Expert Eye To Cover Princess Of Gaul's Dam
Expert Eye at the entrance to the Paardeberg stallion barn (Picture: Romi Bettison)
The dam of the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Princess Of Gaul, the Duke Of Marmalade mare Miss Marmalade, was purchased by Paardeberg Stud from owner Clive Murphy about six months ago and will soon be covered by the farm’s resident stallion, the Breeders Cup Mile winner Expert Eye.
Princess Of Gaul in fact formed one leg of a remarkable double for Kannemeyer on Saturday as both of his winners on the day were out of siblings of separate Equus Champion Broodmares.
Princess Of Gaul’s dam Miss Marmalade is a half-sister to Equus Champion Broodmare Halfway To Heaven.
Kannemeyer’s winner of the second race over 1200m on Saturday, the Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimmeanotherviking, is out of Trippi mare Viking Princess, who was unplaced in her sole career start, but she is a full sister to Equus Champion Broodmare Real Princess.
The Fred Crabbia-owned Princess Of Gaul, is a Clive Murphy-bred Vercingetorix filly.
Her dam Miss Marmalade’s half-sister, the Jet Master mare Halfway to Heaven, was a much celebrated Equus Champion Broodmare.
Halfway To Heaven won seven times, including the Gr 3 Prix du Cap over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and the Listed Off To Stud Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
She went on to remarkably produce three multiple Gr 1 winners from her first three foals, the Mike de Kock-trained five-time Gr 1 winner Hawwaam (Silvano), the Eric Sands-trained five-time Gr 1 winner Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), who won the WSB Met twice, and the Eric Sands-trained twice Gr 1 winner Golden Ducat (Philanthropist).
Miss Marmalade was trained for Clive Murphy by Gavin van Zyl.
She was not as good as Halfway To Heaven and was retired after winning second time out and then running unplaced in her third career start.
However, she is starting to show the same sort of prepotency as Halfway To Heaven did at stud.
Miss Marmalade’s first progeny was the useful Clive Murphy-homebred United States gelding Kingdundee, who was trained by the late Gavin Smith and is now trained by the latter’s son Dean. Kingdundee has won his last three starts and has won seven of eleven starts in total. Five of his wins have been over 1000m and two of them over 1200m. He is currently rated 118.
Princess Of Gaul, who was purchased for R600,000 at the National Yearling Sale, was Miss Marmalade’s second foal.
She is by Silvano’s prolific record-breaking son Vercingetorix, who is the reigning champion sire. That means she is closely related to Hawwaam, who was by Silvano.
On pedigree she should go further than 1400m, considering three of Hawwaam’s Gr 1 wins were over 2000m, but Craig Zackey believes she will be formidable if she drops in trip down to 1200m as she is packed with speed and took a bit of a hold on Saturday.
Subsequent to Princess Of Gaul being born, Miss Marmalade has produced a Quasillo colt and an Ideal World colt.
The Quasillo colt was born at Wynnholme Stud in Mooi River and Miss Marmalade was covered by Ideal World while at Wynneholme, but the Ideal World colt was born at Paardeberg Stud.
Miss Marmalade will shortly be covered by Expert Eye.
It looks like an excellent mating and will bring in-breeding to Danehill 4X3.
Meanwhile, Gimmeanotherviking was a bit tardily away in a 1200m maiden plate for fillies and mares on Sunday, but Craig Zackey switched her off and she sat right at the back of the 12 horse field.
She had a lot of ground to make up in the last 400m but was brought to the outside and began eating up the ground with an impressively big action.
She caught the leader late and won going away by 1,25 lengths.
Gimmeanotherviking is closely related to Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince and to the Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Princess, being by the same sire, Gimmethegreenlight, out of a full sister to their dam Real Princess.
The Real Princess has also produced two other Gimmethegreenlights runners, Gr 3 winner Gimmie’s Countess and the highly promising three-year-old colt Gimmie Rules, who has won two out of his three starts.
Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables own Real Princess and own and bred all of her progeny.
Lady Laidlaw boards her mares at Varsfontein Stud and Viking Princess’s progeny are all officially bred by Varsfontein.
However, Khaya Stables own Gimmeanotherviking and also own her twice-winning full brother Industrial Strength.
Dean Kannemeyer trains both of the latter horses and he also trains a third sibling, the What A Winter gelding Prince Florian, who is owned by Fred Crabbia and is the winner of one race to date.
Khaya Stables must be pound for pound just about the top owner in the country at present.
Apart from the aforementioned horses, Khaya Stables also own the like of the highly promising Viva’s Liberte, the promising Gallic Victor and the useful Pomodoro’s Jet.
And they now also have the promising Gimmeanotherviking and the top class Princess Of Gaul.
Subsequent to Gimmeanotherviking being born, Viking Princess had been covered by Erik The Red (Captain Al) and Sandringham Summit (Gimmethegreenlight).
A Look At The Guineas Contenders
Vapour Trail will be out to repeat the feat of his half-brother One Stripe by winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, although he was receiving 4kg from runner up Good For You when winning the Gr 3 Cape Classic over 1400m by two lengths, so the latter should have his measure in the Guineas on paper, but Good For You does have a slight stamina doubt (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Sarah Whitelaw
Two of the Cape most important races for three-year-olds are due to be run next month.
The G1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas is set to take place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on December 6th, and the G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas will take place at the same track one week later.
The recently run G2 Western Cape Fillies Championship exposed a number of fillies as likely leading contenders for the Fillies Guineas, while upcoming feature races, the G2 Cape Punters Cup and G2 Betway Dingaans look sure to unveiled Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas contenders.
With a number of well bred but exposed fillies set to take on more proven rivals, the Fillies Guineas promises to be a cracking contest again this year. Below are a few profiles of fillies who appear likely to play a big role in the finish.
GOLDEN PALM: f Master Of My Fate -Croisette
The highest rated runner in the race, last season’s Equus Champion 2YO Filly made an eye catching return to the track when running out a six and three quarter length winner of the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes.
PRINCESS OF GAUL: f Vercingetorix -Miss Marmalade
Winner of her first two starts, including the G2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante, Princess Of Gaul had a luckless trip when making her three-year-old debut. She fared better next time out when winning the traditional Cape Fillies Guineas prep, the G2 Western Cape Fillies Championship.
LOWVELD LILY: f Legislate -Impala Lily
A three-parts sister to the high-class Hoedspruit, Lowveld Lily stamped her Fillies Guineas claims when she ran second in the Western Cape Fillies Championship.
KEUKENHOF: f The United States -Dawn Calling
While Keukenhof is just a one time winner, she has form suggesting that she is more than entitled to line up in the G1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas. She was running on strongly when finishing third, beaten just over a length and a half, in the Fillies Championship and could well be suited by the step up in trip.
REET PETITE: f Rafeef -Super Elegant
From the same yard as last year’s Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw, Reet Petite has yet to face opposition of this quality. She is unbeaten in three starts, however, and does look to have the scope to improve still further.
The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, won last year by champion One Stripe, remains one of South Africa’s most important classic contests. This year, the 1600m showpiece promises to be another tremendous clash of South Africa’s top sophomores.
JAN VAN GOYEN: c Master Of My Fate -Daydream Believer
The Equus Champion 2YO Colt of last season won three of his first four starts and was hugely impressive when winning the G1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes. Jan Van Goyen has been entered for both the G2 Betway Dingaans and G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.
TIN PAN ALLEY: g The United States -The Entertainer
Runner up to Jan Van Goyen in the World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes, Tin Pan Alley has won his last two starts. After downing subsequent G2 Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile winner Atticus Finch to win the G2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge, Tin Pan Alley went on to win the G3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes under topweight.
VAPOUR TRAIL: c Erik The Red -Silver Stripe
A three-parts brother to last year’s G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner One Stripe, Vapour Trail made a big impression when he won the G3 Cape Classic by two lengths.
GOOD FOR YOU: g Legislate -Slightly Blonde
Winner of last season’s G1 Gold Medallion, Good For You put up a smart performance when finishing second, to Vapour Trail, in the G3 Cape Classic. On that occasion, the Legislate gelding was conceding 4kgs to the winner.
GIMMIE RULES: c Gimmethegreenlight -Real Princess
A full-brother to three graded stakes winners, including champion Gimme A Prince and G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince, he has yet to face this quality of opposition but there is much to like about how the colt, a winner of two of just three starts, won his last start.
Muscutt's Winx Lookalike Is Rewarding Owners' Faith
Zackey's Four-Timer For Tarry Puts Him Further Clear
Lance gelding Silver Tudor produced his usual late run at the Vaal today and clinched a four-timer for the combination of Craig Zackey and Sean Tarry (JC Photos)
Craig Zackey relished the soft conditions at the Vaal today (Tuesday) and timed his finishing runs to perfection on four occasions, all of them for top trainer Sean Tarry.
Gavin Lerena rode a double.
Zackey has now had 76 wins this season.
He has achieved it at a strike rate of 16.89%.
He is seven wins clear of Richard Fourie and there is then a yawning gap back to the 49 wins of Serino Moodley.
Callan Murray and Muzi Yeni are next best on 47 and 45 wins respectively.
Reigning champion jockey Lerena is on 16 wins at 19.05%.
Tarry is on 21 wins at 12.05%.
The Ultimate King Raised To 111
The Ultimate King will carry joint-bottom weight of 54kg in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup, but will be 2,5kg under sufferance as things stand with six-year-old Atticus Finch being the top rated entry on 127
NHA Press Release
Handicapping Rating Update
WESTERN CAPE FILLIES CHAMPIONSHIP (Grade 2)
PRINCESS OF GAUL’S official merit rating has been raised from 107 to 110 following her victory in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers noted that third‑place finisher KEUKENHOF confirmed the 105 rating she achieved in the Grade 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes back in September and therefore used that mark to assess this race.
In addition to the winner, three other runners received merit rating increases:
• LOWVELD LILY (runner‑up): raised from 90 to 105
LOWVELD LILY’S official carded pre‑race rating of 90 did not reflect her previous performance, where she finished 2.25 lengths behind the 108‑rated SCARLET MACAW in a Progress Plate at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. This was a result of the Plate race protection she received. Significantly, the 105 she achieved in the Western Cape Fillies Championship is consistent with her Progress Plate performance.
• WISH LIST: raised from 92 to 103
• GIMME WHAT I WANT: raised from 88 to 102
These adjustments reflect their performances and place them in the correct ranking order for future eliminations.
There were no merit rating reductions in this race.
CAPE MILE (Grade 3)
The official merit rating for LEGAL COUNSEL has been raised from 108 to 112 following his victory in the Grade 3 Cape Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers determined that fourth‑place finisher ZEITZ was the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 101.
The runner‑up, KAMCHATKA, remains unchanged on 93 despite running to a higher mark, as race conditions do not permit increases for placed runners.
There were no further changes in this race.
LAISSERFAIRE STAKES (Listed)
DISTING’S official merit rating has been raised from 93 to 96 following her victory in the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The third‑place finisher, PINK PIGEON, was considered the most suitable line horse and remains unchanged on 89. In rating the race this way, the runner‑up TANNERON also runs to her mark of 90, effectively serving as a line horse as well.
WILD APPLAUSE, who finished fourth and was six points (three kilograms) under sufferance at the weights but finished 0.2 lengths behind the line horse, had her merit rating raised from 82 to 87.
The following runners received merit rating reductions:
• ARTISTE: 93 to 92
• SYMPHONY IN WHITE: 104 to 103
• PAPILLON BLU: 86 to 85
• WORLDCRAFT: 93 to 88
• SOHOT SOWHAT: 98 to 94
• CHAMPAGNE KISSES: 87 → 85
WOOLAVINGTON STAKES (Listed)
AHEAD OF THE FACTS has had his official merit rating raised from 86 to 94 after capturing the Listed Woolavington Stakes over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the third-place finisher, CONGRESSMAN, as the key horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 93.
The specific conditions of this race do not permit an increase of more than eight points for the winner and no more than two points for placed runners. As such, the winner was capped on 94, even though he achieved a higher mark. Furthermore, the runner-up, MASTER OF PARIS, could only be raised from 79 to 81, despite performing to a much higher figure.
AHEAD OF THE FACT has already benefited from the rating protection applied to his third‑place finish in the 2025 Durban Gold Vase (Grade 3), which effectively left him well‑treated in the Woolavington.
As noted in the Handicappers’ press release for the 2025 Durban Gold Vase, AHEAD OF THE FACT (third): increased from 83 to 86; however, his performance was capped by the same restriction despite meriting a significantly higher figure.
Several horses received merit rating drops following the running of this race:
• THE FUTURIST was lowered from 105 to 104,
• TRIPLE TIME was reduced from 110 to 108,
• and MASTER REDOUTE dropped from 117 to 115.
BETWAY VICTORY MOON STAKES (Grade 3)
THE ULTIMATE KING’S official merit rating has been raised from 103 to 111 following his commanding victory in the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Sunday.
In assessing this race, the Handicappers used the second- and third-place finishers, FIELD MARSHAL and NAVAJO NATION, as line horses, leaving their ratings unchanged on 107 and 104 respectively.
There were no further increases, but a few horses received merit rating reductions:
• SHOOT THE RAPIDS went down to 111 from 112.
• SON OF RAJ dropped to 118 from 119.
• WILD INTENT was reduced to 110 from 116.
• SOLAR SAIL went down to 109 from 115.
BETWAY SUMMER PUDDING HANDICAP (Listed)
KISSHOTEN’S official merit rating has been raised from 104 to 107 following her victory in the Listed Betway Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Sunday.
The Handicappers believed the fourth-place finisher, BAKWENA, was the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 93.
There were also merit rating increases for the runner-up, MOCHA BLEND, and the third-place finisher, SUKHUMVIT, who were raised from 104 to 105 and from 93 to 94 respectively.
No fewer than four horses received merit ratings drops in this race:
• ACROSS THE POND was lowered to 88 from 90.
• CARE FORGOT went down to 94 from 96.
• GERBERA dropped to 93 from 96.
• SALENIO PENINSULA was reduced to 89 from 93.
BETWAY NATIONAL COLOUR STAKES (Listed)
WHISTLE THE TUNE’S official merit rating has been raised from 112 to 116 following her victory in the Listed Betway National Colour Stakes over 1000m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Sunday.
The Handicappers were of the view that the third-place finisher, ALMOND SEA, made for the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 112.
The only other increase was for the runner-up, INSTAWORTHY, who was raised from 94 to 107. This adjustment was made because she was ten points (five kilograms) under sufferance at the weights and finished 1.3 lengths (three points) ahead of the line horse.
FROZEN FANTASY was the only runner in this race to receive a drop in the ratings, going down to 97 from 99.
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
Alannah Looks Ready To Win Again
Alannah proved suited to the 1800m Hollywoodbets Greyville poly course and distance last time out and can go one better this time (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
Paul Lafferty appears to have a more than useful filly in Alannah who takes her chances in the Class 4, sixth race on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
Alannah shed her maiden at second time of asking and went straight into the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes where she finished just over five lengths back to the crack Golden Palm. She has had two runs this term and was narrowly beaten by Ice Rain over the course and distance last time out. She is down in class so carries the corresponding jump in weights but by the end of the day Lafferty and punters should have an idea on just how useful she is as she is up against a host of older runners, headed by Frank Robinson charge One Path.
One Path has only missed a cheque once in eight starts and has finished runner-up at her last two on the poly. She steps up to this trip once again in her second run after a break and should come on from that run. Sascha’s Dream was touched off by Miss Twinkle last time out and Doug Campbell’s filly is now 2kg better off and should turn the tables. Sign Of Fate could be pick of the balance.
It’s an eight-race card so the Bi-Pot kicks off in the first where Drielandenpunt is the likely favourite. He was much improved going the mile for the first time and meets a modest line-up over the same course and distance. The year older Black Platina has shown up well in his last two over the distance and with a 4kg claimer up he should be the biggest threat. Surprise package could be Mount Kennedy who ran way below expectations last run judged on his debut effort and he could pay to follow in the market
Darryl Moore’s filly Queen Fenn could be a banker in the first leg of the Place Accumulator but there are two regally-bred first timers in the line-up. Spirit Of Shimla is by Vercingetorix out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare while Areyouready is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Jet Master mare. The betting should be your best guide. Of the others Pink Lace improved second time out and although she looks held by Queen Fenn on that showing she could have more to come.
Xiphos will be in warm order to beak his duck in the first leg of the Pick 6. He has finished runner-up in all three starts on the poly and looked all over a winner last time out before Military Force came sailing by. He must have an outstanding chance of going one better but the struggler Di Rosa could spoil the party. She had consistent form before a Hollywoodbets Scottsville disaster and with only 49.5kg to shoulder she could provide stiff opposition.
The fourth is a competitive handicap where many are in with chances. Pinetti showed up well first run out of the maidens and goes well on the poly but Beamonesque was a comfortable winner over the trip on the Turffontein inside track last time out. He has come on steadily of late and the switch to the poly from a good draw can see him go in again. Fortress Of Fire comes off a break, has the widest draw and some puzzling form. However, he does appear to be much better than that form would suggest given his debut effort and can surprise. Veteran galloper Preemptive Strike is a poly specialist having his 50th start. He is never far back and is coming down in the ratings.
Sean Veale will have had the choice of three Hollywood Racing’s runners in the fifth and has plumbed for Gareth van Zyl’s runner Afropolitan who was finishing strongly behind the promising Kanaal Skater over a mile on the poly last time out. He was doing his best work late and the extra furlong should suit. El Rey Viene was a winner under Veale last time out and also steps up in trip. However, he only got a two-point raise in the handicap and is in good form. Plum Pudding has been in excellent form since April winning three of her last five and second in the other two. She has won on the poly and should be right there again. Sundance Kid is smart on his day and although a little off form he needed his last run and can surprise.
How good is Spaarne Rivier? That is the question to be answered in the seventh. He was a comfortable maiden winner on the poly at second time of asking and enjoyed the step up in trip. This distance should suit and he can follow up. Of the older runners, Banzai Pipeline is slowly coming down in the ratings and was not far back when taking on stronger last time out. He has a handy galloping weight with a 4kg claimer aboard and the best of the draw. Ultra Quick has been in good form over shorter and could now prefer this step up in distance. Gardner’s Pride has improved with his new stable and is no stranger to the poly surface while Pembury ran way below what he is capable of in his first try out of the maidens where he did have a difficult draw. He can do better here.
Competitive handicap rounds off the day. Imperial Power is overdue a fourth win and his consistency can be rewarded from a handy draw. Kimball O’Hara switches to the poly and as an older horse he should enjoy the surface. He is currently in useful form. Isikwishikwishi runs off the same mark as when she won at her penultimate start with Rachel Venniker’s allowance effectively cancelling out the handicap rise. King’s Island was up against stronger from a wide draw last time out. He is wide again but has a handy galloping weight.
Crawford And Purton Can Win With Draco
Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley and Brett Crawford and Zac Purton can combine to win the first race with the consistent sort Draco.
Today's Question
How did the traditional New Year’s Hollywoodbets Greyville fixture, The Flamboyant Stakes, get its name?
The picture taken on Avondale Road outside Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse gives a clue to the answer
FIELDS, Tuesday, 11 November
Today’s Question Answer
Flamboyant trees are common in the Greyville area and there used to be a particularly big one outside of the members pavilion back in the day. The race likely derives its name from these trees.
