Weights Rule Striker Out Of A July Ride
Piere Strydom needs just one more win of South Africa’s premier race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, to join Anton Marcus on a record five wins in the big race but it looks unlikely to ever happen.
Strydom’s options for a ride this year are limited to the horses near the top of the weights and those horses all look booked already with Raymond Danielson aboard See It Again, JP van der Merwe aboard Oriental Charm, Sean Veale aboard Gladatorian and Muzi Yeni aboard Royal Victory and even if he would be able to slim down to 57,5kg Kabelo Matsunyane always rides Purple Pitcher, or 57kg Richard Fourie will be on Eight On Eighteen and Calvin Habib is aboard Atticus Finch.
Strydom has said the costs of the insurance he is obliged to pay to keep his license makes riding not worthwhile financially and he is thus very close to retirement.
However, he has had a meeting with his insurance company and negotiated for a lesser rate.
He will hear the outcome soon and if it is a negative response he will be looking at a retirement date.
He said he might just call it a day after riding a winner one day, but history shows that fans are not impressed when sporting heroes exit without warning and some sort of farewell to the legend would be more apt.
Meanwhile, he will be riding the James Crawford-trained Fatal Flaw in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. The New Predator filly will be going for a third Gr 1 mile win, having won the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas under Strydom and the TAB Empress Club Stakes under Gavin Lerena (Piere could not make the weight of 57kg in the latter race). He said he would likely get some other rides on the day too.
Piere has just returned from a holiday to New York where he attended the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga racecourse.
He thoroughly enjoyed it and the first thing he mentioned was the number of other activities available on course besides the racing, which made it a fascinating and enjoyable day
He was based near the 400m mark and was thus able to get right up close to the horses.
He said as physical specimens the Belmont runners looked good, but he was not “blown away”.
Asked then whether they were no better than South Africa’s thoroughbred racehorses, he replied, “Looks not really. Ability? Many lengths!”
Gladatorian Could Secure A Third Generation July Win For Summerveld Yard
Gladatorian and regular rider Sean Veale after winning this year’s Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Stuart Ferrie will be out to land his first Hollywoodbets Durban July with his fist runner in the big race, Gladatorian, although the five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding would be the third July winner to be trained out of the yard Stuart occupies at Summerveld.
The previous yard incumbents were the legendary Dennis Drier and before that it was Dennis’s father-in-law John Breval and they both trained one July winner from this yard respectively.
It is now 33 years since Dennis Drier trained Spanish Galliard to Durban July victory from Stuart’s current yard in 1992.
John Breval scored his second July victory from this yard with Principal Boy in the drama-filled 1975 renewal, which saw his Oppenheimer-owned charge Principal Boy, who had crossed the line in second place, inheriting the race after the third finisher, the Ormond Ferraris-trained Distinctly, successfully objected against the first accross the line, the Herman Brown-trained Gatecrasher.
Breval’s first July win was in 1965 with the Oppenheimer-owned King Willow, which was a couple of years before Summerveld opened.
Drier would have received the best tuition in training a July winner possible as he was assistant trainer to his late great Hall Of Fame uncle, Syd Laird, who holds the record of seven July winners as a trainer.
Drier would have been in the yard for three of those winners, Mazarin in 1971, Yataghan in 1973 and Politician in 1978, three horses who could have the word “great” preceding their names and in Politician’s case there would be no argument about that.
Ferrie was assistant to Drier for many years before taking out his own license upon the latter’s retirement a couple of years ago.
Stuart helped prepare two or three July runners in his time with Dennis, incuding the diminutive stalwart Beach Beauty in 2012 and Lady In Black in 2019. Both of those fillies were by the great July winner Dynasty, so had the credentials, but the race did not pan out well for either and Beach Beauty finished a 4,95 length ninth, while Lady In Black finished a 5,70 length eleventh.
Dennis and Stuart also looked after the Stan Elley-trained Punta Arenas, who was an unlucky second in the 2015 July.
Gladatorian has had an interesting career as he was kept to sprints for his first two years of racing, with just two attempts at 1400m being the only times he ventured out of that category in that period. His win of the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, beating the top Gr 1-winning sprinter Thunderstruck, was the highlight of those first two years of racing.
Gladatorian was second the first time he tried 1400m and won the second time.
He was then tried in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m last year and finished a 0,55 length third.
He won the Drill Hall this year in a career best performance, beating the top class See It Again, with classy sorts Great Plain, The Real Prince and Questioning next best in that order.
His pedigree suggested he woud easily stay further than sprints as he is by the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Vercingetorix out of a Dynasty mare.
After the Drill Hall last year he began to prove he could stay further with a number of stalwarts performances over a mile and beyond.
This included a flying second in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein Standside, an easy win in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and in his last start he flew from the back of the field once more and only just failed to reach Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, losing by 0,35 lengths.
That last race saw his merit rating being increased to 127, meaning he will have to carry joint topweight in the July with See It Again and last year’s winner Oriental Charm.
Gladatorian only has one way of running: he likes to be left alone from the off and he then produces a flying finish from off the pace in the straight. He will need the gaps to open at the right time in the July, but expect to see him surging in tha last 200m a he often only really takes off at that point and the word takes off is fitting because he has a tremendous turn of foot.
Stuart said he is hoping for a draw of anywhere from six to eleven.
The man who knows him best, Sean Veale, will be aboard.
Gladatorian was bred by Easmus Thoroughbreds CC.
Stuart said the breeder had told him Gladatorian’s dam Harvard Crimson had put up her career best performance over 2000m when winning the Listed Jockey Club Stakes in soft going at Fairview by 2,75 lengths.
He thus does not have much doubt about Gladatorian’s stamina capacity as his sire Vercingetorix is by stamina influence Silvano and he himself won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000.
Stuart concluded by saying Gladatorin had come out of the Gold Challenge well and said all was good with him.
Gladatorian is out at 20/1 for the Hollywoodbets Durban July with the sponsor and can be backed at 28/10 for the first five.
Stuart has one other good runner on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, the talented Querari gelding I Am Giant. He said the big Hollywood Racing-owned horse had needed his last start. If he is back to his best he will have a fine chance in the Gr 2 Post Merchants.
Lerena Closes In On Fourie After Treble At The Vaal
Drakenstein Could Equal Or Better A Record On Saturday
Happy Verse could be the one to beat in the Langerman. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Drakenstein Stud just need one more individual stakes winner this season to equal ther record set last season of 21 stakes winners in a season and they should go close to equaling it, or even bettering it, on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
They have a strong hand in the Gr 3 Langerman with Happy Verse and Vapour Trail and have chances with Lowveld Lily and Mrs Claus in the Listed Irridescance Stakes.
In the Langerman over 1500m the Justin Snaith-trained Happy Verse looks to be an exciting prospect. The Vercingetorix colt, bred by Drakenstein and owned by them in partnership with Reon Barnard and Gary Player, won on debut over 1200m and last time off a merit rating of 88 cosily beat a field of older horses in a class 4 event over 1400m. The imposing colt, who is out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, dwarfed most of the older horse with his physical presence and has plenty of scope for further improvement and should also relish the extra 100m.
He will have to fend off his stablemates Roland Garros, Randolph Hearst and Absolutely Yes, all of whom have plenty of ability, and he will have to also beat the talented Vaughan Marshall pair Dreamworld and Vapour Trail.
The Drakentein-bred Vapour Trail is by exciting new season sire Erik The Red and is a half-brother to the top class One Stripe. He is improving and will enjoy the 100m step up in trip from his last race.
In the Irridescence Stakes over 1500m the Snaith-trained Lowveld Lily by Legislate improved second time out and was resolute in the finish over 1200m so should relish this step up in trip. However, she does have the widest draw of all in the seven horse field, although Richard Fourie is up.
Mrs Claus is a first-timer by Futura out of Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Santa Clara (Duke Of Marmalade), so she is an interesting first-timer for the Snaith yard.
The one to beat could be the Marshall-trained Vercingetorix filly Ukuduma, who is out of the dual Gr 1-winning Jet Master mare Thunder Dance. She beat Lowveld Lily by 2,30 lengths over 1100m in her only start to date and should love this trip.
Drakenstein will be out to break the SA record for stakes winners in a season for the fourth successive season.
Splicethemainbrace Is The One To Beat
Splicethemainbrace is the one to beat in the sixth race. (Pauline Herman Photography)
Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)
Often bettors are faced with very competitive cards but there look to be some decent bets on Friday’s card at Fairview when they race on the turf.
The feature race on the card is Race 6, the East Cape Breeders Stakes over 1200m, and trainer Alan Greeff has five of the 14 runners carded. However, most eyes will be on the smart three-year-old filly Splicethemainbrace.
The Master Of My Fate filly has won nine of her 12 starts, with two of those wins coming over this distance. She is, in fact, unbeaten in two starts over this course and distance. Her record with jockey Richard Fourie reads nine wins from 10 rides, the only defeat coming on soft ground over 1000m back in September 2024.
Splicethemainbrace had her confidence slightly dented last time out by her impressive stable companion My Best Shot, but that colt has since won two more races, and she certainly ran with credit. She should prove hard to beat.
Trainer Sean Tarry doesn’t raid the Eastern Cape often, so when he does, it’s worth taking note. He is represented by five-year-old mare Winter Greeting. While she has not shown her best form for some time, she is well weighted and it is worth noting that she was in good form around this time last year.
Two-year-old filly You’re So Special, who runs in R4, looks the best banker for all the exotic bets. Also by Master Of My Fate, she has looked unlucky not to have won either of her first two starts. Jockey Andrew Fortune now takes over from the apprentice who rode her on both occasions.
Justin Snaith has some useful runners, all of them ridden by Muzi Yeni, and the best could be Zena’s Act in Race 2 and Exalted Love in Race 3.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Buffalo Bill, 2 Casino King, 4 Zambezi Sunset, 9 Sombreuil
Race 2: 8 Zena’s Act, 6 Silvan Mistress, 1 Darlingbudsofmay, 4 Golden Croc
Race 3: 15 Exalted Love, 5 Golden Grey, 2 American Matador, 3 Pyro Edition
Race 4: 15 You’re So Special, 7 Keep Happy, 2 Lady Bomber, 1 Ring A Ling
Race 5: 2 Crowned Hornbill, 7 Beechamwood Boy, 9 Swiss Walt, 10 Munchkin
Race 6: 1 Splicethemainbrace, 2 Winter Greeting, 4 Gimme’s Lassie, 5 Lovegrass
Race 7: 5 Walkonthewildside, 12 Enchanting Choice, 8 Treasure Hunt, 7 Epikleros
Race 8: 12 Only A Poet, 7 Gimme More Time, 4 Juan Carlos, 1 Master Forester
BEST BET
Race 4: 15 You’re So Special
VALUE BET
Race 8: 12 Only A Poet
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 5×12
BIPOT
R48
Leg 1: 1, 2
Leg 2: 6, 8
Leg 3: 5, 15
Leg 4: 15
Leg 5: 2, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R192
Leg 1: 6, 8
Leg 2: 5, 15
Leg 3: 15
Leg 4: 2, 7, 9
Leg 5: 1, 2
Leg 6: 5, 12
Leg 7: 1, 4, 7, 12
PICK 6
R450
Leg 1: 2, 5, 12
Leg 2: 15
Leg 3: 2, 7, 9, 10, 12
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4
Leg 5: 5, 12
Leg 6: 1, 4, 6, 7, 12
JACKPOT 1
R30
Leg 1: 15
Leg 2: 2, 7, 9, 10, 12
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 5, 12
JACKPOT 2
R150
Leg 1: 2, 7, 9, 10, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 5, 12
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 7, 12
Relentless Trawlerman Smashes Track Record In Gold Cup
Trawlerman looked to be the smallest horse in this year’s Gr 1 Ascot Gold Cup, but he kept up a relentless gallop from the front that left his rivals toiling in his wake and he won in track record time under William Buick.
It was the seven-year-old John and Thady Gosden-trained Golden Horn gelding’s first Gr 1 win.
Shadow Of Light Could Win The Commonwealth Cup
Shadow Of Light winning the Dewhurst. (Picture: Sky Sports Racing).
Royal Ascot Friday Formguides And Selections
There are two Gr 1s, a Gr 2 an a Gr 3 at the Royal Ascot meeting on Friday.
2000 Guineas third-placed Shadow Of Light could be the most interesting runner on the day as he drops down to a sprint trip in the Gr 1 Commonwealth Cup.
At THe Races
1 3:30 PM (SA Time) – Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3)
Aidan O’Brien has taken two of the last three renewals and Signora is his contender this year. The daughter of Frankel showed enough to work with when third on her debut in a Group 3 at Naas and it would be no surprise to see her take a big leap forward. Fitzella progressed from her introduction to make a deep impression when victorious at Haydock and is one to watch closely, but a chance can be taken on FAIRY OAK. The daughter of A’Ali outran her odds of 25/1 to finish second on her first start at Navan. With the booking of Colin Keane catching the eye, she could spring a surprise.
Top Tip: Fairy Oak (4)
Watch out for: Signora (14)
2 4:05 PM – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
Last year’s winner Inisherin proved that dropping back in trip after tasting defeat in the 2000 Guineas can open new doors for a progressive horse and it is highly noteworthy SHADOW OF LIGHT follows suit after his gallant third-placed finish in the Classic at Newmarket. Having won the Middle Park and Dewhurst on his way to claiming champion juvenile honours last year, the son of Lope De Vega is expected to excel as a sprinter. Babouche has already accounted for Whistlejacket in two high-profile races in Ireland so must be regarded as a serious player in receipt of 3lb from the boys. Ides Of March, Jonquil and Big Mojo all hold solid chances of gaining some prize money.
Top Tip: Shadow Of Light (9)
Watch out for: Babouche (14)
4 4:40 PM – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
An Irish raider has taken this valuable prize in the last two years and Ethical Diamond is likely to mount a bold bid in an attempt to improve on that trend. Willie Mullins’ five-year-old was fourth when sent off favourite for last year’s renewal and returns off 2lb higher, while Almosh’her has an appealing profile after making it two from two in handicaps at York and he may have plenty more in the locker, but HAND OF GOD gets the nod. Harry Charlton’s charge came through the field to land the Golden Gates over 1m2f at the 2024 Royal meeting and ran too badly to be true last month at Newmarket on his first start since. The son of Churchill potentially remains on a lenient rating and could bounce back.
Top Tip: Hand Of God (7)
Watch out for: Ethical Diamond (18)
4 5:20 PM – Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (Rnd)
The fact that FALAKEYAH has been supplemented could be a tip in itself, and Owen Burrows’ filly looked every inch a Group 1 performer in the making when landing the Pretty Polly at Newmarket. Jim Crowley’s mount showed electric pace on that occasion and, as long as she settles, it may be difficult for Zarigana to peg her back. The daughter of Siyouni was awarded the French 1000 Guineas after interference and has given the impression on a couple of occasions that going over further than 1m may bring out the best in her. A slightly unlucky fourth in the Longchamp Classic when short of room, Exactly has a Royal Ascot pedigree being out of Queen Mary winner Heartache, but she will need to improve again. A taking winner of a Listed contest at York, Kon Tiki deserves a crack at this level and the booking of William Buick catches the eye.
Top Tip: Falakeyah (6)
Watch out for: Zarigana (11)
5 6:00 PM – Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Str)
SUPERMODEL turned heads when making a winning handicap bow at Nottingham 19 days ago and she looks one to follow. A 7lb higher mark is unlikely to prevent another bold bid from the lightly-raced three-year-old and a double may be on the cards. Dangers are aplenty, headed by Sweet Chariot, who arrives on the back of a respectable fifth in a Group 3 at Leopardstown and the Wootton Bassett filly is a potential improver racing over 1m for the first time. The hat-trick seeking Silver Ghost is of interest in her current heart, while handicap/seasonal debutant Tabiti cannot be dismissed either, especially in first-time blinkers.
Top Tip: Supermodel (10)
Watch out for: Sweet Chariot (7)
6 6:35 PM – King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
PUPPET MASTER goes from strength to strength. Fourth in the Ballysax at Leopardstown in March, when only a couple of lengths behind subsequent Derby hero Lambourn, he showed further improvement to land the Lingfield Derby Trial last time. There should be even more in the locker and the son of Camelot makes most appeal. Zahrann is another Irish challenger to consider, having won a Listed contest at Leopardstown in fine style, while Amiloc remains unbeaten after easily winning a Listed race at Goodwood and commands the utmost respect. Third in the Dante, the tough and consistent Wimbledon Hawkeye is also likely to prove competitive.
Top Tip: Puppet Master (8)
Watch out for: Zahrann (11)
7 7:10 PM – Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)
Stormy Impact, Lexington Blitz and the speedy Ruby’s Profit were the first three home in that order in the 3YO Dash at Epsom and all have solid claims once again. The same comment applies to Realign, who is another pace angle based on his dominant return in a maiden at Yarmouth, where he made every yard of the running to establish himself as a prime contender to cope with a step up in class. However, fellow confirmed front-runner REDORANGE shades preference. Having exploited a handy draw to win at Chester, the son of Mehmas could be even more potent with this wider course allowing him more room to maneuver.
Top Tip: Redorange (9)
Watch out for: Realign (12)
Today's Question
What is the title of Britain’s most prestigious staying race?
The picture gives a clue to the answer
Today’s Question Answer
The Gold Cup is Britain’s most prestigious staying race. Contrary to popular belief, the actual title of the race does not include the word “Ascot”.
