Picture: The classy William Robertson has attained his 125 merit rating via sprint events but trainer Corne Spies is convinced he will stay the Summer Cup 2000m trip (Candiese Lenferna).

Spies Convinced William R Will Stay Summer Cup Trip

Corne Spies is convinced William Robertson (Rafeef), who has the highest merit rating among the Gauteng Summer Cup entries, will see out the 2000m of Johannesburg’s traditionally biggest race.

He said, “He has lethal form over sprint distances which creates a stamina doubt, but if you look at his build he looks much more like a classic horse. He did finish a neck second to Summer Cup runner up Majestic Mozart in January over 1600m (when receiving only 1kg which meant he was 4kg worse off than weight for age) and then in the Triple Crown races he had wide draws and just nothing panned out for him. In the SA Classic he was drawn widest of all and was sitting last and when Craig (Zackey) switched him out to make up some ground he shot from last to first in 200m between the 600m and 400m. Of course that was his race done, but he still finished just seven lengths back. So if he can sit in the pack and is let go in the last 200m there is very little who will go with him. The campaign plan is to, with a bit of luck, have some affirmation before the Summer Cup that he will see out the distance.”

Spies will thus be looking for a middle distance race in the build up, although his next race is going to be over 1400m.

William Robertson, who is merit rated 125, is an important entry because if he is scratched after the setting of the weights on 18 November, the entire field will be dragged up in the weights.

As things stand, and presuming that any of the 122 rated horses i.e. Safe Passage, Sparkling Water and MK’S Pride, stand their ground, the weights will be dragged up by 1,5kg if William Roberts comes out after the publishing of the weights.

The bottom weights will then have to carry 55,5kg.

The rest of William Robertson’s season will depend on the outcome of his Summer Cup campaign.

Spies said he would not want to stay down in Cape Town, but would think about raiding for either the L’Ormarins King’s Plate or WSB Met.

He spoke of the difficulty and expense of travelling horses to Cape Town.

Spies famously transports his horses himself and he said he had read somewhere about a travel incentive for Cape Town campaigners, but he had not read the details to see whether a private transporter would be covered.

Meanwhile, Spies’ talented three-year-old Prophet (Querari) is Dingaans bound. The Grade 3 Graham Beck over 1400m on October 29 will be his springboard into that race.

Spies said, “He was unlucky in the KZN season. He has got ability and I was very happy with his return run behind Thunderstruck.”

He was aware that was just a Graduation Plate, as opposed to a Grade 1, but the 1,20 length defeat did go some way towards confirming how unlucky he had been in the Medallion when having to switch and come around horses.

He said the 1200m was now also a bit on the sharp side for him, so he was very much looking forward to this horse’s three-year-old campaign.

The Spies yard has now moved in its entirity to Randjesfontein.

Corne’s farther Tobie started out at the Vaal in 1985 and they started the move to Randjes last September.

He said whilst he rated the Vaal training tracks as probably the best in the country, it was a long trek for the clients and they would be able to enjoy it more with the stables at Randjes.

He said there had also been no downturn in form since the move had been made.

Picture: Receiving 8kg proved just enough for bottom weight Zillzaal (rated 114) to beat top weight Soqrat (rated 133) in the 2019 Summer Cup (The Citizen).

Summer Cup’s Grade 1 Status Being Protected At Expense Of Betting Turnover?

Should the operators be changing the conditions of the Gauteng Summer Cup to protect its Grade 1 status or should they revert to the old weight structure and leave it up to the Asian Pattern Committe to decide its Graded status?

The 54kg bottom weight condition has effected the race’s attractiveness to punters, especially at ante-post time.

Looking for unexposed outsiders in the past came with the knowledge that they would likely be receiving 8kg from the topweights.

With the new condition they will only be receiving a maximum of 6kg.

This year the highest merit rated horse, William Robertson, has attained his rating via sprint events.

If he stands his ground the bottom weights will only be receiving 4.5kg from the Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water (as things stand) and from fellow Grade 1 winners MK’s Pride and Safe Passage.

Furthermore, if William Robertson is scratched after the publishing of the weights, the bottom weights will still only receive 4,5kg from Sparkling Water et al, because the whole weight structure will have to be dragged upward.

The current bottom weight conditions makes it way more risky to take a chance on an unexposed horse at ante-post time.

The counter argument is that the proven horses could be seen as more attractive propositions, knowing they will have to only give a maximum of 6kg to any other runner.

However, the counter argument to that counter argument is that it is never certain whether the top horses will take their places, because they have bigger fish, such as weight for age races and the Hollywoodbets Durban July, to fry.

Nevertheless, on the day of the race there might only be a handful of horses in the handicap and this might effect Tote turnover.

Last year a horse who was officially 4kg under sufferance carrying the 54kg bottom weight i.e. Flying Carpet, did win the race but his SA Classic run about nine months earlier did give him a definite shout on paper.

The Gauteng Summer Cup is traditionally a massive event, so it would be sad to see it lose its Grade 1 status.

One of the chief reasons for the pattern is to upheld the validity of the stud book.

However, the Summer Cup has not been a sire producing race for some time, so would a downgrade have any material effect?

There are arguments on both sides.

However, punters would almost certainly want to see the race revert to the 8kg spread, which is the nearest SA comes to a long handicap.

Picture: Turffontein (4Racing).

Be A Part Of Family Fun At Turffontein

4Racing

Spring is in the air and 4Racing’s Topbet Spring Challenge Family Fun Day on Saturday 1 October is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the horses, warm weather, and a serene view of the city of Johannesburg from the Turffontein racecourse, with carnival-inspired entertainment for the whole family.

The event has no entry fee and will feature a family picnic area and kiddies play area with childminders. Additional exciting entertainment for the young ones will be face painting, edutainment shows, and pony rides.

The rest of the family can enjoy delicious, freshly made meals from various food stalls including one of Johannesburg’s favourite authentic Portuguese cuisine restaurants, The Troyeville Hotel Restaurant, party pop-up food stall StripCheez, and many other market-style vendors, craft beer, and gin bars. A DJ will provide live entertainment for music lovers.

Equestrian market vendors HH Feeds, Motherkind & Equigold, Equine 74, Back on Track, Interwoven, Highveld Horse Care, African Horse Wear, Equestrian Affair, and Cieli will also be exhibiting on the day.

It promises to be an exciting race day with the two main races, the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring Challenge and the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, drawing top entries and offering stakes of R400,000 and R300,000 respectively.

“4Racing’s goal is to build the world’s most loved horseracing experience for everyone, and we’re so excited to be partnering with Topbet to bring this unique experience to communities and families across Johannesburg, by spending a day at Turffontein and enjoying the exciting on-track experience,” said Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing.

4Racing is committed to working closely with bookmakers, owners, breeders, trainers, grooms, jockeys, and various partners. The Topbet Spring Challenge is the perfect partnership with industry players and the community.

While general access is free the Turffontein Racecourse also provides the option of exclusive hospitality packages in function rooms with some of the most spectacular views of the city. For more information on the event’s hospitality offerings contact 011 681 1796 or contact KhanyaL@4Racing.com.

Pictures: Han Solo after winning on WSB Met day (Chase Liebenberg).

Kotzen Praying Han Solo Stays Settlers Trophy Trip

Six-year-old four-time winner is trying 2,000m for the first time

David Mollett (Business Day)

Growing up, Glen Kotzen thought he would be a priest. Racing is blessed that he chose to be a trainer as he has sent out a steady flow of winners since taking out his licence in 1985.

Kotzen probably considers the 2009 Durban July win by ill-fated Big City Life as his most important success to date, but he unearthed another talented performer last season in his Vercingetorix colt, Cousin Casey. He was voted “Champion Two Year Old Colt” at last month’s Equus awards.

On Saturday Kotzen sends four of his team to Durbanville and will be hoping Global Forests can finally leave the maiden ranks by winning the fourth race.

However, the 56-year-old’s main objective at the country course is to take top honours in the R150,000 Settlers Trophy with his six-year-old, Han Solo.

The gelding — a four-time winner — will be trying 2,000m for the first time, but judged by comments of his recent races, he could well trouble the two Justin Snaith runners, Somerset Maughan and Top Quality.

Comments in Winning Form for Han Solo’s last three starts are “strong finish”, “running on at finish” and “slow, stayed on”.

The latter performance came against At My Command and — probably much to Kotzen’s annoyance — the handicapper gave the son of Master Of My Fate a three-point penalty.

Not surprisingly, bookmakers have Somerset Maughan as the early 7-2 favourite with Richard Fourie riding the son of Trippi for only the second time in his last seven races. The five-year-old is 3kg better off with Top Quality so can turn the tables on his stablemate.

Piet Botha has his team in good form and his runner, Baratheon, is third choice in the early market at 9-2. The Jackson gelding is 1kg better off with Top Quality so there may be precious little between the two once again.

Muzi Yeni rides R550,000 buy Top Quality for the first time and the big plus about his mount is that he has few miles on the clock.

If Somerset Maughan manages to win, there’s a chance of a family double as his full-brother, Charles Dickens, is the firm favourite for the final leg of the Pick Six.

Nevertheless, this column is taking on the favourite with Corné Orffer’s mount, Iconic Destination. The Gimmethegreenlight colt cost R700,000 at the 2021 National Yearling Sale which is no surprise as he’s out of one of Varsfontein Stud’s best mares, Sunsational.

This means that Iconic Destination is a half-brother to Juxtapose whose four victories included the grade 1 SA Fillies Classic.

Dave The King is unbeaten in two outings for Vaughan Marshall, but the Gary Player-bred colt is 3kg worse off with Orffer’s mount compared to their recent clash.

Though trainer Eric Sands must be tearing his hair out that his British-bred mare, Different Face, can’t find the winners box, Saturday might be her day as she’s well drawn in the fifth race and will have S’manga Khumalo in the irons. Mike Stewart’s filly, Porque Te Vas, rates the main threat.

DURBANVILLE

PICK 6 SELECTIONS

3rd Race: (7) Aussenkehr (4) Sir William (12) Night Tiger (9) Aeroforce

4th Race: (5) Global Forests (3) Global Avenue (7) Quasimodo (2) Guy Alexander

5th Race: (2) Different Face (7) Porque Te Vas (6) Jury Duty (4) Cityscape

6th Race: (8) Van Hunks (11) Sugar Mountain (6) I Want It All (9) Shavout

7th Race: (8) Han Solo (2) Somerset Maughan (6) Baratheon (10) Top Quality

8th Race: (3) Iconic Destination (1) Charles Dickens (6) Dave The King (7) Wecangoallnight

Picture: Time Fo Orchids (BSA)

Gold Rush Prospector Buys Time Fo Orchids For R850,000 – Marshall To Prepare

The WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush race log-topper Time Fo Orchids (Time Thief) was the main attraction at the BSA Sean Tarry Fast Track Sale today and Alyson Wright’s Gee Racing bought her for R850,000.

She was bought on behalf of Rikesh Sewgoolam, who is one of the 16 Gold Rush “prospectors”, who hold a ticket for the big race.

Alyson Wright said the filly would be sent by Sewgoolam to Vaughan Marshall to be prepared at Milnerton for the Gold Rush race.

After that she will go to Wright’s Summerveld yard for the SA Champions Season.

Five lots in total went for over R500,000.

Lot 37, Kambulu, a Querari colt out of an own sister to Little Miss Magic, fetched R700,000 bought by Form Bloodstock.

Lot 7, Ecstatic Green, is a good broodmare prospect being by Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight and having won the Grade 2 Debutante and finishing second in both the Grade 1 Allan Robertson and Grade 2 Tibouchina. Gelykfontein Stud bought her for R675,000.

Lot 30, a Vercingetorix half-sister to stakes-winner Sarah, went for R525,000 bought by George O’Brien.

Captain Al mare Victoria Paige, who is multiple-times Graded placed, fetched R520,000, bought by Triple 8 Clothing.

The aggregate for the sale was R7,184, 000.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SALES DETAILS

Picture: MK’s Pride has relocated to Mike De Kock. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

KZN Breeders Awards Nominees 2022

KZN Breeders

The KZN Breeders Awards for 2022 will be taking place once more at the Nottingham `Road Hotel on Saturday, 3 December.

The nominees include a standout category for Bloomhill Stud broodmare Wysiwyg, who is the dam of both Gr1 male sprint nominees, Bohica and Bartholdi.

Wysiwyg, Bloomhill Stud based dam of Bohica and Bartholdi. Image: Candiese Lenferna

Capetown Noir enjoyed a sterling year with both Under Your Spell and Bohica capturing Gr1 wins.

Willow Magic, relocated before the season to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds, is presented by two nominees – MK’s Pride, who has transferred to the stable of Mike De Kock after the stable closure of Paul Peter, and Magic Tattoo trained by Sean Tarry.

Mick and Cheryl Goss’s Summerhill Stud continue to perform in the top echelons, and dominate two categories – Champion Sprinter Male and Champion Older Male.

The categories for the KZN Breeders Awards:

HorseName	Age	Sex	SireName	DamSireName	DamName	BreederName

Champion 2YO

Gimme A Shot	2	b	Gimmethegreenlight	Rakeen	Shot In The Dark	K Soal
Magic Tattoo	2	c	Willow Magic	Mullins Bay	Wukkin’ Up	Bush Hill Stud
Laguna Verde	2	c	Gimmethegreenlight	Capiapo	Captain Al	Clifton Stud
Show Time	2	f	Time Thief	Captain Al	Emmajo	Keivan Stud

Champion 3YO

Under Your Spell	3	f	Capetown Noir	Kingmambo	Deceptive Charm	Summerhill Stud
Franca	3	f	Rafeef	Red Ransom	Afnaan	Piemonte Stud
Bold Act	3	f	Act Of War	Kahal	Bold Ellinore	Summerhill Stud
Hasta Manana	3	g	William Longsword	Holy Roman Emperor	Queen Of Spain	Rathmor Stud

Champion Older Male

Mk’s Pride	4	c	Willow Magic	Admire Main	Ikimasu	Summerhill Stud
Bartholdi	4	g	Act Of War	Mullins Bay	Wysiwyg	Summerhill Stud
Bohica	5	g	Capetown Noir	Mullins Bay	Wysiwyg	Summerhill Stud

Champion Older Female

Winter Smoke	4	f	What A Winter	Cataloochee	Chatanooga Chuchu	RT Fitzgerald
Follow The Star	5	m	Silvano	Galileo	Dance To The Stars	Scott Bros
Rouge Allure	8	m	Kahal	Pivotal	Mekyaas	Summerhill Stud

Champion Sprinter Male

Bartholdi	4	g	Act Of War	Mullins Bay	Wysiwyg	Summerhill Stud
Bohica	5	g	Capetown Noir	Mullins Bay	Wysiwyg	Summerhill Stud

Champion Sprinter Female

Winter Smoke	4	f	What A Winter	Cataloochee	Chatanooga Chuchu	RT Fitzgerald
Hawker Typhoon	4	f	Toreador	Mogok	Sahara	Scott Bros
Mind Reader	5	m	Visionaire	Damage Is Done	Shattered Image	K Soal

Champion Middle Distance Male

Mk’s Pride	4	c	Willow Magic	Admire Main	Ikimasu	Summerhill Stud
Hasta Manana	3	g	William Longsword	Holy Roman Emperor	Queen Of Spain	Rathmor Stud

Champion Middle Distance Female

Follow The Star	5	m	Silvano	Galileo	Dance To The Stars	Scott Bros
Rouge Allure	8	m	Kahal	Pivotal	Mekyaas	Summerhill Stud
Under Your Spell	3	f	Capetown Noir	Kingmambo	Deceptive Charm	Summerhill Stud
Special Awards
Broodmare Of The Year

Stallion Of The Year

Breeders Achievement

Anita Akal Award

Horse Of The Year

Picture: Louis Mxothwa in fine form at Fairview today (Pauline Herman).

Mxothwa Four-timer, Sharon Kotzen Treble, Naidoo Double

Luyolo “Louis” Mxothwa scored a four-timer on the Fairview turf today and three of them were for Sharon Kotzen.

Kumaran Naidoo sent out a double, including a one-two in the last race.

Mxothwa goes to 25 winners for the season at a strike rate of 21.93% and he is 19 winners behind the national log leader Keagan de Melo.

Kotzen goes to 12 winners for the season at a strike rate of 13.79%.

Naidoo is having a fine season to date and has not only had 13 winners at a strike rate of 11.11% but he is also in sixth place on the national trainers’ log.

Today’s Question

Stanely Amos broke the great Harold “Tiger” Wright’s record of 2,455 career winners and went on to record 2,507 winners, which stood as the SA record for a long time until surpassed by Michael “Muis” Roberts.

But which horse did Amos regard as the best he had ever ridden?

Picture: Stanley Amos and his brother “Cookie” Amos, also a top jockey.

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Fields

Hollywoodbets Greyville Fields

Picture: Moonlit with Stanley and Cookie Amos, Syd Garrett and Freddie Heymans (SouthAfricanracehorse.wordpress.com)

Today’s Question Answer

In 1987, Amos was quoted in Thoroughbred News, saying: “I rode plenty of good horses in my career as a jockey. The English horse Ranjit who, as a two-year-old, tested Petition and won seven Top division races here before becoming champion sire twice. The French horse Asbestos, who won the Met and was pipped on the post in the July before being champion sire five times. The English horse Fairthorn who annihilated a very strong Top division field at Greyville at his only South African start. He was champion sire five times. I rode Black Cap, Jerez, Renounce, Majorca, Sympathetic, King’s Pact, Feltos, Prince Florimund and many others.

“None of them or any other horse I’ve ever seen would have lived with Moonlit. He was the greatest of them all. He was a big, strong, majestic bay horse – extremely intelligent and full of character. He knew that he was the best. After winning a race he would come home to Roamer Lodge and as he entered the yard all the grooms would shout ‘Nkosi!’ With that he would rear up and walk into the yard on his hind legs as if to say ‘yes, I know I’m the King!’ ”

Moonlit was by Cross Bow out of the Greatorex mare All Moonshine and among his 12 wins and ten places were a win in the 1936 Met, a second in the 1937 Met and a win in the 1938 Met. He was ridden by Stanley Amos in his first two Mets and by Cookie in the third. He carried the equivalent of 65kg in that last Met win, which prompted his trainer Syd Garrett to retire him, fearing he would be weighted out of most handicaps.

Moonlit winning The Met in 1938 (southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MOONLIT’S FIRST MET WIN

Moonlit’s greatness lay not only in his weight carrying feats but also that he was able to win races like the SA Derby over 2400m and the Durban Merchants over 1200m.

The biggest weight he carried to victory was 67.5kg in an A division Handicap over 1800m at Kenilworth.

Moonlit with Cookie Amos up (Southafricanracehorse,wordpress.com).

Turf Talk Newsletter – 23 September 2022