Turf Talk Newsletter – 13 February, 2025

It was pleasing to see two apprentice races at Turffontein Inside today, but after a potentially nasty incident in the first of them it has to be questioned whether certain aspects of safe riding are being drummed enough to the youngsters and whether policing in South Africa is stringent enough to ensure riding is generally safe.  (The pictures shows the apprentices at a Vaal race meeting last year). (JC Photos)

If there is one aspect of South African racing that is not adequately policed it is the rule about being clear before cutting in front of an opponent horse.

Today, the manoeuvre was witnessed once again and the chain reaction caused a rider to fall off in a manner which was scarily similar to the way Antony Delpech fell when sustaining a career ending injury i.e. he clung on to the side of the horse before dropping off.

Mxolisi Mbuto appeared to be okay after the fall and in this case no further news was likely good news.

It could have been a lot worse.

It has to be asked whether seven days is adequate punishment for such a transgression?

Read on after the stipes report shown below because the best example of this transgression just being totally ignored actually happened in one of our biggest races, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Today’s stipendiary report about the incident stated:

a) At approximately the 1200m, TINTAMARRE stumbled badly and dislodged Apprentice M Mbuto after clipping the heels of CARNELO (*K J Lihaba), which shifted out when awkwardly placed on the heels of GUERILLA WARFARE (*G Dookhit), which shifted in when insufficiently clear.

Apprentice G Dookhit was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that he, as the rider of GUERILLA WARFARE, failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to TINTAMARRE (*M Mbuto) and CARNELO (*K J Lihaba) when he shifted in at approximately the 1200m. Apprentice G Dookhit signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of seven days.

Suspension dates: 14 February 2025 to 20 February 2025 (both days inclusive).

Click here to watch a replay of the race

In the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Montien ran an absolute cracker and nothing should be taken away from him and trainer Piet Botha.

Montien came from a wide draw and assumed the lead in front of Oriental Charm just before they reached the first turn.

The stipendiary steward report stated:

Racing into the turn at the 1200m, ORIENTAL CHARM (JP van der Merwe) was steadied when close to the heels of MONTIEN (C Orffer).

How was it possible for Oriental Charm to be close to Montien’s heels if the latter did not cut in front of him without being adequately clear?

Van der Merwe clearly had to take a stranglehold to avoid running into the back of Montien as the latter came across and as Oriental Charm starts taking the turn he actually pecks slightly.

Click here to watch a replay of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate 

Today’s incident took place in an apprentices’ race.

It has to be asked whether the importance of being clear before cutting in is is being drummed in and whether the policing backs up the importance?

The impressionable youngsters are just going to follow suit if it is happening without being brought to book.

Quid Pro Quo winning the Betway Dingaans. (JC Photos).

Jack Milner (4Racing)

A rematch between Quid Pro Quo and Spumante Dolce is now looking a possibility at Turffontein on Saturday 1 March.

After her impressive win over the colts if the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans last November, the Barend Botes-trained three-year-old filly went off a hot favourite to win the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on 1 February. However, the sparkle she brought to the Dingaans was not there and it was Mike de Kock-trained Spumante Dolce who brought the fizz into the race, staying on gamely to beat a fast-finishing VJ’s Angel by a neck with Quid Pro Quo a further 0.25 lengths back in third.

It was a courageous performance from the winner but many people felt Quid Pro Quo had felt the effects of having her second run after a lengthy layoff.

After the Dingaans, Quid Pro Quo changed hands for an undisclosed amount and there was an indication the Fillies Guineas would be her last run in South Africa. However, closer to the time there were indications that as a result of not being able to get her on a flight out of the country before May, the daughter of Lance would have two more races in South Africa before travelling overseas.

The two concerned are the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on March 1, and the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m.

Then the story changed that Quid Pro Quo would be on the first flight out whenever it became available and her participation in any further races in South Africa would be dependent on that.

However, it is worth noting that Botes has put in three early entries for the Fillies Classic, and Quid Pro Quo’s name is in the mix, so hopefully she will be in action at the meeting as planned.

The first entries are due in by 17 February.

The BSA Cape Yearling Sale (Picture: BSA)

Press Release

Johannesburg, 12 February 2025 – 4Racing is thrilled to announce a series of exciting incentives for owners and trainers commencing at the 2025 Bloodstock South Africa (BSA) Cape Yearling Sale.

The sale will take place on 23rd February 2025 at the SARDA Centre in Constantia, Cape Town, and promises to create new ownership possibilities for those involved in or looking to get involved in the horse racing industry.

To support the growth of the horse population in the 4Racing regions, 4Racing will be offering owners a further incentive by way of a transport subsidy for all horses purchased at the 2025 BSA Cape Yearling Sale travelling to Johannesburg or Gqeberha.

To back up these owner and trainer incentives, 4Racing will be introducing two new “BSA Sales Races” to the juvenile programme in 2026 to be run over 1160m at 4Racing’s Turffontein racecourse. One race will be for two-year-old fillies only and the other an open two-year-old colts and fillies race. Subject to the finalisation of the 2026 fixtures, the date of these races will be confirmed.

These races will be open to any BSA graduate purchased from the following 2025 BSA sales:

– The BSA Cape Yearling Sale

– The BSA National Yearling Sale
– The BSA KZN Yearling Sale
– The BSA August 2 Year-Old Sale

Only the BSA “Added Stakes” programme qualifiers will be eligible to compete in these races.

In a further show of support, 4Racing will be funding the total stake of R400,000 per race. To make these races even more competitive and accessible, 4Racing will also subsidise transport costs for all out of town runners in these races.

These initiatives demonstrate 4Racing and BSA’s commitment to fostering owner growth, adding excitement to the juvenile race programme, and to enable trainers to grow their bloodstock and reward owners with new race opportunities.

For more information on the BSA sale and to make travel arrangements, please contact Ashley De Klerk at ashley@bsa.co.za

For horse transport subsidy information, please contact Gabriel Soma at GabrielS@4Racing.com

End

Lossiemouth jumps to Triumph Hurdle victory at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 (Picture: Sky Sports).

Which Race Will Lossiemouth Run In At Cheltenham?

For a prediction on that question and a look at Lossiemouth’s career to date: CLICK HERE

Trainer Vaughan Marshall with his superstar colt One Stripe. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

There was much disappointment when Ome Stripe was scratched from the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, thus preventing another clash with his Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas runner up and subsequent WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen.

However, Vaughan Marshall has explained the reasoning behind the decision in the Sporting Post (read below):

The circumstances behind the decision by the connections of the dual Grade 1- winning sophomore One Stripe to ‘bypass’ the R1,5 million SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby on 22 February in favour of a likely final run on South African soil in the non-black type Big Cap on 16 March have been explained by trainer Vaughan Marshall, writes The Sporting Post.

“I can tell you categorically that the original plan was never to run One Stripe in the Cape Derby. After his victory in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate he was given a fortnight off with an eye on a last start here in the Big Cap on 16 March. But then there was some issue and uncertainty over the originally confirmed quarantine dates and it appeared that he would possibly have to go into quarantine before the sales race. So the Cape Derby then became a possibility for the connections. But that was never really an ideal option given his prep,” explained the veteran Milnerton conditioner to the Sporting Post early on Thursday.

The Sporting Post approached Mr Marshall after longstanding racing man Hilton Witz wrote (before the benefit of this explanation) in the Sporting Post Mailbag that the recent decision to run One Stripe in a non-black type sales race, rather than the prestigious stallion-making Gr1 Cape Derby, was ‘beyond belief’.

Hilton Witz wrote:

Here we have a crack 3yo colt who harbours future stallion ambitions and has won the coveted Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate over 1600m, turning down the opportunity of adding the coveted SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby over 2000m to his portfolio.

In my racing career I have never seen a 3yo win all three prestigious races in one season and added to the fact that he would be meeting the recent WSB Cape Town Met winner over a distance that is the same as the Met would surely make this race the race of the season – if not the race of the decade and would create major hype which is sorely needed.

Think about it – the stallion-barn value of  One Stripe having won Gr1 races from a mile to 2000m would surely offset the difference in the stakes of running in the sales race as opposed to the Cape Derby, as breeders will acknowledge that he has both stamina and speed

Witz continues that in his opinion the connections of this star 3yo will look back on this decision with huge regret – and that just so that he can earn some extra stakes in a race that has absolutely zero importance to the stud book.

Also if One Stripe would go on to win the Cape Derby surely the SA Horse of the Year, never mind Champion 3yo Equus title would almost certainly be his?  That is of great significance to the stud book and one only has to look back on the history of the Cape Derby to see how many Durban July and Met winners and Horses of the Year and stallions have come from that great race. Sadly by the look of things this race will be in danger of losing its Gr1status if we have this type of decision making taking place again in the future!

Can you imagine the connections in the USA or England knocking back a chance to run in the Kentucky Derby or English derby for a non-black type sales race?  

Luna Halo has already won ten races in her 19 race career to date. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Turf Friday Formguides And Selections

R1 (5) HAARLEM represents decent enough Cape form to be very competitive here so warrants huge respect. (1) ALWAYS SHINING ran a cracker in the last start and will be in the mix. (4) CHEERFUL CHARLIE B made massive improvement in the last start and can build on that so must be taken seriously. (6) LORD QUINN is capable on getting into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 5-1-4-6)

R2 Open race. (3) ANGEL OF MY HEART is always in the mix, her last run was very good so she will have a bright chance however she has had many tries. (4) ACCUMULATE can be unreliable at times however hasn’t been far in recent runs so should be included. (1) ONO NO KOMACHI represents arguably the best form here however she was beaten odds on in an open maiden with a light weight in the last start, she has scope compared to others and could take some beating. (5) WELSH STARLET has placed in the last two starts and should be there again. (Devonne Govender 3-4-1-5)

R3 (8) GALAXY MOMENT ran well at big odds and can build on that performance. She has a light mass and will be in the frame if bringing her ‘A’ game. (6) MILLENNIUM DANCER is another who is never far back and can get into the action on best form. (2) LOTUS ISLAND has scope to go well after an impressive maiden win but will have to carry the top weight. (4) SWEET NOTHINGS is another with scope to go extremely well and should be respected. This could prove to be a tricky contest so play wide. (Devonne Govender 8-6-2-1)

R4 (1) NOTHINGELSEMATTERS was narrowly beaten in the last start, he is holding top form and looks the one to beat. (4) PUERTO PLATA is always there in the mix, he has been expensive to follow but can win here. (9) GARDENER’S PRIDE ran a good enough second in the last start, he will have a big say if things go his way. (10) KANIMAMBO is very capable on his day and must go into all bets with Muzi Yeni aboard. (Devonne Govender 1-4-9-10

R5 (3) MASTER FORESTER was an easy winner in his last start and can follow up against this field respectfully. (10) LANCIAFIAMME looks to be a very progressive type and should be respected. (7) SILVER TYCOON has the ability to win a race of this nature and shouldn’t be discounted. (5) GOLD GUNNER ran well enough in the last start and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 3-10-7-5)

R6 (3) LUNA HALO packs plenty of class, in her last win she showed plenty of determination and she will take all the beating here. (1) KHAYA’S HOPE will be the main danger to the top selection however he will have to lift with a big weight. (2) BUSH TRACKER is never far back and can get into the placings. (4) TEATRO is another who could make the frame. ( Devonne Govender 3-1-2-4)

R7 (3) WALKONTHEWILDSIDE looks a smart horse in the making however does have a tough draw so she will be tested. (5) HAPHAZARD has plenty of scope to go well and should be respected here. (9) KOMESANS PASSION is never far back and very capable of winning this contest. She can produce a big finish on her day so don’t discount. (11) SKY VELOCITY ran a cracker in the last start and must go into everything. (Devonne Govender 3-5-9-11)

R8 (5) SEE YOU IN A BIT ran extremely well in the last start and a big run is expected once again. (11) WORDSWORTH has been consistent and will be a big factor here, huge chance. (6) STRATA represents Cape form which stands up strong in the province so she must be considered. (1) CAPTAIN TIK TOK is very capable here so has to be included in all bets, he has a powerful finish on his day and could blow them away on best form. (Devonne Govender 5-11-6-1)

Kobeli Lihaba gets up on the Weiho Marwing-trained Time For Charity (Time Thief) to clinch a double on the day. (JC Photos)

Kabelo Matsunyane and Kobeli Lihaba rode doubles at Turffontein Inside today.

Matsunyane is now on 56 wins and has achieved it at a strike rate of 8.90%.

Lihaba is on six wins at 6%.

Craig Zackey and Gavin Lerena rode one winner each.

Zackey leads the national log on 142 wins (18.11%).

Lerena is in second place on 141 (26.60%).

Richard Fourie is in third place on 127 at 24.01%.

How many members of the Carberry family have ridden the winner of the Irish Grand National?

The picture gives a clue to the answer