The imposing Dave The King after winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Richard Fourie will be riding the fancied Mike de Kock-trained Dave The King in the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup as Muzi Yeni, who rode him to victory in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, is staying loyal to the Nathan Kotzen-trained Royal Victory.

Dave The King has been prepared out of Summerveld and De Kock said he was “very well”.

The Champions Cup often favours the fresher horses who have avoided the Hollywoodbets Durban July and Dave The King fits that bill.

He was drawn six out of twelve in the Gold Challlenge and is drawn 12 out of the 13 entries for the Champions Cup.

However, De Kock believes the field will cut up and not be a big one, although he said he might be wrong, because as he pointed out in South Africa connections “are not scared to run at level weights against 130 rated horses.”

In any case the big Global View gelding might be better suited to a wider draw as he likes to use his massive stride and would not want to be stuck behind horses.

He won from a one out handy position in the Gold Challenge.

Since being gelded he has been more relaxed in the running and is thus not easy to catch in the straight when kicking for home and stretching that stride to its impressive full length.

Mike concluded, “It’s a tough race, it is mapping out to be one of the better races of the season.”

De Kock runs Aragosta in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m.

He said about the Rafeef gelding’s Hollywoodbets Durban July run, “He never raised a gallop. He is just a funny horse at Greyville, unfortunately. If he doesn’t get a good early position he doesn’t normally run well at Greyville, it’s not his favourite track.

The yard run the Time Thief gelding Waheed in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m. He finished a 1,50 length third in the Listed Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m before finishing a 4,55 length sixth in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over the same Hollywoodbets Greyville 1400m course and distance.

Mike said, “He wants a mile and more and he will take his chances. It will be tough to turn the tables (on the Sean Tarry-trained pair Cosmic Speed and Proceed), but it will be interesting to see how close to them he can get over a mile.”

Imported Irish-bred champion A Case Of You has settled in well in his new spectacular surrounds at Drakenstein Stud (Picture: Drakenstein Stud)

The Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes winner Humdinger has been retired and has been purchased by Drakenstein Stud, whose star-studded broodmare band she will be joining as soon as travel protocols allow.

A mating for the five-year-old Ridgemont-bred What A Winter mare has not yet been decided.

Meanwhile, new imported stallion A Case Of You (Hot Streak) has arrived at Drakenstein and racing manager Kevin Sommerville said, “It’s exciting. It’s nice to see him and he’s looking well. I think breeders will like him. We’re looking forward to seeing the reaction from breeders. They are welcome to phone and come and have a look at him.”

It is apparent the country’s reigning champion breeders believe they have landed a coup by bringing A Case Of You out here.

Kevin said, “He was an outstanding racehorse and it is not often a champion in Europe comes to South Africa. He was the champion sprinter of Ireland and won two Gr 1s including the Prix de l’Abbaye , which is the same race Var won. We are looking really, really forward to what he throws. Hopefully he can have an impact on the South African bloodlines. We’re thinking that he won a very similar race to Var and like Var he’s a champion sprinter in Europe. Var made a huge impact in South Africa and we’re thinking along those same lines.”

The stalwart Duke Of Marmalade champion Rain In Holland is due to foal down soon in the same paddocks in which she was born and brought up (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Drakenstein Stud are also looking forward to the first foals of some of their most prominent first season mares.

Their homebred three-time Gr 1-winning Triple Tiara heroine Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade) is in foal to boom sire Vercingetorix and is due to foal down on September 2.

Duke Of Marmalade is by Danzig’s son Danehill, while Vercingetorix is out of a mare by Danzig’s son National Assembly, so there should be plenty of speed as well as class in this match.

Drakenstein’s homebred Gr 2 Track And Ball Oaks winner Pink Tourmaline (Futura) is in foal to Gimmethegreenlight. Pink Tourmaline also won a Listed race over 2000m. She is out of a Trippi mare and Gimmethegreenlight should also bring some speed to the pedigree. She is due to foal down on August 24.

Drakenstein homebred mare Sheela is in foal to Danon Platina. Sheela  is also out of a Trippi mare and she was very quick despite being by the Galileo stallion The United States. She won the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m as well as a Listed race over 1000m and she got a Gr 1 third in the Allan Robertson Championship and a Gr 1 fourth in the Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint. Sheela is due to foal down on August 14. Danon Platina’s overdue first stakes winner, Great Plains, is a Drakenstein-bred out of a Var mare and hopefully the fast Sheela matched with this Japanese-bred sire will have the same impact.

The Drakenstein homebred Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 winner Silver Darling (Silvano) is in foal to Gimmethegreenlight and is due to foal down on August 27.

Foaling season is an interesting time of the year and Drakenstein Stud’s foals are eagerly awaited by many in the industry every year.

An unexpected update to the stakes statistics for the season has caused consternation to some punters who  dabbled in the Trainers Championship betting market.

Justin Snaith was about R1,3 million ahead of Sean Tarry after Hollywoodbets Durban July day and a number of punters took a dip at the 5/1 odds that were offered about Tarry to win the championship as he looks to have a potentially stronger hand than Snaith at the lucrative World Pool Gold Cup meeting on July 28.

The rain in the Western Cape has also been having an effect on Snaith’s overall campaign.

His  lead was down to R1,2 million by the beginning of this week and Tarry had shortened into about 14/10 on some boards with Snaith drifting out from 1/5 to about 4/10.

Howewver there was consternation from those who were on Tarry when, without there having been any racing, Snaith’s stakes total increased by a significant amount today, meaning his lead is now suddenly R1 474 587.

This was apparently due to the results on December 23 last year not having been submitted until today.

Vee Moodley, CEO of the National Horseracing Authority, has promised a full investigation into the matter.

CLICK HERE TO READ VEE MOODLEY’S STATEMENT ON THE ISSUE 

Meanwhile, Hollywoodbets have not surprisingly removed the Trainers Championship item from their betting menu.

Hollywoodbets Durbanville will stage one of the added meetings (Picture: Terrance Welch) 

In a welcome move a further two meetings have been added to the Western Cape racing program to make up for meetings lost to the rain this month.

The Western Cape will consequently have three meetings next week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday as well as a meeting on the following Tuesday.

A meeting with a potential ten races will take place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday 22 July on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Old (Winter) Course.

A meeting which will potentially have nine races will take place at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Thursday July 25.

The scheduled meeting on Saturday July 27 on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Old course, which has a potential eleven races, will include the three R200,000 Non-Black Type Winter Country Championship finals that were supposed to be run on July 20.

There will also be a meeting with a potential ten races at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth old course on Tuesday July 30.

These meetings will be welcomed by owners and trainers and hopefully the same will happen in other provinces when there is an unexpectedly high number of abandoned meetings.

A Cape Racing press release today provided the details:

Further to the earlier release of today’s abandonment, Cape Racing can confirm that the meeting scheduled for this Saturday, July 20th, will also be abandoned.

Elembee has a good chance in the seventh race but will have to live up to her pedigree and prove she stays the 2000m trip (JC Photos)

Turffontein Inside stages a nine race meeting on Thursday and Elembee is fancied to take the highest rated race on the day, race seven, a MR 94 Handicap for filies and mares over 2000m.

Elembee will likely have to be dropped out from her wide draw of seven out of eight, like she was last time over 1600m. She was unlucky on that occasion as she encountered traffic problems when running on strongly down the inside. She might well have otherwise won that race. She is by Durban July winner Pomodoro out of a five-time winning Casey Tibbs mare who won twice over 2000m so on pedigree she is looking for this trip. The cheek piece-wearing filly does take a fair hold, but if Craig Zackey can settle her well enough she will have one less horse to overtake than last time and will have more time to do it over this trip. Little Marysunshine is talented and needs a good draw being a handy type and she should do well from draw two, although she would probably prefer a touch shorter and she is quite high in the handicap off a 97 meaning she has to carry 61,5kg. Rani Of Kittur won at her first attempt at a middle distance trip having never been disgraced against decent fields after winning on debut over 1160m, so she could be ahead of the handicapper off an 81 and she is well drawn in three and sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight of 52kg. I Am Regal has decent form over middle distance trips and will enjoy the step back in trip after running a fair race over 2400m last time. Rosy Lemon is ideally distance suited, but is four points higher than her last winning mark and might need a bit more than one point relief. She also has to overcome a wide draw.

The Pick 6 starts with an interesting Middle Stakes event over 1450m. Andi’s Girl has hard knocking form since returning from Cape Town, including a win over 1600m and she should enjoy this trip, but she does have to overcome a wide draw. She has 2,5kg claimer Trent Mayhew up, although he rides half-a-kilogram overweight. Back In Business is a very talented gelding and the trip of 1600m in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes last time out proved too far. He is only merit rated 90, but Joe Soma showed how much he rates him by putting him in that Gr 1 weight for age event and he must be included from draw four. House Of Romanov also has an easier task here than he had in his last run back in February so can also be included from draw five. Fully Loaded disappointed last time but won three in a row before that and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. Master Christmas is also one to consider dropping back to an ideal trip.

In the second leg over 1450m Turbo Power has done quite well over this trip before and being by Twice Over should enjoy stepping back up to it from a good draw in the prevailing fast going. Fostinovo was backed last time with blinkers back on over 1200m and ran well and now gets a plum draw over a more suitable trip. Golden Pavilion comes off a fine effort over this trip and has a fair draw. Fast Duty is distance suited and off a dangerous mark is fairly well drawn. Run For Cover won easily the last time she ran over course and distance but had pole that day and now has a tricky draw and is off an eight point higher mark.

In the sixth race over 1600m Zenobia’s Gold won well on Saturday over this trip on the Standside track and off a three point higher mark has a good draw. Miss Hannigan has been a revelation since being stepped up in trip and can claim a hattrick, although she has a tricky draw. Happy Mo is in fine form too but has to overcome a four point raise and a wide draw.

In the eighth race over 1600m Springer’s only win was over 1700m so she might enjoy the further step up in trip, but she has a tough draw. Gilda Gray is distance suited and is in good form. Avoontoast won last time which might be the signal that she is startint to fulfil her potential and she has always struck as one who would enjoy this trip.

In the ninth race over 1800m Master Ariano was raised six points for his win last time but the form has been well franked with the next four horses in the race all having won since. He can be bankered in the PA despite a wide draw, but in the Pick 6 it is worth considering Tamarisk Tree, who might enjoy the step up in trip, and Trident King who has a form chance if staying the trip.

In the first leg of the bipot Jilted and Mary Read should fight it out.

In the first leg of the PA William Iron Arm is weighted to win it comfortably and can be bankered in the bipot and PA, although Greeting My Master, second in the Gr 3 Sea Cottage Stakes last time, is on the up and should also give a good account of himself.

Durezza after winning the Japanese St. Leger (Picture: Racing Post)

York thrilled at prospect of City Of Troy clash with Japanese ace

Durezza and Christophe Lemaire set to take on O’Brien superstar in Juddmonte International.

At The Races

York’s chief executive William Derby is fascinated to see how last year’s Japanese St Leger winner Durezza fares against City Of Troy in what promises to be a mouthwatering renewal of the Juddmonte International.

With Aidan O’Brien leaning towards keeping the Derby and Eclipse winner at 10 furlongs, the richest race on the Knavesmire is City Of Troy’s likely port of call on August 21.

But a fascinating new opponent has emerged in the shape of Durezza, who will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

“We’re obviously delighted to hear the news from Ballydoyle that City Of Troy is likely to run in the Juddmonte International – obviously there’s a long way to go with horses, but to have Europe’s highest-rated three-year-old being aimed at our flagship race is great,” said Derby.

“We have a record prize fund this year of £1.2million and it’s hugely exciting, it’s looking like an absolute cracker.

“City Of Troy has that mercurial potential to join the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel, two of the great winners of the race. We all saw what he did in the Betfred Derby, he obviously wasn’t on a going day in the Guineas, but he won the Eclipse like Sea The Stars did ahead of coming to the Knavesmire and it will be fascinating to see how he performs if he comes.

“It has also been confirmed this morning that Durezza, who won the Japanese St Leger last year, is heading our way with Christophe Lemaire due to ride him, so to have the best two jockeys in the world in Christophe and Ryan Moore taking each other on is something very exciting for us and all race fans.”

Derby has been at the helm at York for over 20 years now, and has seen some great renewals of the race.

“My first Juddmonte was 2003, Falbrav won it and then in 2005 Electrocutionist just touched of Zenno Rob Roy, he was the last Grade One winner from Japan we had and Electrocutionist went on to win the Dubai World Cup the following March,” he said.

“It was the world’s highest-rated race with Frankel in 2012 and again with Ghaiyyath in 2020 and a top 10 race last year. It’s our flagship race, the best we stage and the richest so we’re delighted City Of Troy and Durezza have it on their radar.

He added: “Ticket sales are good for the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, we’re really looking forward to it. We’re putting finishing touches to our southern end development which was soft launched at the John Smith’s Cup meeting and the feedback was positive.”

Picture: Roberto defeats Brigadier Gerard in the 1972 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (Juddmonte International). Photo via Racehorses of 1972 by Timeform.

The 1972 running of the Juddmonte International was won by Roberto with Brigadier Gerard second – it was the only defeat of Brigadier Gerard’s 18 race career.

It was a result that stunned a nation, but looking at it retrospectively Roberto might simply have put up one of the all time greatest performances in racing history that day.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE RACE THAT STUNNED A NATION