Turf Talk Newsletter – 11 February, 2025

Gimmethegreenlight colt Lucky Lad produced a late surge to win last year’s Golden Horse Sprint and give Sean Tarry his 19th Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr 1 victory. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Golden Horse Sprint is one of two races alongside the Woolavington 2000 which has lost its Gr 1 status and will now be a Gr 2.

However, it is going to provide punters with an attractive race, because it will be accompanied by a dramatic conditions change.

The change to the weight structure two years ago whereby the highest rated runner carried 60kg and the bottom weight carried 54kg meant the race had lost its appeal as the big betting handicap which it had always previously been.

Last year no fewer than 12 of the 16 runners were under sufferance.

The first bit of good news for those punters who did not enjoy that 6kg spread of weights is that the bottom weight will revert to 52kg.

Possibly even better news for them is that the benchmark for the race might be as low as 100 merit rating = 52kg.

That means if the highest rated sprinter in the country runs, the 134-rated former winner of the race Gimme A Prince, he would have to carry 67kg.

So the new conditions will not be liked by the connections of the best sprinters.

However, Justin Vermaak, who is in charge of the racing program in KZN, said, “A Gr 2 handicap is not a race for a wfa Gr 1 champion and should be weighted accordingly.”

Instead the low benchmark will lead to a true handicap and a possibly very long handicap too.

With the above mentioned benchmark there are unlikely to be many runners, if any at all, who will be under sufferance and some of the better class sprinters might be willing to take a chance carrying more than 60kg.

So those who enjoy top class long handicaps with big fields to bet on, it could well be a dream event.

It will be a particularly nice race for ante-post punters as the astute might be able to spot an up and coming sprinter who could come from off the radar into prominence at race time.

On that point, it has been disappointing to notice that some of the big bookmakers no longer appear to offer ante-post place betting on big races.

It is exciting to arrive on course armed with numerous ante-post bets all of which have a chance of bringing a return.

However, without ante-post place betting available only one of the ante-post horses is going to yield a return.

South African horseracing falls under the Asian Racing Federation and the Graded status of races is decided by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC).

If a race fails to meet the APC benchmarks for Gr 1 status on three consecutive runnings it become eligible for a downgrade.

The benchmark level is based on the performance ability of the first four finishers in the race.

However, this performance is based on the first four horses’ best performances of the whole season.

So if a horse ran to a certain performance level when finishing in the first four in the Golden Horse Sprint, but then ran to a higher performance level when running in, for example, the Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint, then it is the Mercury Sprint performance which counts towards rating the Golden Horse Sprint’s level.

The Golden Horse Sprint should have been downgraded before, but leeway was given by changing the bottom weight to 54kg, the aim of which was to prevent lower graded bottom weights from lowering the overall standard of the race by finishing in the first four.

However, this measure being taken in the last couple of years has also failed to bring about a raise in the overall performance of the race and hence the downgrade to Gr 2 status.

The first four finishers two years ago were Gimme A Prince, who had also won the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, Thunderstruck, Surjay and Bartholdi; Surjay, Thunderstruck and Gimme A Prince went on to finish second, third and fourth respectively behind the 130-rated Isivunguvungu in the Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint, so the Golden Horse must have gone close to making the ASP’s benchmark for a Gr 1 in that year.

However, last year with two horses under sufferance making the top four and the other two both carrying 54,5kg, it would likely have been well below the benchmark.

The Festival Of Speed meeting always used to be marketed as SA’s only jackpot of Gr 1 events, but this will no longer be the case.

Sean Tarry , who is the most successful Gr 1 trainer in Hollywoodbets Scottsville history with 19 Gr 1 victories, went close to doing the Festival Of Speed Grand Slam i.e. winning all four of the Gr 1s in one meeting, on two occasions.

He will no longer be able to do a Gr 1 grand slam, but the Festival Of Speed grand slam (which now consists of three Gr 1s and a Gr 2) should remain as a never before achieved feat to be aimed at.

Silvano homebred filly Silver Sanctuary gave both Mike de Kock and Drakenstein Stud another Gr 1 victory respectively in last year’s Woolavington 2000. (Candiese Lenferna)

The Woolavington 2000 is going to continue being open to older females despite it having lost its Gr 1 status.

However, there are going to be some tweaks to the conditions of the now Gr 2 race.

Justin Vermaak said, “It will become a conditions race of sorts with some reprieve for lesser types.”

The Woolavington failed to meet the APC benchmarks for Gr 1 on three consecutive occasions when it was a level weights race restricted to three-year-old fillies.

However, in order to not downgrade it immediately an appeal was made to the APC whereby the conditions of the race were to be changed.

The conditions of the race were therefore changed into a weight for age event for fillies and mares of all ages and the Gr 1 status remained.

However, it failed to meet the APC benchmarks for a Gr 1 in a further two renewals.

In the last two renewals of the Woolavington, when it was run as a weight for age race for fillies and mares, none of the first four finishers on either occasion managed to subsequently improve on their best performance of the season.

So, the Woolavington 2000 has now failed to reach the benchmark level for a Gr 1 race in five successive runnings.

However, like the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, it might now become a more appealing race for punters, with a number of runners being capable of winning it.

Justin Snaith scored a fourth Cape Derby win with Pomp And Power in 2022 and he has five entries this year. (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

The R1,5 million SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby to be run on Saturday 22 February has now attracted 12 entries after the deadline was extended 24 hours after only 7 entries were received for the prestigious classic on Monday morning.

Justin Snaith has five of the 12 entries and goes for a fifth success in the big race. His entries are headed by WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen.

SA champion jockey Richard Fourie has been aboard three of the four Snaith Cape Derby winners and is likely to partner the 127-rated Eight On Eighteen, should the Nick Jonsson-owned galloper take his place.

Candice Bass-Robinson is looking for her first Cape Derby success, although her father Mike won it in 2006 with Floatyourboat. Her two entries include the only filly in Scarlet Macaw.

Vaughan Marshall has won two Cape Derbys this century, with Top Seller in 2011 and Linebacker in 2021. The Milnerton veteran’s dual Grade 1 winner One Stripe is the top-rated entrant at 132, but it is not clear whether he will take this route into the Big Cap on 16 March.

While Dean Kannemeyer routed the 6yo Gimme A Prince via the mile of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate back down to win the 1000m HKJC World Cape Flying Championship, it could be a different challenge for a 3yo stepping up from the mile in early January to 2000m on February 22 and then back to 1400m for the Big Cap on March 16.

Supplementary entries for the Cape Derby are due on Friday and the final field is announced om Monday 17 February.

Flying Finley (Oratorio) beat his Turf Talk Syndicate-owned stablemate Heritage Ridge by three lengths at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today to give the Paul Reeves yard an exacta. (Picture: Wayne Marks).   

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Peter Muscutt and Richard Fourie teamed up with Jordash to win the opening race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m. The 2yo daughter of Soqrat found ante-post support during the week but was relatively friendless as race time approached and was allowed to drift to 6/1 in the face of strong demand for Whatastar. Paralegal made the early running ahead of Whatastar but Jordash was stalking the leaders and she moved through smoothly inside the final 200m to win going away.

The second race, a Class 3 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, looked wide open and it came as no surprise to see a blanket finish with less than a length covering the first five across the line. Miss World (33/10) tried gamely to lead from start to finish but was collared in the final stride by Trip To Maputo (12/1) under a strong hands-and-heels ride by Gareth Wright. Babelicious (7/2) had every chance and took third spot narrowly ahead of Miss Marguerite and Artiste.

Candice Bass-Robinson completed a race-to-race double as Rahhabba (9/10) proved a popular winner of the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. The debutante Miss William (33/1) showed good gate speed and disputed the early lead with Rahhabba, but over the final 200m the favourite, with Aldo Domeyer in the saddle, asserted her authority and forged clear to score by more than a length. Miss William stayed on nicely to fill the Exacta position with another newcomer Ruby Rex rounding off the Trifecta.

Domeyer made it two on the bounce as he picked up the ride on Flying Finley (11/10) in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. The sparingly raced 3yo son of Oratorio flew out the gates and was never sighted thereafter by his 11 rivals. Flying Finley had them well and truly strung out at the halfway stage and without being asked a serious question the Graham Hodges owned and bred gelding crossed the line three lengths clear of Heritage Ridge to give Paul Reeves an exacta with Poetic Princess third.

Beaten favourite in his last five starts, Landoftherisingsun has been frustrating to follow but on this occasion Gavin Lerena opted for front-running tactics and under top weight of 61,5kgs the smart-looking son of Danon Platina spreadeagled the opposition in rampant fashion to win the fifth race, an Open Maiden over 1600m, by a very wide margin.

Please Be True, a chance ride for JP van der Merwe in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring a last-gasp victory over Boogified, who looked all over a winner until the final few metres. Please Be True was switched off towards the rear of the field and he then took some time to find his rhythm once heads were turned for home. But the 3yo son of One World finally hit top gear below the 200m marker and reeled in Boogified much to the relief of his legion of supporters. For Corne Orffer it was his second short-head defeat of the afternoon, having been beaten a similar margin on Miss World earlier. King’s Quest failed to fire and finished a disappointing fifth.

Glen Kotzen saddled the Exacta in the seventh race, a Cape C Stakes over 2200m, as 6yo Chollima (16/1) made light of 64kgs under Ashton Arries to out-point his younger stable companion Bombers In The Sky. This was Chollima’s first visit to the winner’s enclosure in 1005 days and a fourth career victory for the 6yo son of Pathfork. Bombers In The Sky was not disgraced in defeat and the 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber looks a decent stayer in the making.

Hollywood Racing’s Jou Lekker Ding gave Gareth Wright his second winner on the day in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m. Trained by Vaughan Marshall, Jou Lekker Ding (10/1) locked horns with the favourite Sohot Sowhat inside the final 200m and gained the upper hand late to score narrowly. Sohot Sowhat conceded the winner 6,5kgs and was far from disgraced in defeat.

The Mike Miller-trained Declarationofpeace colt Treaty Of Paris, bred by Bluesky Thoroughbreds and ridden by Tristan Godden, wins easily second time out. (Picture: Anneke Akal Kitching)

KZN Breeders

On Sunday a small but significant piece of equine history was made at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, as the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds bred colt Treaty Of Paris got his sire, Declarationofpeace off to a winning start from only his second runner at the races. Out of Our Destiny (Var), herself a useful runner at the track, with a second in the Listed Lady’s Pendant (2017) and placed in the Listed Kwa-Zulu Natal Stakes (2018), Our Destiny is also the dam of half-sister, the promising Blue Sky Thoroughbreds bred Lancaster Bomber filly, Disting.

Treaty Of Paris’ sire, the American bred and Rathmor/Macrath based, Declarationofpeace, was voted ‘TDN Rising Star’ hails from the well-known and highly successful Danzig sireline. A Stakes-winning son of War Front, and a Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero, Declarationofpeace was a $2,6 million foal and raced successfully for the famed Ballydoyle operation. His most high-profile victory being the Listed Qatar Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, and was also placed in the Gr2 Sapphire Stakes and the Gr3 Mercury Stakes in Ireland. Declarationofpeace is out of the Stakes-winning daughter of Storm Cat, Serena’s Cat and shares his dam with the champion American racehorse and successful sire Honor Code, and the late KZN stallion Noble Tune.

Thankfully there is a healthy representation of the War Front genes here in South Africa through the late Drakenstein stallion Lancaster Bomber, Wilgerbosdrift-based Fire Away, and of course the KZN Rathmor Stud Declarationofpeace. The Danzig speed influence combined with the brilliance and versatility of Storm Cat, makes Declarationofpeace an irresistible and winning prospect for KZN and South African breeding and racing.

Keagan de Melo is having a tough season in Hong Kong but could claim a rare win on Mask Rider, whom he scored on in a dirt race on the horse’s Hong Kong debut. (Picture: HKJC)

HKJC

Mask Rider scored a super impressive first-up win in Hong Kong last month and on Wednesday the Justify gelding is aiming to repeat the dose in a quality Class 3 Shui Chuen O Handicap over 1200m under Keagan de Melo at Sha Tin.

Hong Kong’s midweek programme features nine races – all on dirt. De Melo steps from gate No 2 against 11 rivals, including Dragon Air Force – a winner of his last two starts – in the HK$1.86 million contest.

Surprising in Class 3 at odds of 27-1 first-up in Hong Kong, former Australian-trained Mask Rider won three times pre-import, when known as Spicy Legend for trainer Peter Robl.

“He showed signs of being a promising horse. He delivered on race day – he had a nice soft lead in front with slow fractions and he was able to quicken up,” De Melo said.

Holding the rail on debut, Mask Rider – who is trained by Chris So – was able to lengthen on the home turn. Fast-closing duo Mojave Desert and Must Go, second and third last start, both reoppose this week.

“I watched his trial at Conghua and he came from off the pace. I don’t think it’s a problem for him, he’s a horse who can settle where he’s happy and he has a nice turn of foot. It’s probably going to suit him taking a sit with the extra seven pounds,” De Melo said.

“He’s just going to have improve that little bit more with the extra weight and I’m sure he’ll give me a good effort towards the end. As long as he settles and gives a good kick then you’ll see the best version of him.

Following Sunday’s incidents at Sha Tin, Karis Teetan will deputise for injured Zac Purton aboard Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February.

“It’s pretty exciting. The opportunity came and what happened to Zac is not a nice thing that happened. I must thank the owners and (trainer) David Hayes, who is really loyal to me, and as I have won on him (Ka Ying Rising) before they’ve let me take the ride. It’s nice to feel appreciated and I’m looking forward to riding one of the world’s best horses,” Teetan said.

Teetan has trialled Ka Ying Rising previously and won last season’s 2024 HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) atop the record-breaking sprinter. The Mauritian is expecting to trial the horse at Conghua on Friday.

Teetan has a full book of rides today at Sha Tin, including Tomodachi Kokoroe in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Tin Chak Handicap (1200m) from barrier two for Hayes.

“I thought his run last time on the dirt was not a bad run. I think he’s going to have a good run this time from the draw with a nice weight on his back (56kg), and he’s working well, so I’m happy with the ride I have picked up as Zac was supposed to be on him,” Teetan said.

A four-time placegetter in Hong Kong, Glorious Success contests the Class 3 Green Island Handicap (1650m) with Teetan up for trainer David Eustace.

“I thought he was very gutsy last time how he finished off. He was off the bit quite a long way from home and he’s a horse who tries really hard and he handled the dirt pretty well. I think he’s going to go out there and perform to his best again,” said Teetan, who also rides Ensued in the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 23 February.

Jamie Richards is aiming to build on his stable’s nine wins this season. The New Zealander has three successes from his last 10 starts in Hong Kong. He saddles Lucky Touch in the Class 4 Po Shek Wu Handicap (1650m) with Alexis Badel up from gate No 4.

“He handled himself well (last start when third). I think with that experience under his belt it should stand him in good stead,” Richards said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Falcon Court has shown improvement recently and looks one to follow in this moderate field, especially with Teetan aboard. Modest Gentleman is better than his recent performances suggest and can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form. Fung well-placed with the apprentice claim, he will give them something to chase. Smart Leader capable but unpredictable, he is worth considering if his odds offer value. Timestorm caught the eye last start when running home powerfully. He should not be overlooked despite the awkward draw.

Race 2: Sonic Boom appears highly suited by the drop back to 1200m, and from a low draw, he should enjoy a perfect run and go close to winning. Sky Prophet has dropped in the ratings and looks well placed in Class 5 to break through with Bowman aboard. Patch Of Watch gave a good sight and was narrowly beaten last start. He could be hard to run down with the 10-pound claimer remaining on board. Wind Speeder likes to get back and charge home late. He’ll make a strong late surge if the pace suits. Super Elite will relish the rise in distance and could surprise at odds with a decent draw.

Race 3: Lean Master stuck on well in a fast run race last start, and he looks a strong contender with the apprentice claim in this field, despite the wide draw. Natural High let down well to finish third last time out and is edging closer to his first local win. Yeah Buddy finished well despite being held up at a crucial stage last start. He could make amends with a smoother run this time. Sunny Darling a fast beginner, he may sneak into the placings if given a soft lead. Hinokami Kagura still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win in this wide-open field.

Race 4: Viva Chaleur is coming off a slashing fourth over 1650m at this track. With a favourable draw, he is poised to break through. Reliable Profit an All-Weather track specialist, he remains a strong chance despite the wide draw. Snowalot finished a close second two starts ago but showed little last time. He has ability and could be a value choice. Forever Folks looks highly suited by the switch back to the AWT surface, where he has a strong record. Glorious Journey unbeaten in this class, he must be considered a strong contender dropping to Class 4.

Race 5: Vulcanus has shown a strong liking for the All-Weather track and looks ready to break through in Class 4, despite the awkward draw. Fortune Warrior caught the eye flashing home late in a slowly run race last start. With a better draw, he should map closer to the speed and secure a spot in the Top 3. Excellent Daddy won his last two starts in emphatic fashion, though in Class 5. He remains a chance despite rising to Class 4. Bowser a bit erratic but has ability, he could surprise at odds on his day. Robot Knight the return to the AWT surface is a positive factor and improvement is expected.

Race 6: Lucky Touch has been in great form recently and looks to be the leading contender in a field without much depth. Sky Vino finished third in his last two starts, though the form from those races doesn’t look strong. Nevertheless, he remains a chance with Bowman aboard. Roman Crown the rise in trip should work in his favour, and a win wouldn’t be surprising in a race of this nature. Viva Hunter the lightweight and inside draw are both positive factors, making him a value choice. Ninja Derby was well beaten last start, but his previous form suggests he may bounce back here.

Race 7: Tomodachi Kokoroe is suited by stepping up to 1200m, and based on collateral form, he looks a strong chance, especially with Teetan aboard. Sing Dragon an All-Weather track specialist, he looks one to follow as he returns to his playground. Bundle Of Charm will find this field more manageable and could cause an upset. Full Credit in consistent form, he should be included in exotic bets. Lady’s Choice a dangerous frontrunner, he could be hard to run down in this small field if given an uncontested lead.

Race 8: Must Go should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and looks well weighted to deliver a commendable performance. Mojave Desert his recent runs have been encouraging, and the return to the All-Weather track should suit him even better. Dragon Air Force secured back-to-back wins in Class 4 recently and remains a strong chance despite making his Class 3 debut. Mask Rider made all to win at big odds on his local debut, and with a favourable draw, a double looks imminent. Packing Bole with Britney Wong’s 10-pound claim, he should play a key role with a well-timed ride.

Race 9: Yellowfin finished a close second to the talented Sunlight Power last start, and with the apprentice claim, he is poised to go one better dropping to Class 3. Glorious Success looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. However, the tricky draw is a concern. Beato his form is coming good again and he looks well weighted to run another bold race here. M Unicorn with a strong turn of foot, he will make his presence felt in a genuinely run race. Never Peter Out has been a revelation since trying the All-Weather surface and must be rated a strong chance despite rising to Class 3.

Please Be True, ridden by JP van der Merwe, gives Justin Snaith a double, Drakenstein Stud a treble as breeders and their second homebred winner of the day. (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Justin Snaith has one eye on breaking Paul Peter’s record of 221 wins in a season and a double at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today helped, although he is still someway behind the necessary pace.

He is now on 106 wins at a strike rate of 15.92%, but if keeping up the same number of runners per calendar day rate and the same strike rate he will only reach 198 wins by the end of the season.

However, there are certainly going to be the big days of multiple success the yard are known for, so the record is not out of reach yet.

Snaith’s own record is 209.

There were also doubles at today’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting for Gareth Wright, Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson.

Wright is on 13 wins at 4.91%.

Domeyer is on 40 wins at 19.61%.

Bass Robinson is on 46 wins at 11.19%.

Which popular chaser was so moderate over hurdles as a young horse he was nearly sent back to his breeder in France?

The subject is pictured above.  (Picture: Thoroughbred Heritage )