One Stripe All Set For Woodbine Reappearance
One Stripe pictured at Graham Motion’s Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland
The dual Gr 1-winning Drakenstein Stud-bred One World colt One Stripe has the world at his feet ahead of running on Saturday in the Gr 1 CAN$1 million Woodbine Mile on the Woodbine turf in Canada..
The race has been going since 1988 and the Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned colt will face a top class field, including last years English 2000 Guineas winner and Breeders Cup Mile third-placed Notable Speech.
The Graham Motion-trained One Stripe will be ridden by Hall Of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
He has landed a good draw of three, but returns from a five-and-a-half month layoff and is the only horse in the field carrying a Gr 1 penalty of two pounds.
One Stripe had a spin on the Woodbine dirt this morning and is looking well.
Frankie Dettori is also involved in the race.
He rides the Catherine Day Phillips-trained Wyoming Bill, who is a closer who comes off a runner up finish in a Gr 2 over course and distance, which was his Graded stakes debut.
The race takes place on Saturday at 23H39 SA Time.
How Did Cup Hopeful The Equator Get His Initial SA Rating?
The Equator wins comfortably over 1800m at Turffontein Standside (JC Photos)
The Tony Peter-trained import The Equator could well be an interesting candidate for this season’s Betway Summer Cup as he looks capable of rising above his current 116, but how did the handicappers arrive at his initial South African merit rating of 110?
The NHA’s Chief Handicapper Lennon Maharaj explained, “We classify imported horses into two categories when assigning them a domestic South African rating:
Category A: Horses that have not run in Pattern, Graded, or Listed races and therefore do not have an international rating.
Category B: Horses that have competed in Pattern or Graded/Listed races and are rated by the international rating panel.”
He continued, “As a member of this panel, I participate in reaching consensus on the ratings of horses with Pattern form, whether they are trained in South Africa or abroad.
For UK-based Category A imports without Pattern credentials, we typically adjust their official UK ratings by adding 12 to 15 points.
This is done in consultation with the UK Handicapper and considers the time since the horse last raced and any relevant subsequent form.
For instance, the British filly Deal Maker was recently given a domestic rating of 70, based on her UK official rating of 57.
The Equator was assigned a rating of 110 due to his international Pattern performances, which align with the levels achieved by Future Swing (rated 110 after winning the Greyville 1900m), Mucho Dinero(when he was rated 110 domestically), and Cape Eagle—all of whom showed equivalent international form meriting the same domestic rating.”
The Equator was reported to have been doing top class work before his debut in South Africa in the Gr 3 Magical Kingdom 2200 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and he was duly backed in to 4/1 favourite. However, he was all at sea in the race and finished last.”
He made amends next time out at his home course of Turffontein Standside when winning a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m carrying topweight of 60kg by two lengths.
The Equator, a Galileo entire formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, won second time out in Ireland, over one mile two furlongs at Leopardstown, by 3,25 lengths in heavy ground.
In a total of six starts before being imported, that was his only win, but he did have two seconds and ran a decent 6,50 length fifth in the Gr 2 Queen’s Vase over a mile, six furlongs and 34 yards at the Royal Ascot meeting, a race won by the subsequent narrow St. Leger runner up Illinois.
He looks to need plenty of ground, but his win over 1800m last time out proved he could be a Summer Cup and possibly a Hollywoodbets Durban July candidate.
Vengi Masawi Speaks About His Meteoric Rise
Vengi Masawi with his first winner, Mvelelo (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Vengi Masawi, who celebrated his first career winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday with his ninth runner, has 35 horses at the Ashburton training centre where he trains some of Champion Owner Hollywood Racing’s string.
He said the raced ones were of handicapping class, so could not say which the best were, while the two-year-olds had not yet started fast work.
However, all of his raced horses are competitive and he thus hopes to win every race he contests.
He has been with some of his horses from day one, as they arrived at Ashburton as babies.
There are others who have come from some of the other Hollywood trainers.
Vengi said he based his methods on those of Mike de Kock, who has been his chief mentor over the years.
His meteoric rise from Groom to Trainer is a fine story and he told it on the In The Box Seat podcast just days before his first winner.
Throwback To SA's 2006 Jockeys Strike
Picture: A jockeys strike failed to ruin the Mercury Sprint of 2006 which was won in scintillating style by one of the best sprinters the country has seen, the Sean Tarry-trained National Colour
The British strike on Wednesday that saw four race meeting cancelled reminds of a jockeys strike in 2006 on the weekend of the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, that saw seven jockey changes having to be made for the big race.
The below is a report written about the unfolding events at the time:
On Saturday it was reported that racing in South Africa would go ahead in spite of a remuneration dispute between representatives of the horseracing industry and the South African Jockeys Association (SAJA). A number of jockeys withdrew their services with immediate effect, but were replaced by apprentices and work riders and will continue to be so until the dispute is resolved.
Apprentices are obliged to ride as they fall under the National Horseracing Authority and not under SAJA.
Replacement riders for jockeys who are not available will be disseminated through the normal channels by horseracing and tote betting operators Phumelela and Gold Circle.
The pay dispute follows a demand by SAJA for riding fees to be upped from R388 to R650 per race ride, an increase of 68 %.
The Jockey’s Remuneration Committee, which includes representatives of the racing operators and racehorse owners’ bodies, was not prepared to accede to this request, but did grant an increase to R415 per ride backdated to March 2006.
SAJA then declared an impasse in negotiations and demanded a riding fee of R650 from 15 July failing which jockeys would not ride.
The Jockeys’ Remuneration Committee rejected their demand and instead proposed that from 1 August this year jockeys be paid an all-inclusive riding fee of R550, which would include an allowance of R125 per ride in lieu of contributions previously paid by the horseracing industry towards jockeys’ medical aid and insurance.
Riding fees comprise only 50 % of jockeys’ earnings as they effectively get a further 7 % of all prize money won by their mounts. Collectively they earn some R32 million per year and have enjoyed increases will above the inflation rate for the last six years.
Over the weekend the air was thick with wild rumours regarding the strike most of which appeared to be false.
It appeared that jockeys retained by certain yards would continue to fulfill their obligations. Brett Smith, Anton Marcus, Weichong Marwing and M.J. Byleveld fall into this category and all made themselves available over the weekend.
One of the most experienced jockeys in the country, Garth Puller, felt that the timing of the strike was poor. He felt it was wrong for the jockeys to accept rides for the weekend when knowing that they intended to strike.
Trainers were left in the lurch and one of them, Alastair Gordon, sought legal advice after learning 24 hours before the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint that Jeff Lloyd and Glynn Schofield who had accepted the rides on his charges, Disco Queen and What A Question respectively, were to be part of the jockey’s strike and would not be available to ride. The matter was taken to the High Court on Saturday morning and the presiding judge ruled that the two jockeys had a moral obligation to honour the commitment they had made seeings it was a very important race and they had not given the trainer a reasonable time period in which to make new riding arrangements. Gordon pointed out that the jockeys were also happy with the outcome of the court case implying that there has been pressure from all sides on them.
Punters had a hard time of following who was riding what after newspaper racing pages and formguides went to press as normal with the accepted rides, most of which were to be changed.
Puller believes the strike should have been called about two weeks in advance.
He also states that another reason for the confusion is that jockeys are in actual fact contracted to owners, as their riding fee is taken out of race stakes money, and not to Gold Circle with whom the Jockeys Association of South Africa are in dispute with.
Puller believes, on the other hand, however, that the sms that Goldcircle sent to all the jockeys giving them an ultimatum last Thursday was an unnecessarily aggressive action as the powers that be were at the negotiation table at the time.
In the end the jockey strike was overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the Sean Tarry-trained flying grey filly, National Colour, who completed a hattrick of Gr 1 wins when beating Tiza by 1,5 lengths in the Mercury Sprint under Brett Smith.
Tiza, trained by Paul Matchett, was originally supposed to be ridden by Marthinus Mienie but was replaced by apprentice Keagan Latham.
Both National Colour (National Assembly) and Tiza (Goldkeeper) went on to overseas success, with the former only just failing to win the Gr 1 Nunthorpe, while Tiza won three Gr 3s in France.
Green Isle Can Make It Three From Three
Green Isle can make it three from three since relocating from Cape Town (Pauline Herman Photography)
Fairview Friday Formguides And Selections
R1 (1) PALANCAR ran a cracker in the last start and looks tough to beat here, he will be the banker in all bets. (6) STAND UP has been running consistently and won’t be far. (10) AM STILL WINNING ran a much improved race at big odds and can build on that. (9) PILGRIM is making progress and wasn’t far on provincial debut, he will get closer. (Devonne Govender 1-6-10-9).
R2 (7) PRICELESS TREASURE hasn’t been far recently and with a light weight will be a big challenger for the top prize. (3) LADY BOMBER is knocking on the door, she has finished 2nd in her last two starts and is expected to fight this out with the top selection. (5) AMANATTO was a sudden improver in the last start and will be there if repeating that run. (10) IVY ran a cracker in the last start, she gets the claimer up who is in great form and can win this. (Devonne Govender 7-3-5-10).
R3 (2) OH MANDY is holding consistent form and will be the narrow first choice in an open race. She has had many chances but will be in the mix. (3) CELTIQUE is another who is holding form, she hasn’t been far and will go very close. (4) LADY PENNY has scope to go well over this trip with the claimer up, you can expect big improvment hence she must be included in everything. (1) GENTEEL has a decent draw and is another who cannot be ignored, she can win this. (Devonne Govender 2-3-4-1).
R4 (2) GIMME MORE TIME ran a cracker in the last start, she is holding form and will take some beating. (7) KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is holding decent form but does take on slightly stronger, she looks up to the task and will be a big danger to the top selection. (10) PEDRO is a very honest type and another good run can be expected, include in the placings. (1) BRENDEN JAMES won easily at huge odds in the last start, a repeat of that run will see him challenging strongly. (Devonne Govender 2-7-10-1).
R5 (8) GREEN ISLE was very impressive in her last two wins, she looks tough to beat here. (3) FAMILY POWER is holding consistent form and another decent run can be expected. (4) STATE SECRET ran second behind the top selection and there won’t be much to choose once again. (5) TREASURE HUNT is never far back, she is an honest type and will run well. (Devonne Govender 8-3-4-5).
R6 (4) COSMIC CLIFFS is in top form and if this continues she will be tough to beat. Although she won her maiden at long odds he ran a cracker in the last start, she gets Nirvan Nastilli aboard once again who knows her well so she will be a serious contender. (1) TWILIGHT BAY will jump from the best draw, she is another who ran well after the maiden victory and should be included in everything. (5) TAKE YOUR TIME is holding consistent form and another decent run is expected. (2) LADY ZULTANITE is capable of much better so throw into the quartet, on best form she can win. (Devonne Govender 4-1-5-2).
R7 (4) PARTY GIRL won a gutsy race on debut and could be anything, she will be the first choice in this field respectfully. (7) JET SET RUN won easily in the last start and will be in the firing line. (3) RAVILIOUS was ultra-impressive in his last start and repeat will see him challenging strongly. (10) WAR LAUNCH is capable of a big finish on his day and will be flying at them, include in quartets. (Devonne Govender 4-7-3-10).
R8 (1) TINTAMARRE is holding good form and looks tough to beat, he has shown he is capable of a big finish so another decent run is expected despite the tough draw. (4) SILVER TYCOON ran extremely well in the last start and will go very well here. (5) SWISS WALT is holding consistent form and gets a much better draw this time, respect here. (2) MONTANA LIGHTS is capable of much better , she represents Highveld from which stands up well here so should be included in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-4-5-2).
Zackey Extends Lead
Craig Zackey secured another double when winning the last race on the Joe Soma-trained Greenlight Racer (JC Photos)
Craig Zackey extended his lead in the national championship with a double at the Vaal Classic track today (Thursday) that took him to 29 wins for the season , achieved at a strike rate of 15.85%.
He is now seven clear of Serino Moodley, who is on 22 wins.
Calvin Habib had a winner today which saw him join Richard Fourie in third place on 20 wins, one clear of Muzi Yeni in fifth place.
The highest rated race at the Vaal Classic meeting was a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and it saw another win for the progressive Roy Magner-trained Accept Cookies, who was 3,5kg better off with Kisshoten (Erupt) for a 2,90 length beating and under Gavin Lerena she duly reversed the form beating Kisshoten this time by 1,50 lengths. The Varsfontein Stud homebred four-year-old Gimmethegreenlight filly ran off an 86 merit rating and received 5kg from the 95-rated five-year-old Kisshoten. Both of them could progress further and possibly pick up some black type.
The first race saw the Fabian Habib-trained first-timer Nou Praat Jy backed from 6/1 to 18/10 and the Rafeef colt won by 1,25 lengths under a hard ride from Jason Gates after being a bit slowly way.
Striker Contemplates His Next Move In Racing
Piere “Striker” Strydom has taken a two month break from racing after his retirement from the saddle, but views a future of continued involvement in the racing industry.
He said that funnily enough his weight had hardly changed, despite now being able to eat whatever he wanted to.
He added, “I am still watching the racing, but I am waiting for myself to really miss it before I get back into it. I’ve got some ideas of what I would like to do, but nothing concrete, so I’m still open to suggestions. I’ve been approached by a lot of people, but I’ve got to do something that I know. I can’t just start being immediately productive in something I know nothing about. I could always learn, but there would be more ideal positions.”
Being a brand ambassador and helping sell shares in horses had been examples of offers he had received.
However, he said, “I think an ideal position would be a managerial role where I could help an owner buy horses, decide which horses are suited to which trainers – place them in the right places, in the right centres, and from there help them even place the horses in the right fields, as well as going to track and seeing whether the horses are what the trainers are saying they are, etc.”
With the game on the up, there could be an opening for a racing manager position for somebody of Striker’s nous.
Meanwhile, he and wife Chrisna are keeping themselves busy with their Airbnb’s in St. Francis and Consantia and with a small farm they have bought in Franschoek.
Their favourite guests at their Airbnb’s are racing people as that can lead to plenty of chewing the fat on past racing stories.
The Strydoms have also purchased an olive farm in Franschoek and have pressed their first olives. Older readers would be interested to know the farm was previously owned by voice artist Malcolm Gooding, who was best known for narrating the iconic radio programme Squad Cars on Springbok Radio from 1968 to 1985.
Today's Question
Which Chilean Horse won his first ten starts including the Chilean Triple Crown and is considered one of Chile’s best ever racehorses.
The picture is of the subject (Picture: https://www.indice1.cl/)
FIELDS, Friday, 12, September
Fairview Poly
Today’s Question Answer
Wolf (19 August 1987–2002) was a champion Chilean Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Chilean Triple Crown while undefeated, compiling a win streak of ten races, including six consecutive Group 1 wins, and was named the Chilean Horse of the Year in 1990 and 1991.
Click here to read about Wolf
