Picture: Great trainer and jockey combination, Herman Brown and Michael Roberts (on Sun Monarch). Brown trained Turncoat in Roberts’ seven Grade 1-winners season (issuu.com).
Muis/Felix Also Have 7 Grade 1s In A Season
The South African racing archives are not kept in such a way that records can be quickly checked and announcements of new records are sometimes open to question.
One such case was when it was announced immediately after the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge that Richard Fourie had equaled Jeff Lloyd’s record of seven Grade 1s in a season.
Lloyd did indeed ride seven Grade 1’s in the 2006/2007 season and Fourie has equalled that this season … both incredible feats.
However, considering there used to probably be more Grade 1s in a season than there are today and the like of Michael Roberts won eleven South African Championships, whilst Felix Coetzee was stable jockey to Terrance Millard during the latter’s era of dominance, it was worth looking through the archives to ascertain whether seven is in fact the record.
A figure of seven was found for both of the aforementioned jockeys without reference to the official archives and by rather inefficient means.
In the 1983/1984 season Michael Roberts had at least the following Grade 1 wins: He won both the Cape Guineas and the Mainstay International on Turncoat, he won both the Sun International and Clairwood Champion Stakes on Spanish Pool, he won the SA Oaks on Novenna, the Administrator’s Champion Juvenile Stakes on Be Noble and the Chairman’s Stakes on Ted’s Ambition.
In the 1987/1988 season Felix Coetzee had at least the following Grade 1 wins: He won the SA Guineas, the Schweppes Challenge and the Durban July on Royal Chalice, the Met on Mark Anthony, the SA Fillies Sprint on Splendid Ann, the Cape Fillies Guineas on Kiss Of Peace and the Gold Cup on Castle Walk.
The two accumulative totals for Roberts and Coetzee above were found without much data at one’s disposal.
All of Coetzee’s above race wins were indisputably Grade 1 events at the time, whilst Roberts’ list includes two races, the SA Oaks and the Chairman’s Stakes, which often flitted between Grade 1 and Grade 2 status, so those will have to de double-checked.
However, it would be no great surprise if somewhere in the annals there has been an achievement of more than seven Grade 1s in a season.
There should be an official search through the archives to unearth the unquestionable record.
However, this in no way intends to detract from the world class riding of Richard Fourie this season, which has seen him accumulate 24 stakes wins.
He still has a fine chance of reaching a magical 8 Grade 1 wins on Marshalls World Of Sport Gold Cup day and that might be a record.
Picture: Jet Dark is out to defend his Champions Cup crown (Candiese Lenferna).
‘Redemption day’ is coming to Hollywoodbets Greyville
Mike Moon (The Citizen)
The Champions Cup, in particular, will have all contestants striving mightily to heal the hurts of a momentous 2022 Durban July with a consolation win of note.
It will be a day of redemption on 30 July. The traditional grand finale of the South African racing season, the Gold Cup fixture at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Durban, offers chances to a number of horses to right wrongs, gain revenge and set the record straight. Or not – they can’t all win!
The Champions Cup, in particular, will have all contestants striving mightily to heal the hurts of a momentous 2022 Durban July with a consolation win of note.
Only 13 horses are entered for the 1800m Grade 1 race, but every one of them is high class and has something to prove.
Top of the ante-post betting market at 2-1 is Jet Dark, trainer Justin Snaith’s mercurial colt who flew into second place at the end of the July but had no chance of catching rocket-powered winner Sparkling Water.
Jet Dark won this race as a three-year-old in 2021 and is a dual Queen’s Plate winner. A record like that puts him in a class of his own and his owner and trainer will probably reckon he hasn’t got the admiration and adulation from the chattering classes that he deserves.
Another Champions Cup would go a long way to fixing that.
Next on the betting boards is 7-2 shot Kommetdieding – a rare Cape Town Met and Durban July champion who many a pundit reckons would have done better than his fifth place in this month’s July if he’d had a different preparation. His human helpers will be dead keen to make those clever dicks eat their words.
Then there is Linebacker, an outstanding competitor who ran inexplicably poorly in the July. In a similar place are Al Muthana and Waterberry Lane.
Astrix did a lot better in the July than expected and the country’s leading trainer Paul Peter will surely give his much-improved gelding an outside chance at 16-1.
Then there are horses like Marina and Russian Rock, who were unlucky not to make the July final field and whose connections will be keen to embarrass that big-race selection panel.
The same applies to Nebraas, who is a clear favourite for the meeting’s headliner, the famed Gold Cup itself. Trainer Sean Tarry expressed his disappointment that Nebraas didn’t crack the nod and nothing would prove his point better than his charge doubling up on his 2021 Gold Cup triumph.
Captain’s Ransom, the mighty four-year-old filly that not a few people rate the best local thoroughbred in training, goes for her 12th win in her 15th outing – in another Grade 1 on the card, the 1200m Mercury Sprint.
Her redemption will be for a shock defeat in the Garden Province Stakes on July day. She never looked her imperious self on that occasion and might have been a touch “over the top” following heroics a few weeks earlier in the SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville.
Picture: Justin Vermaak
Grant Knowles Speaks To Justin Vermaak About His New Role
The Dynamic Industryman has “bought wholeheartedly into Greg Bortz and The Kenilworth Board’s Vision” and sees this “as a once in a lifetime opportunity to completely rejuvenate and reinvigorate our local product.”
Picture: Real Gone Kid in his new stable with his own golden name plate and stylish stallion bridle.
Real Gone Kid Has Arrived At Ridgemont Highlands
An incredibly quick son of Snitzel out of the very special mare, In The Fast Lane (Jet Master).
Real Gone Kid represents a huge opportunity for South African breeders to tap into a Blue Blooded Speed Machine.
Gilded Butterfly (Flower Alley) runs in the 6th race (JC Photos).
Vaal Classic Track Formguides And Selections
www.attheraces.com
R1 12H20 AM – thisisracing Welcomes You Work Riders Maiden Plate (F & M)
SOUTHERN STYLE drops back to 1000m and could finish off strongly. MANDALAY disappointed last time but should be involved in the finish. NELLIE BLY showed good improvement last time and could get into the action. Also dropping back to the minimum distance, DAME TWINING should be in the shake-up. BELTWAY and SMELTING are looking for Quartet money.
Top Tip: DAME TWINING (8)
Watch out for: MANDALAY (1)
R2 12H55 AM – Tab 4Racing App Maiden Juvenile Plate
SLINKY MAPIMPI was neglected in the betting on debut but despite showing inexperience, ran on nicely to get close in second. He should see out the 1600m. BATTLEGROUND was another that was green on debut but flashed up late to get close. The extra will be to his liking. After a bump at the start on debut, HOME OF THE BRAVE kept on well to finish fourth and will know more about it. STEPPING OUT showed improvement in his second start. POETS WARRIOR and NAMAQUA RED could earn.
Top Tip: BATTLEGROUND (1)
Watch out for: HOME OF THE BRAVE (3)
R3 13H30 PM – www.highveldracing.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
A COLOURFUL PAST hasn’t been far back. She has blinkers on for the first time and should run an improved race. TULIP TREE is improving fast and could get into the fight for honours. LIGHT OF DAY is improving and could make the frame. Look for big improvement from ON THE GUEST LIST – she eased in the betting on debut.
Top Tip: A COLOURFUL PAST (1)
R4 14H05 PM – Play Soccer 6, 10 And 13 Maiden Plate
Both FAR AWAY WINTER and WILLIAMTHEFIGHTER were heavily backed on debut but failed to justify the odds. The former found problems and could be the one to beat. VARTACUS has been threatening and should acquit himself well. HEART AND MIND showed a form return last time and could go on. GREAT TIMES is a trier and warrants respect. KITE SURFER and FOREVER FREE are looking for minor money.
Top Tip: FAR AWAY WINTER (4)
Watch out for: GREAT TIMES (1)
R5 14H40 PM – 4racing.tv Mr 70 Handicap
MINGSHI was never travelling last time and deserves another chance. Many are looking to take him on. ROMEO’S MAGIC is back to form but has a wide draw to overcome. ARLINGTON ACTION could have a say if covered early. KAYLA’S DREAM hasn’t been far back recently and should hold form. THE BRIEF and recent maiden winner SAN QUINTIN are more for the short list.
Top Tip: ARLINGTON ACTION (3)
Watch out for: THE BRIEF (4)
R6 15H15 PM – Racehorse Owners Association Fm 91 Divided Handicap (F & M)
HALLOWEEN is bang in form and could make a winning debut at this track. Also on debut here is top weight FROMHERETOETERNITY who gives stablemate PIN UP 1kg. The latter has ability but could need it. GILDED BUTTERFLY won her only start at this track and should make her presence felt. Stable companion CHERINGOMA could make the money. PATON’S TEARS, NOW YOU SEE ME and PASHASHA could take home cheques.
Top Tip: PIN UP (2)
Watch out for: GILDED BUTTERFLY (6)
R7 15H50 PM – Tab Telebet 0861 000 822 Fm 72 Divided Handicap (F & M)
DEFENDER OF RIGHTS is highly thought of but has been costly to follow. She could produce best form. SILVERY BLUE is threatening for her second win and should have a big chance. DANCING ARABIAN is finding form and could get involved in the result. LOLLAPALOOZA has done a lot of work lately. She jumps up to a trip where she has registered both wins. FANTASY FLOWER is bred for this trip and tries it again. CONSOL QUEEN races before this.
Top Tip: DANCING ARABIAN (1)
Watch out for: DEFENDER OF RIGHTS (2)
R8 16H25 PM – Next Vaal Racemeeting Tuesday 26 July Classified Stakes
Difficult race to end. QUEST FROM AFAR has ability but needs to settle. Her usual tactics will see the pack catching late. This will suit runners like FASINADA, WONDERING STAR and JUST A MEMORY who must be respected. JUST BE NICE, QUEEN BOMI and JAVA HOUSE could get into the money. Others are looking for minor money.
Top Tip: JUST A MEMORY (1)
Watch out for: WONDERING STAR (3)
‘Dizzying’ Meter set for 200 … again
Roger Oldridge (racing.com)
Flow Meter will be forced into retirement on August 1
Not since Jason Gillespie’s 201 against Bangladesh in 2006 has a double century by a South Australian been so celebrated.
Flow Meter, eight days shy of his 13th birthday and therefor forced retirement under racing rules, will make his 200th start on Saturday, the first horse in the modern era – and potentially only one in Australian racing history – to reach the mark.
“Everybody from the racing fraternity who has looked up the records said they can’t find a horse who has had 200 starts,” proud trainer John Hickmott said.
The South Australian Jockey Club has named the BM78 staying race on Saturday the ‘Congratulations Flow Meter on ‘200’ handicap leaving Hickmott little option but to accept for the gelding’s milestone start.
“I’ve accepted with him at Bordertown on Sunday just in case but, for all intense and purposes, he’ll be going around at Morphettville,” Hickmott said.
“So long as if he goes around and we get to take him home, that’s the biggest thing, that’s what really matters.”
Flow Meter, or ‘Danny’ as he is affectionally know around Hickmott’s Murray Bridge stables, was to have his 200th run at Bordertown last Sunday but the meet was abandoned 24 hours out due to the state of the track and expected weather conditions.
Provided Saturday goes to plan, Flow Meter will have one more start before retirement at either Balaklava on Wednesday or Murray Bridge on Friday leaving him, like Gillespie, on 201 when his innings is declared over.
Picture: Flow Meter wins at Oakbank. (Racing SA)
Canford Cliffs Is Making It Happen!
Ridgemont Highlands five time Group 1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs (Tagula) maintained his extraordinary momentum as a pacesetting South African Freshman Sire this season when celebrating his 14th individual winner in the shape of the smart-looking Tabby Kat, who won at her fourth start at Turffontein on Saturday.
By reaching the milestone 14 winners mark, Canford Cliffs maintains his position at the top of the freshman charts and equals the achievement of star stallions Western Winter, Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight, and his own barnmate Rafeef, for first season juvenile winners.
“We really could not have asked for more from Canford Cliffs in his first season, and the combination of the start he has made mixed with the fact that his progeny seem to get better and better the closer they get to a mile is very impressive. He introduces a mix of speed and stamina, and the encouraging aspect is that his offspring were never anticipated to show any precocity. So they are up and running on ability, with plenty of scope. All the trainers have done a fantastic job with the Canford Cliffs progeny they have, and the reports we get back are very exciting!”, said Craig Carey
Having shown good toe over the sprints, the Azzie family-trained Tabby Kat won at odds-on at her second try at a mile on Saturday, and looks to be a youngster going places.
Bred by Ridgemont Highlands from the Machiavellian four-time winner Kindly Kat, Tabby Kat was a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase and has provided thrills and an early return for owner Adam Azzie.
With just two weeks left of the South African racing season, and with his runners showing form across the country, the future is looking very bright for Canford Cliffs and his progeny.
*The second highest number of winners for a freshman sire is the eight scored by Erupt and the fact the NHA have confirmed Canford Cliffs is not eligible for the Freshman Championship, having stood overseas before, will not detract breeders and buyers from their interest in Canford Cliffs.
Entry Form For CTS Ready To Run
& Unbroken Two Year Old Sale 2022
29 October 2022
Entry Form Closing Date 30 July 2022
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM: CTS RTR SALE 2022.pdf
The CTS RTR SALE 2022 will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse.
Please complete the above form IN FULL and return to: entries@cthbs.com
Contact And EFT Details are listed on the Entry form.
Picture: Kom Naidoo is all smiles after Mpumelelo Mjoka had brought home the Noble Tune filly Candy For My Mommy to clinch the yard treble (Candiese Lenferna).
Kumaran Naidoo Treble, Muzi Yeni Double
Ashburton-based Kumaran Naidoo scored a treble today at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and goes to 39 winners for the season at a strike rate of 7.24%.
Muzi Yeni notched up his 157th win and has done it a strike rate of 11.43%.
Today’s Question
In Henk Vos’s famous painting, that captures 100 years of the Durban July, which winner is depicted by a loudspeaker positioned above a group of people on a first floor walkway (see above cropped section of the painting)?
Vaal Classic Thursday July 21 Fields
In Henk Vos’s famous painting the loudspeaker depicts the 1979 winner, the Peter Kannemeyer-trained Over The Air, who was ridden by Garth Puller.
Over The Air’s much loved owner Edith Ovenstone is positioned just below the loudspeaker in a red hat carrying a handbag.
Standing alongside her is a broadcaster, probably the radio rugby commentator and presenter Chick Henderson, which also adds to the “over the air” theme.
Picture: Over The Air (tba.co.za)
