Guineas Maestro Marshall Hoping History Repeats Itself
Vapour Trail will attempt to emulate his half-brother One Stripe by winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Vaughan Marshall is quietly confident of history repeating itself in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday and if it does it will be a phenomenal seventh triumph in this breed-shaping race for the stalwart Milnerton trainer.
Last year he won the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas with the One World colt One Stripe who was bred by Drakenstein Stud, owned by Rikesh Sewgoolam and ridden by Gavin Lerena.
On Saturday he will be running Vapour Trail, an Erik The Red half-brother to One Stripe, who was also bred by Drakenstein, is also owned by Rikesh Sewgoolam and will also be ridden by Gavin Lerena.
The other common denominator is both One World and Erik The Red are by the great Captain Al.
Vaughan trained Captain Al to win the Cape Guineas from draw 16 of 16 and also played a massive part in him becoming Champion Sire as he has done phenomenally well with his progeny.
In fact of Vaughan’s six Cape Guineas wins, two have been by Captain Al and one has been by Captain Al’s son One World.
Vaughan said about the Gr 3-winning colt Vapour Trail, “He’s done everything I have asked him to do. He’s very well, he looks a picture, he will be competitive.”
Vaughan was asked if he was as good as his half-brother One Stripe and replied, “He’s pretty good.”
Asked whether he gave him a chance of winning his reply was less conservative, “Absolutely.”
Vaughan elaborated, “He was very unlucky in the Langerman as a two-year-old, so we’ve always earmarked him as a decent horse.”
He said Vapour Trail had been one who had continually improved.
His Gr 3 win was in the Cape Classic over 1400m.
He displayed a fine turn of foot at the top of the straight on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Old Course on that occasion after finding a handy position from draw three. That took him to the front, but what was most noticeable was, after initially staying on resolutely and keeping the opposition at bay, he lengthened his stride after Richard Fourie had extracted a leg change out of him in the last 50m and he was actually doing his best work late.
That augurs well for the step up to 1600m.
His sire Erik The Red was a twice Gr 2-winning, once Gr 3-winning and twice Listed-winning sprinter who was retired prematurely after disappointing in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship as a three-year-old.
However, Vapour Trail’s dam Silver Stripe is by stamina influence Silvano out of a mare by stamina influence Badger Land and her three wins were from 2200m to 2450m and she won a Listed race over the latter distance.
On paper Vapour Trail will have difficulty confirming the form with Good For You from the Cape Classic, because he beat him by two lengths and will be 4kg worse off.
However, Vaughan said, “Vapour Trail had plenty in hand at the finish and he had not run in a while before that race either. He has come on a helluva lot from that run.”
Vapour Trail is drawn well in five and Vaughan concluded, “He will be able to race just off the pace and there will be a decent pace, rest assured.”
The one part of history from last year which is not repeating itself is the price. One Stripe having converted 63/100 odds and Vapour Trail at present is a 25/2 shot with the sponsor, but a closer look at his credentials makes him a good value proposition.
Vaughan runs Questioning, a 2,75 length winner of the Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over 1400m in his last start, in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes over 1600m.
This five-year-old gelding was beaten 2,70 lengths and 5,10 lengths in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas respectively in the only two starts he has had which have been over as far as 1600m, so there is a bit of a stamina doubt. However, Vaughan said, “We always thought he would go a mile, but as a young three-year-old it was just beyond him and he’s got much stronger now, so I think he will handle it quite well. He’s doing very well, it is just unfortunate about the draw (11/14), but we will take our poison and ride him the same way we did in the Matchem and I think he will be alright.”
Questioning usually lies handy but came from last in the Matchem and produced a storming run to win easily, so perhaps that has opened up a whole new realm for him.
Vaughan runs Dumbledore and Lion Rampart in the Gr 2 Splashout Cape Merchants over 1200m and he said, “It’s going to be tough for them, it’s possibly the most competitive Merchants I’ve seen in Cape Town for many, many years, but they will run well, they won’t disgrace themselves.”
He runs Promettere in the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m and said, “There’s not many races for him and we’re trying him over 1800m. The way he races i.e. he just switches off towards the back and produces a finish and if he does that I think he can run on into the money.”
James Crawford's Under The Radar Guineas Pair Could Surprise
Fox On The Run (yellow colours, purple stars) will be out to give Richard Fourie a first win in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and would also be a first win for champion owners Hollywood Racing of the race they sponsor (Picture: Wayne Marks)
James Crawford has two runners in Saturday’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the iconic breed-shaping race that his now Hong Kong-based father Brett won twice, with Elusive Gold in 2013 and Kilindini in 2019.
James’ runners, Star Major (Querari) and Fox On The Run (Canford Cliffs) have tough draws of 12 and 15 in the 15 horse field and come off runs in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup over this 1600m course and distance in which they were beaten 2,45 lengths into fifth and 5,15 lengths into ninth respectively.
James said about their Punters Cup runs, “Star Major still just needed the run, he’s a nice horse but I definitely think he’s looking for ground. Fox In The Run just got a bit lost in the running.”
He elaborated, “I wouldn’t put them in the race just to fill the field. Star Major is definitely going to be more of a Derby kind of horse. But if things go his way and he can get into a good position from that draw then there’s no reason why he can’t get into the money. Fox On The Run is a big horse and is looking for a bit of ground. His fourth career run, having made his debut on September 22, was in the Punters’ Cup and it was actually his first ever run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. I think for him to only finish five lengths back having been a bit hampered coming out the pens, I don’t think he disgraced himself.”
Fox On The Run also seemed to be tight for room down the inside in the straight in the Punters Cup.
Interestingly, Richard Fourie has stuck with Fox On The Run.
James is not concerned about the wide draw for Fox On The Run and said, “I think there’s going to be a lot of speed. From how I assess the race, I think it’s going to be fairly honest, so I’m not too concerned from that draw. If it was a race where there was no speed, then I’d be a little bit worried, but I think they’ll go and honest pace. If he’s good enough, he’ll win it with a good draw or a bad draw.”
The same can be said about Star Major, who managed to find the box seat from a tricky draw in the Punters Cup.
Star Major is a 25/1 shot with the sponsor and Fox On The Run is 33/1.
James runs Mon Petit Cherie against the boys in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes where she has draw six out of 14 and Richard Fourie is also aboard this Ridgemont homebred four-year-old.
Mon Petit Cherie caught the eye in no uncertain terms in her reappearance as she looks to have blossomed into a horse with plenty of substance and she toyed with the opposition in that Progress Plate over 1200m.
James said, “She just had one or two hiccups along the way in her three-year-old career, but she is twice the horse she was last season. There are a few horses that have been prepared to come out and win the Green Point, but for me it’s just another stepping stone for bigger things. To put it this way, when she won her debut run of the season, it was her first run back after her rest and I didn’t have her fit and ready to win. I had her fit enough to run well and the fact she won was purely on her class. I think there’s still a lot more to come from her after having that debut run out of the way. I think there an exciting time ahead for her this season. There’s a few things we have in the pipeline, so nothing concrete just yet. A lot depends on how she runs in the Green Point.”
The yard contest the Gr 3 1Voucher Victress Stakes with four-year-old Canford Cliffs filly Strawberry Thief, whose last run can have a line drawn through it as she was cleaned up completely when going for a run towards the inside and was lucky not to come down.
James said, ” I think her rating (89) has looked after itself. She’s a filly we’ve always rated, but she’s never going to win in an ecstatic fashion. At some point in time you’ve got to step them out and see what they’re really made of. We do think she’s a filly that’s got feature race ability. Obviously she’s got a lot to do at the weights (officially 5kg under sufferance with best weighted Red Palace), but she’s very well. She could definitely have an outside chance.”
James runs Surjay and Raven Black in the Gr 2 Splashout Cape Merchants over 1200m. Surjay carries joint topweight of 62kg from draw 11 with Luyolo Mxothwa up and Raven Black is 1kg under sufferance carrying 52kg with Kabelo Matsunyane up from draw 13.
James said, “Surjay is doing very well, very well. He may just need the run coming off of a rest, but his work at home has been impressive. I don’t think he’ll disgrace himself on Saturday. I like Raven Black a lot. He’s always been a pick of mine in the yard since he was a two-year-old. Unfortunately he’s had his setbacks, which is why he’s been raced so lightly in his career. But, I think he’s also full of ability, and if he jumps out on terms in the Merchants, I think he’s got every chance.”
In the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m James runs The Futurist and Chasing The Rainbow.
He said, “The Futurist is doing well at home. Craig’s back on and he’s got a phenomenal strike rate with him, so I think he gets along with him pretty well. If he has things his way, there’s no reason why he can’t cause an upset. Chasing the rainbow, is also a lightly raced four-year-old. He’s getting back into the rhythm of things, and I think he’s a really progressive kind of horse. He’s a little bit under-sufferance, but I think he’ll make his presence felt.
Glen Kotzen Bullish About Good For You's Guineas Chances
Picture: Good For You (brown cap) fends off Randolph Hearst (closest) and Pay The Palace (far side), while Happy Verse has just been hampered behind them. They all meet in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday and Good For You will have a 2kg swing in his favour with all three of them (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Glen Kotzen is bullish about the chances of Gr 2 Race Coast Punters Cup winner Good For You in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Sunday.
The Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner survived an objection in the Punters Cup that was contentious, but Glen said, “When he was headed by Randolph Hearst, I think we came back to beat him. The Snaiths don’t see it that way, but I do.”
Whichever way the objection is looked at Good For You was giving Randolph Hearst 2kg, so will now be 2kg better off in the level weights classic.
However, Glen said, “We’ve swapped our 2kg for draw 13.”
He explained, “In the Guineas you need a lot of luck from a bad draw, but it is offset by us having a 2kg advantage.”
In his run before the Punters Cup in the Gr 3 Cape Classic over 1400m, Good For You was beaten two lengths by Vapour Trail, but he was giving the latter 4kg. Furthermore, it was his second run after a layoff.
Glen said about the Legislate gelding’s well-being, “He is flying, he’s doing very, very well, I am very happy with him.”
He added, “The yard’s in form. The horse looks amazing. He’s ready, he’s had a good prep and the jockey (Chad Little) is full of confidence.”
Good For You proved in the Punters Cup he stays a mile.
Glen concluded, “We’ve just got to get lucky from the draw.”
Good For You has proved versatile in running as he can go well from the front or come from off them.
He does tend to hang in the finish, which resulted in the objection against him last time.
However, here is no doubting his class and at odds of 25/2 with the sponsor he could prove to be fair value.
Glen runs King Regent in the Gr 2 Splashout Cape Merchants over 1200m.
He said, ” He never had a great KZN season. He didn’t stay sound. We had to give him a long break. He’s now sounded up beautifully.
He’s only had the one gallop, but he likes to run fresh. He’s got a good draw (a low draw of two), so hopefully he’ll be competitive.”
Querari Relative Fetches Big Price At Sale In France
Qualixia goes for €320,000 at the Sunday session of the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale in Deauville in France (via meta)
Recent Listed winner Qualixia, who hails from the same family as top-class South African sire Querari, made €320,000 to top Sunday’s session of the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale.
Offered by her trainer Philippe Decouz, the German-bred daughter of Blue Point delivered a timely update ahead of the sale having landed last month’s Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau in decisive fashion.
The four-year-old is out of Quariana, an unraced daughter of Lomitas, who is a sister to G3 scorer Quilanga, while she is a half-sister to Listed-winning pair Quixote and Quinndo. The figure given for her on Sunday was a nice return on the €30,000 she realised as a yearling at the BBAG September Sale in 2022.
Qualixia, whose top-class granddam Quebrada also ranks as the granddam of champion Querari, is set to continue her career with Joseph O’Brien.
South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2018-2019, Querari enjoyed success in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius this past weekend.
Not only did Querari gelding Rockaroundtheclock romp home to win the third race at Turffontein by two and three quarter lengths, but fellow Querari geldings Solartrip and River Hawk won at Borrowdale Park and Mauritius on Saturday.
Algoa Cup Hero Can Follow Up
Zatara Magic has been tipped to win the third race (Pauline Herman Photography)
Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections
R1 (11) KENTUCKY LASSIE ran a cracker on debut and will be a huge contender here, the horse to beat. (1) FOCAL POINT is making progress with every start however does return from a break but still needs to respected. (4) ENDIZAYO ran well enough in her last start and should be right there again. (7) ENDEARED represents Cape form which generally stands up strong here in the province and must be included in all bets. A close eye must be kept on (12) Rockie Blue, she comes from a yard who know how to get them ready on debut and any market support must be taken seriously. (Devonne Govender 11-1-4-7).
R2 (11) AMANATTO is holding consistent form and looks tough to beat in this line up respectfully. She has a good draw and her last run was an absolute cracker hence she will be the banker in all bets. (6) MIO DESTINO hasn’t been far in recent starts and will be a challenger here. (1) PRICELESS PEARL has been holding recent form and should be in the shake-up. (2) MISS TAKES placed at decent odds and can build on that. (Devonne Govender 11-6-1-2).
R3 (2) ZATARA MAGIC packs plenty of class and has shown he can carry a big weight and still deliver hence he is the first selection. (1) BOURNEMOUTH is another classy runner in this contest and is capable of much better, he needs to be respected here. (3) WECANGOALLNIGHT has the stable rider Richard Fourie aboard and that speaks volumes, he hasn’t been far in recent starts and will run a bold race. (7) RICHARDTHEFEARLESS has been in outstanding form but does meet some hard knockers here, it will be interesting to see so how he handles it but he isn’t without a chance. (Devonne Govender 2-1-3-7).
R4 (7) BRETTY has been holding form and rates a big winning chance. She is capable of a big finish on her day and will be flying at them late hence she is the firm first choice. (8) ICE CAP is always there in the mix and another honest run is expected. (6) DANCING IN WINTER is very capable on her day, she is another who hasn’t been far in recent runs and must be respected. (5) POMEROL won a gutsy race when breaking her maiden and has scope to go well. (Devonne Govender 7-8-6-5).
R5 Tricky contest. (1) GREAT NOTION was impressive in the last start and if repeating will be a serious contender here. (3) CHERRY OH BABY is holding solid form and will be a big challenger to the top selection, she needs to be respected here. (4) MARSHMALLOW is never far back and can get much closer. (6) BLUE PALACE is another who hasn’t been far and will have a chance here so respect. (Devonne Govender 1-3-4-6).
R6 (3) SILVONIAN is holding solid form and looks to have a big winning chance. (7) TRAVEL MASTER is always in the mix and very capable of winning this but does have a tough draw to contend with. (1) WHATEVER NEXT ran well enough in the last start and cannot be discounted here, include in all bets. (10) BROOKSIDER has a decent draw and a handy weight so needs to be factored into the equation. (Devonne Govender 3-7-1-10).
R7 (3) RAVILIOUS is in top form and will be the horse to beat in an open looking contest. He gets the claimer up which will enhance his chances so needs to be respected. (4) DIAMOND JIM has scope to go well here and is another lively contender. (10) TEEREX is knocking on the door for another career win and isn’t out of this. (7) WISSA’S ON FIRE wasn’t beaten far in his last start and is capable of getting much closer. (Devonne Govender 3-4-10-7).
R8 (3) GENOVEFA ran a cracker in the last start and will be the top selection here. If she repeats that run she will be very competitive. (2) BLOWIN IN THE WIND represents KZN form and must be respected here, include in all bets. (11) PITON DE NEIGE is never far back and isn’t one to ignore, she can pop up. (8) JUST ONE KISS is capable of much better and can go into the placings. (Devonne Govender 3-2-11-8).
Frankie Dettori Speaks About His Swansong And Other Current Affairs
Picture: Franke doing the flying dismount he made famous (Sky Sports Racing)
Frankie Dettori: My plans for South America swansong, Willie Mullins amazing Del Mar win, the trainer who asked me not to retire and that I “must” go to Hong Kong and my tips for the International meeting
Stake spoke with horse racing icon, and Stake Global Ambassador, Frankie Dettori, as he prepares for some massive races in South America this season, for the first time in his illustrious career.
Can you just remind us of what prompted your South America odyssey? What was the reason for going there?
The reason was they’ve been asking me for the best part of 15 years to come. Unfortunately, their big days have clashed. December 15 is my birthday, Uruguay is around New Year, and with South America in the southern hemisphere, they have all the big races in their summer which is our wintertime. That has been my time off which I have needed after a long season. I fully deserve a break! So, I always had to say, ‘No,’
Prior to my decision to retire, I had promised them that before I finally stopped, I would definitely come. So, it was always on the horizon.
Basically, I kept my word and here I am. I arrived on Sunday night here in Buenos Aires and I’ll be racing on Saturday in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. It is one of their biggest days.
I raced in the Argentinian Derby and Oaks 18 years ago. Carlos Pellegrini is like their Arc de Triomphe, weight for age, mile and a half. It is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The winner gets an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
So, I am here for that. Then on January 6 in Montevideo, Uruguay, there’s the Gran Premio Internacional Jose Pedro Ramirez. My last day is in Rio de Janeiro at the Gavea track for the Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro.
That will be my finale. It is something that I always wanted to do and I gave my word. I’ve done my Europe, I did my America, and now I’m going to finish off here in South America.
It’s a nice way to officially retire.
Are you staying in South America all the time from this weekend until February? Are you making it a proper holiday as well? What’s your itinerary?
I am using this opportunity to see the continent. South America is vast. I have a couple of places of curiosity I want to see. Top of my agenda, obviously, is to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. That’s in the New Year at the moment. I’ve heard the Magic Man [jockey] Joao Moreira will be around, Brazil’s greatest jockey. He is a legend.
How have you been spending your free time since you announced your retirement in the US?
I’ve been back to Britain. I haven’t got a place to live because my house was rented. I stayed with my kids, helping out. My son-in-law breaks yearlings, so I’ve been helping him, mucking out, and leading him on an old horse on the gallops at a stable near Doncaster. I have been freezing to death because I forgot how cold it is in the winter in England.
It was a good way to keep fit. I know I am retired but I don’t want to embarrass myself and I want to stay in good shape. I am not here in South America just to show up. I am quite ambitious inside. I still like to win.
The way I was working I was too tired to go to the gym! It was a full on four or five hour day, sweeping the stables, mucking horses out. I was exhausted!
Where else were you in England?
I went to visit my daughter who is at medical school in Sheffield. She will soon qualify. She really likes it. Who would have thought we would have a doctor in the family?!
I was sad to leave the children, but I was very happy to come to a warmer country.
The UK and Ireland Flat seasons have come to an end. Was there a standout performance for you in those campaigns?
Calandagan had a sensational season with the King George at Royal Ascot and the Champion Stakes. It is not easy to have had such a high standard campaign and then go on to win the Japan Cup.
But then also we have the future, in Daryz who won the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe for the Aga Khan. He is lightly raced and looks super exciting. He will be a force to be reckoned with next year. We have so much to look forward to next year. We had some great races.
There is the Ombudsman and Delacroix trilogy and we have lots of exciting prospects. Overall it’s been a very solid season.
What about in America? Is there a standout performance on the turf or dirt that really impressed you from a US horse perspective?
Obviously, we were cheated a little bit by Sovereignty having a temperature in the Breeders’ Cup Classic but to me he was the standout three-year-old.
I was really looking forward to him taking on the older horses in Del Mar but unfortunately it didn’t happen.
But if he stays in training, I suspect he could turn up for Godolphin in the Dubai World Cup. But there’s all the top races in America next year. He is wonderful, strong and powerful and he dominated the season in America. He didn’t win the Triple Crown because he never added the Preakness Stakes, but he was my standout pick.
Willie Mullins keeps producing miracles out of nowhere. To win the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar with Ethical Diamond, just how impressive a training performance was that?
I’ll be honest, I don’t think anybody believed it!
He went from winning a handicap to winning the most prestigious mile and a half race in America, and in some style, just shows you how good Willie is. It was a long shot. The accolades showered on Willie Mullins are numerous. He is incredible on both the Flat and obviously the jumps.
He’s been an amazing trainer. It was a remarkable achievement. We know how good he is, but even I was surprised by that performance. But he knew what he had in his hands and he produced the goods.
Willie couldn’t reproduce it in Melbourne, unfortunately, could he with Absurde?
I kind of messed it up for him because Max Dynamite was second to Prince of Penzance in 2015 ridden by Michelle Payne. He is yet to win the race, but he’ll get there one day, don’t you worry. He’s knocking on the door.
It’s the Hong Kong International coming up this weekend. Has anyone tried to tempt you out of retirement to go over and ride there?
As soon as I got off Khaadem for Charlie Hills in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, he said, ‘ You can’t retire. You must go to Hong Kong.’
I said,’ Thank you very much, but I’m retiring, I can’t do that.’
I wish Charlie all the best with Khaadem. He’s a nine year old gelding who has been a revelation in America this year.
Hong Kong offers such ridiculous prize money for jockeys, owners and trainers. What is it that they do right that they can offer such huge purses?
They’ve had the format for years. It’s governed by the Jockey Club and the volume of betting is huge and a lot of it goes into racing.
The Hong Kong International has stood the test of time. I remember going there over 30 years ago. I rode a filly for Mark Johnstone when I was only 19.
It has stood the test of time. I’ve won most of the races there with some great horses, including Fantastic Light and Ramonti.
This year doesn’t disappoint in terms of quality runners. They have the highest rated sprinter in the world, Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior, who won the Cox Plate in 2023 – there’s an absolute stellar cast for the finale to the season.
What’s the buzz like riding in Hong Kong? Is it like anything else in the world?
They live for racing. Jockeys are like movie stars out there. I would say 75% of the population in Hong Kong, walk around with the race cards in their back pocket. They know every horse’s name, every trainer’s name, every jockey’s name, and they live for that. There is a massive love for the sport.
Hollie Doyle is out there and she’s having a good go. How good is it for the sport that she’s getting the opportunity out in Hong Kong?
She’s been doing really well in Europe. She’s now having a stint out there and doing well.
Richard Kingscote is there, Harry Bentley, Andrea Atzeni, they are the English jockeys that I used to race with. It’s a good place to be if you’re young and ambitious.
It’s hard work, it is not easy. You have to perform, you know. If you go a couple of meetings without winning you really start losing rides. It’s very competitive. It’s a tough school but it is very rewarding if it goes well because the prize money is really good
Ka Ying Rising went over to Australia from Hong Kong and landed The Everest. Is he the best sprinter in the world?
Without a doubt. No-one was surprised that he won The Everest.
I suspect he’ll go off at 1-10 again on Sunday because he’s head and shoulders above any sprinter in the world. I know this sounds boring. I’ve got to put him up as the winner of the sprint.
In the Cup, I’m going to be boring again and go for Romantic Warrior.
That’s my Hong Kong double.
Two short prices but I can’t see anyone in those two races overturning these two amazing horses, they are super consistent.
I’m a horse fan, and I like them to show up and win because it’s good for the sport. And they’ve been amazing horses to follow these last couple of years.
Calandagan’s performance in the Japan Cup was pretty exceptional, wasn’t it?
Competing at the highest level all summer and still winning the Japan Cup, that is pretty remarkable. It is no easy feat to do it and being a gelding, we’re going to see him again next year. So super excited.
What are the particular challenges of riding in Japan?
They are super passionate, they’re investing a lot of money in the breed in the last 40 years and you know they even when they travel you see the performances in Dubai, Saudi, they’ve won a Melbourne Cup. The only race they haven’t won is the Arc but they’re getting close.
Unfortunately for them it always rains around that time, and most of their racing is on fast ground. It takes a lot of their horses by surprise when they run on soft ground. But they’ll get there in the end.
How good does a horse have to be to win that race? I think you rode the last European winner before Calandagan on Alkaased, didn’t you?
Of course you need a good horse and one that travels.
I got beat with Ouija Board but she was a good traveller. Singspiel was a good traveller because he went to the Breeders’ Cup and he went to Dubai. So, you need a horse that can travel because it is a long way to perform.
When you’re back in April in England and they’re under starter’s orders again, will you find it hard not to think, maybe another year?
I’ve had two retirements, one in Europe and one in America so I’m getting quite used to it now.
My mind is kind of made up. Of course it will be the day that I will miss it, but overall I’ve got this great opportunity to still be involved in racing without doing it myself. I will be 55 next week so I have to stop sometime. It was a good opportunity for me to leave but not leave, if you gte what I mean.
I think I’ve done my bit and now it’s time to move on.
How are you celebrating your birthday in Argentina next week?
I will be here in Buenos Aires and I suspect since the meat and the wines are so good that we’ll have a nice steak and a nice bottle of red wine. I think that sounds about right.
Next year is 30 years on from your amazing seven-timer at Ascot, how will that be marked?
I am sure something will come up. The scary thing is it was 30 years ago. My God. It is one of my proudest moments and there will be some sort of celebration somewhere. But that’s not until next year.
Any other Hong Kong tips?
I’ve mentioned Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior.
In the Vase, I’m going for Andre Fabre’s runner Sosie, a super consistent horse.
The hardest one is the mile. I am going to go for Soul Rush who won the Dubai Turf and beat Romantic Warrior in the process.
Zackey/Houdalakis, Valjalo/Klaasen Doubles
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Agoge, a homebred of Dave Shawe’s Titanium Racing, converted favouritism in impressive style in a maiden over 1600m in his second career start at the Vaal Classic track on Thursday and the win gave Craig Zackey and Lucky Houdalakis the first leg of a double together (JC Photos)
Craig Zackey rode a double for Lucky Houdalakis at the Vaal Classic track today and Savanna Valjalo rode a double for Robyn Klaasen.
There was also a double for the sire Fire Away.
Zackey goes to 98 wins for the season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 16.33% and he is now 13 wins clear of second-placed Richard Fourie.
Valjalo has 12 wins at 10.53%.
Houdalakis is on 16 wins for the season at 14.95%.
Klaasen is on 9 wins at 8.49%.
Today's Question
FIELDS, Friday, 12 December
Today’s Question Answer
