Picture: Captain’s Ransom cruises to victory under Richard Fourie in her seasonal reappearance at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. (Wayne Marks).

Captain’s Ransom Gives Fans A Taste Of Things To Come

The Justin Snaith-trained daughter of Captain Al had her first race as a five-year-old mare over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today and thrilled the onlookers as she stamped her class.

She was admittedly well treated at the weights according to official merit ratings and she has a phenomenal record running fresh, but it was still a sight to behold her superb acceleration in the short straight of the winter course.

Richard Fourie had her in midfield one out in the eight horse field and wasn’t concerned about the gap that opened up between her and the front three, who were led by Captain Of Stealth.

By the time they had reached the false rail in the straight her big, flowing stride had already taken her on to the heels of this vanguard.

Her customary flat spot would not have had many punters anxious because she still clearly had plenty in the tank as they reached the 200m mark.

Fourie then got to work and she gave fans a taste of what is to come in the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing by accelerating to the front in effortless style.

She was just doing what was required of her and didn’t do anything exhilarating – she will save that for the big ones.

Yet she still won by an easy 2,25 lengths.

Firealley, who was 8kg under sufferance with the winner, finished second and was followed by pacemaker Captain Of Stealth.

The 97-rated Future Prince will be a warm order in a handicap next time as he was beaten just 3,20 lengths into fourth and was 8,5kg under sufferance with Captain’s Ransom.

Do It Again attempted to track Captain’s Ransom around the final turn and chased her in the straight, but could not match her pace.

He was carrying 62kg but was only 2kg under sufferance with her.

He strode out well over this too sharp trip to be beaten 4,45 lengths.

Waterberry Lane needed it and was beaten 4,95 lengths.

Gainsford was given too much to do and was beaten 9,20 lengths.

It was way too sharp for One Way Traffic, but he didn’t sparkle and was beaten 13,45 lengths.

Racing fans will now wait on tenterhooks to see where Captain’s Ransom goes next.

The big question is whether she will defend her Paddock Stakes crown in early January or instead go for the clash everybody wants to see against stable companion Jet Dark in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Picture: Kommetdieding (Wayne Marks).

Sprinters Or Broodmares — Bring ’em On, Says Kommetdieding

The Citizen

Jockey Gavin Lerena – a former national champion who has ridden a few decent horses in his time – commented after Saturday’s The Bantry Bay Stakes at Kenilworth: “I have never been so fast!”

He had just finished runner-up in the 1200m sprint – aboard the wonderful Kommetdieding, best known for his middle-distance and stamina prowess.

It’s an old racing maxim that very best racehorses can win over any distance put before them.

Yes, Kommetdieding didn’t quite win, but he was the winner “two strides past the post”, according to bloodstock agent extraordinaire John Freeman.

The excellence of the performance can be gauged by three factors:

1. Despite his staying pedigree and his race record, Kommetdieding travelled faster than a group of accomplished sprinters – bar winner Surjay, for whom the winning post arrived in the nick of time.

2. He carried a steadying 62kg.

3. It was his first sight of a racecourse in nearly four months, following a well-earned rest after a torrid winter campaign.

Agent Freeman had reason to be especially interested in Kommetdieding’s first outing as a five-year-old, for he had spent the previous week putting together a syndicate for the famous five-year-old’s entire career at stud, starting sometime in 2023. Who wouldn’t get excited about a stallion prospect that can win over 2200m and 1200m?

Kommetdieding’s owner Ashwin Reynolds approached Freeman and John Koster, the boss of Klawervlei farm where Kommetdieding was born, with the prospect of forming a sire syndicate.

Such syndicates are cagey about values, so we don’t have any numbers. Whatever the price of a share, however, it wasn’t too much for the market.

“Not surprisingly, given his superb race record, fine physique and classic pedigree, shares in Kommetdieding were sold out overnight,” said Freeman on Monday.

“Kommetdieding ticks a whole bunch of boxes… He is a good-looking, sound horse who has more than proved himself at the very highest level.

“The rags to riches story of the humble colt who went from obscurity to the unique Durban July/Cape Town Met double will go down in history as one of the great stories in South African racing folklore.”

Indeed, the horse’s charisma and popularity will help in marketing him to broodmare owners. But his record will be the big factor.

He has won or placed in 13 of 15 starts, has won or placed in six Grade 1 races, and has already earned more than R3.7-million in stakes. Trainer Michelle Rix has targeted the forthcoming L’Ormarins King’s Plate and Met, so those stake earnings could end up a lot higher.

Those eager people who grabbed a share of the stud career will be part of the ownership for Kommetdieding’s remaining races.

Cape Breeders has this to say about Kommetdieding’s pedigree: “From the powerful Sadler’s Wells male line, the son of Equus champion and consistently successful sire Elusive Fort, Kommetdieding is out of a speedy, stakes-placed daughter of Klawervlei Stud’s legendary sire Captain Al.

“Not only is Kommetdieding’s dam Adorable a three-parts sister to triple Grade 1 winner Captain America, she is directly descended in female line from one of the most influential broodmares in the stud book.”

The note about the “speedy” mother is interesting.

Owner Reynold’s came up with the fabulous name Kommetdieding, which, in the Cape township patois of his youth, means “bring it on”. That now applies as much to his stud career as the bravado of his racing days.

Picture: Peach Daiquiri (Pauline Herman Photography).

Peach Daiquiri Causing A Cocktail Of Emotions In Gqeberha

Gqeberha, often called ‘The Windy City’, is known for its remarkable beaches, ancient forts and museums. Soon, blowing into Cape Town, will be an unbeaten three-year-old named Peach Daiquiri – a filly that has fans in her home town as excited as they were in the days of their home-bred international performers Bold Silvano and Lizard’s Desire.

Peach Daiquiri is unbeaten in three impressive starts at Fairview and, with soundness, a touch of class and an impressive pedigree on her side, she’ll be a worthy G1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas contender on 3 December at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Importantly, too, Peach Daiquiri’s owners hold a ticket to the rich and exciting R7,5-million Gold Rush on WSB Met Day, 28 January 2023. Her owners, the Playgate SA Syndicate (Nom: Mr Furkhat Ibragimov) & Sharon Kotzen Racing bought into the race following her runaway debut win. They acquired the 16^th Prospector’s Ticket.

Playgate SA’s Racing Manager, Rob Champion, commented: “We don’t want to make our geese look like swans, but Peach Daiquiri does look special and we’re all excited. Sharon picked her at the 2021 Premier Sale and we paid only R100,000 for her, an absolute steal considering her pedigree. She’s by a star stallion in Vercingetorix from a Querari mare, that’s the same cross as last year’s G1 Guineas winner Chansonette; and comes from the family of Punta Arenas and Paraca.”

Peach Daiquiri ran right away from her opposition in her first start over 1200m at Fairview in July before narrowly beating G1-placed Ekoria over the same course and distance in October, stepping up from her Maiden into a MR90 handicap. “She beat a truly poor field first time out, but showed tenacity and class getting up from a G1 campaigner right after that. Then, last week, Peach Daiquiri beat Ekoria by 5,25-lengths in the Guineas Plate over 1400m when she was 3,5kg worse off. Most racing pundits expected Ekoria to turn the tables, but our filly showed how progressive she was.”

Peach Daiquiri’s rating was adjusted to MR100 this week. Champion reckoned that was more or less correct considering Ekoria’s rating of 109.

He revealed the stable’s plans with her for the next few weeks: “Peach Daiquiri will be leaving for Cape Town soon and she’ll be based at Glen Kotzen’s Woodhill Estate. Sharon will be there overseeing her preparation. The filly is just blossoming. She’s fresh as a daisy following last week’s run.”

Peach Daiquiri will be partnered in her Cape campaign by Raymond Danielson and Champion explained: “Louis Mxothwa rides most of our horses, but being the stable jockey to Brett Crawford he will have commitments in the Guineas and the Gold Rush. We had meetings with Raymond, a jock with big-race temperament, and decided that he’ll be riding her in her next few starts. He won on her last week, got a feel for her and we believe it’s important now to keep this partnership as it is, in Peach Daiquiri’s big engagements.”

Playgate SA is a welcome and important new addition to the ranks of South African owners and Champion said: “Furkhat Ibragimov is loving the ownership journey so far and he is hugely excited about racing Peach Daiquiri in the Gold Rush. He’s a young businessman based in London, and keen to make inroads in the racing industry.”

Playgate SA has already invested in 15 horses, based around the country with Kotzen, Alec Laird, Shane Humby and Piet Botha. “Several of them are unraced and we’re crossing fingers there will be a few more talented ones among them,” Champion said.

Picture: Rain In Holland completes the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara by winning the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks (JC Photos).

Rain In Holland Out Of Betway Summer Cup

Jack Milner (4Racing)

Rain In Holland, winner of last season’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, has been withdrawn from the Betway Summer Cup.

Declarations for the R2.5million Grade 1 race over 2000m on the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday November 26 close at 11am on Monday.

While trainer Sean Tarry has pulled Rain In Holland out of the Betway Summer Cup, the four-year-old daughter of Duke Of Marmalade still holds an entry for the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge for fillies and mares over 1600m on the same day.

In May, Tarry announced that Rain In Holland had been withdrawn from both the Woolavingon 2000 and the Hollywoodbets Durban July, explaining she had been diagnosed with an entrapped epiglottis and needed “a corrective procedure”.

She returned to racing in a Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m at Turffontein on 29 October, and while the distance is patently too short for her, it was disappointing to see Rain In Holland complete the race at the rear of the field, although she finished just seven lengths behind winner Bon Vivant.

Rain In Holland is one of four horses on the final Betway Summer Cup log to be withdrawn from the race prior to declarations. The others are dual Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile winner Bingwa who has yet to prove he can be competitive over 2000m at this level, Gold Cup winner Shangani and Zeus.

The scratchings have now resulted in trainer Mike de Kock having the top three runners on the bookmakers’ boards, and they are the only ones priced in single figures.

Durban July champion Sparkling Water holds the top spot as the 22-10 favourite with Safe Harbour just a point behind her on 5-2.

The biggest market mover has been SA Derby champion Aragosta who is now trading at 6-1. The Rafeef gelding had his comeback run this season in the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein and finished 8.75 lengths off winner Litigation.

However, he was drawn No 16 of 17 runners and never really got into the race. No doubt we will see a marked improvement in the Betway Summer Cup.

Latest betting:

22-10 Sparkling Water

5-2 Safe Passage

6-1 Aragosta

11-1 Puerto Manzano

12-1 Litigation

14-1 William Robertson

15-1 Red Saxon

16-1 Nebraas

20-1 Pyromaniac

33-1 MK’s Pride, Perfect Witness, Outofthedarkness

50-1 Light Of The Moon, Pink Tourmaline, Astrix, Second Base, Super Silvano

55-1 Pamushana’s Pride

100-1 Jamaila, Shango, Zillzaal

125-1 Imperial Ruby, Marigold Hotel

150-1 Raiseahallelujah, Divine Odyssey

200-1 Clafoutis

300-1 Motown Magic

Picture: Safe Passage (far side) and Aragosta are 2nd and 3rd favourites respectively for the Bet Way Summer Cup behind their Mike de Kock-trained stablemate Sparkling Water (Candiese Lenferna).

Late Summer Cup Field Keeps Punters In The Dark

Organisers leave it late to announce the field

David Mollett (Business Day)

Have the organisers erred in announcing the field for the R2.5m Betway Summer Cup just five days before the race is run?

That’s the question being asked with the 20-horse line-up at Turffontein due to be released only next Monday.

“There’s no strong interest in the Summer Cup for the simple reason nobody knows what’s running and which jockeys are riding who,” said highveld bookmaker Lance Michael on Wednesday.

Michael said that the field for the Durban July is always announced 10-14 days before the race is run.

Racing publications are on the streets 24 hours later allowing punters plenty of time to study form and place early bets if they so desire.

Nevertheless, according to a 4Racing media release following the race’s launch at Turffontein last week, a great day’s racing is in prospect with a large crowd expected at the city track.

4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe said: “We are excited for the return of the highly anticipated Betway Summer Cup, the people’s race, and one of the most exciting days on the SA horseracing calendar.

“With a group of dynamic sponsors and partners on board, 4Racing aims to create an unforgettable horseracing experience filled with electric racing, fantastic entertainment and an amazing day on the track for all punters.”

Phillip Superamonien, Betway SA manager, said: “Betway is extremely honoured to become the headline sponsor of the Summer Cup. This opportunity allows us to innovatively demonstrate our fully fledged offering to our ever growing and diverse customer base.

“We’re sincerely committed to playing our part to re-energise the horseracing industry and will continue to do so.”

Picture: Tsar Bomba (JC Photos).

Tsar To Blow Them Away At The Vaal

Jack Milner (4Racing)

Johan Janse van Vuuren has his yard on a winning roll right now and he can add another victory to his tally with Tsar Bomba at the Vaal Classic track on Thursday.

The Gimmethegreenlight gelding lines up in Race 2, a MR 95 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1450m.

Tsar Bomba has only run twice, winning by 5.25 lengths on debut over 1200m on the Inside track at Turffontein and then finishing a 4.50-length third behind stablemate Moonshiningthrough over the same course and distance in his second start.

He was well supported last time to go off at 13-10 but lost ground at the start and the race just got way from him.

But while some may see that run as disappointing, there were many positives for supporters of Tsar Bomba to take out of that race. The two runners who finished ahead of him both produced excellent follow up performances.

Winner Moonshiningthrough went on to win his next start, beating best-weighted 9-10 favourite Desert Miracle by a neck while second-placed Swing Upon A Star ran third behind Tamarisk Tree and Quantum Theory in a Graduation Plate over 1400m.

The distance should prove no barrier for Tsar Bomba as his dam, Work Ethic, won her races over 1800m and 2000m.

Log-leading jockey Keagan de Melo takes the ride.

The main threat should come from Rule By Force trained by Joe Soma. He too has only run twice for a win on debut and a 0.60-length third behind After Hours over 1450m. Both his runs were also on the Turffontein Inside track.

Rule By Force lost ground at the start in both his races and that surely cost him a second win last time as he made up ground hand over fist in the closing stages. That form has also been franked as fifth-placed Irontail came out to win his next start.

The handicappers have appraised Tsar Bomba’s performances more highly as he is rated six points higher, but that means he will be giving Rule By Force 3kg.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 12 World’s Best, 5 Ngokushesha, 8 Quixote, 4 Kambulu

Race 2: 4 Tsar Bomba, 6 Rule By Force, 3 Star Coin, 2 Acorn

Race 3: 3 Last Cheer, 1 Mirren, 9 Ponderosa Pine, 5 Cape Bouquet

Race 4: 3 San Quintin, 2 Player, 8 Parker Getrix, 7 Apache Fighter

Race 5: 2 Whafeef, 7 Kotinos, 6 Leopold, 1 Reunion

Race 6: 2 Electric Gold, 10 Eye Of The Prophet, 6 Tirpitz, 1 Tabebuia

Race 7: 1 Iphiko, 4 Rozara, 3 Big Eyed Girl, 7 Show Time

Race 8: 1 Rose For Trippi, 7 Lil Miss Moneybags, 2 Silver Winter, 10 Looking Hot

Race 9: 4 Admiralty Arch, 5 Funky Music, 7 Stolen Thunder, 6 Irontail

BEST BET

Race 2 No 4 Tsar Bomba

VALUE BET

Race 9 No 4 Admiralty Arch

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 4×6

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3

Leg 4: 2, 6, 7

Leg 5: 2, 6, 10

Leg 6: 1, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 3, 9

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 2, 10

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 7

Leg 7: 4, 5, 7

PICK 6

R1728

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 7

Leg 6: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 10

Leg 3: 1, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7

JACKPOT 2

R144

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 10

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13

Picture: The Ridgemont Highlands-bred Brett Crawford-trained Happy Chance (Dynasty), ridden by Louis Mxothwa, gave the Hollywood Syndicate the first leg of a double today (Wayne Marks).

Fourie/Snaith Treble, Mxothwa/Crawford Double, Hollywood Double

Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith continued their devastating recent form at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today with a treble together.

Snaith must be odds on to take this year’s National Trainers title and Keagan de Melo will be looking over his shoulder at the Fourie tornado which is advancing rapidly up the Jockeys table.

Fourie is now on 58 wins, one behind third-placed S’Manga Khumalo, three behind second-placed Muzi Yeni and 38 behind the leader De Melo.

His wins have come at a strike rate of 19.53%.

Snaith has had 46 wins at a strike rate of 13.73% and in stakes is well clear of Gavin Smith and Brett Crawford, who are close together in second third place place respectively.

Crawford had a double today, both ridden by Luyolo Mxothwa.

Crawford’s 39 winners this season have come at a 18.14% strike rate.

Mxothwa has had 46 wins at 19.09%.

The Hollywood Syndicate had their second double of the week and go to 42 wins for the season.

Picture: Tommy Docherty, who spent most of his career playing for Preston North End, earned 83 caps for Arsenal before becoming player/manager at Chelsea. He managed Manchester United, among other clubs, from 1972-1977.

Today’s Question

Tommy Docherty, a famous player and manager for Scotland, made the following enlightening quote about “the beautiful game”, “Players taught to watch the man with the ball leaves them totally unprepared for the next move, which is always dictated by a player without the ball.”

But what amusing quote did he make about racing?

Answer at bottom of newsletter.