Captain’s Ransom just gets up to win last season’s Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes (Wayne Marks).

Captain’s Ransom Will Defend Paddock Stakes Crown

Snaith Racing have decided to run Equus Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes after she drew 17 out of 17 in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

The superstar Captain Al mare will therefore be defending her crown in the Paddock Stakes.

It is a pity about her defection from the King’s Plate, because a mile is probably her best distance.

She also likes to do just enough to win with her exhilarating late bursts and running against the boys in a weight for age mile would have shown exactly how good she is.

Richard Fourie will ride Captain’s Ransom in the Paddock Stakes.

Meanwhile, the two chief protagonists in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, Charles Dickens and Jet Dark, have also drawn wide in positions 13 and 14 respectively.

The draw process done administratively is a hundred percent random and has been audited for fairness … nobody would seriously question it.

However, having the draws sprung on to the connections is a bit like having a bet on a race and then just looking at the result later, as opposed to watching the race live.

Staging draw ceremonies for the most important races should be looked in to.

Turf Talk’s Newsletter Will Be Back On Monday January 2.

We Wish All Of Our Readers A Happy Christmas And New Year!

Queen Of Smoke got up to win the race, but later an objection against her was controversially upheld (JC Photos).

Objection Storm – Who Is Right?

There has been a storm of protest about the upheld objection at Turffontein on Tuesday which saw the Sean Tarry-trained Emerald Princess being awarded the race at the expense of the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Queen Of Smoke.

Those who strongly disagree with the result need not elaborate much on their reasons.

However, the 5500-career-winners legend Piere Strydom believes the correct decision was made and his reasons are interesting to hear.

The protesting voices say Emerald Princess found herself stuck on the inside behind a slowing horse in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, Queen Of Smoke was quickening on her outside.

They claim Philasande Mxoli simply holds his line on Queen Of Smoke and does not encroach on Emerald Princess.

He is entitled to do this and it initially appears he can’t move outward anyway because there is another horse on his outside.

Eventually, they say, Calvin Habib decides to force his way into the gap.

In the same way a footballer going for an evenly contested ball is allowed to lean into an opponent, the protesters say Mxoli leans into Habib in an attempt to keep his position after being bumped sideways by Emerald Princess.

His reasons for doing this might also at some stages of the bumping match have been to prevent his mount from crashing into the horse alongside him, because as soon as there is room to move to his left he does so.

The contest then becomes even and Emerald Princess heads Queen Of Smoke, but the latter then produces a late surge to get up.

From their perspective, the only grounds for an objection would have been if Queen Of Smoke had been beaten, because she appears to have been forced off her line by Emerald Princess.

However, Strydom says one has to go further back in the replay.

He said Habib was behind the slowing horse in front, but Mxoli then moves outward slightly creating the gap for Habib, who then naturally goes for it.

Strydom said Mxoli then retrospectively decides to try and force Habib behind the front horse again. i.e. he had realised his mistake in allowing a horse with plenty in the tank a gap and then tried to do what he should have done earlier, but Strydom points out that it is too late and doing it retrospectively is unfair riding.

In fact, Strydom believes Mxoli should also receive a suspension for his actions.

It is in fact impossible to see it the same way the stipendiary stewards saw it because they have access to any angle at any stage of the race.

The replays available to the public on youtube only show the side on view and the 4Racingtv replay shows a limited head on view.

A freeze frame as the 4Racing head on replay starts backs up Strydom’s argument. There is at that stage enough room and Mxoli subsequently moves inward by about one horse width.

The other question is whether Emerald Princess would definitely have beaten Queen Of Smoke but for the interference.

However, the scandal has moved on to worse ground than the rights and wrongs of the decision itself.

It turns out one of the stipendiary stewards who sat in on the objection process, and who was part of the decision-making process, is the father-in-law of the jockey who lodged the objection.

All and sundry agree this should never have been allowed to happen.

People not recusing themselves from decision-making processes is actually quite a common occurrence in South African racing.

Gareth van Zyl after winning at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with Evening Primrose (Flower Alley) (Wayne Marks)

Gareth Van Zyl Appreciates Being Part Of “Exciting Period In SA Racing”

KZN’s reigning champion trainer Gareth van Zyl has spoken of the difference the new team of Cape Racing are making to the overall racing experience.

He said, “The effort the new team have put in to re-invigorating the whole product has been tangible. It is wonderful to be part of this exciting period in our racing. It is not only the stakes that have been raised but also the pleasure.”

Van Zyl was referring to the big crowds and festival atmosphere on course.

He added, “The appreciation Cape Racing have for their customers is very much in evidence. This is in turn much appreciated.”

Van Zyl has won four races with his Cape Town raiding team so far.

Two of those races were on “festival” days, meaning he himself has received a total of R120,000 in incentive cheques.

To attract raiders, Cape Racing have an incentive that a raider winner will earn a R10,000 cheque for both trainer and owner, but this increases to R50,000 if the race is at a “festival” meeting.

Van Zyl’s Gimmethegreenlight colt Money Heist ran a fine 6,90 length sixth in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. This is especially in light of Mike de Kock saying beforehand that, such was the strength of the field, any of the first eight could potentially become Grade 1 winners.

Gareth believes Money Heist can do even better and explained, “He is not engaging enough in his races and is tending to switch off too much.”

Gareth is due to discuss the next step for this K Nagendran and International Racing Club-owned colt with the owners.

He said the pedigree tended towards speed, but added they would never know whether he stayed 2000m until they had tried.

Therefore, the first option appears to be the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m on January 21, which is usually a springboard into the Grade 1 Cape Derby, which will be run on February 26.

An alternative could be the Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein Standside on February 4.

Meanwhile, the progressive Evening Primrose (Flower Alley), who won a Middle Stakes event over 1800m last time out, is being targeted at the Listed Jamaica Handicap over 2000m on January 14.

Gareth said, “She sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg. The strongest fillies will be running in the Paddock Stakes a week earlier and she is improving and is suited to Kenilworth, so should be competitive.”

He said he might get Athandiwe Mgudlwa to come and ride her.

Gareth said the well regarded Wiccan Warrior was bouncing back to himself in work and will come out again soon.

The Gimmethegreenlight colt has only had one run in Cape Town when finishing 16 lengths behind Charles Dickens in the Grade 3 Cape Classic.

Green Chilli, a Van Zyl-trained filly by Gimmethegreenlight, has not been seen out again since winning her maiden over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and two winners have already come out of that race. He said she had also improved at home.

Meanwhile, the smart Canford Cliffs filly Miss Hannigan only just failed second time out over 1000m despite giving 3kg to the rest of the field and she will be see again on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day. She will run in the first leg of the Summer Juvenile series, the R350,000 Trippi Stakes over 1000m.

SIS (Sports Information Services) is a company which provides content and production services to the betting industry; such as horse racing and greyhound racing, to betting shops in the United Kingdom and Ireland and other worldwide destinations.

SIS Signs Agreement To deliver horse racing from South Africa to customers in the UK and Ireland

Deal signed with innovative operator 4Racing marks return of action from the country

23 December 2022 – SIS (Sports Information Services), the leading multi-content supplier of 24/7 live betting services, has agreed a new partnership with innovative South African rights holder 4Racing.

The partnership, which will commence on 1 January 2023, marks the return of South African racing to SIS, covering action from tracks all over the country, including Durbanville, Fairview, Kenilworth, Turffontein, and Vaal.

4Racing is re-energising and invigorating the horse racing industry in South Africa with a commitment to diversity and transparency in its relationships with stakeholders, designing and implementing a series of new projects and strategies for the betterment of the sport.

The latest deal reinforces the commitment of SIS to international horse racing, which includes events from Africa, Asia, Europe, Ireland, Latin America, North America, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., and the UK.

Conall McSorley, Head of International Horse Racing at SIS, said: “It is fantastic to be working with 4Racing to bring its action to our valued customers in the UK and Ireland. We have seen how 4Racing’s inclusive and innovative attitude has helped to transform the racing industry in South Africa, and they have a team that boasts a wide range of talent.

“We are delighted to be able to deliver South African racing once again, and it provides us with an additional stream of high-quality content that is sure to be appreciated by our customers.”

Stephen Watson, 4Racing’s Head of Licensing & Broadcast said: “SIS does a tremendous job in bringing racing action from all over the world to operators internationally, and it is exciting to become a part of that content delivery portfolio. We have worked hard to enhance our racing product and extend our broadcast reach globally. SIS’s established distribution channels and credibility with key racing stakeholders will enable us to maximise our product’s consumption in the UK and Ireland, where for years the South African racing product has proven to be very popular.”

ENDS

SIS media contact:

Square in the Air

E: b2b@squareintheair.com

T: 020 3983 1020

Piere Strydom with the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap trophy after a fine ride on the Justin Snaith-trained Nexus (Wayne Marks)

Striker Has Been Riding Rain In Holland Work Ahead Of Paddock Stakes

Piere Strydom has been riding Rain In Holland in work in Cape Town and believes the Sean Tarry-trained superstar had been working “very nicely” ahead of the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes on January 7.

Strydom is also hoping the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist stays in Cape Town to race in the Grade 1 Cape Derby at the end of February.

The champion Duke Of Marmalade filly Rain In Holland has run disappointingly in her only two starts following a procedure to sort out an entrapped epiglottis.

However, the difference between her early preparation performances last season compared to her subsequent feature performances was like chalk and cheese and she is also much better suited to the stronger pace of Grade 1 races.

The Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine should not be written off and it will be no surprise to see her bouncing back to her best in the Paddock Stakes.

Strydom will likely be ridding her as her regular feature pilot Richard Fourie will be aboard defending champion Captain’s Ransom.

Piere is hoping to stick with the Gareth van Zyl-trained Money Heist and hopes this Gimmethegreenlight colt takes his place in the Grade 1 Cape Derby at the end of February.

He said that might be the day he hangs up his boots for good unless he becomes associated with a champion.

He said Money Heist had not helped him a lot in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas because he had not jumped well and was still learning to race. For example, he is still being intimidated by horses around him.

However, he said the fast pace and being able to sit behind the two big guns, Charles Dickens and Cousin Casey had helped.

Money Heist came from last and ran on well.

Meanwhile, Strydom’s original mount for the WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush, Typeset, might not be taking part.

He said she had picked up a little injury.

He has won on another eligible horse, the Hollywood Syndicate-owned Asiye Phambili, but added the field looked to be strong now with the like of Royal Aussie and Dave The King proving their class in the Cape Guineas.

Strydom was widely praised for another fine winning ride on the Justin Snaith-trained seven-year-old Dynasty gelding Nexus in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Higlands Peninsula Handicap on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day.

He said, “He seems to love me! Every way I ride him, whether its coming from the back or riding handy, works out.”

Strydom rides him again in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy over 1800m on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, but admitted it looked to to be a strong field and he looked to have a tough task at the weights.

Meanwhile, Piere’s air B&B in Cape Town is due to open tomorrow and he hoped this would become a venue for racing story-swapping in the future, especially at the time of big Cape Town racing events when plenty of people fly into the mother city.

Turffontein

Turffontein Standside Saturday Formguides And Selections

www.attheraces.com

1 11H35 – 4Racing Welcomes You Maiden Plate

All 10 runners are attempting this far (2400m) for the first time. MAIN MISSION has the best form and if sees it out rates the one to beat. GREENBACKCURRENCY has raced over the furthest of these runners and wasn’t disgraced. BIG FIVE and QUEEN BRITANNA are looking to challenge. TROIS TROIS QUATRE was disappointing when easily beaten at odds-on with blinkers on for the first time but could find it. NUCLEAR FORCE could come on heaps. TIME TO MEDITATE can improve.

Top Tip: TROIS TROIS QUATRE (2)

Watch out for: MAIN MISSION (4)

2 12H10 – www.tab4racing.com Pinnacle Stakes (F & M)

MOONSHININGTHROUGH finished 1.75 lengths ahead of SWEET PEPPER recently and at the same weights could confirm. Despite coughing last time, BON VIVANT won full of running and the blinkers are back on – respect. Inmate MAHARANEE races for her new yard after a long break and if ready, has the ability to score – watch. ALULA’S STAR is having her peak run and could get into the action.

Top Tip: BON VIVANT (2)

Watch out for: MOONSHININGTHROUGH (6)

3 12H45 – Play Soccer 6, 10 And 13 Fm 85 Handicap (F & M)

SILVER WINTER is still improving and could double up over this course and distance. AGA HEAT showed his ability when striding out freely in front and could go in again with the same jockey aboard. ON CUE cannot be ignored – she has a strong finishing burst and could grab them. LADY OF POWER disappointed las time and should be given another chance. LOVE BITE, PERMESSO AVANTI and maiden MIGHTY GODDESS are looking for minor money.

Top Tip: AGA HEAT (4)

Watch out for: SILVER WINTER (5)

4 13H20 – Tab Telebet 0861 000 822 Pinnacle Stakes

Difficult to assess. Highly rated, ASTRIX, SECOND BASE and PERFECT WITNESS are not at their best recently but any could find it on the day. SOVEREIGN SPIRIT, EXPRESSFROMTHEUS and CASTLETOWN have been disappointing of late. IMPERIAL RUBY appears in and out. So, it boils down to RED SAXON – and he looks the one to beat. He appeared underdone in the Summer Cup last time and should be ripe and ready.

Top Tip: RED SAXON (2)

Watch out for: SECOND BASE (3)

5 13H55 – 4Racing Wishes You A Blessed Festive Season Mr 89 Open Handicap (3yo)

Good race. Debut winner BONETE was heavily backed to win the 4Racing Fillies Mile last time but was hampered by a slipped saddle. She wasn’t disgraced and should make a bold bid. Biggest threat should come from PRAGMATIST who as a 2-time winner gets 2.5kg from the former. FUTUREWOLFF and MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL are looking to complete the Trifecta.

Top Tip: PRAGMATIST (2)

Watch out for: BONETE (1)

6 14H30 – Secretariat Stakes (Listed) (3yo)

Competitive SECRETARIAT STAKES (Listed) over 1400m. ARIVIDICIO disappointed last time and could make amends. STAR COIN improved last time when easily accounting for RAFFLES but the 2kg difference could bring them together, however, neither is drawn well. FOSTINOVO is maturing nicely and could complete a hat-trick. JIMMY DON enjoyed the extra last time and could feature from a decent draw. MERIDIUS got back on track last time and could go on. TAMARISK TREE is another for the shortlist.

Top Tip: MERIDIUS (3)

Watch out for: STAR COIN (6)

7 15H05 – Lebelo Sprint (Grade 3)

Another open race. On a recent meeting WINTER STORIES and VASEEM should finish together with GALLIC CHIEF not far behind. VARS VICKY won well last time and is ripe and ready. Three-year-olds MISS DAISY (ignore last run) and TAIKONAUT should make their presence felt off handy weights. Top-weight SUPREME WARRIOR could need it. Others could get into the mix.

Top Tip: VARS VICKY (2)

Watch out for: TAIKONAUT (7)

8 15H40 – Wishing You A Merry Christmas Middle Stakes

FLOWERBOMB has been in the money in all her 7 starts and deserves a second victory. SHELDON has beaten MARENGO in their last two runs but the latter is 3kg better off. It may not be enough to turn it around. REMEMBER WHEN could make them struggle if in the right mood. MERCANTOUR, HERECOMESTHERAIN, SET TO GO and BOISTEROUS could get into the money.

Top Tip: SHELDON (3)

Watch out for: FLOWERBOMB (8)

9 16H15 – Next Turffontein Racemeeting Monday 2 January Fm 72 Handicap (F & M)

IN THE BEGINNING was obviously not fully wound up on debut and ignored in the betting, however, she was impressive winning full of running. She could be anything. SECOND BREATH is no slouch and should make her gallop. LIL MISS MONEYBAGS is still learning and could get into the action. THERE SHE GOES won well last time and could go in again.

Top Tip: IN THE BEGINNING (1)

Watch out for: LIL MISS MONEYBAGS (5)

Il Etait Temps (Hollywoodbets Blog)

Hollywood Hurdler Runs On Tuesday At Leopardstown

The Paddy Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps was an easy winner of his first start in the Hollywood Syndicate colours and now appears in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle over two miles.

He is currently second favourite behind his high profile unbeaten stablemate Facile Vega, whose victories include the Champion Bumper at this year’s Cheltenham festival.

Il Etait Temps finished fifth in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

His long term aim this season is the Grade 1 Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival meeting.

On Tuesday the race starts at 15H45 SA Time.

The picture gives a clue to the asnswer.

Today’s Question

Which big meeting in the USA used to have its opening day on Christmas Day?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

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NB Please wait a few seconds for fields to appear.

Picture: A Christmas Day meeting in the USA in the 1930s.

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION:

When California legalized pari-mutuel betting in 1933, there was a mad dash by the sport’s wealthiest entrepreneurial fans to build racetracks. Many of the investors had trouble raising enough money or finding suitable locations. A successful dentist named Charles H. “Doc” Strub couldn’t find a good location in Northern California, and bigshot movie producer Hal Roach wanted to reopen the shuttered Santa Anita Park in Southern California but couldn’t raise enough money. Strub and Roach teamed up and formed the Los Angeles Turf Club. They opened the first licensed racetrack, Santa Anita, in California on Christmas Day 1934.

Despite the Great Depression, and despite it being the holiest of holy days, when Strub opened Santa Anita for business that Christmas, more than 30,000 fans streamed through the gates. Among the crowd of punters were some of the day’s biggest celebrities, including Al Jolson, Will Rogers and Clark Gable. They pumped more than a quarter of a million dollars through the betting windows that day. A filly named High Glee won the big race of the day, the $5,000-added Christmas Stakes. The bank was paid back without incident.

Santa Anita continued to open its meet on Christmas Day for several years. However, there was some criticism of the idea of horse racing on such an important religious holiday. Strub wrote off the naysayers, arguing that Christmas shouldn’t be a somber holiday and instead should be a day of celebration. What better way to celebrate, he figured, than a day at the track? To Strub and thousands of horse racing fans, the two things went hand in hand.

Eventually Strub and Santa Anita relented.

By 1949, Santa Anita moved opening day to Dec. 26, which has remained, with only a handful of exceptions, the traditional opening day ever since. In the end, there simply wasn’t enough room for more than one Santa on Christmas Day.

Turf Talk’s Newsletter Will Be Back On Monday January 2.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 23 December 2022

Captain’s Ransom Will Defend Paddock Stakes Crown

Turf Talk’s Newsletter Will Be Back On Monday January 2.

We Wish All Of Our Readers A Happy Christmas And New Year!

Objection Storm – Who Is Right?

Gareth Van Zyl Appreciates Being Part Of “Exciting Period In SA Racing”

SIS Signs Agreement To deliver horse racing from South Africa to customers in the UK and Ireland

Striker Has Been Riding Rain In Holland Work Ahead Of Paddock Stakes

Turffontein Standside Saturday Formguides And Selections

Hollywood Hurdler Runs On Tuesday At Leopardstown

Today’s Question

Click Here To See Turffontein Standside Fields, Saturday

Click Here To See Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Fields, Monday

Click Here To See Vaal Classic Fields, Tuesday

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION:

Turf Talk’s Newsletter Will Be Back On Monday January 2.

We Wish All Of Our Readers A Happy Christmas And New Year!

Turf Talk is a complimentary daily newsletter, from Monday to Friday, featuring unique content, views and profiles from the South African horse racing industry and newsworthy international events. The newsletter delivers newsworthy stories promoting the wonder world of thoroughbred horseracing.

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