Back In Business (JC Photos).
Back In Business Is The Business
Joe Soma is full of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s reappearance for his classy William Longsword four-year-old gelding Back In Business, who will attemp to make it four wins from five starts in a Middle Stakes race over 1200m.
Officially the 90 merit rated-horse has a tough task as the conditions of the race favour females.
He is 3kg under sufferance with the best weight runner Good Queen Bess according to official merit ratings and is 1,5kg out with Coldhardstare.
He is in fact officially the worst weighted runner in the field together with Texas Red.
However, this has not curbed Joe’s bullishness.
He said, “He has matured and is working well. I will be surprised if he comes off the bit. The only thing that worries me is the track.”
The track at this time of the year before the Summer rains arrive is usually quite hard and is a bit “dodgy”.
Formguides, Selections And Permutations For The Meeting Below:
R1
Preview: BARBARESCO (4) has run two fine seconds to two classy types, including finishing just 2,50 lengths behind the champion Sandringham Summit over 1160m so he will be hard to beat from a good draw here. POLICY OF TRUTH (2) has good forn over this trip and has a fair draw. LA MOOHAL (6) is by Vercingetorix out of a fair Trippi mare and could run well on debut from a fair draw. (4-2-6)
R2
Preview: WOMAN OF POWER (8) ran a fine second on debut and the form has been franked by the winner Cala Mureta who went on to win a Gr 2, but she has not raced since May. WHIRLYBIRD (1) is drawn in pole and has shown enough to have a shout. ONE RELIGION (7) has also shown ability and has a fair draw. (8-1-7)
R3
Preview: HEART PEAKS’ (1) good race over 1400m last time has been franked and being by Erupt out of a Kahal mare who won over 1450m gives her a chance of enjoing this trip. ANNEWITHAN E (2) has proven she enjoys middle distancee and should go close from pole position. OUTER DIMENSION (3) has only got 0,65 lengths to fine on Annewithan E. (1-2-3)
R4
Preview: ROYAL EDITION (1) looks ready to go one better than last time over a step up in trip which should suit and he has a fair draw. BIRTHRIGHT (8) made a good debut over 1200m and the William Longsword colt steps significantly up in trip but does have a tricky draw. HOUSE OF ROMANOV (2) is in good form and will be right there if able to overcome a wide draw. (1-8-2)
R5
CAPE LIGHTS (1) is the best weighted and has a shout, although being widely drawn over a trip on the sharp side will make it tough for this handy type, but Khumalo up will help her cause. TRENTINO (4) is well drawn and should enjoy this trip runnning fresh. SHARAPOVA (5) is 3kg under sufferance with Cape Lights but could still improve and has a fair draw over a suitable trip. (1-4-5)
R6
TAIL OF THE COMET (5) is full of promise and was only beaten by being too far back in a Gr 2 over 1200m last time, so can make amends from pole position over 1450m although Randjes has been without grass due to spring treatment so he won’t be fully wound up and this is a prep for the Ready To Run race in Cape Town at the end of October. ZINOVI (8), a half-brother to course and distance specialist Zouave, is drawn well over an ideal course and distance. MK’S DREAM’s (9) third place finish over 1600m last time was franked and he has a chance here although he has a tough draw. (5-8-9)
R7
Preview: BACK IN BUSINESS (5) is talented and ran two months ago so should be fit enough to go close from pole position off a merit rating he should rise above, although he is 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted Good Queen Bess. AUSSENKEHR (1) has consistent Highveld form and should be in the shake up. TSAR BOMBA (4) is talented and distance suited and should come into his own this season. (5-1-4)
R8
Preview: TROIS TROIS QUATRE (8) is considerably under sufferance but is on the up and has been eyecatching lately, so this race will be the acid test to prove whether he is up to having a tilt at the Summer Cup. PUERTO MANZANO (1) is distance suited and joint second best in at the weights despite giving lumps of weight away but this tight track would not be his favourite as he takes a while to get going in the straight. DUKE OF SUSSEX (2) is a talented horse but he will have to prove he stays this trip. (8-1-2)
R9
Preview: TOTAL SURRENDER (1) is in fine form and could continue to progress from a fair draw over a suitable trip. HAZLO GRANDE (3) comes out well on formlines, but does have a tricky draw to overcome. YOUCANTHURRYLOVE (6) has proven class and has been close up in his last two starts and at the weights has a chance of reversing form with Total Surrender but the Inside track might not be his favourite course. LUTHULI (7) was a bit disappointing last time out but is capable of earning here. MOTOWN MAGIC (5) also has the ability to earn here if bouncing back off a merit rating which has dropped significantly. (1-3-6-7-5)
Place Accumulator: (R216)
Leg 1: 1,2
Leg 2: 1,8,2
Leg 3: 1,4,5
Leg 4: 5,8,9
Leg 5: 5,1
Leg 6: 8,1
Leg 7: 1
Leg 1: 1,2
Leg 2: 1,8,2
Leg 3: 1,4,5
Leg 4: 5,8,9
Leg 5: 5,1
Leg 6: 8,1
Leg 7: 1
Pick 6: (R729)
Leg 1: 1,8,2
Leg 2: 1,4,5
Leg 3: 5,8,9
Leg 4: 5,1,4
Leg 5: 8,1,2
Leg 6: 1,3,6
Leg 1: 1,8,2
Leg 2: 1,4,5
Leg 3: 5,8,9
Leg 4: 5,1,4
Leg 5: 8,1,2
Leg 6: 1,3,6
Jackpot: (R81)
Leg 1: 1,4,5
Leg 2: 5,8,9
Leg 3: 5,1,4
Leg 4: 8,1,2
Best Bet:
Race 1: 4
Value Bet:
Race 8: 8
Silver Sword after earning a massive cheque at the York Ebor meeting with Greg Cheyne aboard (Rory Fraser Photography).
Dylan Cunha’s Silver Sword Prominent In The Cambridgeshire Betting
Former Summerveld-based Summer Cup-winning trainer Dylan Cunha continues to make waves in the U.K. where he has had eleven wins this season at a fine strike rate of 19%.
One of his winners has been the Charm Spirit gelding Silver Sword, who he has entered in a Listed race over a mile at Sandown on Wednesday (September 20) and this classy grey also holds an entry for the famous Bet365 Cambridgeshire over a mile and a furlong at Newmarket on September 30, which has a first prize of £103,080.
Dylan said, “He is flying. He’s come out of York well. I’ve got him in a Listed Race at Sandown on Wednesday. That is plan A if the ground stays good. If it rains we may look at the Cambridgeshire, but I’m not convinced it’s the right race for him.”
Silver Sword is an ante-post 20/1 for the Cambridgeshire, which has en entry of 75 horses and those odds make hlim the joint-seventh favourite.
Dylan has done wonders with this horse, especially considering he refused to race in both of his starts as a two-year-old.
First up as a three-year-old this season the grey cruised in by 3,25 lengths over a mile on the Southwell All Weather track under another South African ex-pat, Greg Cheyne.
He then ran a magnificent second in a big handicap over a mile and two furlongs at Epsom on Derby day, which earned him a cheque of £18,127.50.
He followed with another 3,25 length win over a mile at Pontefract.
He then finished seventh in a lucrative handicap over a mile and two furlongs at Goodwood.
Silver Sword then had his finest hour when winning a Heritage Handicap over a mile at the major York Ebor meeting, earning a massive cheque of £51,540 (R1,221,498).
His current official rating is 97.
Greg Cheyne has ridden him in all of his starts this season.
Keagan de Melo after his first win in Hong Kong (Picture: Kenneth Chan)
Keagan De Melo Speaks After His Hong Kong Breakthrough
The South China Morning Post published a detailed report on Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting, which was a memorable one for South African ex-pats Keagan de Melo and Luke Ferraris. Read it below.
Keagan de Melo tastes maiden Hong Kong success, while Andrea Atzeni announces his return
by Sam Agarson (South China Morning Post)
South African teams up with ‘King of the Valley’ Caspar Fownes to hit the board with just his fourth ride in the city
Keagan de Melo tasted success with just his fourth Hong Kong ride, while Andrea Atzeni saluted in the city for the first time since 2014 at the opening Happy Valley meeting of the season on Wednesday night.
After three rides at double-figure odds on Sunday, South African De Melo took his chance aboard $3.3 second favourite Valhalla for “King of the Valley” Caspar Fownes in the Class Five Yi O Handicap (1,200m).
“Everyone says how tough it is [in Hong Kong]. To get a break through like this very early, I’m very lucky to be in this position,” De Melo said.
“It’s a good start, and I enjoy these types of courses. Hopefully, it can be onwards and upwards from here. Thank you very much to Caspar and his team for the opportunity.”
Fownes snaring the first Valley race of the season would have surprised no one, but the finishing burst of Valhalla certainly turned a few heads.
After finding the rail from barrier four, De Melo went for the inside run in the home straight but after that disappeared about 200m from home, he was forced to steady the six-year-old and bring him around the two leaders.
“I had a nice rails run, but it closed up and I had to switch out. There were nervous times up the straight, but I managed to get out in time, which is the main thing,” De Melo said.
Fownes was pleased to see his decision to back up Valhalla off his fifth at Sha Tin on Sunday pay off – with the son of Ocean Park finally saluting at start 17 – and just as happy to give De Melo a crucial early kick along.
“This horse has been such a disappointment. He backed up really well. It was not a nice watch at the 200m, but luckily, he switched off their heels and put them to sleep very quickly,” Fownes said.
“We know how important an early winner is for a jockey in this place. Obviously, the guy can ride, being champion of South Africa. He’s obviously got talent, and it’s like anything – if you get the opportunities, you can perform. I’ll throw a few decent rides his way, and I’m sure others will start to support him. I wish him the best.”
Just like he did in his first Hong Kong stint – a five-week stay in 2014 – Atzeni hit the board at his second meeting, taking out the second section of the Class Four Tai O Handicap (1,200m) aboard Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s Mega Bonus.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and it’s nice to get back. Only my second meeting back in Hong Kong, to bag a winner [is great],” Atzeni said.
“I must say Ricky has been very supportive from the minute I arrived. Between barrier trials and galloping horses, he’s been using me quite a lot, and it’s nice to grab my first winner for him.”
Elsewhere, last season’s most successful Valley trainer, Francis Lui Kin-wai, continued his strong start to the season with a double.
After Joy Coming took out the first section of the Tai O Handicap under Keith Yeung Ming-lun, Luke Ferraris speared the impressive Hameron to victory in the Class Three Ngong Ping Handicap (1,650m) to complete Lui’s brace.
Derek Leung Ka-chun and Ferraris shared the riding honours, with Leung slotting a running double thanks to the wins of Kowloon East Star and Harmony N Blessed, while Ferraris also delivered aboard Xponential.
Mauritzfontein mares bedded down for the night. That is Met winner Smart Call on the extreme right (Picture: John Lewis).
Mauritzfontein Mares Live In The Lap Of Luxury
The pictures above and below taken by John Lewis at dusk at Mauritzfontein Stud speak more than a thousand words.
Mauritzfontein broodmares Franny and Carraig Aonair lead a group of colleagues back into the main stable block to be bedded down for the evening.
Barry Steenkamp passes at the age of 80 (via Facebook)
Former East Cape Trainer Barry Steenkamp Passes
Barry passed away suddenly and peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening after reportedly suffering from recent health complications.
The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation announced his passing last last night on facebook and added they found solace in that “he is now with his beloved Reeva.”
Barry is survived by his wife June and two children, Simone and Adam.
The foundation said he was a blessing to many.
They added he would be remembered with love and great fondness.
Barry trained for many years and a measure of his success is that in the 2009/2010 season he had 50 wins at a strike rate of 9% and 105 places at 27.9%.
Francois Herholdt rode 39 wins for his yard between the 2007/2008 season and 2015/2016, the season in which he had his last runner.
One of Barry’s best horses in that period was Sudden Time.
This Australian-bred by Strategic arrived in the East Cape from the Highveld a one-time winner and between May 2009 and November 2009 won six races for the Steenkamp yard.
Barry joined forces with Dorrie Sham for a couple of seasons and they had 38 wins together in the 2011/2012 season and 27 the following season.
Condolences to family and friends of Barry.
Arrest and Frankie Dettori win the Chester Vase (Skysports.com)
St Leger: Shock Jockey Switch As Frankie Dettori Rides Arrest
Dettori plumps for Frankel colt ahead of ante-post favourite Gregory at Doncaster
Skysports.com
Dettori had looked set to ride Royal Ascot winner Gregory in his final Doncaster Classic; however, the rain-softened ground looks to have changed his mind and he now partners Arrest for the John & Thady Gosden team; Kieran Shoemark will now ride Gregory.
Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride Arrest rather than Royal Ascot winner Gregory in Saturday’s Betfred St Leger at Doncaster – his final ride in a British Classic.
Dettori had looked sure to partner the John and Thady Gosden-trained Gregory given the way he won the Queen’s Vase in June over the St Leger trip – but Kieran Shoemark will now step into the breach.
Gregory only lost his unbeaten record last time out when dropping down to a mile and a half in the Great Voltigeur at York behind the re-opposing Continuous.
However, recent rain at Doncaster has turned the ground soft meaning Dettori will have a second chance at Classic glory on the Gosdens’ Arrest, who was sent off favourite for the Derby but could finish only tenth on good to firm ground.
He also disappointed on quick ground at Royal Ascot but was impressive back on a soft surface at Newbury against older horses in the Geoffrey Freer last time out.
The Clarehaven stable also has a fine third string in the supplemented Middle Earth (Oisin Murphy), a hugely impressive winner of the Melrose at York’s Ebor meeting.
The King and Queen have a real live chance of tasting success in a British Classic with the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero, himself a Royal Ascot winner, albeit in handicap company in the King George V Stakes.
He subsequently won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, narrowly beating Simon and Ed Crisford’s Chesspiece and the two will lock horns again.
Aidan O’Brien runs four, Great Voltigeur winner Continuous, Alexandroupolis, Denmark and Tower Of London meaning there were no withdrawals at the 48-hour stage.
Rosallion has been selected by the At The Races tipster to win the opening event at the Doncaster St. Leger meeting, the Group 2 Betfred Champagne Stakes. (Racing TV).
Doncaster Saturday Formguides And Selections
At The Races
(SA Times)
1 2:50 PM – Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
This year’s Champagne Stakes is all about ROSALLION, who hasn’t put a foot wrong in his two starts to date and this looks a good opportunity to continue his winning thread. Richard Hannon’s colt was very impressive when making mincemeat of a Listed field at Ascot and is expected to continue his ascent towards the top. Iberian might pose him the most questions after a good second in the Vintage Stakes. Mountain Bear was just behind Charlie Hills’ youngster at Glorious Goodwood and heads the remainder.
Top Tip: ROSALLION (4)
Watch out for: IBERIAN (1)
2 3:25 PM – Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap)
CALL ME GINGER arrives on a hat-trick after wins at Chester and Ascot, and he can defend his crown. Jim Goldie’s sprinter is running off a 2lb higher mark than when he was promoted to first in this contest last year, at the expense of Chipstead, and that may not halt his progression. Better can be expected from Intrinsic Bond after he struggled to land a blow when sent off a well-backed favourite at York, while Stewards’ Cup hero Aberama Gold commands respect with cut in the ground likely. Throw Happy Romance, Makanah and Get It into the mix too.
Top Tip: CALL ME GINGER (19)
Watch out for: INTRINSIC BOND (8)
3 4:00 PM – Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2)
SPYCATCHER has been a model of consistency this term and he appears primed to offer another bold bid. Karl Burke’s charge was only just touched off in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last month and this extra yardage seems likely to see him to even better effect. Audience is the highest rated of these and ranks as the biggest danger after a close second in the City Of York Stakes. Sandrine, who finished a head behind in third on the Knavesmire, should also be challenging at the line.
Top Tip: SPYCATCHER (5)
Watch out for: AUDIENCE (1)
4 4:35 PM – Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
The recent rain on Town Moor sees Frankie Dettori switch from Queen Vase’s hero Gregory to beaten Derby favourite ARREST and that factor is likely to make a big difference. The former lost his unbeaten record when a one-paced third to Continuous in the Great Voltigeur, and the York winner also has questions to answer, with the combination of softer ground and the extra couple of furlongs potentially not suiting Aidan O’Brien’s colt. Arrest bounced back from failures on ground faster than ideal in the Derby and at Royal Ascot when taking the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. Testing conditions are clearly important to the son of Frankel and the extra yardage promises to yield further improvement. Desert Hero has progressed nicely this season, with victories at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, the latter occasion seeing him get the better of Chesspiece. Melrose winner Middle Earth, who was supplemented earlier in the week, is another with solid credentials.
Top Tip: ARREST (2)
Watch out for: GREGORY (7)
5 5:10 PM – PJ Towey Construction Handicap
LA YAKEL had a perfectly valid excuse for his Shergar Cup defeat when his rider Joao Moreira appeared to feel something go amiss at a crucial point. The four-year-old has been given a month to recover and remains capable of further progression based on his return effort when runner-up at Ascot in July. Symbol Of Light ran with plenty of credit on his debut for Julie Camacho at Newcastle and is respected up in trip. Akhu Najla is now tried in blinkers and could bounce back from an ordinary York performance.
Top Tip: LA YAKEL (3)
Watch out for: SYMBOL OF LIGHT (1)
6 5:45 PM – British EBF 40th Anniversary Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (Str)
BELLUM JUSTUM showed marked improvement from his first to his second start when runner-up at Newmarket and with further progress expected, he can get off the mark. Deira Mile didn’t do himself any favours when racing wide and running about a bit on his debut at Sandown, but the fact he was beaten just half a length says much about his ability. Redhot Whisper and well-bred newcomer God’s Window can also have a say in proceedings.
Top Tip: BELLUM JUSTUM (1)
Watch out for: DEIRA MILE (3)
7 6:20 PM – Hippo Pro 3 Sealant Handicap (Str)
SONNY LISTON has long threatened to land one of these valuable mile handicaps, and today could be the day with Ryan Moore keeping the partnership intact. Ralph Beckett’s charge has a head to make up with Spirit Catcher (third) from his recent fourth at York but is 2lb better off, while last year’s second in this contest, Empirestateofmind, is another leading contender. Completing the shortlist are the likes of Blue For You, Liberty Lane and The Gatekeeper.
Top Tip: SONNY LISTON (2)
Watch out for: SPIRIT CATCHER (7)
Tent Town on Hollywoodbets Durban July day (Hollywoodbets Durban July)
Today’s Question
How did the Hollywoodbets Durban July day’s famous “tent town” all begin?
