced at a crucial stage when finishing an unlucky 2nd behind BALTIC SECRET last time but ought to turn the tables on 2.5kg better terms. ONI SAN, CANDY TOWN and BLUE HOLLY, as well as older rivals HUNTING TRIP and MISS MARGUERITE are held on that form but capable of getting into the picture. RIPPLE EFFECT and THREE ROCKS have the ability to make their presence felt too.

6 3:00 PM – World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes (Grade 2)

A high-class King’s Plate prelude worthy of Grade 1 status. Horse-Of-The-Year PRINCESS CALLA will be fitter following a Cape summer pipe opener and receives a 2.5kg sex allowance, so ought to play a leading role over a distance she has already proven effective. CHARLES DICKENS made a winning start to the season, though, and retains all of his – if not more – class and ability he showed as a 3yo, including his runaway Grade 1 Cape Guineas success over this course and distance. He’s the one they all have to beat. SEE IT AGAIN, AT MY COMMAND and ROYAL AUSSIE complete the shortlist. A must-watch!

7 3:35 PM – World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (3 Year-old Fillies)

Tricky Cape Fillies Guineas to assess. RASCOVA got one over MRS GERIATRIX in winning the 1400m Grade 2 in the lead-up to this Grade 1 renewal, though the latter had no luck in running and remains capable of better. Both are expected to be competitive. On that evidence, however, the value could lie with DOUBLE GRAND SLAM who gave the impression she’ll have more to offer over this distance from a good draw. DISTANT WINTER and BEACH BOMB are drawn wide but have the credentials to stake a claim in the finish. ROYALS, RED PALACE and SILVER SANCTUARY also have the means to make their presence felt.

8 4:10 PM – Spinawina Slots Cape Summer Stayers Handicap (Listed)

ONE WAY TRAFFIC finished 3rd in a similar contest over 2400m last time and races off the same mark in his peak outing, so is the one they all have to beat. FLOWER OF SAIGON is at the peak of her powers and is likely to pose a threat off of a career-high mark. ARAGOSTA was not disgraced in the Grade 1 Summer Cup and ought to remain competitive, although concedes weight to all under 62kg. OTTO LUYKEN and FIGHT SONG get the trip so are likely to play a role, whereas LINEBACKER will have to prove he is effective over this distance to get a look in.

9 4:45 PM – Pamela Isdell Class 3

Open. SEEKING THE ONE caught the eye when finishing just out the money in a 1600m Grade 3 and is, arguably, better over a shorter trip. He races off an unchanged mark and could represent the value in the race, despite carrying 62.5kg. YAMADORI and ELUSIVE WINTER also ran in a stronger race last time and are likely to fare better at this level in receipt of weight from the selection. USA’S HOPE and DEAN STREET are closely matched on a line through Cafe Culture and both have the means to stake a claim in the finish too. HAMMIES HERO, VELDSKOEN, MOYA WA LALIGA and DUMBLEDORE complete the shortlist.

10 5:20 PM – Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein Stud Class 3 (F & M)

Good race. LADY LOOK ALIKE bounced back to winning ways last time and escaped with the minimum two-point penalty, so is good value to follow up under just 54.5kg. Stablemate MISS GREENLIGHT finished ahead of THE CHARLESTON in a similar contest back in October and should uphold that form on 4kg better weights terms. PACIFIC GREEN and BODY ELECTRIC are inconsistent but remain capable of having a say at this level. FLYING FIRST is holding form and could also have a role to play.

Top Tip: THE CHARLESTON (5)

Watch out for: LADY LOOK ALIKE (2)

Constitution Hill all set for Newcastle, weather permitting

Superstar Constitution Hill sticks to hurdles this season (Picture: Sporting Life)

Constitution Hill and Shishkin on show in the north east this weekend

At The Races

Nicky Henderson is readying himself for a huge day at Newcastle this weekend, as he prepares to send his stable stars Constitution Hill and Shishkin on the long journey from Lambourn to the north east.

The headline act at Gosforth Park, weather permitting, will be the mighty Constitution Hill, who will put his unbeaten record and huge reputation on the line when he bids for back-to-back victories in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The six-year-old will be prohibitive odds to dispatch of four rivals and Henderson has been pleased with the latter stages of his preparation.

“He did very, very well over the summer – he nearly got too big and the first bit was quite difficult,” the Seven Barrows handler told Sky Sports Racing.

“I was sort of worried that his shape wasn’t taking place quite as quickly as I anticipated, but he’s since had a gallop at Newbury and we’ve just had to keep the workload up. Eventually he has streamed down and suddenly he came in his coat and everything is good.

“He only does what you ask him to do. He’s very willing about it, but if I don’t ask the question he doesn’t give me the answer, so you have to be a bit mindful that you’ve got to push a little bit.

“It’s only because he finds the work so easy and he’s not doing as much work as some of the others might be. We schooled him last week, which was terrifying, and we’re all ready.”

When asked whether he felt there could be even more to come from Constitution Hill, Henderson added: “I think it’d be hard to better what he was doing last year, otherwise he’d hardly be a racehorse, he’d be something else!

“I’m very happy with where they are and it’s a long season ahead, so there’s a bit of room for improvement, I hope.”

The pre-eminent star of National Hunt racing is set to be taken on by two Cheltenham Festival-winning mares in Love Envoi (Harry Fry) and You Wear It Well (Jamie Snowden), while Hughie Morrison has declared the admirable Not So Sleepy, who dead-heated with Henderson’s Epatante in this race two years ago.

Sandy Thomson’s Morebattle Hurdle winner Benson completes the quintet.

While Constitution Hill has been nothing but flawless, the same cannot be said of his stablemate Shishkin, who is on a recovery mission in the BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase.

Although the nine-year-old’s talent is not in doubt as a dual Cheltenham Festival and multiple Grade One winner, there have been signs of recalcitrance in the past and he had alarm bells ringing when refusing to start on his intended seasonal debut in last weekend’s 1965 Chase at Ascot.

“When I say it was out of character, it’s not totally out of character as he can be quite stubborn,” Henderson admitted.

“At the beginning of every season when we get him back in he is really quite a difficult creature and he has his moments where he stamps his feet and he can be awkward. So consequently I sent him over to Zara Tindall and he did four or five weeks dressage to get him over that initial period of causing chaos at home and that did him the world of good, as he had to concentrate.

“He came back in and was in terrific shape straight away.”

Reflecting on his Ascot antics, Henderson said: “There are various reasons for what happened the other day, none of which you could hang your hat on.

“Last week a ruling came out from the BHA that the assistant starter can’t walk in behind the horse with what we call a ‘Long Tom’ (whip), which you don’t touch the horse with, but the horse knows you’re there. That’s been taken away and what happens two days later? You get a horse who doesn’t jump off.

“If someone had been behind him it wouldn’t have been a problem. We’ve obviously had a little talk to the horse in the meantime and consequently we are going to Newcastle.”

Even if Shishkin does consent to jump off on Saturday, his task is far from straightforward as he must concede upwards of 21lb to each of his opponents on what is his first start in a handicap.

More than anything, Henderson views the three-mile contest as a means to an end as he aims to get his charge back on track ahead of a planned tilt at the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He added: “I’m not that familiar with the layout of the track as I don’t go very often, but I was slightly disappointed to see that the three-mile start does go away from home. That is the issue we face and is very much going to be the one in the King George, which is what we’re doing this for.

“This is purely, and so was last Saturday, a prep for the King George. We feel you can’t win a King George without a prep race, it would be very hard on any horse to do that, so we’ve got to go there.

“We’d be hopeful rather than extra confident that it will work this time – we’ll be taking various precautions.

“We’ve got two hurdles to jump – one is the start, but I’m more than hopeful we’ll get over that one, and the next one is the race itself, giving everybody bar two 26lb.

“From a ratings point of view he should have to give some of them more than that, but it doesn’t all of a sudden make him a good thing just because he’s got got two or three pounds in hand.

“He’s got to get a run under his belt.”

Shishkin heads eight runners, with Snowden declaring the next two in the weights in Ga Law and Datsalrightgino.

Both horses also retain the option of running in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on the same day and Snowden is planning to split his aces, so long as both meetings survive the cold snap.

Snowden said: “The plan is for Ga Law to go to the Rehearsal Chase and Datsalrightgino to run in the Coral Gold Cup. Who knows what will happen with the weather, but I would have thought Newbury has got a better chance than Newcastle. If Newcastle is off, Ga Law will go to Newbury as well.

“Both horses are in good shape and both schooled beautifully on Monday. Ga Law had another schooling session yesterday and jumped really well. They obviously had a canter round Newbury the other day and I’m very happy with both.”

Warren Greatrex’s Bill Baxter has also been declared for both races, with Newbury confirmed as his first preference.

Eight are declared for the premier handicap, but both Snowden’s Datsalrightgino and Warren Greatrex’s Bill Baxter have Newbury as their first preference.

Ben Haslam’s pair of Ciel De Neige and A Wave Of The Sea, Nick Alexander’s Elvis Mail and Empire Steel (Thomson) are the other Rehearsal hopefuls.

Like old times as Cheyne rides double for Greeff

Greg Cheyne rolled back the days when riding a double for his old East Cape guv’nor Alan Greeff on the Fairview poly today (Pauline Herman Photography)

Greg Cheyne, now based in the UK, is in South Africa for a week and was given six rides by his old East Cape guv’nor Alan Greeff for today’s Fairview poly meeting.

He was successful on the favourite in the third race, the Bosworth Farm Stud-bred Skit Skizzle filly Gideon’s Daughter.

He then made it a double in the fifth race on the Drakenstein Stud-bred Twice Over mare Official Secret.

He still had three more rides at the time or writing.

Cheyne has had limited opportunities in the U.K. but has had seven winners from 50 rides for a strike rate of 14%.

Among his winners was the Dylan Cunha-trained Silver Sword whom he rode to victory in a big Heritage Handicap at the York Ebor meetinbg in which the first prize was £51,540 (R1,217,890).

Today’s Question

Calvin “Bo’rail” and American Horse Of The Year Rachel Alaexandra (Picture: the vaulthorseracing.wordpress.com)

Why was Calvin Borel known as Calvin “Bo’rail” and which particular ride, possibly the greatest ride in Kentucky Derby history, illustrated the point.

Weekend FIELDS

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Fields, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer

Jockey great Calvin Borel earned the nickname “Bo’rail” due to his penchant for riding close to the rail to save ground.

He won the Kentucky Derby three times and his 2009 Derby win with Mine That Bird was the third biggest upset in Derby history, (after Donerail and Rich Strike) and is regarded as one of the greatest Kentuck Derby rides of all time.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MINE THAT BIRD’S ASTONISHING VICTORY