Five-In-A-Row For Snaith
Jet To The Sun (What A Winter), running in the iconic Jaffee silks, clinches a five-timer for Justin Snaith and the third leg of a four-timer for JP van der Merwe at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. (Picture: Cape Racing)
Reigning SA champion trainer Justin Snaith won races 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today (Wednesday) , three of them ridden by JP van der Merwe, who had a four-timer on the day..
Unfortunately Snaith did not have a runner in race 7 so was unable to make an attempt at equalling his own probable SA record of winning six carded races in succession, which he did at the Met meeting in 2016, where he won all of the meeting’s first six races (and won another two later at the 12 race meeting to score a world record eight wins in a day).
There have been plenty of five-timers in South African history, but a search through the archives to see how many times a trainer has won five successive carded races would probably be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Even when Alan Greeff won seven of eight races in January 2020, he did not land five carded races in a row.
Snaith’s fifth win today was fitting as it was in the famous Jaffee colours and Justin revealed how important iconic owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee had been to Chris Snaith’s yard in the days when he was putting Justin and Jonathan through school, having also just purchased a property.
The What A Winter filly Jet To The Sun is owned by Etienne Braun and Georgina Jaffee and JP extracted a strong finish out of her to win by 2,75 lengths in the Class 4 Handicap over 1600m at odds of 5/1.
The other fitting aspect was the race was named in the memory of the recently late stalwart horsewoman Jane Thomas, whose life was celebrated in a ceremony in the parade ring after the last race.
The Varsfontein Stud-bred Jet To The Sun has now won twice and Justin said he was glad to see her looking to be a happy horse as she was problematic and had to have her stable padded because of her tendency to kick everything.
Snaith’s run started in the second race when the Drakenstein Stud-bred three-year-old Trippi gelding Express Yourself enjoyed the step up to 2000m and won by a length under Richard Fourie at odds of 5/1, despite jumping from draw ten of eleven. Snaith got the exacta in the race as the 33/1 outsider Ahead Of The Facts (Futura) finished second.
In the third race the progressive four-year-old Drakenstein Stud-bred Silvano gelding Groovejet made it a third career win and a second one in succession when winning a Cape C Stakes over 2000m by 1,25 lengths under Van der Merwe at odds of 91/100 and it was once again a yard exacta as 8/1 shot Kwite A King (Vercingetorix) finished second.
In the fourth race over 1600m, a Class 4 event, the five-year-old Klawervlei Stud-bred Royal Mo gelding Rule Of Thumb made it a fifth career win, when staving off the Andre Nel-trained pair Hoodia and Zeitz to win by 0,30 length under Van der Merwe at odds of 25/2.
In the fifth over 1600m, another Class 4 event, the three-year-old Alec and the honourable Gillian Foster’s homebred three-year-old Legislate gelding Regulation produced a telling burst under Craig Zackey to win by two lengths despite odds of 20/1.
There was much jubilation when Jet To The Sun made it five in a row in the next race.
It was a fine day at the office for the Snaith team, who before the meeting had earnings for the season to date of R8,799,656, comfortably clear of Alec Laird in second place on the national log on R5,107,250.
Frank Robinson Is The Yard To Follow In KZN
Rollo The Viking (William Longsword) was one of a number of emphatic winners from the Frank Robinson yard recently. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
They used to say about the great Herman Brown Snr that in his heyday he had a long row of “A division” horses in his yard and on raceday they would come out like “bombs”.
Frank Robinson, who learnt the ropes from the great trainer and was mentored by him for decades, looks to currently be on his way to having similar firepower in the current KZN racing climate.
Robinson’s five wins this month have come at a strike rate of 45.45% and he can look forward to some big race participation with the like of Betway Summer Cup fourth-placed Madison Valley, who will be a gelding when he begins his preparation for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Certain yards are associated with certain conformation types and Brown/Robinson horses are often long-striding, scopey types with plenty of rein.
These have mostly been the types that have been coming home like bombs for the Robinson yard lately and is definitely Madison Valley’s type.
The draw of 18 was the downfall of Madison Valley in the Betway Summer Cup, otherwise he would have gone close despite odds of 100/1. He was dropped out by Sean Veale in the 19 horse field and in the straight made up many lengths from the back with a long-striding, resolute finish to be beaten just 2,35 lengths.
Frank said, “I am going to geld him. He is a rig so has one testicle in his stomach and one out so it is quite uncomfortable for him. We will try and bring him into the July with 54kg.”
The big son of Mambo In Seattle was given a 117 merit rating for his Summer Cup run, so has a couple of points to play with as a mark of 119 would likely see an older male sneak into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg if the July was run tomorrow.
Races like the Cup Trial will be his build up races.
Turffontein Standside is an ideal track for Madison Valley considering his ability to build up into his long stride and coupled with his resolute finish. He was flying by the time the finish line arrived in the Summer Cup.
However, Frank pointed out, “He won the Gold Vase (3000m) at Hollywoodbets Greyville and should have won the Gold Cup, he was too far back. He doesn’t need to be too far back, he can even be in front.”
However, a good draw will be important for him in the July.
It was a mixed day for the yard on Summer Cup day.
Frank had fancied Mexican Pete to go close in a Pinnacle event but he had to be scratched due to an abscess under his chin. His target is now the Listed Christmas Stakes over 1600m at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Boxing Day meeting. He said Mexican Pete has been taking a strong hold in his races, so he had got a special bit for him to try and counteract this problem.
His Gr 2-winning speedster Cats Pajamas started third favourite for the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m, but finished last and this was due to being cut into.
Frank said, “It only required a couple of stitches, but where it hit him, on the inside, is very sensitive. They stop after that as it is like a human being kicked in the shin.”
The Rafeef gelding can bounce back in a 1000m handicap on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on Friday night.
Frank’s five winners this month have won by an average margin of 3,34 Lengths.
The Mauritzfontein-homebred Mocha Blend (Ideal World) is still green and has been tardily away and outpaced early in both of her starts, although Sean Veale did manage to get her up into a midfield position second time out in a 1950m maiden at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She came home like a horse with plenty of ability to win by an eyecatching 4,60 lengths.
Frank said, “Mauritzfontein are such a dream to train for. They have had champions winning all over the world, Horse Chestnuts and the like, and I win a maiden at Scottsville and Jessica phoned me all the way from America straight after the race. That is how keen they are.”
The William Longsword gelding Rollo The Viking won his 7th career start, a maiden over 1600m on the polytrack, by 3,80 lengths.
The William Longsword gelding RichardTheFearless won an 1800m maiden on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf by a cosy 1,20 lengths in his fifth career start.
The Futura gelding Star Of The Future won his fifth career start over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf by 3,10 lengths.
The long time hard knocking maiden My Boy Lollipop (Soqrat) returned from a three month layoff to win a 1200m maiden by four lengths in his tenth career start.
All four of those horses are owned by Sid Moodley and they were all ridden by Veale with the exception of My Boy Lollipop, who was ridden by Gavin Lerena.
Moodley’s light blue colours with a broad black band and white hoop are currently synonymous with the Robinson yard. This partnership is flourishing and should go from strength to strength.
Hewitson Recovering Quickly And Expects To Ride On Sunday
One Stripe Remains On 118
One Stripe after winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Handicapping Ratings Update
Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1)
ONE STRIPE remained unchanged on his official rating of 118 following his impressive win in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1) for three-year-olds over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. In fact, it was ONE STRIPE himself who was deemed to be the most suitable line horse to rate this race, hence his unchanged rating.
No fewer than three horses received increases in their ratings following this contest. 2nd placed, EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN was adjusted to 115 from 110 for finishing 1.25 lengths (3 points) behind the 118 rated line horse (ONE STRIPE) at level weights. 3rd placed GREAT PLAINS, who finished 2.75 lengths (6 points) behind the line horse was adjusted to 112 from 110. Lastly, 4th place finisher, O’TENIKWA was increased from 97 to 108 for a 5.0 lengths (10 points) beating by the line horse.
No horses received a relief in the ratings in this race.
Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap (Grade 3)
THE FUTURIST has seen his rating raised from 104 to 107 after capturing the (Grade 3) Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4th placed, FUTURE SWING, made for the most suitable line horse to assess this race and as a result his rating remained unaltered on 110.
Runner up, OTTO LUYKEN was the only other runner apart from the winner to receive an upward adjustment and he went up to 100 from 99.
There were however ratings drops for three runners following this contest. TRIPLE TIME and WILLIAM IRON ARM both dropped to 111 from 112, while COASTAL COMMANDER received a two points relief, from 111 to 109.
Splashout Victress Stakes (Grade 3)
RAINBOW LORIKEET has had her rating adjusted to 105 from 101 following her win in the (Grade 3) SplashOut Victress Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the opinion that RAINBOW LORIKEET would not have run worse than the 105 she achieved in the Summer Bowl back in November and hence used that mark of 105 to rate this race. It is worth noting that RAINBOW LORIKEET could not be adjusted for her Summer Bowl run due to the conditions of that race which precluded the handicappers from increasing ratings for placed runners.
Two more runners received increments in the official ratings. Runner up, KNOCKOUT was increased to 103 from 98 for finishing 0.75 lengths (2 points) behind the 105 rated winner at level weights. 3rd place finisher, TIME FOR LOVE, was adjusted to 102 from 98 after finishing 1.15 lengths (2 points) behind the winner and carrying 0.5kg more.
There were no drops for any runners in this race.
Mike De Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2)
WHITE PEARL has had her rating raised to 114 from 111 following her gutsy victory in the Mike De Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2) over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside track on Monday. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 3rd placed LET’S GO NOW made for the most suitable line horse to assess this race and as such her rating remained on 113.
SILVER SANCTUARY, who finished 2nd in this race, was the only other runner to receive an increment in the ratings and she went up to 117 from 116.
There were no changes to any other runners in this race.
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
Luke Ferraris Brings Up 100 wins In HK With A Double
Luke Ferraris celebrates a century of Hong Kong wins (Picture: HKJC)
By Leo Schlink
Ferraris, 22, reached the landmark with victories on Excellent Daddy in the Class 5 Banyan Handicap (1200m) for Benno Yung and Mojave Desert in the first section of the Class 4 Sha Tin Wai Handicap (1200m) for Mark Newnham – one of the South African’s biggest supporters.
The son of former Hong Kong-based trainer David Ferraris, Luke Ferraris was raised at Sha Tin before moving back to South Africa to pursue a riding career in 2017, subsequently advancing to two champion apprentice titles in South Africa while collecting a string of feature wins.
“It feels good. Going back to being a kid, watching the racing here, to participating in it and riding a century here, it feels great – credit to Mark,” said Ferraris, who is one of the youngest jockeys to reach 100 wins in Hong Kong.
“He (Newnham) has really supported me throughout the season so far and (I’m) very pleased to ride the 100th on one of his horses. I’m delighted and hopefully things can just keep ticking over the way they are.”
Ferraris started his Hong Kong riding career in 2021/22 and enjoyed his best campaign to date with 35 wins in 2022/23.
With nine wins of his stable’s 21 wins this season in tandem with Ferraris, Newnham was delighted for the young horseman.
“I’m pleased I was able to provide it (the 100th win). He’s a good, young jockey and we get on well, he’s easy to work with and he’s a good asset to the stable,” Newnham said. “Luke gets on well with him (Mojave Desert) and he rode him exactly the same in his latest trial. It’s nice when a plan works.”
Never Peter Out continued Frankie Lor’s impressive run of form with success in the Class 4 Prince Of Wales Hospital 40th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1650m) under Keith Yeung before John Size posted his seventh win in eight days when Sight Supreme charged from the rear to clinch the Class 4 Ngan Shing Handicap (1650m).
With a double last Wednesday (11 December), a quartet on Sunday (15 December) and tonight’s victory in combination with Brenton Avdulla, 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size has boosted his seasonal haul to 12 wins.
Dragon Air Force broke through for his first Hong Kong win, snaring the second section of the Class 4 Sha Tin Wai Handicap (1200m) for Ricky Yiu and Matthew Chadwick, who picked up the ride after Zac Purton was indisposed.
“All of a sudden (Zac) wasn’t feeling well so I picked Matthew Chadwick. I’ve always liked this jockey because he’s full of experience,” Yiu said. “It’s just his sixth start and I don’t think he’s just a 1200m horse, he might get 1400m or a mile eventually. He’s still learning and he has a good heart.”
Purton’s absence also cost the seven-time Hong Kong champion the winning ride on Danny Shum’s Packing Bole, who scored in the Class 3 Siu Lek Yuen Handicap (1200m) under Jerry Chau.
Dennis Yip took training honours after Yeaboi’s win in the Class 5 Sha Lek Handicap (1800m) under a well-timed drive from Matthew Poon, who was subsequently stood down with a foot issue, paving the way for Angus Chung to pilot Young Brilliant to victory in the Class 3 Yuen Chau Kok Handicap (1650m) for the HKJC Racing Club Limited.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 December).
Bacchus Can Follow Up On His Classy Last Win
Bacchus’ race last time did not pan out well. but he still won omfortably and he an follow up on Thursday at the Vaal Classic track despite having to overcome a six point merit rating raise. (Picture: JC Photos).
R1 9 SPIRITO SELVAGGIO has faced two good sorts without being disgraced and would not be a surprise winner here. 1 KING OF QUEEN is knocking on the door and is drawn in the middle over a suitable trip. 3 SPY STORY has a fair opportunity here over a suitable trip in an uninspiring field. 6 BLUE CRYSTAL has run two fair races and could earn. (9-1-3-6)
R2 5 MOUNTAIN HIGH is always thereabouts and will enjoy the trip from a good draw. 1 KALIKAA could earn if reproducing her best. 8 LUNAR RAINBOW has fair form in the context of this race. 7 JILTED would be capable of going close if settling and producing her best. (5-1-8-7)
R3 6 QUEEN OF LOVE has some fine formlines and is the one to beat from pole position. 2 HAPPY MO goes for a hattrick but has to overcome a four point raise. 4 DOITWITHDIAMONDS is in fine form and should be in the shake up from a good draw. 5 ELEMBEE is capable of being involved here if able to overcome a wide draw. (6-2-4-5)
R4 2 TRIED AND TRUE has notable resolve and has a better draw than last time over this suitable course and distance. 8 PRETTY ANALIA should be finishing as strongly as usual. 4 MOCHA MACAROON bounced back to win a competive maiden over 1600m. 5 PLAY WITH FIRE is capable of producing a good finish. (2-8-4-5)
R5 5 PEACE TREATY is capable of a strong finish and should enjoy the 1600m trip. 4 ORANGE COUNTY won well second time out and can be in the shake up. 1 PRINCEOFGREEN is knocking on the door and has a chance. 8 WHISPERS OF WAR has shown enough to be able to earb here. (5-4-1-8)
R6 5 FLAG BEARER is a resolute galloper who is knocking on the door and over a suitable trip here has a good draw with Strydom up. 4 BLACK LIGHTNING went close over 1700m last time but has a wide draw to overcome. 3 SILENT TRIGGER has been thereabouts in last two over this trip category but also has a wide draw. 9 CARNELO went close over 1450mn on seasonal reappearnce and has done well over this trip before. (5-4-3-9)
R7 7 BACCHUS is full of class and can follow up on his last win. 8 BIRTHRIGHT is a big horse who is coming onto his own. 10 WILD INTENT is promising and gets some weight from Bacchus. 5 MAJESTIC PALACE won his first try at this trip but hasn’t raced since July. (7-8-10-5)
R8 2 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE has been consistent over this trip and has a chance. 5 COMING IN HOT is capable of a srong finish over this trip. 8 MONTANA LIGHTS won easily over this trip in the maidens and has a resonable opening mark of 81. 1 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES is quick and has been therabouts off this merit rating over this trip. (2-5-8-1)
December To Remember For Mike de Kock
Today's Question
The picture is of the subject
Who is considered to be the first truly great racehorse and the first to capture public imagination?
FIELDS, Thursday 19, December
Vaal Classic
Today’s Question Answer
Flying Childers (1715–1741) was a famous undefeated 18th-century thoroughbred racehorse, foaled in 1714 at Carr House, Warmsworth, Doncaster, and is sometimes considered as the first truly great racehorse in the history of thoroughbreds and the first to catch the public imagination.
