Princess Calla cruises to an emphatic victory in the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes on Saturday at Turffontein Standside. (JC Photos).
Princess Calla Overtakes Desert Miracle In Equus Points Table
Empress Club Clash Will Be All Important
The Sean Tarry-trained Princess Calla and the Mike de Kock-trained Desert Miracle will clash in the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes next and the outcome will go some way to deciding the Equus Older Female award.
In the last published table the Grade 1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes winner Desert Miracle led the points table log for this award on 46 points and Princess Calla was on 32, courtesy of her two Grade 2 fillies sprint wins.
Princess Calla added the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes to her season’s tally on Saturday with an emphatic 5,25 length victory.
That is an open Grade 2 race, so she collected 20 points.
Princess Calla, a five-year-old mare by stamina influence Flower Alley, is true class as she has proved superior to the best female sprinters around, yet she has won a Grade 1 over a mile and in her three career runs over middle distances she was beaten 2,25 lengths into second in the 2021 Grade 1 Paddock Stakes won by Queen Supreme in just her fifth career start, 5,40 lengths into fifth in the 2021 Met won by Rainbow Bridge, 2,10 lengths into second in the 2021 Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 by War Of Athena and 0,70 lengths into fourth in the 2022 Paddock Stakes won by Captain’s Ransom.
This season she has looked better than ever.
There is one truism in horseracing that applies to her and popped up in a question asked to one of the world’s leading racing analysts, James Willoughby:
Question: “What is one piece of advice would you give to someone analysing a horserace?”
Answer: “Horses who finish well have often had the easiest trip.”
This truism invariably applies to Princess Calla because she relaxes so well in the running, even when facing the breeze, meaning she invariably enjoys a good trip.
On Saturday, she was admittedly favoured at the weights off her 121 rating because she was at the top of the 117-121 merit rated band and also received a 2,5kg gender allowance.
She initially sat behind the speedy Roll With The Punches.
Richard Fourie was not bothered when she got shuffled into a position where she had no cover, knowing how well she relaxes.
Her class was evident as she cruised past the leader, leaving the rest scampering like greyhounds in her wake.
Roll With The Punches held on for second ahead of Supreme Warrior and Thunderstruck.
Princess Calla has that substance about her associated with top class thoroughbreds and Desert Miracle will have her work cut out in the Empress Club.
Desert Miracle, a four-year-old Dynasty filly, is also held in high regard. She has shown how good she is this season, after being expensive to follow as a highly touted three-year-old who had one or two issues.
The secret in the Majorca was switching her off at the back of a small field before using her fine turn of foot in the straight.
Christophe Soumillon being aboard was another reason.
There are few jockeys, if any, with hands like his and he will be a hard act to follow for whoever gets the ride in the Empress Club.
It is going to be an intriguing clash and, with Captain’s Ransom retired, there is all to play for.
Princess Calla also made inroads in the Equus Champion Sprinter points table and on 52 points is in second place, 14 points behind Gimme A Prince.
It will be interesting if she takes in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint.
She will be the hot favourite there if she does line up.
She must be reminding Tarry a bit of Celtic Sea, who won two Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprints and one Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes.
Mercantour powers home in the Non-Black Type 4Racing Gold Rush Sprint (Picture: JC Photos)
Mercantour Bounces Back
The Stuart Pettigrew-trained three-year-old gelding Mercantour is one of the remaining Vars on the ground capable of giving the late stallion another stakes winner to add to his 55 to date.
He is from the second last crop of the speed stallion Var.
This gelding has substance and struck last season as one who would train on, even after winning three of his first five starts as a two-year-old.
He ended his juvenile career with a 0,35 length third in the Grade 2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf.
This year his lack of a win up until Saturday in the non-Black type Gold Rush Sprint over 1100m was partly due to the quality of opposition he has been facing i.e. the like of William Robertson, Anfields Rocket (X2) and the progressive Chyavana (X2), whilst he had to give 5.5kg (if apprentice claims are ignored) to the promising Flowerbomb when beaten by her.
Richard Fourie made a difference too as he did not chase him until about the 350m mark in the 1100m contest on Saturday.
The speedy pacemaker Mover And Shaker duly faded.
Mercantour responded well to Fourie when asked the question and ran away from them to win by three lengths from the decent sort Wind Water, to whom he gave 6,5kg.
The promising Trompie, who has always been held in high regard, made a fair Highveld debut for new trainer Brett Crawford and can improve on his 4,25 length third (receiving 2kg from Mercantour), although his two best runs have come over 1000m.
Mercantour is owned by Vicky Veeramootoo and was bred by Varsfontein Stud.
He is out of the twice-placed (from only four starts) Western Winter mare Winter Wood, who is a half-sister to the Grade 2-winning pair Royal Vintage (Rich Man’s Gold) and Alderry (Al Mufti).
Alderry is the dam of the Grade 1 SA Derby winner Al Sahem as well as stakes winner Seehaam.
It will be interesting to see how far Mercantour can stay, considering his pedigree.
However, the handicappers were impressed enough to give him a 110 merit rating, up seven points, and if he wins again he could become a possible for races like the Grade 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint and the Grade 2 Post Mechants, both run in KZN during the SA Champions Season.
Trainer Marwing Eyes Another Derby Win After Son Of Raj Campaign
Weiho Marwing hoping to add to win of Wyle Hall (2013) and Samurai Warrior (2019)
David Mollett (Business Day)
Trainer Weiho Marwing is on track to capture his third SA Derby win after Son Of Raj’s win in last Saturday’s 2,000m Derby Trial at Turffontein.
In 2019 Marwing won the SA Derby — the third leg of the Triple Crown — with the outsider Samurai Warrior, but Son Of Raj will be one of the leading fancies for the race on April 1.
Partnered for the first time by Keagan De Melo, Son Of Raj, a son of Duke Of Marmalade who died in 2021, was well supported in the betting market and started at 7-2.
De Melo must have been pleasantly surprised by how his mount kicked on in the closing stages to beat Future Pearl by three lengths. He is likely to want to partner the gelding in the Derby.
Saturday’s win was a memorable day for Marwing and owner Steven Chetty. It was Marwing’s birthday and Chetty had the satisfaction of breeding the winner.
Marwing is no stranger to big-race involvement — his 2012 SA Derby winner Wylie Hall was first past the post in the 2014 Durban July only to lose the race on an objection. To say the Turffontein trainer was upset is putting it mildly.
The three horses who followed Son Of Raj home in the Derby Trial — Future Pearl, Top Sail and African Torrent — are also in the mix for next month’s Derby.
African Torrent, who was gelded after his last start, was prominent for a long way and his breeders, Drakenstein Stud, will be expecting a bold showing in the Derby. Top Sail is looking a bargain buy at R21,000 and Paul Matchett confirmed the Derby was the main mission of the son of Master Of My Fate.
While Princess Calla had always looked the horse to beat in the grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes, even Sean Tarry must have been surprised that his talented mare trounced her rivals by five lengths.
Richard Fourie, riding the daughter of Flower Alley for the first time, had an armchair ride on the five-year-old with Rollwiththepunches taking the second cheque of R80,000.
Princess Carla will presumably be aimed at next month’s Empress Club Stakes which she won in 2022 in the hands of Aldo Domeyer.
Roy Magner deserves the praise for Rollwiththepunches’ excellent form over the past 12 months — the four-year-old’s last seven outings have yielded four wins and three second placings. The gelding cost R160,000 when purchased from Summerhill Stud as a yearling.
Thunderstruck was a more expensive buy at R1m, but the son of Rafeef — a Grade 1 winner already and a stablemate of Princess Calla — finished fourth to indicate he could pay to follow in the coming months.
Disappointments in the grade 2 race were Taikonaut and Prophet, who both finished in the rear. The latter has completely lost his form since finishing fourth behind Cousin Casey in last season’s Premiers Champion Stakes.
Ryan Munger is enjoying his best season as a jockey and will soon pass last season’s total of 87 winners.
He booted home a treble at Turffontein scoring on Ipso Facto, Good Council and Apache Fighter.
Ashley Fortune will be pleased to have won the Aquanaut Handicap with Good Council who has now won four of his 10 starts.
Ryan Munger Scores A Feature Treble
Ryan Munger’s expertise as a judge of pace was illustrated on Saturday at Turffontein Standside in landing a feature treble over distances of 2000m to 2400m.
His treble started in the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m on the Ashley Fortune-trained Rafeef filly Ipso Facto.
Jumping from pole position he had the filly handy from the off and managed to tuck her in behind the early pacemaker High Roller halfway down the back straight.
At the turn Littlemarysunshine took over the lead shuffling Ipso Facto back to the third-placed horse on the rail and fourth overall.
He crept up under the hands in the straight and had clearly preserved his mount very well because she surged into the lead at the 150m mark and went on to win by 1,35 lengths from Red Maple, with favourite Raratonga Rose dead-heating with Littlemarysunshine for third.
Ipso Facto has relished the step up to 2000m and has won her last two starts over this trip. She beat Raratonga Rose by 0,20 lengths in her previous start and was half-a-kilogram worse off on Saturday but increased the margin over her to 1,75 lengths.
However, she did receive 3kg from Raratonga Rose on Saturday, so the latter will be favoured at the weights if they clash again in the Grade 2 SA Oaks.
In the 4Racing Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m, Munger was aboard the only three-year-old in the race, the Ashley Fortune-trained Oratorio gelding Good Council, who jumped from draw five.
He managed to get an easy lead as the rest of the field put on the brakes early and he was thus entitled to keep the pace at that slow temp, which he cleverly did.
While his mount relaxed well in front some of the others did not, notably the favourite Zeus, who was hard on the steel, trapped on the rail.
Munger let out rein continually down the straight and was never headed.
He drew further clear in the end to win by a cosy 2,25 lengths.
Good Council raced off a 101 merit rating in his first attempt at this staying trip and it makes him an interesting contender in the SA Derby, especially on paper, because he beat the 104 rated Zeus, who was a half-a-length runner up in last year’s SA Derby, by 6,50 lengths.
However, Zeus hated the slow pace on Saturday and is better than that.
Munger later rode the Roy Magner-trained The Apache filly Apache Fighter in the Non-Black Type 4Racing Sun Chariot Handicap over 2400m.
She was drawn four and it did not pan out perfectly for Munger in the early stages as he tried to hold her up but she became caught wide.
He made an astute decision to take her around to sit on the flank of the pacemaker Opera Glass.
The tall filly loped along without pulling and stayed on well in the straight.
When challenged she found extra and pulled clear to win easily by 3,25 lengths.
She was running off a 71 merit rating and was 1,5kg under sufferance carrying 52kg.
She is clearly and improving middle distance to staying type and was not surprisingly given a ten point raise for the win.
Heversham Park to sponsor apprentice Siyanda Sosibo
Gauteng’s Heversham Park Stud have announced their sponshorship of 19-year-old apprentice Siyanda Sosibo, who joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2020, rode his first winner in 2021 and is presently on 24 career winners.
Quietly-spoken Siyanda, who completed his matric at the Academy in 2020, hails from a humble background. He grew up in poverty-stricken Umlazi, KZN, and described himself as “lucky to have a purpose and prospects with real hope”. He said: “I wake up every day and remember where I came from. It’s all the motivation anybody could ever hope for.”
Siyanda’s biggest supporter is his father, a career policeman based at the Marianhill SAPS. “My dad has been my mentor and inspiration. He is also my off-course riding master!” quipped the apprentice.
Now at the Gauteng Academy under the guidance of Robert Moore, Siyanda is improving his skills at every race meeting. “He started off slowly, but has developed into a nice and promising rider,” said Moore.
Siyande rode seven winners in his first full season, 2021/22, but is already on 17 winners for the 2022/3 season, with his strike rate up to 10%. He has ridden most of his winners for multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry, who said: “Siyanda has a good work ethic and he has ridden some excellent races for me, including two wins from two rides on Big Burn. He’s on the up, a promising rider.”
Heversham Park’s Kat Riley commented: “We are pleased to be helping Siyanda with a sponsorship, we have invested and continue to invest in the industry and this is a part of our commitment to developing individual potential.”
Siyande said: “I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to pleasing Heversham Park and my trainers by riding winners.”
SA Interest In Cheltenham Festival’s Opening Event Tomorrow – Comprehensive Preview
Il Etait Temps, who runs in the colours of the Hollywood Syndicate and is owned also by the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud, runs in the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow, the Grade 1 Supreme Novices Hurdle, which starts at 15H30 South African time.
Stu Williams of Oddschecker previewed the 11 runners who are inside 50/1 for the race, which has a field of 14 runners in all.
Facile Vega
Wonder mare Quevega wowed the Cheltenham faithful for six straight years between 2009 and 2014 when landing six consecutive renewals of the Mares’ Hurdle.
Her son, Facile Vega, followed in her Festival winning footsteps when landing the Champion Bumper 12 months ago and he will attempt to double his Cheltenham tally in the curtain raiser.
The exciting six-year-old has been favourite for this contest ever since the ante-post markets were produced and understandably so given that he looked like a future superstar when landing three Grade 1 bumpers last term.
Facile Vega shed his maiden tag at the first time of asking before stepping into Grade 1 company at Christmas, where he readily dispatched stablemates Il Etait Temps and Ashroe Diamond. However, It Etait Temps reversed that form at the Dublin Racing Festival last month as Facile Vega could only finish fifth.
That run was far too bad to be true and there were certainly reasons for it, as Facile Vega and High Definition went toe-to-toe from flag fall and the pace didn’t drop in spite of the latter checking out at the fourth flight of hurdles.
Facile Vega ran himself into the ground on that occasion and that alone could explain his lacklustre finish. However, he was also found to be lame following the race, which provides further explanation.
That is the only blemish on an otherwise impressive CV and connections are seemingly happy with where he is at this stage. In fact, that reverse could be a blessing in disguise for punters who can now back the Mullins horse at more attractive odds.
Marine Nationale
Marine Nationale hasn’t been seen since landing the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, but this race has been the plan ever since.
Barry Connell’s promising six-year-old is unbeaten in four starts (two bumpers, two hurdles) after bursting onto the scene at Punchestown last spring, and his latest victory suggested that he could be a very high class performer indeed.
Plenty went wrong for Marine Nationale at Fairyhouse yet he still came out on top after demonstrating a good attitude and a smart turn of foot following a less than fluent leap at the last.
There were three hurdle races over 2 miles that day and Marine Nationale clocked a time four seconds quicker than the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle won by Triumph Hurdle hope Lossiemouth (who carried 23lbs less) and three seconds quicker than the Grade A Handicap Hurdle later on the card (the winner carried 13lbs less).
That rates a very smart effort on just his fourth trip to the racecourse and clearly Barry Connell felt that he didn’t need any more experience before boarding the ferry for Cheltenham.
Needless to say he will need to jump better than he has to date given the level of opposition he will face in the Cotswolds. However, he seemingly possesses a smart engine and significant potential, which makes him a very big player.
Il Etait Temps
Il Etait Temps brings experience to the table as a second season hurdler and he naturally commands respect on the back of his Grade 1 triumph at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.
It was, of course, Il Etait Temps who picked up the pieces when stablemate Facile Vega bowed out last month, reversing the form of their clash at Christmas when Facile Vega had seemingly won with ease.
While Facile Vega had excuses, as discussed above, it should not detract from what Il Etait Temps achieved on the day as the runner-up was a 141 rated Grade 2 winner and the third placed horse had been unbeaten to that point.
The race was run as such a pace that Il Etait Temps clocked a time three seconds quicker than stablemate State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle and it demonstrated that he is well suited by a strongly run race, something that he should get once again at Cheltenham.
However, he may struggle to confirm last month’s form if his stablemate bounces back to his best.
Tahmuras
Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle hero Tahmuras will lead the British charge and it’s easy to argue that he’s being slightly overlooked in the betting at this stage.
Paul Nicholls’ charge is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and has seemingly progressed with each run. He overcame a mistake at the penultimate flight of hurdles when winning cosily at Sandown and the fourth has won his only subsequent outing, while the only other horse to run subsequently finished third in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.
The Falco gelding defeated a solid yardstick in Sizing Pottsie on his penultimate outing at Haydock and the third placed Snake Roll gave that form a boost when scoring by 14 lengths next time out.
Paul Nicholls hasn’t won this race since gallant grey Al Ferof flew up the hill to deny Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card in 2011. However, he hasn’t fired too many bullets in recent years and this may be his best representative in a while.
Diverge
Diverge failed to surpass a rating of 65 on the flat and could only muster a sixth placed finish on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown. However, he took a giant leap forwards when scoring by 23 lengths at Punchestown in January and he rates an intriguing contender in this contest.
The chestnut son of Frankel made light work of his opposition and clocked a time 11 seconds quicker than the following 2 mile handicap hurdle in spite of carrying 24lbs more than the winner of that contest.
That’s certainly enough to raise the eyebrow and suggest that he could be a smart prospect going forwards, especially as he was fairly keen in the early stages and didn’t always jump slickly yet still won with his head in his chest.
He will naturally face far sterner opposition at Cheltenham, where his jumping will be put to test. However, the likely strong pace should help him to settle and he could easily outperform expectations.
Chasing Fire
Menorah carried the colours of Mrs Diana L Whateley to victory in this contest in 2010 and Thomas Darby went close to replicating that success when finishing second in 2019. The latter was trained by Olly Murphy and both owner and trainer will be hopeful that they can go one place better on Tuesday.
Unbeaten between the flags, in bumpers and over hurdles, Chasing Fire doesn’t boast form that sets the pulse racing but has comfortably dispatched all that have been put before him, which is all that he can do.
It remains to be seen what he will find in the heat of battle, for that he picked up nicely at Sandown last time out, and you get the impression that connections have been looking after him this year with a view to going chasing in the autumn.
That said, they clearly feel that he can make his presence felt in this company and it’s impossible to know where his limitations lie.
High Definition
It’s not that long ago that High Definition was contesting favouritism for the Epsom Derby and you probably would have been laughed at for suggesting that he would ever line up in a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The former Ballydoyle inmate boasted a rating of 108 on the level and he made a smooth transition to hurdling at Leopardstown in December, when defeating 26 rivals including the aforementioned Diverge.
That success earned the five-year-old a shot at the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing where he would lock horns with the Facile Vega, which perhaps ultimately proved his undoing as the pair took each other on early and High Definition unseated his jockey at the fourth flight of hurdles.
That’s obviously far from ideal given his lack of experience and it leaves us in the dark regarding his ability. However, he did show an aptitude for hurdling in December and he could easily run a big race if putting in a clear round.
Inthepocket
Inthepocket was handed his first defeat when finding only Il Etait Temps too good in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. However, it was still a huge run for such a lightly raced horse and he can improve for the experience.
The JP McManus owned six-year-old won his solitary start between the flags and made a perfect racecourse debut at Wexford in October, when comfortably defeating a competitive field that included subsequent scorer Joyeux Machin.
Inthepocket took another step forwards when accounting for Three Card Brag and Absolute Notions at Naas and his stamina probably earned him second place at Leopardstown given the pace set by Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contenders Facile Vega and High Definition.
This contest will almost certainly provide an ever sterner test for Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who will almost certainly need to improve once more in order to be competitive.
Dark Raven
Dark Raven placed third behind Il Etait Temps and Inthepocket in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.
The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned gelding accounted Doctor Bravo at Leopardstown in December and Gordon Elliott’s charge has franked the form subsequently courtesy of a smooth win at Down Royal and a fine third placed effort in the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle.
Dark Raven has plenty of work to do to reverse the Leopardstown form. However, he is clearly open to progression.
Doctor Bravo
Doctor Bravo went from landing a bumper to placing second in a warm maiden hurdle inside of 23 days during December, only finding the aforementioned Dark Raven too good at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
He comfortably shed his maiden tag at the second time of asking and was then thrown into open Grade 3 company, where he acquitted himself well against vastly more experienced rivals and was only beaten a length and a half.
Only the 147 rated Fil Dor and 155 rated Sharjah finished ahead of him on that occasion and it’s even more impressive when you consider that he didn’t step foot on a racecourse before December.
Gordon Elliott’s charge clearly possesses a great deal of natural ability and he could easily outperform market expectations.
Rare Edition
Rare Edition is arguably being unfairly overlooked due to his defeat in the Listed Sydney Banks Memorial Novices Hurdle at Huntingdon. However, that was over a trip just shy of two-and-a-half-miles and he could easily leave that run behind him back over the minimum distance next week.
Charlie Longsdon’s six-year-old won his first three starts over 2 miles culminating in a smooth success at Kempton on Boxing Day. The form of that race looks solid as the runner-up landed the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton two weeks ago and Rare Edition shares the same rating as the aforementioned Tahmuras, who arguably has the best British form on offer.
Rare Edition could easily outperform market expectations.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2023 Tips & Prediction
Marine Nationale was impressive on the clock when landing the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and it was always the plan to to come here fresh.
His jumping didn’t help exactly his cause at Fairyhouse. However, he overcame trouble in running and displayed a smart turn of foot which will aid his prospects tomorrow.
Il Etait Temps took his form to a new level when landing the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle and he clearly thrives on a truly run race.
He will likey get that again given this race is traditionally run at a frantic gallop and that may give him the best opportunity of confirming that form with Facile Vega.
High class flat performer High Definition could feature prominently if getting into a good rhythm out in front. While Tolworth Hurdle winner Tahmuras has solid form in the book and could also outperform market expectations.
However, FACILE VEGA had excuses when blowing out at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and it may pay to forgive him that blip.
Willie Mullins’ charge was unbeaten prior to that outing, including when landing the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year. He clocked a good time when scoring in Grade 1 company at Christmas and this race has been his target all season.
Facile Vega came from behind when landing the bumper last year and I’m sure Paul Townend will look to get cover on this occasion, which will be a lot easier given the competitive nature of this race.
There are many promising horses that will line up in the contest. However, Facile Vega is the only contender whom has flashed star potential at this stage and he has been strong in the betting as the race has drawn closer.
Doctor Bravo and Rare Edition may fair best of those at bigger prices.
Ex-Trainer Jarret Rugg Promoting A Cricket Raffle (Valuable Prizes)
Hurry because the draw is on Wednesday for a first prize with a R14,000 value.
House of Cricket is raising funds for our Sixes Cricket tour to Thailand in April and have put together a hunting raffle.
* 1st Prize- Accommodation for 2, Hunt 1x Rooibok, 1x Blesbok and 1x Blouwildebees with guide.
* 2nd Prize- 2x Carcass 1x Rooibok and 1x Gemsbok.
* 3rd Prize- 1x Carcass Blesbok
* 4th Prize- 1x Lamb
Only R500 a ticket.
Feel free to go check out our House Of cricket Facebook page.
Help us/ House Of Cricket complete a once in a lifetime Cricket tour and buy a ticket.
Feel free to contact me on Facebook message for more information.
Jarrett Rugg
BSA National Yearling Sale Catalogue Available Online
CLICK HERE to go to the BSA National Yearlings Sales catalogue link.
Dennis Drier Honoured
Soon to be retired trainer Dennis Drier was honoured today at Hollywoodbets Greyville and presented with a gift from Gold Circle made by Anita Akal.
We wish one of the legends of the South African training ranks a very happy retirement.
Picture: Candiese Lenferna
The Querari five-year-old gelding Queue Wing, ridden by Athandiwe Mgudlwa, gave Garth Puller his 50th win of the season on Sunday at Hollwyoodbets Greyville. Queue Wing is owned by Garth Puller and Miss CAE Steele (Picture: Candiese Lenferna).
Garth Puller Double Takes Him Close To Personal Best Number Of Wins
Garth Puller reached the 50-win mark for the season yesterday on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf and added a double on the poly today.
He is now on 52 wins for the season, at a strike rate of 12.15%, and this is just three short of his personal best of 55 in a season.
Puller won the KZN Trainers Championship in 2020/2021 with those 55 and is 16 wins clear of Wendy Whitehead in the race for the title this season.
The picture gives a clue to the answer (Image: Patrick McCann).
Today’s Question
Who holds the record for the most wins at a single Cheltenham Festival four-day meeting?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
Willie Mullins with his Champion Chase trophy last year (Photo: Healy Racing)
