Picture: Gimme A Prince wins the Grade 2 Cape Merchants easily (Wayne Marks).

Pagan Princess’ Legacy Lives On

The late Klawervlei Stud broodmare Pagan Princess enjoyed a halcyon weekend with two of her descendants, Gimme A Prince and Dyce, stamping themselves as horses with fine futures.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gimme A Prince (Gimmethegreenlight) is a lightly raced four-year-old gelding out of Pagan Princess’s Grade 1-winning daughter Real Princess (Trippi).

On Sunday he ran in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants, which looked to be an ultra competitive 20-runner event, yet he put the race to bed a long way out and went on to win by an easy two lengths under Keagan de Melo.

He was carrying 56kg off a 108 merit rating and was giving 4kg to the promising runner up, the three-year-old We’re Jamming.

On Saturday Dyce, who is by Pagan Princess’s son William Longsword, finished runner up in the Grand Heritage.

He was running off a 101 merit rating and carrying 57,5 kg and looked all over the winner until his Lucky Houdalakis-trained stablemate Duke Of Sussex ran him out of it with a strong finish from off the pace.

However, Dyce looks the better prospect of the pair. This was only his third run after a layoff of close to a year-and-a-half, and he took a noticeably strong hold in the running, so might be looking for a return to the 1200m trip over which his three wins include a 4,30 length victory in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Pagan Princess was a Fort Wood half-sister to the great Victory Moon.

John Koster recalled Klawervlei going to a sale with the aim of buying ten fillies, but instead used all their money to buy just one filly, Pagan Princess.

They had to go to R1,7 million to clinch her.

Part of the thinking was that Victory Moon was by Al Mufti, so his half-sister would be a great match for Klawervlei’s resident stallion Captain Al, who was by Al Mufti.

Pagan Princess, trained by Joey Ramsden, only won one race, but showed promise before going wrong in her preparation race for the Oaks in KZN.

Her bad luck then went from bad to worse when she had a bad bout of colic upon arrival at Klawervlei Stud.

She had to have an operation to remove a lot of her gut followed by a complicated stitching up procedure and it was thought she might never be able to have foals.

However, in the end she proved to be one of Klawervlei’s finest ever broodmares, producing six foals for five winners, four of them feature winners, two of those Grade 1 winners and one of them a sire.

Two of her foals were by Captain Al, William Longsword and Really Royal.

The latter won three races, including the WSB Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.

Her last race was in March this year and she is now in foal to Vercingetorix.

Really Royal is owned by stalwart international racing man Bjorn Nielson, the owner of the like of Stradivarius.

Captain Al and Fort Wood have turned out to be a lethal combination.

William Longsword and Malmoos are proof of it, both now standing at stud, whilst the multiple Grade 1 winner Captain America (also by Captain Al out of a Fort Wood mare) would also surely have been a sire had he not been gelded.

This weekend’s racing proved Pagan Princess’s legacy will be around for some time.

Owners will have an opportunity to buy into the family at the forthcoming Tattersalls Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

Lot 13 is in fact a Klawervlei Stud-bred three parts brother to Gimme A Prince, being a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Pagan Princess’ Trippi daughter, Dance At Dawn, who was only a one-time winner.

On Sunday Gimme The Prince was carrying 56kg off a 108 merit rating and the handicappers were impressed enough to raise him six points to 114.

He was off for nearly a year after running sixth in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

However, he has won three out of his four comeback races, including Sunday’s Grade 2 in which he emphatically exacted revenge on Resonate, who had beaten him by half-a-length in the Listed Southeaster Sprint over 1100m.

Resonate was giving Gimme A Prince 2,5kg in the Southeaster and on Sunday had to to give him 3,5kg but was beaten 2,90 lengths.

Gimme A Prince has only had six career starts for four wins and could be the new kid on the country’s sprinting block alongside We’re Jamming, who was only running on 1kg terms better than weight for age compared to Gimme A Prince. He could improve on that effort, as he was placed a bit far out of his ground and was making late inroads.

Picture: Duke Of Sussex (nearest) beats stable companion Dyce in Saturday’s WSB Grand Heritage (JC Photos).

Grand Heritage Runner Up Dyce Is An Exciting Prospect

It was a memorable day on Saturday for trainer Lucky Houdalakis and owner Dave Shawe as they grabbed the exacta together in the WSB Grand Heritage, an amazing feat considering there were 27 runners.

The five-year-old Drakenstein Stud-bred Duke Of Marmalade gelding Duke Of Sussex continues to be progressive and came in to the race with a possibly capped merit rating, considering he won his previous race by five lengths but was given the maximum eight point raise.

Meanwhile, Houdalakis had pulled off another fine training when Dyce returned from a layoff of around a year-and-a-half to win second time out. This speedster has a terrific action and had fine two-year-old form, culminating in a dominant 4,30 length victory in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Hollywodbets Greyville. He had looked himself in that recent second run after the long layoff, so Houdalakis supplemented him for the Grand Heritage.

Dyce had to give Duke Of Sussex 3,5kg, but, after being prominent in the running, looked the winner when accelerating from about the 600m mark and showing no signs of stopping.

However, he was caught late by Duke Of Sussex, who came from off the pace and still looked to have a bit in hand when crossing the line half-a-length clear under JP van der Merwe.

However, another aspect of the race which was noticeable was Dyce took a visibly strong hold under Muzi Yeni, so he did well to stay on so strongly.

On that performance Dyce looked like he would appreciate the step back down to 1200m.

He was raised by the handicappers from 101 to 105 for the second place finish, while Duke Of Sussex was raised from 94 to 100.

Dyce should rise above that merit rating, but if able to come into the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1200m on June 3 next year with bottom weight, he will take a power of beating.

However, six months is a long time in which to protect a merit rating, so the yard are likely to go for other features before then.

However, it would be no surprise to see him initially dropping back to 1200m.

He did stay the 1400m on Saturday though, so if learning to race within himself there will be a number of other opportunities for this exciting individual.

William Longsword is turning out to be a fine sire, whose progeny are progressive and Dave Shawe looks to have a lot to look forward to with Dyce.

Picture: Karis Teetan went to visit his pal Romantic Warrior this morning. The four-year-old Irish-bred Acclamation gelding won the Hong Kong Derby and QE II Cup under Teetan last season and yesterday added another big race victory when winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup by 4,5 lengths under James McDonald. (Picture via Twitter)

Karis Teetan In Line To Renew Association With Top Gun Romantic Warrior

Karis Teetan And Alexis Badel were all class during trying circumstances at Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races

by Sam Agars (South China Morning Post)

Jockeys Alexis Badel and Karis Teetan were all class during trying circumstances at Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races, and the pair will be counting down the days until they can renew their associations with respective superstars Wellington and Romantic Warrior.

Badel, who rode Wellington in his first three Group One successes, had to watch on as Ryan Moore enjoyed Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) glory aboard Richard Gibson’s speedster, while it was James McDonald who partnered Romantic Warrior to his dominant Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) success after Teetan was recently sidelined by a thyroid condition.

Teetan was in the saddle for Romantic Warrior’s wins in last season’s Hong Kong Derby and QE II Cup and the Mauritian paid the star four-year-old a visit on Monday morning to congratulate him on his big win.

Teetan returned to the saddle on Wednesday after nearly three months on the sidelines and trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing said that, all going well, he’ll reunite with Romantic Warrior for next month’s Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m).

“The plan is to run Romantic Warrior in the Stewards’ Cup and if Karis is well physically and he’s confident, then I’ll definitely give him the ride,” Shum said.

On confirming Romantic Warrior has pulled up well from Sunday’s demolition job, Shum reiterated his hopes to target this term’s Triple Crown – which comprises the Stewards’ Cup, the Gold Cup (2,000m) and the Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m).

It’s a feat that’s only been accomplished once – by River Verdon back in 1994 – and Shum believes it’s achievable with “absolutely” the best horse he’s ever had.

“I think he can win the Triple Crown, so we don’t plan to travel this season,” he said.

Frenchman Badel was at Sha Tin on Sunday with wife Eva and joined connections in Wellington’s winning photo before tweeting his congratulations.

Badel has been sidelined since injuring his shoulder and ankle in a fall on November 20 but is recovering from surgery well and has said he’s hopeful of a return to race riding in early January.

Wellington is “in good nick” after his impressive victory and the six-year-old will set his sights on the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) on February 5, with Badel to take the reins.

“It’ll be terrific to get Alexis back in action,” Gibson said.

Wellington will look to complete the set of Hong Kong’s four Group One sprints in the Centenary Sprint Cup, before turning his attention to defending his Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) crowns.

Gibson has floated the prospect of taking Wellington to Royal Ascot in June but will look to plunder as many riches on home soil first.

“There’s a fantastic sprint programme in Hong Kong and a great deal of prize money and fame to be won, so that’s always our priority. At the end of all that, we’ll see where we’re at,” he said.

Picture: The Dennis Drier-trained Gimmethegreenlight filly Live My Life was the only raider to win on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Wayne Marks).

Cape Racing’s Incentives For Raiders Paying Dividends

Of the 93 runners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday (Sunday) 21 were raiders, which which constituted 22.5% of the card!

The average field size of 11.6 runners a race, would have been 9.0 with only local participation.

“It’s a joy to share the upswing in local racing with our “up country” visitors!”, said Cape Racing’s Head Of Racing Operations, Justin Vermaak.

Picture: Sadha Naidoo, CEO of Calypso Group, has been appointed Chairman of Gold Circle. He is seen above at the Inaugural Durban Tourism Awards Launch at Oyster Box Hotel on October 12, 2021. The awards rewarded products excelling in local tourism with cash prizes and business development packages and aimed to motivate businesses in the tourism value chain to grow globally competitive products. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Gold Circle Election Of Directors And Chairman

At Gold Circle’s AGM on Tuesday 6 December 2022, Greg Bortz and Gary Grant were elected to the Board of Directors.

Sadha Naidoo and Gary Grant were then elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Gold Circle Pty Ltd at the Board Meeting held on Thursday 8 December 2022.

Sadha Naidoo is a dynamic KZN businessman, who is CEO of Calypso Group and a former Chairman of Tourism KZN.

Picture: Charles Dickens has drifted out slightly to 5/10 for Saturday’s Grade 1 R2million Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Wayne Marks).

15 acceptors for Saturday’s R2 million Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas

The unbeaten Charles Dickens (merit rated 121) heads the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas field and will attempt to give the illustrious Bass yard a first win in this big race.

Cousin Casey is his main market rival and two other interesting acceptors are the Mike de Kock-trained Jonsson Workwear Dingaans one-two Union Square and Shoemaker.

Grant Maroun’s Graham Beck Stakes winner Anfields Rocket will run in the colours of the sponsor.

Jockeys rriding who have won the Cape Guineas before include Corne Orffer, Randall Simons, Bernard Fayd’herbe and Piere Strydom.

Trainers who have won the prestigious race previously are Justin Snaith, Brett Crawford, Mike de Kock and Vaughan Marshall.

Charles Dickens is currently trading at 5-10 with Cousin Casey at 4/1 and Shoemaker at 10/1.

Picture: Chansonette (Chase Liebenberg).

Chansonette And Marina To Clash In Victress, Rain Also A Possible Runner

Rain In Holland is set to run tomorrow (Tuesday) at Turffontein Standside, so it is a surprise to see her also accepting for the Grade 3 Victress Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

If she ends up not running in the Victress the race will still be full of intrigue because it sees last season’s Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Chansonette clashing with Marina, whom she narrowly beat when finishing second in last season’s Grade 1 Paddock Stakes over this course and distance.

The field is pictured below:

Picture: Silvano’s Timer winning the Listed MWOS Darley Arabian (Candiese Lenferna).

Silvano’s Timer Favourite For Peninsula Handicap

The Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap over 1800m has attracted a field of 16 acceptors.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Silvano’s Timer has been priced up favourite from Somerset Maughan and Han Solo.

There was good news for the Kenilworth racecourse and Cape Guineas sponsors, Hollywoodbets, because there were seven scratchings and this allowed there progressive Peter Muscutt-trained Dynasty gelding Imilenzeyokududuma to sneak into the field off a 95 merit rating. He is only 1kg under sufferance so is a runner carrying just 52kg from draw three.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July 6th-placed Airways Law makes his seasonal reappearance.

The classy One Way Traffic should improve on his last disappointing start as he will relish the step up in trip.

The field is pictured below:

Picture: This picture provides a clue to the answer (HKJC.com).

Today’s Question

How many South African trainers and jockeys have won the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup?

Click Here To See Turffontein Standside Fields, Tuesday

NB Please wait a few seconds for fields to appear.

Picture: Vengeance Of Rain wins the 2005 Hong Kong Cup (HKJC.com).

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION:

David Ferraris and Mike de Kock have won the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup once each, Ferraris with Vengeance of Rain in 2005 and De Kock with Eagle Mountain in 2008.

Bartie Leisher rode the winner of the inaugural running in 1988 on the Brian Kan-trained Flying Dancer.

Anthony Delpech rode Vengeance Of Rain in 2005.

Kevin Shea rode Eagle Mountain in 2008.

Douglas Whyte rode the Richard Gibson-trained Akeed Mofeed to victory in 2013.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 12 December 2022