Picture: Cousin Casey (Candiese Lenferna).

Cousin Casey Heads The Cape Punters Cup Field

Cousin Casey makes his long awaited reappearance on Saturday at Kenilworth in a race which has had a last minute name change from the Selangor Cup to the Cape Punters Cup.

The Grade 2 event over 1600m has always been the key pointer to the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, which is being sponsored by Hollywoodbets this year and has a R2 million stake, befitting of one of the best sire producing races in the country.

Cousin Casey is not going to have it easy because he is the only horse carrying a Grade 1 2kg penalty.

The draw of eight in a 16 horse field is tricky too.

However, the Vercingetorix colt’s exceptional turn of foot will allow regular rider Grant van Niekerk a few options.

The giant Light Speed (Gimmethegreenlight) has drawn well in six and Richard Fourie will be looking to get him handy.

He has won his last three inlcuding the two-year-old classic pointer, The Langerman, and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement as he grows into his big frame.

Both the Justin Snaith yard and Richard Fourie have kicked into top gear and Light Speed is one of the horses who will make this race a fascinating contest.

The Snaith yard also run the talented Twice over colt Triple Time and have given the ride to Rachel Venniker, who was successful for Triple Time’s owner Nick Jonsson recently in a Listed race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the Michael Roberts-trained See It Again.

Khaya Stables have two runners and their retained rider Keagan de Melo has opted for the Brett Crawford-trained Querari colt At My Command ahead of Dean Kannemeyer’s Pas De Nom, a Rafeef colt who has won his last three.

At My Command was a three length second to Charles Dickens in the Grade 3 Cape Classic. Interestingly, the last two runner ups in the Cape Classic, Linebacker and Zapatillas, both went on to be Guineas winners, albeit both winning the Grade 2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

At My Command has unfortunately drawn wide on Saturday.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Dave The King is a big rangy type who was staying on in the Cape Classic for a four length third. He is by Global View out of a Jet Master mare who won over 1800m so is stoutly bred and will relish the step up in trip. He has drawn seven and Corne Orffer rides so he will have a few supporters.

Vaughan Marshall also runs Marvel William, who has a bit to do on formlines, but wears second time blinkers and being by William Longsword should be improving all the time.

The Brett Crawford-trained Port Louis stayed on well in the Cape Classic to be beaten just a short-head for third by Dave The King, but has a tricky draw of eleven.

KZN has two runners, the Peter Muscutt-trained Formagear (Querari) and the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist (Gimmethegreenlight) and both have shown glimpses of class.

Formgear in fact is 2kg better off with Cousin Casey for a 2,75 length beating in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, although he might have been flattered having been handy behind a slow pace whereas Cousin Casey came from a wide draw and someway back in the running.

Glen Kotzen’s Countdown (Gimmthegreenlight) is apparently a different horse since gelding but he has a hard task on Cape Classic form, where he finished a 6,30 length fifth.

The Kotzen-trained Imposing (Visionaire) is progressive but has 3,15 lengths to find on his stablemate Countdown from the Cape Classic, where he was given too much to do.

Another interesting Kotzen-trained runner is the well regarded Famous And Rich (Visionaire), who went close to the promising Gqeberha three-year-old Khaya’s Hope last time out at Fairview. He is progressive and is drawn in pole.

He beat the Brett Crawford-trained Allez Moris narrowly in that race and the latter also runs on Saturday.

Crawford’s other runner is the unbeaten form three starts Le Morne. He will be improving being by Futura but does have awide draw.

Kotzen’s Grinkov has caught the eye before but has been unlucky with draws and gets 16 out of 16 here.

See Field Below:

Picture: Captain’s Ransom (Candiese Lenferna).

Mark Van Deventer Analyses Intriguing Captain’s Ransom/Do It Again Comeback Race

Whilst field sizes of 14,12,13, 11, and 15 across the remaining legs of the Pick Six are especially gratifying, the small 8-runner opening leg over 1400m is still intriguing as it features the return of champion filly Captain’s Ransom, dual Durban July victor, Do It Again, and late-developing, high-class stayer One Way Traffic, all trained by Justin Snaith.

With her in-form conditioner on record as saying that “she is fit and will take some beating” Captain’s Ransom will be a popular P6 single. The multiple G1 winner has won 12 of 15 starts with turbo-boosted finishing surges and is hard to oppose as the best weighted runner based on official merit ratings.

8-year-old, Do It Again is a classy veteran prepping for races over further. He is not quite the force that he used to be -it will be interesting to see if he retains some of his old mojo.

One Way Traffic is being teed up for other contests. If he comes through this race in good order, he appeals as a stayer worth following this season as he was ultra-impressive over 2200m at Greyville in July.

The biggest menaces to Captain’s Ransom are Waterberry Lane and Future Prince. These four-year-olds can build on already smart records, plus have the benefit of warm-up races when they finished three to four lengths off top sprinter Resonate a month ago.

Likely leader, Captain of Stealth is a bit of a tearaway.

Firealley is another that has done well in the past using forcing tactics.

Gainsford who has won all four of his races at this track, with a versatile running style, resumes after a suspension for bleeding.

Tactically, Keagan de Melo (Waterberry Lane) and Kabelo Matsunyane (Future Prince) will probably be happy to track the leaders and then try to strike midway down the 470m straight.

Getting past worn-out pace setters is one thing -whether they can then stave off Captain’s Ransom’s powerful finish is another matter entirely.

Bettors may be wary of taking 8/10 odds on a filly making her seasonal bow, being aimed at bigger targets.

That said, it’s still hard to pick against Captain’s Ransom in Race 3.

Picture: Piere Strydom (Hamish Niven).

Will History Repeat Itself On Saturday For Striker?

Piere Strydom rode a milestone 5000th career winner on Act Of War in the Grade 2 Selangor Cup eight years ago on November 22, 2014.

On Saturday at the same Hollywoodbets Kenilworth venue he rides in the same race and a win on the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist will bring him his milestone 5,500th win, unless he wins his only booked ride before that.

The 5,500 figure is particularly significant because he stated before his comeback from injury he would retire as soon as he had reached that mark.

He is actually going to stay on a touch longer because of a couple of commitments.

He revealed recently he had been offered the ride on the progressive Money Heist for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, provided he qualifies.

This horse was narrowly defeated last time out over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville when running in a Graduation Plate and the horse who won was a four-year-old rated only 80.

However, it wasn’t a bad effort when considering Money Heist came from way back, was green and Striker was also carrying 2,5kg overweight, meaning he had to give the four-year-old 2,5kg.

Strydom also said the colt had given him a good feel.

He said at the time he had also been offered the ride on the Fanie Bronkhorst-trained filly Typeset (Futura) in the WSB R7,5 million Gold Rush.

Picture: Rain In Holland looks likely to run in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge instead of the Betway Summer Cup. (JC Photos).

Entries For Dingaans And Other Features On Summer Cup Day

4Racing

East Coast, who ran on well to finished second behind Litigation in the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes at Turffontein, is among the 20 entries for the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November.

The Dingaans is one of four Graded races that will support the R2.5-million Betway Summer Cup (Grade 1) over 2000m.

Mike de Kock, who trains East Coast, has three entries in the race which is exclusively for three-year-olds, the others being Shoemaker and Union Square who finished second and fourth respectively in the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m last month.

Union Square and East Coast drew Nos 1 and 5 respectively but Shoemaker landed No 15 barrier position.

Anfields Rocket, who won the Graham Beck Stakes, is also among the entries but Grant Maroun’s runner is even worse off at No 17.

It is also interesting to see Triple Tiara winner Rain In Holland among the entries for the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes as she is high up on the log for a spot in the Betway Summer Cup. However, trainer Sean Tarry is clearly keeping his options open.

DINGAANS (Grade 2)(For 3 year-olds) R400,000 1600m

13 AFRICAN TORRENT (M/A Azzie) 60.0

17 ANFIELDS ROCKET (G J Maroun) 60.0

12 ARGO ALLEY (S J Gray) 60.0

2 ATTICUS FINCH (A G Laird) 60.0

3 BILLY BOWLEGS (A G Laird) 60.0

5 EAST COAST (M F De Kock) 60.0

20 ELECTRIC GOLD (S G Tarry) 60.0

14 GOOD COUNCIL (A B Fortune) 60.0

6 MERIDIUS (A B Fortune) 60.0

7 OTTO LUYKEN (T Zackey) 60.0

10 PROPHET (C Spies) 60.0

19 ROYAL VICTORY (N Kotzen) 60.0

16 RULE BY FORCE (J A Soma) 60.0

4 SAMTHEWISEMAN (B B Ruiters) 60.0

15 SHOEMAKER (M F De Kock) 60.0

18 TAMARISK TREE (R R Sage) 60.0

11 THUNDERSTRUCK (S G Tarry) 60.0

1 UNION SQUARE (M F De Kock) 60.0

9 UNZEN (R R Sage) 60.0

8 VESUVIO (T Zackey) 60.0

IPI TOMBE CHALLENGE (Grade 2)(For Fillies and Mares) R300,000 1600m

15 RAIN IN HOLLAND (S G Tarry) 60.0

14 BOLD FORTUNE (S T Pettigrew) 59.0

3 HOMELY GIRL (J J van Vuuren) 59.0

12 UNDER YOUR SPELL (S G Tarry) 59.0

1 ADMIRE ME (G H Van Zyl) 58.0

4 GILDED BUTTERFLY (S T Pettigrew) 58.0

8 MARIGOLD HOTEL (S G Tarry) 58.0

9 PERFECT WITNESS (C Dawson) 58.0

10 ULULATE (S J Gray) 58.0

11 BONETE (M F De Kock) 51.0

2 CAPTAIN PEG (S T Pettigrew) 51.0

6 FEATHER BOA (S T Pettigrew) 51.0

7 GIMME A SHOT (M/A Azzie) 51.0

5 MISS DAISY (B B Ruiters) 51.0

13 TRIED AND TRUE (B B Ruiters) 51.0

MERCHANTS (Grade 3)(Open) R250,000 1160m

2 BIG BURN (S G Tarry) 60.0

12 SOUND OF WARNING (S G Tarry) 58.0

14 DESERT MIRACLE (M F De Kock) 57.5

11 FULL VELOCITY (S G Tarry) 57.5

3 VARS VICKY (S T Pettigrew) 56.5

5 VAL D’ORCIA (J J van Vuuren) 56.0

13 WARRIOR’S REST (S G Tarry) 54.5

6 SUPREME QUEST (C Spies) 54.0

1 THUNDERSTRUCK (S G Tarry) 53.0

15 COIN SPINNER (A J Rivalland) 52.5

10 FATHER’S FROST (K Naidoo) 52.0

8 MOONSHININGTHROUGH (J J van Vuuren) 52.0

7 NOW I GOT YOU (C J Lensley) 52.0

9 TREAD SWIFTLY (P B Muscutt) 52.0

4 WINTER FLIGHT (K Naidoo) 52.0

MAGNOLIA HANDICAP (Grade 3)(For Fillies and Mares) R200,000 1160m

13 BIG BURN (S G Tarry) 64.0

5 SOUND OF WARNING (S G Tarry) 62.0

8 DESERT MIRACLE (M F De Kock) 61.5

7 FULL VELOCITY (S G Tarry) 61.5

3 SUPREME QUEST (C Spies) 58.0

17 SWEET PEPPER (S G Tarry) 57.5

4 MOONSHININGTHROUGH (J J van Vuuren) 55.5

10 GOBSMACKED (J J van Vuuren) 54.5

16 SASHAY AWAY (P B Muscutt) 54.5

9 MISS DAISY (B B Ruiters) 54.0

6 ALULA’S STAR (S T Pettigrew) 53.5

2 AUNTY LIZZY (K Naidoo) 53.5

1 AGA HEAT (G H Van Zyl) 52.0

14 FLOWERBOMB (C Spies) 52.0

18 KISS ME CAPTAIN (M/A Azzie) 52.0

15 MAY QUEEN (H E Adamson) 52.0

11 MISS COOL (C Dawson) 52.0

12 WISHFUL GIRL LINN (P B Muscutt) 52.0

Picture: Ciao Bella (Wayne Marks).

Handicapping Ratings Update – Ciao Bella Raised To 110

Western Cape Fillies Championship (Grade 2)

CIAO BELLA has had her merit rating raised from 96 to 110 following her success in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship for three-year-olds over 1400m on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (winter course) on Saturday 12 November. The Handicappers were of the view that HOLD MY HAND made for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 102.

There were ratings increases also for four other fillies. 2nd placed TIME FO ORCHIDS is up from 104 to 107, while 3rd finisher GIMME’S LASSIE goes up from 90 to 107. 4th placed GOLDEN HOSTESS goes from 103 to 106, BEVIES DELIGHT rises to 104 from 99, and lastly ECHO OF LIFE was raised from 93 to 102. This ensures that these fillies are rated correctly relative to one another, and the Handicappers see no valid reason why this should not be the case.

The only drop was for MISS MARGUERITE, who is down slightly from 93 to 92.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Picture: Time Fo Orchids (JC Photos).

Time Fo Orchids Top Of Gold Rush Log Again

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Time Thief filly Time Fo Orchids had her merit rating raised from 104 to 107 after finishing second in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship on Saturday.

She has thus reclaimed top spot on the WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush log.

Time Fo Orchids was purchased by Gold Rush ticket holder Rikesh Sewgoolam for R850,000 at the recent BSA Sean Tarry Fast Track Sale and Saturday’s race was her debut for Marshall.

View the Gold Rush log below:

Picture: Mhlabeni (Elusive Fort) gives Luyolo Mxothwa a treble and Duncan McKenzie a double on the day (Pauline Herman).

Mxothwa Treble, McKenzie Double, Fourie/Greeff Double, Smith Double

Louis Mxothwa rode a treble on the Fairview poly today and two of them were for Duncan McKenzie.

Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie combined for a double.

Gavin Smith also had a double.

Smith leads the East Cape Championship on 39 wins at a strike rate of 9.68%.

Greeff is on 34 wins at 12.01%.

Mc Kenzie is on seven winners at 14.29%.

Fourie is starting to make inroads into Keagan de Melo’s big lead in the championship. He now has 55 wins at 18.97% and is exactly 40 wins behind De Melo.

Mxothwa goes to 44 wins for the season at 18.88%.

Picture: Anathi Feni after clinching his double on the Mike de Kock-trained Nyali Beach (Gimmethegreenlight – Front Club (IRE) (Fastnet Rock))

Anathi Feni Only Double Scorer At Workriders Meeting

Anathi Feni rode a double at eight event Workriders Meeting at the Vaal Classic track today.

Those are his only two wins of the season so far and he has done it at 22.22%.

Picture: TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images. Kent Desormeaux is aboard the question subject.

Today’s Question

Who is the most expensive horse ever bought at auction?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields

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Picture: Fusaichi Pegasus

Today’s Question Answer

Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus was bought for US$72 million and 60% of him was then owned by Coolmore and 40% by Japan’s Shadai Farm.

However, despite having been purchased as a yearling for US$4 million, he proved to be a failure at stud and his cover fee was a mrer US$7,500 for his last eight years having opened at US$150,000.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 15 November 2022