Turf Talk Newsletter – 12 February, 2025

Snaith Barometer: 197

Target: 222

Rascova Heading For The Ridgemont Garden Province

Rascova being led in after Gavin Lerena had got her up in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Glen Kotzen spoke on Monday this week about some of the targets of his best horses and unless something has changed since then Rascova will be heading for the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes.

The four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Holding Thumbs, who won the Listed WSB Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m on December 7 before followng up with a 1,75 length second in the Gr 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairmans Cup over 2500m, will be on the float to KZN for the Champions Season.

Glen said, ” He’s a real smart horse for the staying races. And maybe even bottom weight for the July. He’s just getting bigger and stronger every week. He is 17 hands and only just starting to fill into that frame. He’s only turning into a race horse now. And his form is solid.”

Middle distance horse Blackberry Malt wasn’t disgraced in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over2800m and will be going back to KZN.

“He likes KZN”, said Glen.

King Regent is on holiday, but will also be campaigning in the Champions Season.

In his last start in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship he reared and missed the break badly and that was his race over, so he was not persevered with.

Glen said, “He’s had a nice holiday at Noordoek Beach just freshening up and doing his thing. The Golden Horse Sprint will be his main target, a good handicap sprint. He’s only actually been beaten once down the straight over 1200m.”

Malmesbury Missile, who is by Gimmethegreenlight out of the Gr 1-Thekwini Stakes winner Gabor (Kingsbarns), won well third time out when stepped up to 1200m.

Glen said, “He’s a smart colt. We’ll have a crack at the Nursery (Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery) for a R1 million and then there is the R1.5 million CRS Slipper, so we’ll see how we go and then take him to KZN.”

One Stripe Scratched From The Splashout Cape Derby

One Stripe winning the L’Ormarins King’s Plate in ultra impressive style. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

One Stripe’s presence among the Gr 1 R1.5 million Splashout Cape Derby entries did not last long and he is unfortunately already a scratching after the publication of the entries on Tuesday.

He would have been making a bid to become likely the first in history to win the Cape Guineas, the King’s Plate and the Cape Derby.

Vaughan Marshall never planned to run him beyond a mile this summer and has probably thought better of putting more on his plate before his original end of summer target, the CRS R5 million Big Cap over 1600m.

There is no reason why One Stripe will not stay 2000m on pedigree.

His sire One World won at the highest level over that trip, winning the Met, while One Stripe’s dam is by stamina influence Silvano and her three wins, including a Listed race, were from 2200m to 2400m.

Furthermore, One Stripe’s dam is out of a mare by stamina influence Badger Land.

One World is by Marshall’s stalwart sprint-miler Captain Al, but Marshall has in fact won a Cape Derby with a paternal grandson of Captain Al before, Linebacker, who is by Captain Of All, winning it in 2021.

One Stripe’s long term future lies overseas so, despite the obvious speed he possesses, it will be fascinating to see whether he one day steps up to 2000m.

Meanwhile, the WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen has been priced up as 4/10 favourite by Hollywoodbets in the Cape Derby’s ante-post market.

Garrix gave Zeitz 3kg when losing to him by 2,75 lengths in the Gr 3 City Of Cape Town Politician Stakes over 1800m on Met day and he is second favourite at 7/1, while Zeitz is the only other entry in single figures at 8/1.

Hollywoodbets ante-post odds for the Splashout Cape Derby

2 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN 0.4

4 GARRIX 7.14

5 ZEITZ 8.33

8 DAWN TILL DUSK 12.5

9 NATIVE RULER 12.5

3 SAIL THE SEAS 14.29

6 MAJOR MASTER 16.67

12 SCARLET MACAW 16.67

7 EXPRESS YOURSELF 40

10 TENPENNY 50

11 COMMANDER GREEN 50

Cecil Mthembu Talks About His Time In Racing

Cecil Mthembu has been missing from the racing screens for a week or two and it doesn’t seem the same without his bubbly enthusiasm and his astute form advice, not to mention his always noble attempts to pronouce foreign words correctly.

Charl Pretorius spoke to him about his time in racing and reveals that the inimitable Cecil will not be completely lost to racing and looks set to be playing a role in the background and making the odd appearance too.

Click here to read Charl’s Off The Record article about CECIL MTHEMBU

Bring Back The Stamina Horses

Joey Soma has won four staying racs from 2400m to 3000m with the Flower Alley mare Damova. (JC Photos)

By Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Joey Soma’s comments last week, in which he bemoaned the drift away from endurance racing, struck a chord with many in racing.

“Any mug can train a 1000m horse,” declared the veteran trainer. “It’s very hard to train a two-mile horse.”

Talking after Damova had won a 3000m race at Turffontein, Soma called for more staying races on the local programme – even if it meant living with small fields, such as the six-horse affair his gutsy filly had just landed.

He also suggested finding a way to stage a rich long-distance feature – such as the erstwhile multimillion-rand, 3200m Gold Bowl, which filled cavernous Turffontein from corner to corner back in the day. This would boost the standard and numbers of racehorses with stamina.

High-quality stamina bloodlines
It’s a nice thought, though the rush to precocious speed in thoroughbred breeding – notably in the influential Australian market – is going to take some turning around. The world wants easy-to-train, quick-cash-turnover options.

Joey does have allies, though, and not just romantics who love to stand at the rail and listen to a field of marathoners thunder by on their first pass of the grandstands. (“If you don’t love that sound, you shouldn’t be in the game,” says Joey.)

Top breeding operations such as Coolmore and Juddmonte in Europe are dedicated to producing contenders for Pattern races – the most important of which are contested over more than middle distances.

The Aga Khan, who died last week, was arguably the world’s supreme racehorse breeder of the past 50 years, but he seldom sent a member of his carefully curated broodmare band to a pure sprinting stallion.

His reward was a succession of Epsom Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champions.

So, high-quality stamina bloodlines are out there. Do they cost too much? Perhaps the Pattern breeders – already uber-wealthy – could temper their profit pursuits and make great stayers available to a wider market. In the interests of the game, of course.

Grade 1 status for Gold Cup?
A pipe dream, perhaps, but a recent stallion acquisition from Coolmore by prominent local stud Maine Chance Farms gives a glimmer of hope for a resurrection of the staying horse in these parts – and maybe even a return to Grade 1 status for the venerable Gold Cup at Greyville.

Point Lonsdale is a son of Coolmore Ireland’s elite stallion Australia and is punted as bringing much-needed stamina blood into this country.

Whether the winner of Group races for master trainer Aiden O’Brien can adequately replace Maine Chance’s champion stallion Silvano – or indeed Drakenstein Stud’s much-lamented Lancaster Bomber – remains to be seen.

There are signs of other breeding initiatives along these lines at other studs, such as Ideal World at Mauritzfontein, so, we can but hope.

Digital Age's Family To The Fore In England

Picture: Digital Age (Image: Mauritzfontein Stud)

Cape Breeders

Mauritzfontein’s exciting young stallion Digital Age hails from an exceptional female line, and his family was to the fore again this weekend.

Promising three-year-old The Watcher, a brother in blood to Digital Age, made it two wins from two starts when he won at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Despite carrying a seven-pound penalty for his debut win over six furlongs at Newcastle in December, The Watcher tanked his way to the front from the break. Extending his advantage from the top of the home straight, the 1-5 favourite hit the line with five lengths to spare over Kamekist in Saturday’s Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Novice Stakes.

Trained by Karl Burke, The Watcher is out of the Lope De Vega mare Lunar Vega.

The Watcher and Digital Age are both sons of Invincible Spirit, with G3 Musidora Stakes winner Time Away (Darshaan) rating as the third dam of both Digital Age and The Watcher.

Both horses are descendants of the outstanding racemare Time Charter, Timeform’s top-rated three-year-old of 1982. Time Charter won nine of 20 starts and all of the G1 The Oaks, G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, G1 Coronation Cup, and G1 Champion Stakes.

This is also the family of English Derby winners Tulyar and Trigo.

By the same sire as I Am Invincible and Kingman, Digital Age won five of 13 starts, with his biggest career coming in the 2020 G1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Digital Age’s first foals arrived last year.

Just Be Lekker Can Bounce Back

Just Be Lekker has been tipped to win the 6th race. (JC Photos)

The highest rated race at the Thursday meeting at Turffontein Inside is a MR 103 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200 metres and Just Be Lekker is the choice to win it.

Just Be Lekker has drawn widest of all but after two scratchings draw seven out of seven is not too problematic. The last time she went around the turn over 1200m she beat the useful Shipholia by 2.90 lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Hollywoodbets Greyville and she was only receiving 1kg. She has won up to 1450m, so despite this being her second run after a rest the ring rustiness shouldn’t prevent her from staying all the way to the line. She has in fact shown good class up to 1600m, finishing fourth in the Gold Rush behind Rapidash, Coastal Commander and Tail Of The Comet. She will need some luck in running but is nevertheless tipped to prevail. Her stablemate Little Ballerina also has a lot of ability. She finished just 1.45 lengths behind none other than One Stripe over this trip in the Gr 3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery. She followed up with a Gr 2 win in the SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m. She ended last season with a 4.65 length fifth in the Debutante at Hollywoodbets Greyville, which was a touch disappointing and she hasn’t run since. However, if close to her best she should be involved from draw five of seven. Pointer is a talented sort who has drawn wide and will jump from six out of seven, but she is distance suited and should make her presence felt. Chrome Tourmaline has her third run after a layoff and on best form she has a chance. Hierkommiebokkie is quick and will likely make an attempt to lead from start to finish with a 4kg claimer up, although she might be at her best over 1400m.

In the first leg of the pick six Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who came from midfield on debut to win going away over 1600m. He looks likely to enjoy the step up to 2000m and is drawn in pole with in form Ryan Munger up off a reasonable merit rating of 83, so he looks to be the one to side with. Beynac took six runs to get out of the maidens, but when stepped up to 1800m he won by seven lengths. He has been given a merit rating of 86 which will make it tough for him to beat Immediate Edge, whom he has to give 1,5kg, as he didn’t beat a vintage field when winning. Quartermaine has been knocking on the door and has been facing some decent types too, so he should be right there with a 4kg claimer up, although he does have a tough draw of nine out of nine. Diesel’s Shadow is a consistent sort and should be in the shake up again from a good draw of five with Gavin Lerena up. High Queue is a consistent sort and from draw two could also make his presence felt.

In the second leg of the pick six over 2000 meters One Religion has been knocking on the door off her current mark and Gavin Lerena now gets the ride from draw six out of 11. Kadizora lost by a head to One Religion when they last met over this trip and is now 1.5kg better off which gives her a fine chance, but she has drawn widest of all, although in form Ryan Munger is up. Donna Mo has not been in good form lately, but she is better than that and can bounce back over a suitable course and distance off a merit rating that has come down a bit. Rosy Lemon has come down the merit ratings and looks to be off a competitive mark again, so could do well from a fair draw. Greenhouse did well when stepped up to 1800m last time and from a pole position draw should make her presence felt, although she is 1kg under sufferance.

The fifth race is an uninspiring event over 1600 meters and Carnelo could be the one to side with as he has been knocking on the door lately, although he was given a four point raise for his good second last time. Futurewolff won by 7.1 lengths last time, but has been raised eight points. He does jump from pole position though and has a 2,5kg claimer up. Full Go is capable of finishing strongly, but is under sufferance and is only 2,5kg better off with Futurewolff for a 7.1 length beating. Tintamarre has been facing decent opposition without being disgraced and has a chance here. Vas Vegas is capable of being involved in this event over a trip, which might stretch him a bit, although he is older now and might be ready to take it on. Ombudsman can be involved if repeating his last start.

In the seventh over 1200m Green Sapphire is talented and can score the hattrick desite being raised eight points for her last win. She could fight it out with Fastnet Filly who is knocking hard and has pole position.

In the eighth over 1200m My One And Only was unlucky last time out when hampered and can make amends with a 4kg claimer up, but the draw of ten is a concern. Time For Charity was competitive off this mark last time, but also has a wide draw. There She Goes has some good recent form, but is another form horse with a wide draw. Heirloom enjoys this course and distance and has a fair draw. Waitforgreenlight is hard to ignore.

In the first race over 1000m Endizayo disappointed last time, but can bounce back. Chilli Marmalade has the form to be involved. Pantheria Uncia can go close if repeating any of her last two runs.

In the second over 1000m Pibe De Oro showed much ability over sprints and will appreciate the step down in trip, although the wide draw makes it tricky. Tana Maree improved second time out and can do again, although she has a tricky draw. Lady Of Arc showed good ability and has a fair draw with Munger up, but she is returning from a six month layoff.

Important Win For De Melo, Ferraris Adds Another

Caspar Fownes celebrates Charming Steed’s win with Keagan De Melo (HKJC).

Keagan de Melo had one fancied ride at Sha Tin’s All Weather night meeting for a change so it augured well when he won with 20/1 shot Charming Steed earlier in the meeting. His fancied runner, who was tipped by most pundits, Masked Rider, later disappointed and finished unplaced. However, his winner was important because it was as replacement for injured Vincent Ho and was for top trainer Caspar Fownes. The win was of an 1800m handicap. Fownes was clearly impressed with the ride.

He said, ““I asked Keagan if he was available and I gave him a chance. He rode a beautiful race so hopefully he can get some more support and some more winners.”

De Melo increased his tally for the season to six wins, while high-flying Luke Ferraris added a win to go to 27 wins for the season, which puts him in joint third place on the log together with the sidelined Vincent Ho.

The report for the whole meeting can be read below.

Caspar Fownes, David Hayes fire at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting

By Leo Schlink

The battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued to intensify at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night (12 February) as David Hayes moved to the top of the standings with a double and Caspar Fownes took overall honours with a treble.

Hayes vaulted into the championship lead with the wins of Precision Goal and Falcon Court, leaving the dual Hong Kong champion trainer with 30 wins – one clear of Danny Shum (29) and Pierre Ng (29) – while Fownes moved into ninth place with the victories of Daily Trophy, Charming Steed and Capital Delight.

Emphasising the tight nature of the contest for the trainers’ championship, Hayes, Shum and Ng are closely followed by John Size (27), Ricky Yiu (26), Mark Newnham (26), Francis Lui (25), Frankie Lor (24), Fownes (24), Cody Mo (23) and Tony Cruz (21).

“I’m very happy with my team, my mafoos, my riding boys – they’re doing a great job,” Hayes said after teaming with Luke Ferraris to land the Class 4 Po Shek Wu Handicap (1650m) with Precision Goal. “At the moment, we’re winning with older horses. The Ferraris start running soon.”

Hayes also successfully linked with Karis Teetan ahead of the Mauritian’s ride on Ka Ying Rising in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on 23 February as the pair landed the first section of the Class 5 Diamond Hill Handicap (1200m) with Falcon Court.

“Karis is a top-four jockey in Hong Kong, he’s won trials on Ka Ying Rising and he’s won a race on him, so it was a very easy decision,” Hayes said, referring to Teetan’s booking as a replacement for injured Zac Purton on the champion sprinter.

“Karis has helped me in trials, so the stable wanted to help him. He’s already been rewarded now – one ride for one win.”

David Hayes leads the 2024/25 trainers’ championship.
Fownes fired in a race-to-race double with the victories of Daily Trophy and Charming Steed before adding to his haul with Capital Delight, who clinched the Class 2 Tin Chak Handicap (1200m) with a last-stride lunge under Brenton Avdulla.

“He’s been a very nice horse for the stable. He’s won at Happy Valley and he’s got a particular liking for the dirt. He’s quite versatile – 1200m up to 1650m – and it was nice to see him just win on the line. We were lucky but we’re very happy,” Fownes said of his stable’s most successful meeting since the Happy Valley fixture on 30 October.

Daily Trophy scored his third course and distance victory with a barnstorming finish under Harry Bentley in the first section of the Class 4 Kam Shan Handicap (1200m) before Keagan De Melo – substituting for injured Vincent Ho – drove Charming Steed to success in the Class 4 Silvermine Bay Handicap (1800m).

“I asked Keagan if he was available and I gave him a chance. He rode a beautiful race so hopefully he can get some more support and some more winners,” Fownes said.

Teetan completed a brace when David Eustace’s Fortune Warrior bolted in with the second section of the Class 4 Kam Shan Handicap (1200m).

“Before the race when I took him down to the start, I could feel he was ready. He was in top condition – all credit to David,” said Teetan, who eased down Fortune Warrior – a son of Swiss Ace – over the last 100m.

12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size struck with Must Go under Andrea Atzeni in the Class 3 Shui Chuen O Handicap (1200m) as the All Too Hard gelding earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Formerly trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes in Australia, Must Go collected his third course and distance win at Sha Tin.

Dylan Mo slotted his third win of the season as Never Peter Out made it three in a row by winning the Class 3 Green Island Handicap (1650m). By Grunt, Never Peter Out has thrived since being switched to the dirt by Frankie Lor, winning four of his past six starts.

Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Watch broke through for his first victory, scoring in the second section of the Class 5 Diamond Hill Handicap (1200m) for Manfred Man and Britney Wong, who scored her ninth Hong Kong win with a well-judged front-running ride.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (16 February).