Winter Cloud won impressively over 1000m on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint has been opened up by the export of last year’s winner Princess Calla overseas and there are a few horses who are putting up their hands as potential candidates.

Down in Cape Town on Saturday the Candice Bass-Robinson Drakenstein Stud homebred Winter Cloud proved her credentials with a fine win over 1000m under Anthony Andrews, bursting through the middle with a strong late run to win a Cape A Stakes race by a cosy 0,75 lengths. She beat some good horses like Dance Variety, former Equus Champion Sprinter Rio Querari, Mufasa, Mr Cobbs and Jerusaleema Rain. She was only merit rated 108 before that race, but has always struck as one with plenty of class. She was second in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last season over the SA Fillies Sprint course and distance. She could start coming into her own. However, her stablemate Miss October beat her by 1,70 lengths at level weights in the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m and looks capable of further improvement. She is merit rated 112.

On Saturday at Turffontein Standside the Tony Peter-trained One Fell Swoop claimed her second successive Gr 3 when winning the Sycamore Sprint over 1160m, although on paper the horse to take out of the race is the runner up, the Mike de Kock-trained White Pearl.

One Fell Swoop, a Varsfontein Stud-bred filly by Lancaster Bomber was handy in the running and travelling effortlessly before kicking on well.

She runs in the colours of Suzette Viljoen, who won the SA Fillies Sprint with the superstar Captain’s Ransom two years ago.

Viljoen also has a possible contender for the SA Fillies Sprint in One Fell Swoop’s 122 merit-rated stablemate Golden Sickle, who has five wins and a short-head second in six starts on the Highveld, although all of her races have been over 1000m as opposed to the 1200m of the SA Fillies Sprint.

White Pearl, dropped in trip on Saturday after being the bridesmaid to some top class sorts like Mrs Geriatrix, Gimme A Nother, Egyptian Mau and Let’s Go Now, ran on strongly to be beaten just 0,25 lengths under Piere Strydom. However, she was giving the winner 5kg. It was in fact her fourth Gr 3 runner up finish frustratingly enough for her breeders Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein who are still awaiting her popular sire Danon Platina’s first stakes winner.

Another contender Mrs Browning had to run from draw one on Saturday, which made it tough, and she had to give One Fell Swoop 6kg and was beaten 2,60 lengths.

On the downside for the chances of that trio of horses in the SA Fillies Sprint is they were merit rated just 99, 106 and 109 before Saturday’s race.

This is well below the required class of a normal SA Fillies Sprint winner.

However, they are progressive and could still improve.

Sceptre Stakes third-placed the Justin Snaith-trained Kwinta’s Light will also be a contender. Jonathan Snaith said she would definitely be targeted at the SA Fillies Sprint and added that Justin “is desparate to get some Gr 1 black type for her owners (Maine Chance Farms stud and Pamela Isdell).”

On the Highveld another filly who has caught the eye since being run exclusively over sprints is Time Fo Orchids. She won her last race off only a 96, but she has been impressive and looks capable of competing at the highest level.

Last season’s Equus Champion two-year-old Mrs Geriatrix was very impressive when winning the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over the SA Fillies Sprint course and distance last season as a two-year-old. She was beaten only 2.05 lengths in the Sceptre Stakes when giving the winner October Morn 2kg and that was when generally appearing to be way below her best during her stint in Cape Town. If she can bounce back to her best she will be a leading SA Fillies Sprint contender.

Cold Fact, fourth in last year’s SA Fillies Sprint, could be a contender this year.

Stablemates Gobsmacked and Moonshingthrough have been out of form and will need to bounce back as will Cape horse Distant Winter.

Kiss Me Captain would not be out of it this season.

Troppo Veloce is improving and beat One Fell Swoop at level weights over 1160m recently with another progressive sort in Cullinan Blue narrowly behind them.

KZN hopes could rest with Asiye Phambili, who is currently trained by Gareth van Zyl. She is better suited to a mile, but finished a flying second in the Sceptre Stakes, beaten just 0,30 lengths.

Captain’s Christy, Oriental Bouquet, No Filter, Bomber Girl and Bevies Delight have shown ability, but would need considerable improvement on current form.

Considering the dearth of highly rated female sprinters around the land the SA Fillies Sprint will be tempting for horses who go a bit further.

Rascova is merit rated 115 and is ideally suited to 1400m, but she has plenty of speed and should be able to make the drop to 1200m.

The Gr 3 Prix du Cap winner Double Grand Slam is now merit rated 117 and would be a very interesting runner considering how easily she won the Prix du Cap.

Happy Chance, Just Be Lekker, Shantastic, Gimme A Shot, Marigold Hotel, Rapidash, Humdinger, Celtic Rumours are others who could step down in trip as could Gqeberha’s Luna Halo , while the like of Iphiko wil be stretched by 1200m.

There might be others who escaped the memory banks but the race looks there for the taking this season.

William Iron Arm (JC Photos)

The Tony Peter-trained William Iron Arm was a suprise omission from the Gr 1 SA Derby entries.

The Playgate SA syndicate’s racing manager Rob Champion explained that this promising, long-striding son of William Longsword was a rig and the pain from the condition was what had caused him to hang in his last two starts when third in both the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas and Gr 1 TAB SA Classic,

On veterinary advice the connections opted for surgery rather than running him in the Derby.

The official recovery period for rig surgery is said to be three to four weeks.

Therefore, William Iron Arm should be seen again soon.

Meanwhile, Playgate have opted to put Gr 1 winner Bavarian Beauty in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m as opposed to the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks.

Champion said that likely meant another clash with the seemingly invincible Mike de Kock-trained Gimme A Nother, but he pointed out that it was a small field and running was a better option than running away.

Meanwhile, the syndicate’s Gr 2 winner Peach Dacquiri, described as a fragile sort by Rob Champion, has been retired to stud after being eased out of her last start in the Listed Acacia Handicap.

Those are Playgate’s best three horses at present, but Rob confirmed that there are a number of two-year-olds to look forward to.

Without Question (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Without Question and Royal Victory are the only out of province-trained entries in the Gr 1 Premiers Champions Challenge to be run over 2000m at Turffontein Standside on April 6.

Jonathan Snaith said the four-year-old The United States gelding Without Question was already in Johannesburg.

This Nick Jonsson-owned horse stayed on superbly under Rachel Venniker to finish third in Cape Town’s traditionally biggest event, the Gr 1 WSB Cape Town Met over this same 2000m trip.

It is his favourite trip as he also has third place finishes in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 to his name.

However, he had become a touch  disappointing before his Met run and it was a below par field in the latter race this year.

Hollywoodbets have him as a 14/1 shot for the Champions Challenge.

Royal Victory, who was the lone raider in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup and won it by a comfortable 2,25 lengths at odds of 33/1, is a 10/1 shot with Hollywoodbets.

The Nathan Kotzen-trained four-year-old Pathfork gelding ran a good 1,90 length third over 1500m in the Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in his comeback run when needing it and giving weight to the field.

He will likely have the same private travel arrangement that worked so well for the Summer Cup.

Gimme A Nother (JC Photos)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Trainer Mike de Kock announced recently that Gimme A Nother would run in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m as oppposed to the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks over 2450m, thus foregoing the chance to become his second, Mauritzfontein Stud’s third and history’s sixth SA Triple Tiara winner.

However, the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has been nominated for both of the races on Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday 6 April, so the connections options are still open.

She is unbeaten in six starts and the better option could be to go for the Empress Club Stakes which, as a Grade 1 race open to fillies and mares run under weight-for-age conditions, would add more gravitas to her curriculum vitae.

There will be four Grade 1 races run on the day, which is also a Hong Kong World Pool meeting, and other than the R1-million Empress Club Stakes we have the R2-million Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, the R1.25-million SA Derby for three-year-olds over 2450m as well as the R1-million Jonsson Workwear ComputaForm Sprint over 1000m.

There are 21 entries for the Premier’s Champions Challenge and they include Betway Summer Cup champion Royal Victory and leading three-year-old colt Sandringham Summit.

Dyce, winner of the Cape Flying Championship, will be looking to add a second Grade 1 win to his tally in the Jonsson Workwear ComputaForm Sprint where he is likely to have another with Sean Tarry-trained Thunderstruck whom he beat by 0.50 lengths in Cape Town.

Tarry has also given last season’s Equus Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Mrs Geriatrix a double entry in both the ComputaForm Sprint and the Empress Club Stakes.

Purple Pitcher, winner of the Grade 1 TAB SA Classic, has been entered for the SA Derby which according to trainer Robyn Klaasen after the SA Classic victory is his mission, but he also has received a second nomination for the Premier’s Champions Challenge.

Supplementary entries close at 09:00 on Monday 25 March with declarations by 11:00 on Wednesday 27 March.

THE PREMIER’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1)(For all horses at Weight for Age) R2,000,000 2000m

2 ARAGOSTA (M F De Kock) 60.0

18 COUSIN CASEY (S G Tarry) 60.0

1 DAVE THE KING (M F De Kock) 60.0

4 FUTURE PEARL (S G Tarry) 60.0

21 LITIGATION (S G Tarry) 60.0

10 MERIDIUS (A P Peter) 60.0

7 NEBRAAS (S G Tarry) 60.0

5 PUERTO MANZANO (J J van Vuuren) 60.0

3 ROYAL VICTORY (N Kotzen) 60.0

16 SAFE PASSAGE (M F De Kock) 60.0

15 SECOND BASE (R Klaasen) 60.0

13 SHOEMAKER (M F De Kock) 60.0

9 SON OF RAJ (W H Marwing) 60.0

17 STREET ART (A P Peter) 60.0

12 WINCHESTER MANSION (B Crawford) 60.0

11 WITHOUT QUESTION (J S Snaith) 60.0

8 ZEUS (F P Habib) 60.0

14 EMIRATE GINA (R R Magner) 57.5

19 BARBARESCO (J J van Vuuren) 56.5

6 PURPLE PITCHER (R Klaasen) 56.5

20 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (D Nieuwenhuizen) 56.5

EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (Grade 1)(For Fillies and Mares at Weight-for-Age) R1,000,000 1600m

4 CELTIC RUMOURS (S G Tarry) 60.0

2 EMIRATE GINA (R R Magner) 60.0

7 GILDED BUTTERFLY (S T Pettigrew) 60.0

6 HUMDINGER (M F De Kock) 60.0

5 PERFECT WITNESS (C Dawson) 60.0

1 BAVARIAN BEAUTY (A P Peter) 57.5

9 GIMME A NOTHER (M F De Kock) 57.5

8 MRS GERIATRIX (S G Tarry) 57.5

3 WHITE PEARL (M F De Kock) 57.5

SA DERBY (Grade 1)(3 year olds (3rd Leg SA Triple Crown) R1,250,000 2450m

3 ATARIME (P F Matchett) 60.0

11 FUSHIMI INARI (S T Pettigrew) 60.0

17 GEORGE HANDEL (F Bronkhorst) 60.0

4 HOTARUBI (S G Tarry) 60.0

14 MADISON VALLEY (F Robinson) 60.0

2 MARAUDING HORDE (M F De Kock) 60.0

5 MONDIAL (M/A Azzie) 60.0

8 PRESLEY (J J van Vuuren) 60.0

10 PURE PREDATOR (F Bronkhorst) 60.0

6 PURPLE PITCHER (R Klaasen) 60.0

15 ROSSORE FINALE (W C Marwing) 60.0

16 SHOOT THE RAPIDS (F Robinson) 60.0

12 TAXHAVEN (P F Matchett) 60.0

1 THUNEE PLAYA (L Karriem) 60.0

13 TWENTY DRACHMA’S (S T Pettigrew) 60.0

7 VIVA BRAZIL (M N Houdalakis) 60.0

9 FRANCES ETHEL (B Crawford) 57.5

18 MY SOUL MATE (C Dawson) 57.5

JONSSON WORKWEAR COMPUTAFORM SPRINT (Grade 1)(For all horses at Weight for Age) R1,000,000 1000m

3 ANFIELDS ROCKET (G J Maroun) 60.0

17 DYCE (M N Houdalakis) 60.0

2 HITHEMHARDSUNSHINE (A Wright) 60.0

9 MOVER AND SHAKER (F P Habib) 60.0

12 PRAY FOR RAIN (C Hewitson) 60.0

14 RULERSHIP (A P Peter) 60.0

6 SHELDON (J J van Vuuren) 60.0

16 THUNDERSTRUCK (S G Tarry) 60.0

5 TROMPIE (B Crawford) 60.0

7 WILLIAM ROBERTSON (C Spies) 60.0

8 CLIFF HANGER (J J van Vuuren) 58.0

1 READY TO CHARGE (M/A Azzie) 58.0

11 THE ABDICATOR (B Crawford) 58.0

15 ZIYASHA (C Binda) 58.0

13 IPHIKO (M F De Kock) 57.5

10 KISS ME CAPTAIN (M/A Azzie) 57.5

4 GOLDEN SICKLE (A P Peter) 55.5

18 MRS GERIATRIX (S G Tarry) 55.5

WILGERBOSDRIFT BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER SA OAKS (Grade 2)(For 3 year-old Fillies (3rd Leg of SA Triple Tiara)) R750,000 2450m

13 AZALEAS FOR ALL (F Bronkhorst) 60.0

12 BE REAL (H E Adamson) 60.0

6 BEATING WINGS (S T Pettigrew) 60.0

10 DARLING HARBOUR (C Dawson) 60.0

9 EXPLOSIVE BOND (P F Matchett) 60.0

3 FRANCES ETHEL (B Crawford) 60.0

5 GIMME A NOTHER (M F De Kock) 60.0

8 LET’S GO NOW (S G Tarry) 60.0

2 MOUNT ETNA (F Bronkhorst) 60.0

7 MY SOUL MATE (C Dawson) 60.0

11 ONE RELIGION (R R Magner) 60.0

4 SILVER SANCTUARY (M F De Kock) 60.0

1 SUKHUMVIT (A G Laird) 60.0

HAWAII STAKES (Grade 2)(Open) R500000 1400m

6 ANFIELDS ROCKET (G J Maroun) 60.0

23 AT MY COMMAND (B Crawford) 58.0

27 BINGWA (J J van Vuuren) 58.0

19 CELESTIAL CITY (S G Tarry) 58.0

10 DAVE THE KING (M F De Kock) 58.0

1 EYE OF THE PROPHET (P F Matchett) 58.0

21 I AM GIANT (B Crawford) 58.0

24 ITSRAININGWILLIAM (J S Snaith) 58.0

25 MELECH (R R Magner) 58.0

12 MUJBAR (M F De Kock) 58.0

20 SAVANNAH STORM (P/J Vermeulen) 58.0

15 TEXAS RED (R Klaasen) 58.0

18 UNZEN (R R Sage) 58.0

17 WILLIAM ROBERTSON (C Spies) 58.0

11 LUCKY LAD (S G Tarry) 57.5

16 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (D Nieuwenhuizen) 57.5

22 HUMDINGER (M F De Kock) 56.5

3 CELTIC RUMOURS (S G Tarry) 55.5

26 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (M F De Kock) 55.5

13 MRS BROWNING (S G Tarry) 55.5

5 RED BOMBER (J J van Vuuren) 55.5

4 RICHARD THE FIRST (F Bronkhorst) 55.5

14 TAIL OF THE COMET (S G Tarry) 55.5

7 WINTER GREETING (S G Tarry) 55.5

8 BAVARIAN BEAUTY (A P Peter) 55.0

9 MRS GERIATRIX (S G Tarry) 55.0

2 WHITE PEARL (M F De Kock) 53.0

Almond Sea has been entered for both the SA Fillies Nursery and SA Nursery (Picture: JC Photos)

The unbeaten Tony Peter-trained two-year-old pair Almond Sea and Pistol Pete could both be bankers on Champions Day – provided they run in different races.

The Peter de Beyer-bred Canford Cliffs filly Almond Sea, whose three wins including a Listed win have been by a cumulative margin of 18,75 lengths, has been entered in both the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery and Gr 2 SA Nursery.

If she races in the latter, she will up against her Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred stable companion Pistol Pete, who has also won three times inlcuding a Listed race and his cumulative margin of victory is 11,75 lengths.

The problem the connections face is that Almond Sea has drawn a low number of three for the SA Fillies Nursery and that is by trends the disadvantageous side to be on.

She has drawn a higher ten in the SA Nursery.

However, such is her pace that she should be able to assume command and move over if need be.

She has most of the oppposition held either through direct form or collateral form, but the one interesting contender will be the Candice Dawson-trained Vercingetorix filly Little Ballerina, who won a Sales race over 1200m in Cape Town at odds of 100/1 before proving that was no fluke by finishing third in the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m, beaten 1,45 lengths by the much vaunted One Stripe.

Likewise, Pistol Pete has most the SA Nursery field well held but an interesting entry is tyhe Mike Azzie-trained maiden Winds Of Change, who was a 1,25 lengths second in the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.

Fields for the two Gr 2 Nursery events:

SA NURSERY (Grade 2)(For 2 year-olds) R500000 1160m

14 ADDRESS THE NATION (C Dawson) 60.0

3 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (C Spies) 60.0

7 DANTONFROMSANDTON (S G Tarry) 60.0

9 FINE ONE (M D Miller) 60.0

4 FIRE ATTACK (A G Laird) 60.0

8 KING OF KILDARE (R R Magner) 60.0

12 MOUNT PINATUBO (J J van Vuuren) 60.0

13 PISTOL PETE (A P Peter) 60.0

1 PROCEED (S G Tarry) 60.0

6 WINDS OF CHANGE (M/A Azzie) 60.0

10 ALMOND SEA (A P Peter) 57.5

5 FAMOUS LADY (A Ndzilana) 57.5

2 JUST RECKLESS (M D Miller) 57.5

11 LITTLE BALLERINA (C Dawson) 57.5

SA FILLIES NURSERY (Grade 2)(For 2 year-old Fillies) R350000 1160m

2 ACROSS THE POND (S J Gray) 60.0

3 ALMOND SEA (A P Peter) 60.0

9 FAMOUS LADY (A Ndzilana) 60.0

11 GREY FANTACY (M D Miller) 60.0

5 IT’S HER WAY (R Klaasen) 60.0

10 JUST RECKLESS (M D Miller) 60.0

4 LITTLE BALLERINA (C Dawson) 60.0

8 MAGICAL VIEW (M D Miller) 60.0

7 MOUNTAIN HIGH (S G Tarry) 60.0

6 RODEO DRIVE (S G Tarry) 60.0

1 TAKE YOUR PLACE (S J Gray) 60.0

12 YOU BRING ME JOY (W H Marwing) 60.0

The Stuart Pettigrew-trained Twenty Drachma’s has two wins and a second in three starts over staying trips to date (JC Photos)

The Vaal straight course’s nine race meetingon Tuesday is headed by a Middle Stakes event over 2400m and Twenty Drachma’s is fancied to boost sire Danon Platina’s profile.

Twenty Drachma’s stayed on resolutely from last in a small field over this trip last time for second and can be dropped out from a wide draw and run on again. He is progressive and should get better and better. Professor Snape has had one good run over this trip on the Highveld with blinkers on and ran below that when the headgear was removed, so he could be in the shake up with the headgear back on. Slinky Mapimpi has shown touches of class and now gets stepped right up in trip, but on pedigree being by Coup De Grace out of a Jet Master sprinter there is a stamina doubt. SA Oaks runner up Reny as well as Jet Dynasty, Mambo Come Tesio, Banha Bridge, Opera Glass and Afraad warrant consideration too.

The meeting opens with a tricky workriders maiden around the turn over 1700m Deception Pass returns from a five month layoff and gelding, but has run two good sprints, finishing a three length third on debut over 1200m and then finishing a 3,20 length fourth over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. On pedigree he will relish the step up in trip being by Ideal World out of a Caesour mare whose only win was over 1600m. This mare has produced the useful 111-rated sprinter Kiss Me Captain (Captain Of All), but also Master Of My Fate gelding Master Of Coin, whose two wins were both over 2000m. However, Deception  Pass might need the run. His rider Vuzunzi Sithetho did ride Breath Of Magic recently, but now jumps aboard this one. Pike Place will be having his 15th start, but put in a solid effort last time over 1600m when finishing fourth and beating Breath Of Magic by 3,20 lengths, although he did have a 4kg claimer up. He has experienced Chamu Mabaya aboard. Breath Of Magic ran on well last time over 1600m to finish a 5,50 length third to Judgement Day and he was a length clear of Al Akhtaar.  The latter has only had two starts, so could start improving, but does have a wide draw under Anathi feni. Volte Face and Sword Of Mercy were exposed as moderate last time when beaten over ten lengths by the potentially useful To The Rescue, but they have bits and pieces of form and could earn.

The second race over 1400m is also tricky. Moonlight Trader stayed on fairly well last time over 1160m but was beaten 8,50 lentgths despite the useful winner Proceed being eased late. He will enjoy the step up in trip though, being by Erupt out of a Silvano mare. Lead The Charge is by Lancaster Bomber out of the classy Australian-bred San Fermin (Charge Forward). He started 33/100 favourite over 1000m on debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, but faded after leading and was beaten 5,35 lengths. Furthermore, San Fermin’s five wins were from 1160m to 1400m and included the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m and Lead The Charge is also a half-brother to useful Gimmethegreenlight gelding Ready To Charge, who is best at sprints. So there might be a stamina doubt for Lead The Charge, although he will likely be ridden more conservatively and San Fermin did actually win her debut over 1400m. First-timer Page Boy would not be a surprise winner at all being by Flower Alley out of Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella.

In the third over 1400m African Beauty was beaten 12,50 lengths on debut, but it was in a Listed race and after being slowly away she ran on into third place behind the exciting prospect Almond Sea. She should enjoy the step up in trip and has a chance here. Olivia’s Way was caught wide on debut over this trip and was green, but finished strongly and can improve and has a good 4kg claimer up. Intro ran on well in that race and was narrowly in front of the latter. Queen Of Fire ran a fair second from the front over this trip last time. Radiant Heat could improve with blinkers and a compression mask now on.

In the fourth over 1700m Sensual Kiss is an interesting runner being by William Longsword and a half-brother to Graded performer Second Base. He is drawn well, but will need to step up from an 8,55 length beating on debut when outpaced. Springer is the favourite and is drawn in pole again, but only managed a moderate fifth from pole over 1600m last time. Blue Quartz was beaten 12,50 lengths when stepped up to 1600m, but the field was a lot stronger than this one.

In the sixth over 1200m Open Highway is in fine form but it remains to be seen whether high draws will be favourable on the day with the outside rail in by seven metres and a seven metre spur at the 600m mark. Midnight Fusion has a shout if able to produce her 1000m form and Lady Elliott has dropped to a dangerous mark.

In the seventh over 1400m Great Barrier has a chance if high draws are not unfavourable as she should enjoy the step up in trip and starts off handicapping off a reasonable mark. Count Your Chances could do well with a low weight if high draws are not unfavourable. JJ’s Eagle, Seret Recipe and Lorna Lilly make most appeal of the rest.

In the eighth over 1400m Work Of Time caught the eye last time staying on over 1200m and can beat Turbo Power and Master Christmas.

In the last over 1400m Longsword makes appeal as he caught the eye staying on last time and has dropped to an attractive mark. His high draw is hopefully not unfavourable. Nazare and Cerulean Dancer make most appeal of the others.

Above: RamCat Fish’s Gerard Smal

Off The Record with Charl Pretorius

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” – Mother Teresa.

On 31 March, a group of men – perhaps also a few women, will convene in the Durban View Room at Greyville for an infrequent and long-awaited day out. If all goes to plan, there will be up to 60 individuals – 30 in wheelchairs and their 30 helpers, hosted by RamCat Fish, a charity organisation dedicated to the disabled, and specifically those who are wheelchair-bound. They hosted similar events at Turffontein in 2021, 2022 and 2023. All were well attended and enjoyed.

Retired businessman Gerard Smal, who manages the charity from his home in Moteng, Lesotho, said there was room for more guests at the Greyville meeting. He hopes his marketing will reach disabled individuals who have never been to the races. “The fee is just R30 per person and R180 for their helpers, and we can assist people based in Durban with transport to and from the track.”

A former infantryman himself, but one who was fortunate to survive the bloody skirmishes in Mozambique, Angola and the old Rhodesia, Smal knew of the horrors they had been through. On further investigation, he realised how war veterans had been effectively marginalised by the old National Party government and later just ignored by the those posing as public servants in the new regime.

“Aside from a small pension, like R1,500 per month and some basic services at One Military hospital, there has been no assistance of any kind. There is not a Minister, not a Brigadier, not a General in this land willing to help with ordinary things like finding or building these veterans a home. There are no facilities for paralysed or disabled veterans, or amputees. Zero. There is not a single state-sponsored home that caters to them, and no trauma counselling at all. The nightmares they experienced are not just dealt with in a few days. Most exist in lifelong pain, anguish and mental stress.”

Smal named his charity, ‘RamCat Fish’ because fishing is the single activity that people in wheelchairs can perform more or less as well as they did before they were paralysed. Fishing excursions are RamCat’s most popular activity. There are fishing locations that cater to the needs of disabled people, like Pretoria’s Irene Country Lodge.

Above:  RamCat Fish excursion

“Most people in wheelchairs are males. The reason for this is that most paralysing injuries occur when boys, or men, are between 16 and 24 years of age. Those are the ‘show-off’ ages when they dive into shallow swimming pools to impress girls and some break their necks; or when they ride their motorbikes or drive their cars so recklessly that crashes and injuries occur. Most girls are not that adventurous in their early lives, and thankfully so. And another strange thing – statistically, people normally lose or suffer injuries to their left feet.”

Smal said that he deals with people who are paralysed from the neck down, or from the waist down, due to injuries obtained in everyday life. However, the war vets who had their legs blown off are the saddest cases. “There is one man I met recently, he picked up a rare disease whilst inactive in his wheelchair. It’s an infection, a bug that eats at his spine like a worm eats a leaf. I looked into his eyes and I wanted to burst out in tears. The sorry state of his whole being was reflected in his eyes, and they asked, ‘why me’?”

“Some of the foot soldiers stepped on landmines in Angola, where the warfare was conducted by terrorists. They used methods which were then unconventional. South Africans at home were only informed of our successes, not of the many times some of our young lads were shot or blown to pieces for the NG Church and the State.”

Smal said that the lives of many paralysed men show a heartbreaking pattern.

First, their girlfriends leave them, unable to cope with shattered dreams and poor future prospects. Next, their friends desert them, unwilling to stand by people who are a shadow of their former selves. Then, brothers and sisters start visiting less and eventually stop visiting altogether. In most cases, wheelchair-bound people are left with their ageing mothers. They often only see the outside of their homes, and interact with others, when their caretakers go shopping and leave them at the entrances of shopping centres. Many of them die in their late 50s or early 60s of kidney failure.”

In desperation for a roof over their heads and something to eat, there are homeless war veterans who accept accommodation from old-age homes and mental institutions. But, before long, they plead to get out because they just don’t fit in and feel that they are worse off.

In going racing, Smal said, he has found an activity truly loved and appreciated by the ‘wheelchair family’.

“We were wonderfully assisted by the hospitality department at Turffontein, entertained in the Beau Art Room, a first-class facility behind glass, and the food was great. They took a few of us around the track, showed us the parades, and so on. We had the celebrity artist Mathys Roets with us that day. He was injured in a motorcycle accident several years ago. Mathys placed some bets, he actually won a bit of money. He said he’d never shouted so hard in his life. Everyone was pleased with their experience.

“I think what they especially like are the gracious movements of the thoroughbred horses, how they gallop and stretch out with the jockeys on their backs, riding them on so eagerly. They see living beings racing at high speed, using their limbs, and they enjoy the camaraderie of people in similar predicaments. Racing offers an escape, in a truly unique way.”

RamCat Fish is entirely dependent on donations. Gerard Smal can be reached on 081 754 8144 or by mail on ystersmal@gmail.com

Above:  At Turffontein: (l to r): Norman Wright, Ken Bronfield, Mathys Roets, Gavin Lerena, Tharina Scholtz, Jacques le Roux.

Clue: SA jockey Ryan Munger rode in the race in question last year (pictured above)

What is North America’s oldest continually run horse race?

The King’s Plate in Canada, which is run these days at Woodbine, had its inaugural running in 1860 and is the oldest continually running race in North America.