Picture: The Elevation Room at Turffontein is an exclusive room for members of the ROA and it affords spectacular views of the racecourse (ROA).

ROA R4 Million In Added Stakes Bonus Races

Racehorse Owners Association Press Release

We are pleased to announce the re-introduction of added stakes bonus races for ROA members in good standing. The bonus stakes will be made available for all Open Maiden Plates run in 4Racing jurisdictions from January to July 2023. This incentive has a total value R4 Million and the ROA is extremely proud to be able to award our loyal members with this added benefit.

There are 247 eligible races with R15 000 each in Added Stakes Bonuses to be claimed by ROA Members. Furthermore, on selected feature days in the coming months we have introduced “Super Bonus Races”, where an extra R25 000 in bonus stakes will be made available on top of the R15 000 already pledged. These will be allocated to Maiden Plates run our premier feature race days, namely;

Guineas Day – 4th February 2023

Classics Day – 4th March 2023

Derby Day – 1st April 2023

Royal Race Day (HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes) -15th April 2023

Champions Day – 29th April 2023

East Cape Derby Day – 12th May 2023

The bonuses will be paid together with the winning stakes to ROA Members in good standing. Should the winner be owned in partnership, both or all parties will have to be ROA Members in good standing to qualify for the full bonus. Failing this, the bonus will be halved. In the case of syndicates or companies, only the nominees of such entities need to be ROA Members to receive the full bonus. One would need to be a member of the Racehorse Owners Association for a period of at least 7 working days to qualify for a bonus cheque. Applications may take up to 7 working days to process.

This members’ benefit will commence with two Maiden Plate races at Turffontein on Tuesday 2 January (1400m and F&M 1400m). The remainder of the bonus races for the month of January are as follows:

HIGHVELD

2 January – Turffontein (Standside) – Maiden Plate 1400m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1400m

5 January – Vaal (Classic Track) – Maiden Plate 1000m; WR Maiden Plate 1600m

10 January – Turffontein (Standside) – Maiden Plate 1160m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1160m

12 January – Vaal (Classic Track) – Apprentice Maiden Plate (F&M) 1700m

16 January – Turffontein (Inside) – Maiden Plate 1200m; Maiden Plate 1450m

19 January – Turffontein (Inside) – Maiden Plate (F&M) 1000m; Maiden Plate 2000m; WR Maiden Plate (F&M) 1450m

22 January – Turffontein (Standside) – Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m; Maiden Plate 1600m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m

24 January – Vaal (Classic Track) – Maiden Plate 1000m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1000m

26 January – Turffontein (Inside Track) – Maiden Plate 1000m; Maiden Plate 1200m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m; Maiden Plate 1450m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1450m; Maiden Plate 1800m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1800m; Maiden Plate 2600m

29 January -Turffontein (Standside) – Maiden Plate 1600m

EASTERN CAPE

6 January – Fairview (Turf) – Maiden Plate F&M 1200m

9 January – Fairview (Poly) – Maiden Plate 1600m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m

13 January – Fairview (Turf) – Maiden Plate (F&M) 1400m; WR Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m

20 January – Fairview (Turf) – Maiden Plate 1000m; Maiden Plate 1400m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 2000m

27 January – Fairview (Turf ) – Maiden Handicap 2000m

Going forward, members are reminded to consult our monthly newsletter, ROA Today, to keep apprised of bonus races programmed for the remainder of the season.

We view our relationship with 4Racing in a true spirit of partnership and are thrilled to be able to announce this collaboration as we close out the year.

Any colour holders who wish to join the Racehorse Owners Association should contact either Marilyn or Laiken for assistance as follows:

Marilyn Smith on 076 301 5449 / marilyn@racingassociation.co.za or Laiken Martin on (011) 683 3220 / laiken@racingassociation.co.za

Application forms are also available on our website www.racingassociation.co.za

Released by: Natalie Turner

CEO: Racehorse Owners Association

Date: 20 December 2022

Keagan de Melo returned from a seven day suspension to ride Gimme A Prince to victory in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants on December 11, but he has just earned himself another seven day holiday (Picture: Wayne Marks).

De Melo Lands Another Seven Day Holiday

Reaching The 300 Winner Mark Now Becomes Tougher

Keagan de Melo was on 116 wins in 563 rides with 140 days of the season gone by the end of last weekend and if he had kept up the same number-of-rides rate and the same strike rate he would have been on 302 wins by the end of the season.

That was despite riding a rare blank at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

However, he then scored another blank at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday and it has now been confirmed he has been suspended for seven days for an indiscretion on Saturday.

De Melo rode one winner at Turffontein Standside today.

He is now on 117 wins for the season scored at a strike rate of 20.38%.

The below NHA inquiry was published today:

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 17 December 2022, which was adjourned and resumed on 20 December 2022, Jockey K de Melo was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7. The particulars being that as the rider of LET IT BURN he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to TRANSACT at the 150m in Race 8, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on 19 November 2022.

Jockey de Melo pleaded guilty to and was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after considering the video evidence, his riding record and mitigating factors, imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven (7) days.

Jockey de Melo was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

Jockey de Melo waived his Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed and was granted permission to take his suspension from 25/12/2022 to 31/12/2022, both dates inclusive.

De Melo effectively only has a six day suspension as the period of suspension includes Christmas day.

It might be a blessing in disguise as he will be able to have some family time over the Christmas period and recharge his batteries.

Double Superlative is currently looking a picture of well-being (Picture supplied).

Double Superlative On The Road To Recovery

Last year’s Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative sustained a tendon injury in Durban earlier this year, so has not been seen since running a 1,55 length fifth from a wide draw in the Grade 2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

However, the Justin Snaith-trained Twice Over colt is back in training and is being targeted at next year’s Cape Summer Festival Of Racing.

Jonathan Snaith said, “He is in recovery and has started work again. He’s doing exceptionally well and will be back in the next Cape Summer Season. He’s an outstanding horse and will be back.”

Double Superlative was awarded a 125 merit rating after his impressive win in last year’s Cape Guineas, which is just three points less than the rating Charles Dickens was given on Saturday.

Last year’s Cape Guineas form has worked out well.

Every single horse in the race bar Double Superlative and his stablemate Pacaya have won at least one race since.

That includes a Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby win for Pomp And Power, a Grade 2 win for Cosmic Highway, a Grade 2 win for Zapatillas, a Grade 3 win for Universal, a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 win for Trip Of Fortune, a Grade 3 win for Waterberry Lane, a Non-Black Type win for Surjay, a Listed win for Xavion, a Non-Black Type win for Mr Master Starter and a Listed win for Chollima.

Picture below: Trainer Justin Snaith aboard Double Superlative recently on the beach (Supplied).

Charles Dickens being led in on Saturday by Gaynor Rupert. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Handicapping Ratings Update

NHA PRESS RELEASE 20 December 2022

Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1)

CHARLES DICKENS has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 128 following his emphatic success in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 17 December. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up COUSIN CASEY made for the ideal line horse when assessing this event, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 115.

The winner aside, there were ratings increases for four other horses. 3rd finisher AT MY COMMAND is up from 109 to 114, 4th placed ROYAL AUSSIE was raised from 99 to 109, while 5th placed DAVE THE KING and 6th finisher MONEY HEIST – who were separated by no more than a short head in this level weights contest – both go up to 108 from 105 and 103, respectively. This would ensure that they meet on the correct terms i.e. level weights, should they face each other in a handicap race, given that they showed essentially the identical level of ability here.

No horse received a rating’s drop as a result of this race.

Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2)

NEXUS has had his merit rating raised from 107 to 114 following a second career success in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. NEXUS also won this race two seasons ago, when he achieved a mark of 116 carrying 1 kg more than this time around. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 3rd placed HAN SOLO made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100.

Runner-up IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA – who was 1 pound or 0.5 kg under sufferance at the weights – goes up from 95 to 100 and was the only other runner to receive a rating’s increase. There were however ratings drops for five runners.

4th finisher WARRIOR is down from 108 to 107, CHOLLIMA drops from 100 to 98, ROCKIN’ RINGO was trimmed from 109 to 108, FUTURE PRINCE is down to 96 from 97, and lastly SENSO UNICO drops from 108 to 106.

Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes (Grade 3)

MARINA remains unchanged on a mark of 117 after winning the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed SILVER DARLING made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 113. In assessing the race this way, MARINA only runs to a mark of 114, hence her unchanged rating. MARINA also won this race a year ago, carrying 4.5 kgs less and only running to a mark of 104, testament to the progress which she has made during the intervening twelve months.

There were also increases for 2nd placed DO ANGELS CRY, who goes up from 93 to 102, and for 4th finisher BYE BYE BOMBSHELL, who is up from 98 to 100.

The only drop was for CHANSONETTE, who continues to run well below her best form of last season and who is down from 121 to 116 to make her lower than the winner.

Picture: Lyle Hewitson after clinching his double on Sunday aboard the Danny Shum-trained Lightning Bolt (Acclamation) (Hkjc.com)

Hewitson Solidifies Log Position With A Double At Sha Tin

Hewitson And Ferraris Have Full Books At Happy Valley Tomorrow ( Wednesday).

Lyle Hewitson’s double at Sha Tin on Sunday took him to 16 wins for the season in Hong Kong, which is enough to put him in a clear fifth position on the Jockeys log.

In 229 rides for the season he has also had 9 seconds, 26 thirds, 13 fourths and 30 fifths which gives him total stakes earnings of HK$21,919,850, which at the current exchange rate is the equivalent of a cool R48,881,265.50.

Meanwhile, Luke Ferraris is in joint seventh place on the log on eleven wins and total stakes earnings of HK$15,850,400.

However, both riders are very much in demand.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at Happy Valley Ferraris rides in every one of the nine races and Hewitson rides in eight.

However, they will still have it tough as none of their mounts will be prominent in the betting.

Ferraris’ two best rides could be on the Tony Cruz-trained 1000m specialist Circuit Seven (Deep Field) in Race 5 over 1000m and the Caspar Fownes-trained Winning Icey (Hinchinbrook) in the last race over 1200m.

Circuit Seven has landed a plum draw of two in the class 4 event. In his penultimate start he was taken up to second place in the running from a wide draw of 11 and stayed on for a neck second. However, he was raised two points and last time after leading from draw five, he was overtaken late and could only a manage a two length sixth. He remains on the same mark but if Luke can gain an easy lead from draw two with the horse’s good gatespeed and manage to keep something in reserve for the business end, he could be in the money.

Winning Icey runs in a class 3 event over 1200m. This Australian-bred really runs for Ferraris. He started off his career with two thirds under Ferraris. He then had two unplaced runs under KH Chan and Moreira respectively. He was then reunited with Ferraris and rattled off three wins in succession, followed by a third and a second. It is obviously tougher now off his increased mark but he has plenty of zip and could be a contender. He did not break well last time on the All Weather but stayed on well for a 3,75 length second, so he could go close here if he breaks better.

Hewitson’s best ride could be in the class 4 seventh race over 1200m on the Dennis Yip-trained Hercules (Medaglia D’Oro). He followed a win with a second in his penultimate start, but then only managed sixth last time, all over 1200m in class 4. However, he was drawn seven last time and now has draw two. He was dropped out to the back in that last race and did not have a smooth passage on the rail, with his running taken up a couple of time. Hewitson rides him for the first time and if finding a decent position from this good draw and having a smoother passage than last time, he should be right there.

Warren Kennedy winning a Grade 3 on Saturday for trainer Lance Noble (Cambridgestud.co.nz)

Grade 3 Success For Warren Kennedy

SA’s reigning champion jockey rode a Grade 3 winner in New Zealand on Saturday.

He rode the Lance Noble-trained three-year-old Highly Recommended filly Polygon to victory in the Grade 3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes over 1600m at Te Rapa.

The filly paid $8.10 for a win and won by a cosy 1,3 lengths.

This is the second Graded race Kennedy has won since arriving in New Zealand.

He won the Grade 3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl over 1100m on fiive-year-old Snitzel mare Letzebeglam on 19 November at Pukekohe, also for Lance Noble.

Kennedy has had 114 rides in New Zealand to date for 18 wins (16%) and 23 places (36%).

His places includes one LIsted race place.

Picture: the Tryrone Zackey-trained Arlington Action (The Apache) made it four wins on the trot today at Turffontein Standside and he has won all of them under Ryan Munger (JC Photos).

Tyrone Zackey Double

Trainer Tyrone Zackey scored a double at his home course of Turffontein Standside today and goes to ten wins for the season at a strike rate of 19.23%.

Picture: Te Rapa racecourse (eventfinda.co.nz)

Today’s Question

One Of Warren Kennedy’s regular tracks to race at in New Zealand is Te Rapa racetrack in Hamilton, which is 117 km from Auckland.

Which major Grade 1 race will Te Rapa host this season?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

Click Here To See Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Fields, Wednesday

NB Please wait a few seconds for fields to appear.

Picture: The New Zealand Derby is usually held at Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland (Dave Rowland/Getty Images).

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION:

The New Zealand Derby is probably the country’s most prestigious horseracing event but it’s usual home track, Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland, is being renovated.

Therefore the NZ$1 million (R10,970,000) event on March 4, 2023, will be run at Te Rapa racecourse.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 20 December 2022