Turf Talk Newsletter – 2 April, 2025

Isivunguvungu being put through his paces ahead of the Gr 1 Al Quoz Sprint to be run over 1200m on the turf on Dubai World Cup night (Picture: Dubai Racing Club)

Isivunguvungu has drawn seven out of eleven in the Gr 1 Al Quoz Spint over 1200m on the turf to be run on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on Saturday.

He has been looking in superb condition and trainer Graham Motion said, “He couldn’t be doing better.”

The What A Winter gelding will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Tab4Racing wrote the below article about Isivunguvungu’s attempt to win the Gr 1 on Dubai World Cup night.

Isivunguvungu hunts Dubai win

SA-BRED SPRINTER OUT TO EMULATE FEATS OF JJ THE JET PLANE AND SHEA SHEA

Jack Milner (The Citizen (KZN))

One of the most interesting races on the undercard of the Dubai World Cup is the Al Quoz Sprint, the Group 1 race South Africa has enjoyed success in the past and has hopes of landing the prize again with Isivunguvungu on Saturday.

In 2013, Shea Shea, trained by Mike de Kock, won the 1200m turf dash, two years after globe-trotting JJ The Jet Plane delighted favourite backers when overcoming minor trouble in running to take out race for trainer Lucky Houdalakis.

Isivunguvungu, trained by Graham Motion, a Dubai World Cup winning trainer, is owned by Hollywood Racing and has the services of Christophe Soumillon, who is chasing his second Al Quoz Sprint, 12 years after steering Shea Shea to victory.

Isivunguvungu, a twotime Grade 1 winner in South Africa, made an immediate impact on his US debut for Motion, winning the Da Hoss Stakes, off a 245-day break, at Colonial Downs last September.

He then tackled the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, finishing a respectable seventh of 11 behind shock winner Starlust, a performance that failed to tell the true story. He met trouble in running in the closing stages and in the circumstances to finish two lengths behind the winner wasn’t a bad effort.

Isivunguvungu was reported to have badly needed his comeback and his prep for the Al Quoz Sprint when a close third in the Turf Dash Stakes, over an inadequate 1000m, at Tampa Bay Downs in late February.

This year’s Al Quoz Sprint is a competitive renewal and reflected in the betting. George Boughey’s smart sprinter Believing, sold by Highclere to Coolmore at the Tattersalls December Sale, and Hong Kong sprinter Howdeepisyourlove have been installed joint favourites.

Boughey’s stable star is a model of consistency and ran in many of the top sprints in Britain, France and Ireland last year. She holds sound claims of finally securing her first success at the highest level in the hands of William Buick.

Hong Kong has a decent record in the Al Quoz Sprint, winning the race three times and John Size’s Howdeepisyourlove makes plenty of appeal to give Hong Kong successive win after California Spangle landed the prize for Tony Cruz 12 months ago.

Of the others, West Acre clearly enters calculations for Newmarket-based trainer George Scott. The Mehmas gelding, the only three-year-old in the field, has made giant strides since arriving in the Emirates, impressing when winning the Blue Point and Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint. He’s blessed with a devastating turn of foot and is a lightly raced gelding who is open to further improvement, having only made his racecourse debut last October.

Audience, trained by John and Thady Gosden, should ensure a strong pace on his seasonal debut. He caught the eye when defeating European champion miler Charyn in the Locking Stakes (Group 1) at Newbury last 10 months, making all under a fine ride from Robert Havlin. Audience, owned by Cheveley Park, is a smart horse but has his quirks, often tardy at the start and has frequently disappointed on occasions.

The Mike de Kock-trained Spumante Dolce is one of Vercingetorix’s star performers this season. (JC Photos). 

The BSA National Yearling Sale is fast approaching and stallion phenomenon Vercingetorix is sure to be on centre stage as usual.

The son of Silvano is backing up his big Sales prices with the scintillating performance of his progeny on the racetrack and he could go close to breaking a South African record for earnings in a season.

He is currently on R22,338,825 and he should go close to breaking the R30,623,225 (excluding restricted stakes) that Gimmethegreenlight’s progeny accumulated last season.

It is not known what the record is for stakes winners in a season, but Vercingetorix will almost certainly break his own record.

He has twice sired 14 individual stakes winners in a season, in the 2021/2022 season (14 stakes winners of 21 races) and last season (14 stakes winners of 18 races).

This season he is on 14 stakes winners of 16 races.

Vercingetorix’s first  seven figure lot of the forthcoming Sale, which is on the 10th and 11th of April at the TBA Complex in Germiston, could come with the very first lot of the Sale.

This is a Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred filly who is the first foal of Gr 1 Garden Province winner Zarina.

Vercingetorix will have 27 lots on offer and lot 49 might be the one which attracts most attention.

This filly vendored by Klawervlei Stud as agent is a half-sister to Equus Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom (Captain Al).

Last year at the BSA National Yearling Sale a Vercingetorix half-brother to Captain’s Ransom was  bought by Central Route Trading for R2,8 million.

The seesaw battle for the national jockeys championship continued today as Craig Zackey scored a treble at Hollywoodbets Scottsville to join Richard Fourie back on top.

Zackey and Fourie have 176 wins and Gavin Lerena is two off the pace on 174.

Both Fourie and Lerena had four-timers at the big Champions Day meeting on Saturday at  Turffontein Standside, while Zackey only managed one win.

However, Zackey had a double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday and together with the treble today has managed to claw back the definict.

All five of those aforementioned wins were for Zackey’s guv’nor Dean Kannemeyer.

Zackey has done it at a strike rate of 18.68%, while Fourie is going at a strike rate of 26.47% and Lerena 26.24%.

Kannemeyer is on 40 wins for the season at 13.75%.

Another treble scorer at today’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting was Clifton Stud, who bred three of the ten winners.

Punters face a competitive eight-race card on the Vaal Classic track on Thursday.

The seventh, a MR 106 Handicap over 1000m is the highest rated race at the meeting, and topweight Chasing Happiness is the selections as she has speed and some class and Piere Strydom is a bonus over the suitable trip. Cosmic Star  ran a cracker last time over this trip and is now drawn on the right side. Yamadori went close last time over this trip and is also drawn on the right side while Troppo Veloce should make her presence felt.

In the first, a Maiden over 1200m, Scarlett Heart ran well second time out with Khumalo up and Khumalo keeps the ride and jumps from pole position. Tin Pan Alley is by the United States out of a Querari mare and Craig Zackey is an interesting booking jumping from draw two. Time Will Tell ran a cracker second time out when second to One Fine Winter but he was beaten 4.3 lengths and Khumalo has jumped ship.

The second is a maiden over 1200m. Inspiration made a fair debut at Kenilworth before being well beaten in the Gr 3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery but in this field, she must have a fine chance, although she does jump from a tricky draw of six. Open Sesame is by Futura out of the decent Philanthropist mare Magic School and jumps from pole position under Gavin Lerena while Wings Of Ice made a fair debut behind a fair sort and should improve.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is another maiden, this time over 2400m. Heroic Act ran a much improved race last time and can go close with a repeat. Santiago’s Pride has shown ability over staying trips and has a chance here from a good draw. Chieftain’s Shield ran well over 2,000 metres last time and should get this trip while Lunar Rainbow has shown some ability and from pole position might be able to earn.

The fourth is a Middle Stakes over a mile. Zuzan won well last time over this trip, beating a good sort and off a four-point higher mark he could repeat it, jumping from pole position. Francine has some class and over a suitable trip under Gavin Lerena should make a bold bid. Royal Edition is an honest sort and from a good draw under Muzi Yeni should make his presence felt, although the trip is slightly on the sharp side. Silent War is capable of running on strongly, but he will need to find cover from a wide draw.

The fifth is a 1000m sprint. Antonio Gaudi  won a fair race last time and starts off a fair handicap mark of 79. Captain Efficient is always thereabouts and is drawn on the right side while Phala Millions is in good form at present and is also drawn towards the right side. Sakhala Is’Cathulo has a difficult number one draw but is in good form and can’t be ignored.

Night Vigil is in fine form and with a 4kg claimer up from a nice high draw she should go close to winning the sixth, another 1000m dash. Virgin River has plenty of pace and has been raised only three points for her last win so can be involved again. Kia Kaha is drawn on the right side and can do better than she did last time. The Navy Lark is very quick and enjoys this course in distance but does have an unfavourable low draw.

The last is a handicap sprint also over 1000m. Ilha Da Orange has been disappointing in her last four starts but now gets the blinkers on and reverts to 1000m. Lady Of Memphis is in good form and should make her presence felt. Omnipotent won well in the Maidens and starts off handicapped off a reasonable mark. Heirloom has speed and on her day can be dangerous over the minimum trip and she is drawn on the right side.

Picture: Keagan de Melo and trainer Chris So win together for the sixth time this season. (Picture: HKJC).

Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo both had a winner at Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting.

Hewitson goes to 17 wins for the season and De Melo is on seven.

Read the report on the meeting below:

Jumbo Legend stays the distance, Kingscote signs off a winner at Happy Valley

By Declan Schuster (HKJC)

Admirably consistent across his 35-start career, Jumbo Legend (119lb) added another string to his bow this evening (Wednesday, 2 April) at Happy Valley with a stamina testing success in the Class 3 Hanshin Handicap (2200m).

Racing beyond 1800m for the first time after four wins at the city circuit – twice at 1200m and 1650m, trainer Caspar Fownes’ six-year-old showcased ample staying power by producing a neck victory over Fallon (126lb) with jockey Harry Bentley.

Settled close to the rear throughout the contest, Bentley swung his mount into clear air with 300m left to run. Angling into the open, the bay overhauled Fallon tenaciously in 2m 14.18s with Charity Gain (121lb) grinding into third a further three lengths away.

“Stepping up in distance was a slight question mark. He always finishes his race out so well, so it looked to be suitable. I was happy with how he came into it and he relaxed beautifully,” Bentley said. “Fallon really stuck his head out and obviously the weight played a bit of a part but take nothing away from this lad’s victory.”

Jumbo Legend boasts HK$6.92 million earnings for Fownes, who said: “He’s a very honest horse. He ran a good race last start with good sectionals over 1800 metres. We felt that he could get any distance from a mile to 2000 and 2200 tonight.”

Concluding his six-week short-term Hong Kong contract this evening along with Declan McDonogh, Richard Kingscote exulted with his first Happy Valley win aboard Giant Leap in the second section of the Class 4 Nakayama Handicap (1200m) for trainer Ricky Yiu.

“I’m really happy. Obviously, tonight’s my last night, so it’s nice to get another one. I’m very grateful to Ricky and his team – they’ve supported me a lot since I’ve been here. It’s good,” Kingscote said.

Kingscote rode a treble last Wednesday (26 March) from three rides at Sha Tin’s all-dirt fixture, while McDonogh departs with the one win at Happy Valley on 5 March.

Following 10 wins through March, Andrea Atzeni extended his sparkling run as Crystal Powerful (121lb) landed the Class 4 Japan Racing Association Trophy Handicap (1000m) for trainer Cody Mo from gate two, edging past a hard Plentiful (126lb) by a short head.

Atzeni said: “It’s not a surprise to see him win. He won in Class 4 last year and dropping him back to 1000 (metres) is sort of the key to him – he’s showing more speed this year and he’s won both times but the draw has been a big help. Both times he’s had a good draw, good trip and he’s won but you can’t take anything away from him.”

Atzeni strengthened his grip on third place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with a double after scoring on Fownes-trained Kaholo Angel in the Class 3 Kyoto Handicap (1200m), boosting his haul to 38 for the term to trail only Zac Purton (88 wins) and Hugh Bowman (52).

Keagan De Melo and Chris So continued a fruitful union by grabbing their sixth win in tandem this season with three-year-old Top Time’s triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Chukyo Handicap (1650m).

“Chris has been really good to me. I’m just really thankful because you need someone who relies on you a little bit,” De Melo said. “He’s still a young horse but I thought that was a very good win.”

Dragon Four Seas skipped up the inside for a second straight win in the first section of the Class 4 Nakayama Handicap (1200m) under Bowman for trainer Manfred Man.

Hard Spun gelding Highland Rahy lowered Flying Elite’s long-held Class 4 1650m course record (1m 38.83s) set in 2013 to 1m 38.42s with an all-the-way victory in the second section of the Chukyo Handicap under Lyle Hewitson for trainer Francis Lui.

“He galloped strongly and got stronger through the race. He had a breather up the hill (back straight) and then put the pressure on again. I felt him come to me this time, it just felt like he might have kicked a little better,” Hewitson said. “He was tough to the line.”

Golden Darci soared from last-to-first to land the Class 5 Niigata Handicap (1200m) with jockey James Orman for trainer Douglas Whyte. Orman secured his third win this term.

“It was going to be hard from that barrier (12) but it worked out pretty good for us. He just came around them and he was too good,” Orman said.

Purton and Pierre Ng combined for their eighth victory of the season when Aestheticism overpowered his rivals to clinch the Class 3 Tokyo Handicap (1650m). All four of Aestheticism’s career wins have come under seven-time Hong Kong champion Purton.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin this Sunday (6 April).

Drakenstein-homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Green Sapphire wins the Umzimkhulu Stakes under S’Manga Khumalo. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

NHA Press Release

Handicappings Ratings Update

UMZIMKHULU STAKES (Grade 3)

GREEN SAPPHIRE’S victory in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday, 31 March 2025, resulted in an increase in her official merit rating, which rose from 95 to 104.

The Handicappers believed that the runner-up, GIMMIE’S COUNTESS, had not performed below the 104 rating she produced in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap, which was also contested over 1400m. Consequently, GIMME’S COUNTESS’ rating of 104 was used to assess the Umzimkhulu Stakes.

GIMMIE’S COUNTESS has failed to confirm her pre-rating of 108 in her last five starts and was reduced slightly to a rating of 107.

Three other runners had their merit ratings raised following the race. REGENERATION, who finished in third place, was increased from 91 to 100, fourth-placed JEANNE DARC was raised from 83 to 99 and MAGICAL VIEW was elevated from 90 to 96.

The adjustment made above will ensure that these fillies compete under the correct handicap terms in future races and serve effectively for balloting (eliminations) purposes.

BYERLEY TURK (Grade 3)

OXALIS GOLD has had her official merit rating raised from 97 to 107 following her win in the Byerley Turk (Grade 3) over 1400m. In assessing the race, the Handicappers determined that the runner-up, CATS PAJAMAS, was the most suitable line horse for rating this event, leaving his rating unchanged at 115.

There were merit ratings increases for two more runners. O’TENIKWA, who finished third was raised to 107 from 106, while BOURBON WARRIOR was adjusted to 100 from 96.

Two horses received downward adjustments. DANTONFROMSANDTON was reduced from 106 to 104. GOLDEN RULE was given a significant drop from 97 to 90.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Which horse met the legendary Jet Master four times in all and beat him twice?

The subject horse is shown in the picture.