Future Swing is well drawn under Richard Fourie in the Gr 2 WSB 1900 on Saturday and should be in the shake up (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Gr 2 WSB 1900 has produced the Hollywoodbets Durban July winner twice this decade, with the Justin Snaith-trained winner Belgarion going on to win the July in 2020 and the Brett Crawford-trained narrow runner up last year Winchester Mansion also going on to win the July.

So the race has to be taken seriously even if it had gained a reputation before this decade as a race for borderline older horses to try and make the final July field.

However, it must be remembered that older horses are going to have a harder task in the July this year than both Belgarion and Winchester Mansion had, because the minimum weight for older horses has been raised to 54kg.

Both Belgarion and Winchester Mansion were under sufferance when they won the July carrying 53kg.

So it is going to be more difficult for older horses to slip in to the big race under the radar, which has for a long time been a popular plan to try and win the July.

This is not good news for Mucho Dinero, who has looked to be one of the horses capable of pulling off a Belgarion or Winchester Mansion-like July victory this season.

He is merit rated 110 and as things stand will be carrying the minimum for a four-year-old male of 54kg in the July and will be 5kg under sufferance.

Jonathan Snaith said he had been mystified by Mucho Dinero’s Champions Season pipe-opener when finishing a 7,80 length last of nine in a Pinnacle stakes event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. However, he did add that the Twice Over gelding had not run since L’Ormarin’s King’s Plate (LKP) day in early January and would have needed that last run badly. Much Dinero had won his four previous starts and Jonathan said he would have come on from that last run and expected him to bounce back to his best, being far fitter and better suited to this longer trip.

However, the one of the Snaith trio that he himself most likes for the race is Future Swing and added that was especially the case when considering Richard Fourie was aboard. Like Mucho Dinero, Future Swing had not run since LKP day before his last run and like Mucho Dinero his main mission is the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He said Future Swing had therefore also needed that last start and he also expected him to bounce back over this more suitable trip. The yard regard him as a stayer and the July trip of 2200m would probably be the bottom of his optimal range. However, they are trying everything they can to get him into the July.

The third Snaith runner is Without Question and Jonathan said he had never been better. However, he had to be scratched for foot soreness up in Jo’Burg before the Premier’s Champions Challenge, so has not run since the WSB Met. However, Justin has got his feet “perfect” at Summerveld. Jonathan said Without Question had been working particularly well. He regarded him as a dark horse.

KZN have five runners and three of them look to have strong chances.

The Peter Muscutt-trained Formagear was impressive last time out over 1600m and looks to have come into his own. This classy sort by Querari is out of an Ideal World mare, so has a chance of getting the trip in his first attempt at it.

The Mike Miller-trained Narina Trogon is in fine form and goes for a feature hattrick. Being by Vercingetorix out of the great race mare Beach Beauty, who won up to 2000m, he should get the trip.

The Gareth van Zyl-trained Imilenzeyokududuma is talented and should enjoy the trip but has a tough draw.

Safe Passage is a former Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner and has dropped to a dangerous mark of 112, but has a tricky draw of nine.

Atticus Finch is drawn in pole and the best might not yet have been seen of him yet.

Master Redoute is having a fine season and is versatile, but this is his first outing since winning the Gr 3 staying race over 2800m on Met day.

Oriental Charm’s 3,25 length third in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby reads well here and from a good draw he could make his presence felt in his first run since then.

Ponte Pietra is better than his runs against Narina Trogon and Master Redoute recently and he can bounce back.

Baratheon will need to improve on his recent form and has a wide draw.

River Romeo is talented but off form and widely drawn.

Indian Ocean can turn it on, but looks a bit outclassed here.

It will be an intriguing contest as it always is.

Narina Trogon, pictured winning the Sledgehammer over 1750, is going for a hattrick of features wins and will be attempting to win the race his mother Beach Beauty won 12 years ago.  (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Snaith looking into the future

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

The Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 has always been a weathervane as to the make-up and result of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. One turns instantly to WSB 1900 and July winner Belgarion, where Justin Snaith planned his assault on the big race to perfection. He looks to have a similar plan regarding Future Swing.

Saturday’s contest has turned into a ‘mini’ July with all 14 runners entries in the big race to be run on Saturday, 6 July but it is a tough race to work around the form and runners returning from lay-offs.

Future Swing made his local debut in the Listed The Sledgehammer where he finished fourth behind Narina Trogon. In a race run at a pedestrian pace, he looked dangerous a furlong out before being out-paced in the sprint for the line. Expect a much better showing this time around and Snaith could have an ace up his sleeve!

However, Brett Crawford, runner up with Winchester Mansion in last year’s WSB 1900 building into victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban July could trump him as he saddles Oriental Charm who has shot up the handicap after his third place in the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby. Crawford is executing a similar campaign and Oriental Charm will be a big runner.

Snaith also saddles Without Question who has not been out since finishing third in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and may need the run. A win could also see his handicap rating increase. Stable companion Mucho Dinero, both owned by prolific owner Nic Jonsson, was most disappointing in his local debut behind Formagear but was reported to have been changing legs throughout. From the head-on replay he appeared to lose his action coming over the subway which is a worry for his supporters.

Narina Trogon, named after a colourful but elusive bird, has come well for his new stable and according to assistant trainer Craig Eudey, nothing went to plan in The Sledgehammer as the gelding fought for his head but kept running to win a smart race. This will be a further test and to see if the form holds any water. Imilenzeyokududuma was closing late on Narina Trogon in that same race but it was run at a pedestrian gallop so the form could prove suspect.

With ten races carded, punters will have plenty of chances to fill their wallets and the Peter Muscutt-trained Rototo in the first leg of the PA fits the bill. Although one must keep an eye on a number of well-bred first timers, the comments from their trainers suggest that they are all out for the experience.

On the other hand, Rototo made a smart debut at relatively long odds given the stable. That run should have brought him on lengths. Greenlight Express had one start in the Cape and should come on with the experience.

Policy Of Truth steps out for the first time for Tienie Prinsloo in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and he could prove to be a fair bet. He comes with some useful Highveld form and in modest company and Richard Fourie aboard he should have a big say. A danger could be Iron Monger was closing quickly on stable companion Basie Raakvat last Saturday and has a strong chance on that showing.

The fifth looks to be a bit of an open affair but Mascherina has been a beaten favourite in her two starts since shedding her maiden. She had a tough draw behind a promising filly last time out and can make amends. My Lady Soul has her first outing for a new stable but comes with some solid Highveld form to back her chances. An upset possibility is Bosnay who has been dropping in the handicap and starts for a new stable.

Glen Kotzen has already started his Champions Season campaign with a win and sends out Hold My Hand in the sixth. She did not feature when returning from a lengthy break and starting at a short price in a PE Pinnacle Stakes. However, her form before that was excellent in top company but she will need to run up to that form in a tricky handicap. Donna Mo has a wide draw to contend with but has a long back straight to find position. She has smart Highveld form and a handy weight and could be a threat to the favourite.

The Grey King is also a Hollywoodbets Durban July Entry and a win here will enhance his chances of making the final field. He has a big weight to shoulder but showed plenty of promise when runner up to stronger last time out where he raced very green. Royal Swan Master came from a seemingly hopeless position to edge out Ancient World last time out. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap but the former does appear to be capable of further improvement. Golden Peace has improved with every step up in trip and was a comfortable winner last time out. He should be a big runner.

Hitemhardsunshine could round off the Pick 6 in a tricky contest as he has been holding form well and has been close-up to the more than useful King Of The Gauls at his last two. He was finishing strongly last time out the Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance could swing it her way. Coin Spinner took on stronger last start in a set weights event and was not far back. His best recent effort has been over course and distance and he has Richard Fourie to help him home. The filly Shantastic is way better than her last run while Diani has been consistent of late and has a light weight.

Bereave pictured winning the Diadem Stakes (Image: Wayne Marks) 

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

In the absence of a Feature race, the R165 000 Cape Racing Sales “A” Stakes over 1100m, heads a 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Billed as Race 2 – the opening leg of the Bipot – the race has brought a small but highly competitive field of seven runners together, but trainer Adam Marcus’ ultra-consistent Bereave could land his first victory since taking out last season’s Diadem Stakes. Since that victory Bereave has continued to hold his form well and was not disgraced when third in the Cape Flying Championship (Gr 1) in January and then under a length behind Thunderstruck in this year’s renewal of the Diadem in February.

The weather forecast suggests there will be some rain around ahead of Saturday’s race meeting and there’s no doubting that Bereave will enjoy a little cut in the ground. He gets the vote to score but is certainly no stand out bet in a highly engaging contest. Fellow top-weight Questioning was an eye-catching third behind Winter Cloud over 1200m three weeks ago and with Vaughan Marshall and Ashton Arries enjoying a rich vein of form it would be unwise to discount his chances. He might prefer a touch further but he is a class act and it would come as no surprise to see him come out on top here.

Questioning’s stable companion, Icy Blast, is a model of consistency but has also gone without a visit to the winner’s enclosure since February of 2023. He receives 7,5kgs from both Questioning and Bereave and this must bring the son of Erupt into the race with a chance of scoring an overdue victory. Mufasa was a good second behind Dance Variety over this track and trip last month but is not always the most consistent around. Tough Terrain must rate a threat with the postage stamp of 51kgs on his back. He possesses a fine turn of acceleration and a quick early gallop could play into his hands.

Rio Querari is getting on in years but he always does enough to keep one’s interest alive. I was a touch disappointed with his most recent effort but Aldo Domeyer, who rides the former Equus Champion for the first time, might be able to get the right tune out of Rio Querari and it would come as no surprise if he were to register his eighth career success tomorrow. Jerusalema Rain has been declared to race with blinkers and on best form could certainly trouble his more fancied rivals.

One can make a case for each of the seven runners, but I am going to side with Bereave to come out on top ahead of the Marshall pair, Questioning and Icy Blast, but the selection is made without a great deal of confidence.

Marcus also saddles the consistent but long-time maiden, Tambourine Man, in the first race, an Open Maiden over 1200m, and the son of Twice Over could finally get across the line with his nose in front. He comes back fresh off a short break and will need to be at the top of his game to hold out the promising 2yo Worldly who is likely to be sent out a warm order favourite. Although Tambourine Man clearly has his limitations, he meets the vastly less experienced Worldly on 12,5kgs better terms than weight-for-age and I am happy to take my chances with Marcus’ runner.

The lightly-raced and well-bred Groovejet has his third run as a gelding and could step up on in his promising form to take out the third race, a Maiden Plate over1400m. Cliff Swallow and Prince of Tibet bring good form into the race but Groovejet is drawn in pole position and may just have the edge. With most of the legs of the Pick 6 made up of very competitive handicaps and Cape Stakes races, bankers are not easy to pinpoint, but we can perhaps take a chance with the fast-improving Water Dragon in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. Water Dragon ran on well over 1400m when second to Mont Loisir last time and he appears to have plenty of scope for further improvement. Etoillefillante is quite possibly his biggest danger but I expect Water Dragon to give us a very good run for our money.

Big Unit from the Brett Crawford stable was denied victory three weeks ago by a very narrow margin and he could go one better in the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1600m. The interesting runner here is Holding Thumbs who has always been highly regarded by Glen Kotzen, but he may need just one more run before reaching his peak and Big Unit could have his measure this time around. Crawford also holds a very strong hand in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m. Grand Bay and Night Bomber finished one-two over this track and trip a month ago and we could see a similar result here, although I fancy Night Bomber might reverse the order. Night Tiger from the Candice Bass-Robinson cannot be discounted and it’s worth including the son of Rafeef in all Jackpot and Pick 6 permutations. The consistent Oliver steps back in trip but is fitted with blinkers for the first time and he could again make his presence felt.

Picture: Ben Coen has Cheeky Wink in control to beat Total Look in her second career start 

The Barnane Stud-homebred three-year-old filly Cheeky Wink, trained by Johnny Murtagh and owned in partnership with Owen Heffer of Hollywoodbets, runs in the Gr 3 Al Shira’aa Racing “Mutamakina” Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown on Sunday (15H25 SA Time).

Cheeky Wink is by Masar (New Approach) out of the grey South African-bred Dynasty mare Smiling Blue Eyes, who won both the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and the Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas, trained by Sean Tarry.

Cheeky Wink was unplaced in her only run as a two-year-old, but won her reappearance .

She was stepped up to a mile and one-and-a-half furlongs for the latter event, a Maiden at Gowran Park run in soft going.

Johnny Murtagh’s young stable jockey Ben Coen kept her going well to win by half-a-length after she had run on well from midfield.

Coen is aboard again on Sunday.

Cheeky Wink’s forecast odds with At The Races is 10/1.

The favourite forecast at evens is the Paddy Twomey-trained One Look, a Gleneagles filly who has won both of her starts.

God’s Window is pictured winning on debut last season. 

Gaynor Ruper’s homebred Dubawi colt God’s Window is said to be the leading Eposm Derby hope of top stable John and Thady Gosden and he will now run in the Dante at York next Thursday after finishing a disappointing last of four in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester on Thursday this week.

The Racing Post comments summed up God’s Window’s run, “Slowly into stride, swerved sharply left and lost ground soon after start, raced in last, joined main group after 2f, weakened over 1f out (op 7/2).”

A homebred of Gaynor’s UK-based  breeding operation Cayton Park Stud Ltd, God’s Window won a Maiden at Doncaster over a straight mile on debut as a two-year-old in comfortable fashion and in his only other run as a juvenile finished a two length third in the Gr 1 Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes over the same course and distance.

He reappeared in a three horse field at Nottingham over a mile and half-a-furlong and won by more than eight lengths at 1/14 odds.

The Dee Stakes was his next run.

Besides the Dante and the Derby he also holds entries for the Irish 2000 Guineas on May 25 and for the St. James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18.

Both of the latter runs are over a mile, so the Dante willl likely be a last chance for him to prove he is a Derby horse.

The Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes over a mile and two-and-a-half furlongs is a traditional pointer to the Derby, which is run over a mile-and-a-half at Epsom on June 1.

A rider has not been declared for the Dante yet.

Kieran Shoemark has ridden God’s Window in three of his four starts including in the Dee Stakes.

The classy Savannah Storm could pop up in a Pinnacle Stakes event (JC Photos) 

The Listed Secretariat Stakes for three-year-olds over 1450m is the headliner at Turffontein Inside’s nine race meeting on Sunday.

The race is run under handicap conditions and the suggestion to win it is the Candice Dawson-trained Flying The Flag gelding Salute The Flag. This horse is having his first run out of the maidens, so might not be prominent in the betting. However, he won in fine style last time out over 1400m on Turffontein Standside jumping from the same draw of two he has here. He quickened quite effortlessly from a handy position and then stayed on resolutely before drawing clear in the final stages. His 83 merit rating looks reasonable and S’Manga Khumalo stays aboard, although he does have to ride half-a-kilogram overweight. Sabre Strike is an interesting runner as one with obvious talent. He won easily first time out and second time out finished 2,75 lengths behind the classy Barbaresco in a Graduation Plate over this trip when receiving just 3kg. His official merit rating is 90, but he can rise above that, although he does have a tough draw. The topweight Presley is classy and is well enough regarded to have run in the Gr 1 SA Derby. He also has a wide draw, but should be running on strongly over the distance category he won his maiden over, beating the promising Marauding Horde. Master Christmas has a touch of class and is on the up. He is distance suited and only has to carry 55,5kg off a merit rating of 89. However, he is another fancied runner with a tricky draw, eight out of 12. Max The Magician had some useful early form, including being just 1,75 lengths behind Lucky Lad over 1160m on one occasion. He was beaten 12,50 lengths by Presley over 1600m the last time he ran, but now has his first run as a gelding and off a merit rating reduced to 86. Longsword is also an interesting runner. Sean Tarry is in good form and this horse has always struck as one with ability. He turned it on impressively over 1200m in his penultimate start and should stay this trip. However, Richard Fourie rides 1kg overweight from a draw of six off an 83 merit rating.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m and this looks like a race in which the talented Savannah Storm can pop up. He was not disgraced last time in the Hawaii Stakes, finishing six lengths behind Sandringham Summit. He now has to carry just 52kg from and is only 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Lady Of Power and he is only half-a-kilogram out with the topweighted Bingwa. The latter is classy on his day but needs things to go his way and he has a tricky draw of six out of eight. Scallywag won well last time from the front, despite returning from a layoff, but will have it tougher here. Lady Of Power won the Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas but is not reliable and also needs things to go her way, although draw three will give her a chance to get the easy lead she likes. Eye Of The Prophet was the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner, but needs to bounce back from some below par form.

In the fifth race over 1800m Darling Harbour will have a fine chance if repeating her penultimate start when finishing just 1,40 lengths behind Frances Ethel in the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m when receiving just 3kg. Say It With Roses had some eyecatching maiden form before an easy win over this trip and looks to have been given an attractive opening handicap mark of 80. Furthermore, she is trained by Stuart Pettigrew who has a fine record with Flower Alley fillies. Special Charm has been knocking on the door and is distance suited but does have a tough draw. A Place In The Sun has come into her own but does have a tough draw. Rosy Lemon is a capable sort and Muzi Yeni has won twice on her.

In the sixth over 1800m Dimako’s Jet looks capable of progression. Damova ran well after a layoff and should have come on from that run. Red Knot ran well first time out the maidens and has a plum draw.

In the eighth over 1450m Just Be Lekker has the class to overcome a wide draw over a suitable trip. However, Vix Princess is in fine hard-kncoking form and is well drawn and Alabama Anna is ultra consistent and distance suited so also has to be included.

In the last race  Across The Pond has caught the eye more than once and should enjoy the step up in trip from a plum draw. She is a two-year-old who has been given an 84 merit rating for this race, but that makes her just half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Cueta beat an unispiring field over 1600m by 6,25 lengths to exit the maidens and runs off an 81, so must be included although a wide draw makes it tough.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1600m Panning Gold and Karoo Gold have the form to fight it out.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Mocha Frappe looks promising and would have learnt from his win last time when wearing first time blinkers over 1400m.

The meeting opens with an interesting maiden over 1600m and the in form Alec Laird yard are fancied to win it with the progressive looking sort The Crown, although Rainbow River and Oxalis Gold also have good credentials.

Mick Channon still holds the goal-scoring record for Southampton FC (Pininterest)

There has been big race success this year for both Alec Ferguson and  Harry Redknapp and Michael Owen joined the party today (Friday) when his horse Zoffee won the Chester Cup.

That brings to mind football’s probable most successful racing man, the recently retired legend Mick Channon.

Mick Channon was a famous footballer, particularly for Southampton and England, and he later became a top racehorse trainer.

Unbeknown to many he also had two loan spells in South Africa in his football playing days, presumably during the English Summer.

He played for Durban Celtic 50 years ago in 1974.

He also had a loan spell with Cape Town City in 1978.

Those spells might be part of the reason he is good friends these days with former Durban City player and now Summerveld-based racehorse trainer Paul Lafferty.

The Channon racing tale is a fascinating one, although he handed over the reins to his son Jack last year and the latter has had over 60 wins already at a fine strike rate of 15%.

The Channon story was told by The Sun in 2021 (read below):

MICKY NOUS How ex-England striker Mick Channon has made millions as a horse trainer after brother told him to ‘get off his a***’
Sam Morgan
Published: 12:45, 6 Jul 2021Updated: 13:10, 6 Jul 2021

MICK CHANNON was hooked when he won £100 from a £6 bet and the bookies didn’t have enough cash to pay him out.

That moment sparked a lifelong love affair for the former England striker.

Mick Channon scored 21 goals for England and has made millions as a racehorse trainer in his second career

Channon, 72, always had a love of horses but his passion turned into a money-making machine when he took up training seriously

Mick is used to dealing with sums in the millions rather than hundreds these days.

The 72-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable second career as a horse trainer since hanging up his boots.

Southampton’s record goalscorer, who netted 21 times in 46 England appearances, was famed for his windmill celebration.

Fans saw it enough times during his 22-year career, which included spells at Manchester City, Newcastle and Norwich.

He scored 236 times in all and was part of the Saints side that delivered one of the biggest FA Cup upsets ever when they stunned Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in 1976.

Channon remains Southampton’s record goalscorer – a record that has stood since 1982.

But always lingering in the background was a passion for horses.

It never escaped. Mick would ask commentators for the results at half-time.

He bought his first horse for £440 in 1973 and watched her win three races.

That horse, Cathy Jane, lit a flame and her son, Man On The Run, was co-owned by Mick and Kevin Keegan.

Although Keegan didn’t have the golden touch like Mick did, the pair enjoyed days out at the track together.

Mick recalled: “I got him along to the races. Our horse came stone last, so we got drunk on champagne.”

But soon things turned more serious and when Mick retired from football in 1987 he turned his full attention to racing.

That came after some stern words from brother Phil and friends, who, according to Mick, told him to ‘get off his a**e and stop feeling sorry for himself’.

The tough love worked.

Soon he was scoring far more frequently on the track than he ever was on the pitch.

By the early 2000s he was one of the top trainers in England.

At one point he had enjoyed more winners than the late Sir Henry Cecil and John Gosden – whose horse Mishriff won the world’s richest race earlier this year (2021).

By the time he was established at West Ilsley stables near Newbury – once owned by The Queen – he had nearly 200 horses under his watch.

In 2002 he saddled 123 winners. The prize money was racking up and up and up.

Then came Youmzain.

Bought for £33k, he went on to win almost £4m, finishing runner up three times in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from 2007 to 2009 and twice second best in the the King George Stakes at Ascot.

The horse cemented straight-talking Channon’s position as one of the best trainers in the business.

And he provided joy during an awful time in 2008 when Mick was involved in a car crash that tragically took the life of his friend Tim Corby.

The footballer-turned-trainer achieved a lifelong goal when he won a Classic race with Samitar in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2012.

But that was not to be the end of it all.

Mick remains as busy as ever now, with more than £2.6m won from his horses in the past five seasons.

Certain Lad has been one of the standouts recently, with Hollie Doyle riding him to York success and a £28,355 prize last August.

So even if Channon stopped the windmill celebration long ago, that doesn’t mean punters can’t when winning from his horses.

The Epsom Oaks is named after The Oaks, an estate located to the east of Epsom. The estate was leased to the 12th Earl of Derby in the 18th century. He and his guests devised the race during a party at the estate in 1778. It was first run (as the Oakes Stakes) in 1779, one year before the introduction of the Derby Stakes. The inaugural winner, Bridget, was owned by Lord Derby himself.

The Derby originated at a celebration following the first running of the Oaks Stakes in 1779. A new race was planned, and it was decided that it should be named after either the host of the party, the 12th Earl of Derby, or one of his guests, Sir Charles Bunbury (the Bunbury Cup run at Newmarket would later be named in his honour). According to legend the decision was made by the toss of a coin, but it is probable that Bunbury, the Steward of the Jockey Club, deferred to his host. The inaugural running of the Derby was held on Thursday 4 May 1780.