Tarry Grateful For Free Rein With R7 Million Colt
Sean Tarry had the sales record-breaking R7 million colt Celestial City sent to him just before he had turned four and emphasised his gratitude to owner Henning Pretorius for allowing him to do things his own way despite the horse’s age and his price tag.
He reckoned the full-brother to Hawaam and half-brother to Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat was now possibly just one grass gallop away from making his debut.
He said, “Henning and I agreed to not think about what he cost but to do what is best for the horse.”
Tarry’s first task was to sort out the big colt’s soundness issues and his coltish temperament.
He said, “I have taken time to work through his soundness issues and feel we are on top of them. He weighed 560kg when he arrived here. We aimed to lighten him up and have got him down to a more athletic 520kg. He is now able to carry his weight. Ever since I’ve been able to work him hard enough his demeanour and temperament have also settled down.”
The grass track at Randjesfontein has recently been scarified, but will be open to feature runners this weekend and to all runners next week.
Tarry said, “The scarification was short term pain for the trainers, but long term gain. I think we have probably the best grass in the country at Randjes and are privileged to have it at our disposal.”
Welcome rain is on its way too, so it is all coming together and the Silvano colt could well make his debut in November.
Tarry concluded, “We are expecting rain on the weekend and he is ready for his grass gallop. If I am pleased with his gallop and his fitness levels are shown to be high enough I will definitely consider nominating him.”
The first three progeny of Jet Master champion mare Halfway To Heaven were all colts, Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), Hawwaam (Silvano) and Golden Ducat (Philanthropist), and were all multiple Grade 1 winners.
However, the next pair to run were both fillies, In Limbo (Silvano) and Gift From Heaven (Querari), and have been disappointing.
In Limbo managed one win and one place in eight starts and Gift From Heaven has finished at the tail of the field in all three of her starts.
Halfway To Heaven’s next male runner is thus being eagerly anticipated.
Pettigrew hoping for more Good Fortune with talented mare
Five-year-old mare will try for seventh win of her career when she takes on nine rivals in Turffontein’s fifth race on Saturday
‘He’s feeling unbelievable’ – wide draw not expected to stop Nature Strip
James McDonald and Chris Waller as Nature Strip is led back by groom Stuart Williams after his King’s Stand Stakes romp
Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
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By Jonathan Harding
6:43PM, OCT 13 2022
Nature Strip will have to overcome a wide draw if he is to land back-to-back runnings of The Tab Everest (6.15) at Randwick on Saturday.
The eight-year-old showcased his blistering speed when comfortably winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot for Chris Waller but his connections decided against a tilt at Newmarket’s Group 1 July Cup.
He has instead been prepared for the world’s richest sprint, which is worth almost £8 million, and won a Group 2 at the track last month. Nature Strip will be sent off a short-priced favourite under James McDonald but has been given the widest draw of all in stall 12.
Victory in the Everest would catapult Nature Strip’s racetrack earnings by $6.2m (£3.43m) to about $25.26m (£13.96m), which would bring him within sight of Winx’s record $26.45m (£14.56m). He could then defend his Champions Sprint title at Flemington on November 5.
Speaking to 7news after riding the world’s highest-rated sprinter in trackwork on Thursday, McDonald said: “Couldn’t be happier with him, he’s feeling unbelievable. He’s in really good form. He’s bubbling, he’s ready to explode.”
On receiving the widest draw, he added: “I was quite pleased with it actually. I don’t think the barrier is going to be too much of an issue for us.”
The Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (7.15) also takes place on Saturday, although there are no European-trained runners in the line-up this year. However, 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare is among the 18 runners set to go to post in Caulfield.
Jim Crowley ready for ‘most important race’ as Baaeed bids to bow out in style
By Harry Wilson
Saturday’s Qipco Champion Stakes (17H00 SA Time) will bring down the curtain on Baaeed’s magnificent career and jockey Jim Crowley has described it as “his most important race” as Europe’s best Flat horse puts his unbeaten record on the line for the 11th and final time.
Crowley has partnered the Shadwell-owned superstar on his last eight starts, picking up six Group 1s in the process and is looking forward to riding in the race in which Frankel ended his flawless career ten years ago.
There is sure to be pressure in the camp in the build-up and on the day, but Crowley knows that he is riding a special horse and will enjoy the ride, just as he did when guiding Baaeed to success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at this meeting last year.
Crowley said: “I don’t really get nervous. I’ll get excited before the race, which is only natural, but once you are on him and away you just forget about everything.
“Riding Baaeed is a great feeling, but it brings with it a lot of responsibility. I’m looking forward to it, but nothing in racing is a given and it’s going to be a tough race for him. There are some good horses running and it’s probably going to be his most important race.
“It’s going to be a strange feeling going to Ascot. The most important thing for me is to get the job done and win, so hopefully he’ll finish his career unbeaten. Maybe I’ll enjoy the ride when it’s over, because riding him also comes with a lot of pressure.”
Baaeed’s demolition job in the Juddmonte International, his first attempt at a trip beyond a mile, put all the doubts of his staying capabilities to bed although he is likely to face a new challenger at Ascot in the form of last year’s Derby winner Adayar.
“The Juddmonte was a very important race,” said Crowley. “Going into it he had a point to prove, going up in distance, and he was taking on some really tough horses like Mishriff. It was just an amazing race to ride in.
“He just went through the race so easily and when I pressed the button he put the race to bed in a matter of strides. It was a great feeling to ride him and to show people what he was capable of.”
Crowley rode half of the winners on last year’s Champions Day card, scoring on the fellow Shadwell-owned Eshaada in the Fillies & Mares Stakes and Aldaary in the Balmoral Handicap as well as just denying Palace Pier by a neck on Baaeed.
Victory on the latter on Saturday would surely surpass the achievements of last year’s treble for Crowley. He said: “I’ve been fortunate to ride some good horses, but Baaeed does give that feeling of something completely different to any I’ve ever come across before.
“Not only on the racecourse, but in his whole demeanour. He’s just such a professional and has such a great character. I may never come across a horse like him ever again. Hopefully he’ll win on Qipco British Champions Day and we can look back with some fond memories.”
Qipco Champion Stakes (Ascot, 4.00 Saturday)
bet365: 1-4 Baaeed, 7-2 Adayar, 10-1 Bay Bridge, 16 Royal Champion, 20 Dubai Honour, My Prospero, 50 Mac Swiney, Stone Age, 80 Helvic Dream, High Definition
Turffontein Inside Formguides And Selections
www.attheraces.com
1 12H00 – thisisracing Welcomes You Maiden Plate
This is not a strong field and a first-timer could score even though not fully wound up. Watch the betting. COVERT OPERATOR comes off a long layoff and has drawn wide but could take it. WARBONNET CREEK needed his last run. Stable companion SYLVAN THEATRE is drawn alongside and both must be considered. GIOCATORE showed improvement on the Polytrack and is back on turf. CIRCUS LIGHTS and TINCTURE TIMES are looking to improve.
Top Tip: COVERT OPERATOR (1)
Watch out for: CALIFORNIA BOY (5)
2 12H30 – www.tab4racing.com Maiden Plate (F & M)
As was the case in Race 1, this is difficult to assess with 4 newcomers. SOLO DIVA challenged strongly on debut and rates the one to beat. LUNAR WINTER needed her last outing and will come on. MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL comes off a break but on her penultimate effort should be involved. SMELTING is having her 36th attempt to exit the maidens but cannot be ignored for money. TIZ MAGIC is looking to improve.
Top Tip: SOLO DIVA (10)
Watch out for: MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL (2)
3 13H05 – Book For Charity Mile Graduation Plate
Good race. STRIKE A MATCH and MOONSHININGTHROUGH are well above average. They needed their last runs and will come on. The latter is coupled with easy debut winner TSAR BOMBA who could be anything. Watch the money. UNION SQUARE has franked form but comes off a break. SWING UPON A STAR is holding form and must be considered for money.
Top Tip: MOONSHININGTHROUGH (2)
Watch out for: UNION SQUARE (4)
4 13H40 – Racing240 For Racing. For You Fm 90 Divided Handicap (F & M)
Competitive. All 7 runners could pull it off depending on the pace. TERRA TIME has a hefty 62kg to shoulder but is in top form, loves this track and could complete a hat-trick. Also on a hat-trick is GREEK MISS. She shoulders 3kg less but if behaves at the start could do it. GILDED BUTTERFLY is bred to see out the extra and could go on with it. LILLIANA disappointed last time but could get into the action. CODE ZERO and DARK TRAVEL could pop up in receipt of up to 10kg. OPERA GLASS could make the Quartet.
Top Tip: GREEK MISS (3)
Watch out for: TERRA TIME (1)
5 14H15 – Furious Room Coffee Shop Now Opened Pinnacle Stakes
Stable companions NEBRAAS and BLACK THORN are top stayers and are prepping for bigger forthcoming events. Their class could see them home. SECOND BASE needed his last run and should be in the shake-up. He was over a length behind BOLD FORTUNE in their comeback runs and it could get close. IMPERIAL RUBY will dictate, and with PINK TOURMALINE could make the Quartet.
Top Tip: SECOND BASE (3)
Watch out for: BOLD FORTUNE (10)
6 14H50 – Tab Telebet 0861 000 822 Fm 69 Divided Handicap (F & M)
STUNNING KITTEN finished 3.25 lengths behind FASINADA when they met recently and appears held. SUN BIRD, however, was under a length behind FASINADA last time but was reported to be in season. She could turn it around. PINKY LEVINE escaped the maiden ranks after a long break and could improve. Top weight LINGANOMORE could get into the reckoning. LAST CHEER (rested) and recent maiden winner BLUE ERUPTION could place.
Top Tip: PINKY LEVINE (5)
Watch out for: STUNNING KITTEN (4)
7 15H30 – Tab 4Racing App Mr 105 Handicap
Tricky. OUTOFTHEDARKNESS is holding form and should run an honest race. He is coupled with REUNION and SOUND OF SUMMER who are capable on their day. WHAFEEF should be on top of him on their meeting in April. FOREVER MINE drew widest in his penultimate race and won easily. He is drawn widest again. ANOTHER LEVEL must be considered for money from a good draw. Others are looking for minor money.
Top Tip: OUTOFTHEDARKNESS (1)
Watch out for: ANOTHER LEVEL (11)
8 16H10 – 4racing.tv Mr 88 Handicap
VANDERBILT is on a winning streak and in his first appearance in a new yard is looking to make it 6 on the trot. ARGO ALLEY returns from a rest and is highly thought of but only receives 1kg from the former. WHISPERS OF WAR was narrowly beaten in his last two starts and could give a run for money. CLARKSON drops in trip but with LEOPOLD, KOTINOS and COMING IN HOT could place.
Top Tip: WHISPERS OF WAR (7)
Watch out for: VANDERBILT (1)
9 16H45 – Next Turffontein Racemeeting Monday 24 October Novice Handicap
VIVACIOUS SPIRIT was touched off in her post-debut but tries a little further and could make amends. MERIDIUS was narrowly beaten in his post-maiden but the form has worked out. DESTINY OF SOULS never got into it after a long break but he has a tongue-tie on and a much better effort is expected. FAST LOVE, WITHOUT EQUAL, MO JIVE, JUST A MEMORY and LIGHT OF DAY could challenge.
Top Tip: VIVACIOUS SPIRIT (2)
Watch out for: DESTINY OF SOULS (3)
Mystery Dame Welcomes Declarationofpeace Filly
KZN Breeders
In a foaling record for the farm in one day, five mares welcomed five fillies at Macrath Stud for Rathmor Stud on Thursday.
Mystery Dame (Jet Master), the dam of Gr1 winner Lady In Black and Gr2 winner and KZN Mile winner Nexus, produced a filly by Declarationofpeace.
Others to foal included Fiftyshadesdarker (Gimmethegreenlight), a full sister to Gr1 winner Gunnar, by Declarationofpeace as well as Clarion Call (Kabool) – the dam of Hollywood Syndicate’s multiple winning full siblings Spyda’s Corner and Purple Powahouse.
Declarationofpeace. Image: Candiese Lenferna
Last but not least were Seeking Venus (Trippi) and the last Noble Tune foal to be born came from Spice Girl (Var).
Declarationofpeace (War Front) covered a full book last season and has once again received maximum support for the current season.
He stands for a fee of R20 000 live foal. He won three times including the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Champions Day Suggestions
Champions Day tips: Four big-priced bets for Ascot on Saturday
By Harry Allwood (Racing TV)
Harry Allwood has a quartet of fancies chalked up at double-figure odds on QIPCO British Champions Day, live on Racing TV this Saturday.
If the racing at Ascot on Saturday doesn’t excite you, then I am afraid you are in the wrong sport. We have six brilliant races to look forward to on QIPCO British Champions Day, all of which will be shown live on Racing TV, with an abundance of star names in action.
The going at Ascot is currently Good to Soft, Soft (in places) – the latest Going Stick readings were 6.8 (straight) and 6.5 (round) on Thursday morning – and further rain is forecast, so conditions may ease further ahead of racing.
My colleague, Andy Stephens, has identified some interesting Champions Day trends which are certainly worth taking note of if you are having a bet at Ascot on Saturday. Andy has also shared his tips plus outsiders to consider for every race, and both pieces can be viewed here:
Below are four contenders chalked up at double-figure odds who look capable of going close on Saturday, including two in the Balmoral Handicap. Best of luck, and please remember to gamble responsibly.
GARRUS
Race: 15H00 SA Time – Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.
General odds: 25-1.
Garrus (IRE)(69)
Jim Crowley | Charles Hills
Ascot 15H00 SA Time
The six-year-old finished a length behind Highfield Princess when third in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time out, and the form has received several boosts, with the winner successful in two Group Ones since, and the runner-up, Minzaal, bolted up in the Sprint Cup on his next start. Rohaan, who finished fourth and reopposes here, has also won since.
Garrus was an authoritative winner of a Group Three at Deauville prior to that, and his past two outings have been with cut in the ground, which appears to suit him. He was also not beaten far when a never-nearer fifth over this course and distance on soft ground in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
His record following a 50-plus day break reads 12114, so the fact he has been absent since August is not a concern, and Jim Crowley has a 27 per cent strike-rate when teaming up with Charlie Hills this year.
There are plenty you can make a case for towards the top of the market, but Garrus produced arguably a career best when last seen, and a repeat of that effort will certainly see him outrun his odds.
Check out our best free bets and betting offers:
LILAC ROAD
Race: 15H40 SA Time – Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
General odds: 18-1.
Lilac Road (IRE)(34)
Cieren Fallon | William Haggas
15H40 SA Time Ascot
This year’s Middleton winner was a shade unlucky not to record her first Group One success when second in the Prix Vermeille in September, and she appeared to relish the give underfoot there having raced on good/good to firm ground this year.
Her previous effort, when fifth behind Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks, probably deserves to be marked up, too, as she was unsuited by the way the race developed and had previously finished an eye-catching third in the Nassau Stakes having met trouble in running.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman certainly seems to be improving and is likely to have more to offer over this trip. She was also ridden prominently last time out and I expect similar tactics to be deployed again here from her draw in stall three.
Her stablemate, Sea La Rosa, is half the odds of Lilac Road, but I would have them much closer in the betting than that, especially as the selection has some strong form next to her name.
William Haggas continues to operate at a strike-rate of over 20 per cent and the selection holds decent each-way claims.
BASHKIROVA
Race: 17H40 SA Time – Balmoral Handicap
General odds: 10-1.
Bashkirova(56)
Tom Marquand | William Haggas
17H40 SA Time Ascot
10/1
Despite showing signs of greenness, this filly was a cosy winner on her handicap debut last season and has taken a big step forward this year having landed a Group Three at Epsom on Derby day.
Connections suggested afterwards that cut in the ground is important to her, so she probably hasn’t been seen to best effect on her past two starts in Group company on good to firm, and conditions will be ideal for her on Saturday.
This race represents a drop in grade and while she is 12lb above her last winning mark, I believe she has the potential to outclass her rivals here, with the majority of the contenders being exposed handicappers.
There’s a strong chance she has more to offer given she still didn’t look the finished article earlier this season, and this will be just her ninth start.
Tom Marquand, who has guided Bashkirova to success twice, is a positive jockey booking and it will be disappointing if his mount cannot go close.
SYMBOLIZE
Race: 17H40 SA Time – Balmoral Handicap
General odds: 14-1.
Symbolize (IRE)(14)
Callum Hutchinson | Andrew Balding
17H40 SA Time Ascot
14/1
Symbolize finished second in the Balmoral Handicap last year
Symbolize found only the well-handicapped Aldaary too good in this race 12 months ago and bids to go one better off the same rating on Saturday.
Admittedly, Andrew Balding’s charge has been a shade disappointing this season, but he’s had excuses on numerous occasions, including when racing on the wrong part of the track in the Challenge Cup last time out.
He has gone close on a couple of outings this season, though, which suggests he is in form, despite some of his efforts suggesting otherwise, and I suspect connections have had one eye on this race for a while now.
Callum Hutchinson takes off a useful 5lb and if first-time cheekpieces help Symbolize show his best, then expect him to be involved in the finish with the ground in his favour.
Today’s Question
Why did US Hall Of Fame Jockey Alex Solis get in to trouble on December 30, 1992?
Turffontein Inside Fields
Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Fields
Today’s Question Answer
“When he took his hands out of his pockets I just swung at him with my left hand,” explained Alex Solis after a spectator had accused him of riding a bad race on December 30, 1992. The comment incited Solis to break the racegoer’s nose with a devastating punch.
Solis had grown up poor on a farm in San Carlos, Panama and was determined to change that for himself and his family when he left his homeland for South Florida in 1982. He can still remember the tears his mother, Isabelle, shed the day he left.
With 5,035 victories in North America in a career that started in 1981, Solis won 84 grade 1 races and piloted champions Snow Chief , Bertrando , Ryafan, and Kona Gold, among others. He earned more than $238 million in purses from 33,966 North American starts. His top earner was Pleasantly Perfect , who he rode to victory in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2004.
