Gareth van Zyl and family after winning the Gr 1 Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes with She’s A Keeper last season (Picture: Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Van Zyl’s Vision Is Of Cape Town

Summerveld trainer Gareth van Zyl will open a satellite yard in Cape Town next month, but he eventually hopes to officially be a Cape trainer.

Asked whether his main yard would be in Cape Town, the reigning KZN Champion Trainer said, “In time yes. Well, that’s the goal, we will see how it goes, but that’s the vision.”

He continued, “We will grow the Cape Town yard as we go. I have got horses already waiting for me there and we will be taking horses that will be competitive and building a string. I am not sure of the numbers exactly and it is going to depend on the support of clients as well.”

Gareth, asked what his reasons for wanting to relocate were, replied, “The way racing has been rejuvenated by the Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets takeover. They have injected more stakes and have incentives and I also enjoy the racing experience there, it is very customer friendly.”

Talking about the strength of the opposition in Cape Town and whether it was harder to win there, Van Zyl replied, “That’s the perception, but we did alright there with our string in the season and I think if we take the right horses for the right races we will do alright. I think it’s tougher in the higher divisions, but we’ll be competitive.”

The strength in South African racing lies in Cape Town and a few big yards dominate , but Van Zyl is a relatively young trainer and has time on his side.

His ultimate goal is to become one of the big yards in Cape Town.

Van Zyl has two runners in the World Pool Gold Cup and although he feels the weight structure for the race is “absurd”, he fancies Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Sea Master ahead of Fight Song.

The bottom weight for the Gold Cup was raised to 54kg last year and the weights are also compressed which gives the top weighted runners a double advantage.

“It makes no sense to me,” said Van Zyl. “We are well out at the weights.”

Five-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding Sea Master finished a 6,10 length ninth in the Gr 2 Splashout 2200 last time and Van Zyl said, “From a wide draw we took our medicine and it didn’t suit him with the slow pace, so I think there is more merit in that run than what the margin suggests.”

He said about five-year-old Noble Tune gelding Fight Song, “He proved he sees out the trip (2,80 length second in the Gr 2 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m) and he is a horse with a turn of foot, but he is a temperamental horse.”

Interestingly, Van Zyl won the Gold Cup three years ago with a five-year-old Noble Tune gelding, Paths Of Victory, although the race did take place in August that year so the latter would have been nearly a year younger than what Fight Song is now.

Paths Of Victory started at 40/1 and was given a great ride by S’Manga Khumalo.

Fight Song is 17/1 in the Gold Cup ante-post market with Hollywoodbets and Sea Master is 20/1.

Van Zyl said his most interesting other runner on the day would be Money Heist, who recently returned from much needed gelding with a good 0,30 length second in the Non-Black Type SABC Durban Dash over the too sharp 1100m on Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day. He is entered in the Listed Tabgold Darley Arabian over 1600m.

Alyson Wright leads in Stealth Attack on Monday, the yard’s 47th win of the season. They will be hoping to have three more winners before the end of the month (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Alyson Wright had a fine grounding in racing being the daughter of former top Zimbabwean trainer Penny Fisher.

She and her ex-jockey husband Kevin have kept up a steady flow of winners out of Summerveld since she took out her license back in August 2006.

However, this season could be a watershed one for a yard who have always threatened to join the big league.

Alyson is on a personal best of 47 wins.

The Wrights are hoping to reach a milestone of 50 wins before the season end which is two-and-a-half weeks away.

Alyson said, “Our goal this season was way less than what we have achieved. Every season we print out a sheet to predict how many winners and I think we put about 28 before the season. We didn’t have that much stock, but we have just been supported through the year.”

They train 12 horses for the Hollywood Syndicate, but KZN’s leading owner has not been their only source of support.

Alyson continued, “Hollywood have been a huge help. But different people have given us horses too. It has actually been incredible.”

She added, “We never thought we could get close to 50 wins. I think it is just we’ve been quite consistent.”

Alyson started out with 15 horses back in 2006, some from other yards, some sent down from Zimbabwe and three bought at local KZN sales.

The Wrights initially sub-letted stables from the late Niel Bruss.

A measure of their professionalism is they purchased a horse walker before they had even been allocated stables.

The walker has served them in good stead over the last 17 years.

Alyson grew up around horses and in her school years, apart from workriding for her mother, was an accomplished showjumper.

Her official career in racing started when landing a job on the stud farm of Christopher Peach.

After three years in that job she went over to Singapore to work as assistant trainer to former Zimbabwean champion trainer Mike Clements.

Kevin, a form Zimbabwean champion jockey, was already out there riding for Clements.

The yard had battled with just two winners in nine months before Kevin’s arrival and, after riding seven winners, he left the yard with a rosier outlook.

However, Alyson’s mother had taken out her license in Zimbabwe again after a period of retirement, so she returned to be her assistant while Kevin returned to his former position as stable jockey to Zimbabwean champion trainer Noeleen Peach.

A year later in 2003 Alyson joined Noeleen as assistant as the latter prepared to relocate to South Africa.

Kevin rode Peach’s first runner in SA to victory.

However, tragedy struck soon thereafter when he was kicked by a horse down at the start of a Clairwood race.

Kevin was by all accounts destined for big things in the saddle, but the knee injury ended his riding career.

He had a short stint as a stipendiary steward before becoming assistant to Alyson when she took out her license in 2006.

The popular couple have come a long way and hopefully with the renewed support they will get one or two of the big horses every yard yearns for and which the Wrights deserve.

They showed what they could do with a big horse when sending out the Black Minnaloushe gelding Kochka to victory in the 2013 renewal of the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes.

Back In Business makes it a full house for William Longsword’s progeny in the first three races at Thursday’s Vaal meeting and the Captain Al sire later made it a four-timer. (JC Photos).

William Longswords Impress At The Vaal

The nine-race Vaal meeting today was opened with a treble by the progeny of William Longsword.

Later another William Longsword won to make it four winners at the meeting for the son of Captain Al.

The Sean Tarry-trained maiden colt, Longsword, is a typically rangy and progressive son of Willam Longsword and came from strong formlines.

In his fourth career start today he was sent off at 46/100 odds in the first race. After loping along in front in the six horse Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m, Calvin Habib shook him up at about the 250m mark and he won hands and heels by 1,25 lengths.

He won’t stop there and will likely get better as he goes further. He is a half-brother to the promising Tarry-trained Twice Over colt Turbo Power, who won second time out over 1400m. This pair are out of Jet Master mare Off The mark, who counted the Gr 3 Acacia Handicap among her five career wins.

The second race saw the Candice Dawson-trained William Longsword filly Just Be Lekker going off at generous odds of 7/2 after impressing on debut, although not as generous as the 100/1 odds she returned in that first win. She sat in second place in the five-horse 1200m contest and responded when the odds-on favourite Bavarain Beauty ranged up to her. She kicked away and galloped on strongly to win by 2,25 lengths under JP van der Merwe.

Just Be Lekker is out of the Judpot mare Polly Wolly Doodle, who won over 1800m on debut but went on to win three more times over 1400m to 1450m.

The Joe Soma-trained William Longsword colt Back In Business is highly regarded and he showed why today. Returning from a three month layoff and gelding he was send off at 2/1 odds in the third race. S’Manga Khumalo was content to drop him out to the back of the six horse field. He moved inward from the highest draw in order to keep tabs on the main danger, Power Broker, who was the other two-time winner in the Graduation Plate over 1200m and thus the joint-topweight. Khumalo used Back In Business’s long stride to creep up within striking range. He gave the three-year-old his head at the 400m mark and this saw him drawing up to Power Broker. He then drew the stick at the 200m mark and Back In Business quickly mastered his market rival to win by 1,25 lengths.

Back In Business is out of the three times-winning Fort Wood sprinter Nikki.

Later, the useful Roy Magner-trained William Longsword thee-time winning gelding Melech, who was last seen finishing just 4,95 lengths behind Charles Dickens in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas, was sent out 9/4 favourite in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1700m. He sat behind the leader Ndlamu and Muzi Yeni sent him for home at the 400m mark. He slowly wore down Ndlamu, but the courageous one-eyed horse fought back and Melech only just held on.

Melech is out of Greys Inn Mare Pippi and is thus a half-brother to the useful six-time winning sprinter Captain Oupie (Captain Of All).

Longsword, owned by Bernard Kantor and Sean Tarry Racing, was bred by Klawervlei Stud.

Back In Business, owned by ANOA (Pty) Ltd-owned, was also bred by Klawervlei.

Just be Lekker is a Ralphs Racing homebred, while Melech was bred by Riverton Stud and is owned by John Finlayson.

It was a fine day for Captain Al sires because Captain Of All mare, the Stephen Moffatt-trained Meet The Captain, won the last race under Yeni after being backed.

William Longsword has had 64 individual winners this season of 96 races and has a winners to runners percentage of 41.6%. He has had three stakes winners of three races.

Nostrum impressed on his return at the July course. Credit: Mark Cranham

Explosive Nostrum slashed for Sussex Stakes

Nostrum returns with a bang for impressed Sir Michael Stoute

Racing Post (David Milnes and Peter Scargill)

Nostrum was halved in price to 6-1 by Coral for a potential clash with Paddington in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes next month after a blistering return to action in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

An injury meant the son of Kingman had not raced since finishing third to subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean in the Dewhurst last October.

He impressed in a racecourse gallop at the track a fortnight ago and was backed into 11-10 favourite from 9-4 in the morning. And he marked himself out as one of the more exciting three-year-olds around when making all to beat the previously unbeaten Embesto, with some quality performers further in arrears.

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore were combining to win the race for the first time, with Nostrum fittingly carrying the Frankel colours of Juddmonte in the contest’s tenth running.

After receiving a smart buttonhole from Lady Cecil, Stoute said: “Lady Cecil said it was time I won the race and I agreed. Nostrum had been working well and to win like that off a nine-month layoff was impressive.

“He’d been pleasing us in the last three weeks but we’ll let him tell us as regards future plans. He’s effective at a mile and could go a mile and a quarter at some point.”

Lady Cecil, who had earlier opened a Rose Terrace bar in memory of Sir Henry, said: “I’m chuffed that the Juddmonte colours have won the race at last and also Sir Michael and Ryan Moore. Henry would have liked that.”

Jasour certainly read the script when winning the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes for Bahraini owners Al Mohamediya Racing.

The 16-1 chance showed the benefit of missing Royal Ascot when accounting for a host of placed horses from the Berkshire meeting in the Group 2 contest.

Jim Crowley sat tight on the Clive Cox-trained grey early doors off a pace set by market principal Purosangue but swept out of the Dip to post a stylish second win of his career from Lake Forest.

Sheikh Sultan, head of Al Mohamediya Racing, said afterwards: “We really have had faith in this horse. We missed Ascot to come to the July Stakes and everything has worked out well especially as Bahrain sponsor the race. Clive has been brilliant for us at Al Mohamediya Racing and we’ll let Clive decide where the horse goes, but something like the Richmond Stakes might suit him.”

Jaseur was beaten on his debut at Salisbury in May before winning at Nottingham. The owner added: “We were hopeful rather than confident but missing Royal Ascot was the key and it meant he came here fresh.”

Castle Way pushed himself forward as the horse to potentially deliver some overdue three-year-old success in the biggest races for Charlie Appleby when landing the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy under jockey William Buick.

Appleby has been lacking in Classic firepower this season, in stark contrast to the past two seasons when Coroebus, Native Trail, Modern Games, Adayar and Hurricane Lane all claimed Classics for the Godolphin trainer.

“In the spring, people thought we weren’t firing on all cylinders but I thought we were doing everything right at home, it was just that our three-year-olds had a touch of the slows,” Appleby said. “We didn’t have any really big two-year-olds the year before and that’s what you need for the Classics, so the signs were there.”

Castle Way was successful in the Listed Newmarket Stakes at the Rowley Mile when last seen in May, and Appleby is set to target him at the Betfred St Leger in September, for which he was cut to 10-1 (from 20) by Coral.

“I’m delighted with him,” the trainer said. “He’s done little wrong and we were confident a step up in trip would suit him. We’ll probably go down the natural route with him which is the Great Voltigeur at York and use that as a springboard to him being a St Leger contender.”

Eden Roc (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Eden Roc And Last Winter Shown Off At Clifton Stud

Gr1 and twice Gr2 winner Eden Roc (Var) was on show for breeders at Clifton Stud on Wednesday ahead of this years breeding season which will commence on 1 September. He is a half brother to recent Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner, Sandringham Summit.

Eden Roc was recently purchased by the KZN Breeders Club, the first of its kind in the country for a breeders club to own a stallion.

Last Winter, who has been at stud the past few years and well let down, was also on show and looked outstanding beneath the snow capped mountains.

Images: Candiese Lenferna

Gavin Smith leads the East Cape Championship by just one win from perennial rival Alan Greeff (Pauline Herman Photography)

Origin to do it first for Smith

Jack Milner (The Citizen)

It is becoming as regular as clockwork but once again Friday’s Fairview meeting, which was scheduled for the turf, has been moved to the Polytrack.

As a result, there are 14 withdrawals from the meeting with those trainers citing “change of surface” as their reason.

Included in that 12 are all five of Justin Snaith’s runners, many of which looked strong betting opportunities for punters.

However, the battle of the trainers continues with just one winner separating Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff.

Once again Smith has the advantage in the early races but Greeff will fight back later on the card.

Running juveniles in open company has not been successful for Smith recently but that can change in Race 4 as his charge, First Origin, is talented and could be a lot better than his current merit rating.

First Origin impressed on debut when slamming a field that included a number of runners who have won subsequently.

The son of What A Winter fluffed his lines in a feature race at Kenilworth in January and was gelded after that. The comeback when third behind reliable Fair Knight on the Polytrack suggested he was on the way back to best form.

Fitter now and reunited with the jockey Louie Mxothwa who was aboard him when winning on debut, should result in a big run.

Greeff does hold chances all through the meeting but one that does catch the eye is Grazinginthegrass in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m, with Richard Fourie in the irons.

Grazinginthegrass is one runner who will not mind the shift to the Polytrack as he is equally comfortable on both surfaces.

The five-year-old gelding is in the form of his life and has won his last two Pinnacle Stakes without picking up a penalty.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Telio, 3 Miss Tucker, 2 Lady Chartouche, 8 Fire Glow

Race 2: 1 Amazing Colours, 2 Baby Love, 6 Fire Chaser, 8 Tibetan Temptress

Race 3: 6 Aadehya, 3 Gangster Boss, 1 Miraculous Man, 2 Western Jack

Race 4: 2 First Origin, 6 Woodland Ridge, 7 Coastal Path, 1 Ocean Time

Race 5: 11 Lady Mistico, 3 Ekoria, 6 Unconditional Love, 9 Eternity Ring

Race 6: 5 Alingalonga, 6 Secret Is Ours, 1 Moon Game, 9 Silver Tycoon

Race 7: 1 Grazinginthegrass, 7 Cherry Ano, 13 Ideal Angel, 11 Zig Zag

Race 8: 9 Venus De Milo, 1 Phoenix, 4 Hey Siri, 6 Get It Done

BEST BET

Race 1 MK’s Dreams

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 2 New Mexico

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 2×3

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 2, 6

Leg 3: 1, 6, 8

Leg 4: 2, 6, 9

Leg 5: 1, 3, 5

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 6

Leg 2: 1, 6, 8

Leg 3: 2, 9

Leg 4: 3, 5

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5

Leg 6: 6

Leg 7: 1, 3, 4

PICK 6

R2304

Leg 1: 1, 6, 8, 10

Leg 2: 2, 6, 9, 10

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 5: 2, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 2, 6, 9, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 2, 6, 7

JACKPOT 2

R144

Leg 1: 1, 3, 5

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4

Muzi Yeni clinched his double when winning the last race on the Stephen Moffatt-trained Meet The Captain (Captain Of All).

Khumalo Treble, Yeni Double At The Vaal

Today’s (Thursday’s) meeting was switched from Turffontein Standside to the Vaal due to a water outage at the latter track and S’Manga Khumalo landed a treble and Muzi Yeni a double.

Khumalo goes to 167 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 15.84%.

Yeni goes to 142 wins at 11.53%.

Fairview Poly Fields, Friday

Today’s Question

The horse pictured above was a great racehorse and one of the greatest sires of all time. He passed away two years ago this month. Who is he?

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

The late great Coolmore stallion Galileo.

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

wikipedia

Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from October 2000 until October 2001, he ran eight times and won six races. He is best known for having won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. He was named the European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt of 2001.

After his retirement, Galileo was one of the most sought-after sires in the world. He first became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, then consecutively earned the title from 2010–2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Epsom Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. In June 2020, Galileo sired his 85th Group 1 winner, breaking Danehill’s world record and becoming the most successful source of Group 1 winners in thoroughbred history. In addition to his Derby winners, his notable offspring include Frankel, Nathaniel, Found, Churchill and Minding. He was also a leading broodmare sire.

Galileo was euthanized on 10 July 2021, after a debilitating injury to his near foreleg which failed to heal after surgery earlier that year.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 13 July, 2023