Picture: Adrain Todd, managing director of South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP)

The news everybody in racing has been awaiting for years, but without much expectation due to the seemingly never ending series of hurdles in the way, was released today in black and white. The SAEHP team should be congratulated on their relentless efforts, which has finally brought about the seemingly impossible.

Liesl King as media manager on behalf of SAEHP sent out the following article today after an announcment had been made earlier:

The reinstatement of the direct export of horses out of South Africa to the EU and beyond has been a long-held dream of the South African racing, breeding and equestrian community. Yet the last direct exports from Cape Town happened so long ago that most people can be forgiven for thinking that its reinstatement was nothing but wishful thinking by the South African equine industry.

An outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2011 led to a ban on exports from South Africa directly to the European Union. Prior to the ban, South African horses were required to do 40 days quarantine in Cape Town’s quarantine facility in the centre of the Kenilworth Racecourse, before shipping straight into the European Union and then if needed onwards to their final destination.

Then SAEHP announced the extraordinary news that the South African Government had been officially notified that the reinstatement of direct exports from South Africa to the European Union has been approved, quoting their official announcement below.

“South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) is pleased to provide an important and exciting update regarding the re-opening of European Union export markets to the various equine disciplines in South Africa.

“SAEHP, in conjunction with the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), advises that DALRRD has received official notification that the reinstatement of direct exports of registered equines from South Africa to the European Union (EU) has been approved.

“This is a very positive development for both the South African thoroughbred racing industry as well as for other equine disciplines in the country and the re-opening of normal trade will have many benefits, including in time the creation of further jobs in this employment intensive industry. ”

I decided to catch up with Adrian Todd, the managing director of SAEHP, to understand how this rather astounding achievement finally came about.  After all it has been thirteen years since South Africa last exported directly to the EU.

Todd explained, “The negotiations are ultimately between the various governments and hence a Public Private Partnership with our government, both national DALRRD and Western Cape Veterinary Services (WCVS), was formed which was essential to the ultimate success and shows what can be achieved through working together.

“SAEHP was formed due to the vision of Chris van Niekerk and the Export Task Team which he jointly founded with Mrs Susan Rowett as a cooperatitive venture between the sales companies. SAEHP started on this path in January 2018. For three years it had the financial support of several individuals, stud farms and racing organisations in South Africa. Then in 2021 The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) came on board not only as a funder, but also to provide additional expertise on a technical level.  Hence, I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to The Hong Kong Jockey Club and in particular to its CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, for their input and support. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges in his role as Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) has long since been a champion of South Africa in its struggle to get exports reinstated.

“I would also like to thank and recognise the NHA for their role in the process and their relationship with the HKJC due to the common membership of the ARF, as well as the South African racing operators for their support.

“Before the HKJC became involved, SAEHP had since its inception unwavering financial and motivational support from various individuals and organisations in the industry.    On behalf of the whole SAEHP team, I would like to say thank you to Chris van Niekerk for his initial vision, tenacity and funding support and our various others funders prior to the involvement of the HKJC, this would have not been achieved without your enthusiasm and support. Thanks must also be given to the horse owners for their efforts over the years in helping with surveillance data, as well as Cape Racing for their work on upgrading the Kenilworth Quarantine Station and ensuring it met the EU requirements and standards.”

Todd made special mention of the SAEHP team, “The SAEHP team stuck with this through thick and thin and for that I can never thank them enough. We are lucky to have an extremely dedicated team, who are truly professional and acknowledged experts in their field.  In no way could have this been accomplished without them and the superb working relationship that has been developed between SAEHP, DALRRD and WCVS. The National Director of Animal Health Dr Mpho Maja’s leadership of the national authority really is world class”.

It has been a common discussion point among the horsey crowd that nobody knew what was happening on the export front, except that SAEHP seemed to be spending a lot of money on a futile exercise. We were told that an audit had to take place, but the ‘when’ seemed very nebulous.  The arrival of COVID did not help matters either. In its aftermath, there was little optimism that it would ever happen. It finally did take place in 2022, but since then nothing further was forthcoming.  I asked Todd about this lack of news flow and detailed updates from SAEHP over the last couple of years which felt like silence to many industry participants.

Adrian explained “One has to bear in mind that although this approval has taken longer than originally anticipated back in 2018, Covid affected the first official EU audit timing that was scheduled for 2020, with the audit later rescheduled and carried out in 2022, with subsequent communications between DALRRD and the EU authorities leading to this very good news. I appreciate that at times there were long periods without any industry update from SAEHP, but the nature of government to government procedures and protocols meant that matters had to be handled that way.

“SAEHP complements the South African authorities, who have been involved in Government to Government negotiations with the EU authorities. Of course, these negotiations have their processes to go through, they are influenced by other factors and the outcomes can only be announced after the approvals are finalised.”

SAEHP Chairman David Abery was equally complimentary . “It has been a lengthy, highly complicated process and one that would have never been achieved without the vision of both the HKJC and our previous funders. I thank each and every individual and organisation that has supported SAEHP in in achieving this goal. Likewise, I salute the extraordinary commitment and resilience of the entire team at SAEHP, without whom we simply would not be here today.

“Direct exports to the EU may be open, but the work does not stop here, apart from continuing the drive to open other export markets, what has been achieved must now be maintained. Our next goal now is to ensure that the necessary functions of SAEHP that are vital for the maintenance of the protocol are well funded and secure for perpetuity.”

The announcement not only makes it possible for our top racehorses to compete internationally, but also  creates the opportunity  for our equestrians to compete in events such as the Olympics and other international competitions!

It has been a long, arduous, frustrating, and extremely bumpy road, followed by an achievement that is still very hard to believe is real.  Yet real it is. The goal has been achieved, and Abery and Todd, along with the SAEHP team and everyone else who contributed funds, skills and enthusiasm along the way, can certainly be extremely proud of that!

Danie Toerien (Tab4Racing)

Yee haw!!

That was the overwhelming reaction on Monday when the news broke that the ban on direct horse exports from South Africa to the European Union (EU) had been lifted.

For the past 13 years, South Africa has not been able to export registered equines directly to the EU, but that all changed on Monday when it was announced that the South African Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) had received official notification that the reinstatement of direct EU equine exports had been approved.

In a candid interview, multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry described this as “a fantastic breakthrough”.

“It’s taken long enough and it is definitely very big news for the industry,” said Tarry.

“At the end of the day I am very happy that the export market is opening up. We want to grow the market. A lot of people have spent a lot of time and money to get this deal done. I commend all of them for their efforts.”

According to many experts, this will have far-reaching implications for the South African equine industry.

Local breeders, trainers and owners will undoubtedly see an almost immediate impact.

For starters, breeders are most likely to be the first to benefit.

“It does give international buyers a good opportunity to take a bite at our local market, taking advantage of our currency,” said Tarry.

“I don’t see international buyers coming in and buying 300 horses. They are going to cherry-pick.

“I expect the big-priced horses going for a bit more. The local buyers will then be shuffled back a bit, so they will have to go for the next best thing. That should theoretically push up prices.

“But we can’t have our cake and eat it.”

According to Tarry, the first step now would be to “build our numbers (of locally bred horses) up to where they once were”.

“We need to ensure that we have enough stock so that we don’t lose too many horses.”

It also provides opportunities for South African trainers to raid abroad.

“Getting our horses out of the country as straight forward as possible and to compete on level terms abroad is big,” said Tarry.

“It’s a great opportunity for a trainer who has the right horse to take out the country. South African horses have been successful abroad. The more streamlined the road to getting our horses out, the more competitive we will be, because our horses will be fit.”

The newly announced export protocol still contains strict quarantine regulations and according to Tarry the most important element is to streamline the process further so that horses can be worked during their in-country quarantine period as well as during their arrival time abroad, ensuring the minimum down-time.

Cape Racing continues to unveil exciting initiatives for upcoming thoroughbred auctions. Next on the revised schedule is the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale which, due to the South African general election on Wednesday 29 May, has been moved to Thursday, 6 June 2024, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, at 11 am.

The change of date means that viewing will commence on Tuesday, 4 June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

There are currently 113 Lots on offer listed in the catalogue, with the following vendors bringing yearlings to market:

• Ambiance Stud
• Beaumont Stud
• Drakenstein Stud
• Hemel n Aarde Stud
• Hopes and Dreams Stud
• Klawervlei Stud
• Maine Chance Farms
• Millstream Farm
• Narrow Creek Stud
• Normandy Stud
• Oldlands Stud
• Ridgemont
• Soetendal Estate
• Syrilla Stud
• Varsfontein Stud
• Wilgerbosdrift

A wide spread of South Africa’s established and freshman sires will be represented to suit buyers across the price spectrum.

Commercial highlights include five Vercingetorix yearlings, nine out of Rafeef (AUS), and a sole Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) baby – all of whom will be highly sought after.

The Pinhook incentive scheme, introduced in 2023, will again be a sale feature. The incentive allows speculators to make purchases at the Winter Yearling Sale in June while only having to pay for the stock once selling at the Ready to Run Sale in October. All graduates qualify for the CRS Juvenile bonus, which pays R100,000 to the winning connections.

The Cape Racing Sales personnel listed below are available to assist:

• Table bookings – Joanne Knowles jo@caperacing.co.za

• Buyers’ Cards – Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
• Sales queries & general info – Justin Vermaak justin@caperacing.co.za

Catalogues and further information will be available for download from www.caperacingsales.co.za.

ENDS

Time Fo Orchids carried 62kg to another impressive victory under Gavin Lerena at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (Picture: Racing Today)

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Time Thief filly Time Fo Orchids has been supplemented for the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint after recording her fourth successive victory on Saturday at Turffontein Standside and doing it in impressive style.

Her supporters must have been concerned in the MR 96 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, considering she was in last place going through the 500m mark and not only had a wall of horses in front of her but also, if apprentice claims are included, was giving speedy pacemaker Virgin River no fewer than 14kg.

However, she then scythed through a clump of horses in a matter of strides while still under the hands before running on resolutely to win going away by 1,50 lengths.

She was only running off a 100 merit rating in the MR 96 Handicap, but was carrying a welter 62kg and only a couple of backhanders were required to get her home.

Time Fo Orchids was purchased off a dispersal sale for R850,000 in September 2022 by Rikesh Sewgoolam, who had the R7.5 million Gold Rush in mind at the time.

She finished unplaced in the latter race, but had earlier finished a 0,75 length second in the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m and a 1,80 length fourth in the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m behind the Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla.

She was trained by Sewgoolam’s Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall for those runs before having a three run stint with his KZN trainer Alyson Wright and then moving to his Highveld trainer Janse van Vuuren.

The latter has kept her to sprints and it has paid dividends.

She started off with an eyecatching 3,50 length eighth in the Gr 3 Jo’Burg Tourism Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m and her four subsequent wins have been from 1000m to 1160m.

Gavin Lerena has ridden her in all of those wins and has discovered the key to her is her devastating late burst.

However, she will be considerably under sufferance in the Compuatform Sprint.

The highest rated runner in the race is Dyce on 130.

Time Fo Ocrhids’ merit rating has been increased six point to 106 after Saturday’s win, so even with her 2,5kg gender allowance she will be 9,5kg under sufferance with Dyce.

She is the third lowest runner of the 18 entries still standing with only 102-rated Trompie and 98-rated The Abdicator below her.

The Abdicator won well at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday in a Cape B Stakes race over 1000m, but was only given a two point raise for the run.

Marauding Horde makes it three on the trot on Saturday at Turffontein Standside (Racing Today)

At Turffontein on Saturday Marauding Horde progressed further and looks to be a genuine Gr 1 SA Derby contender.

However, trainer Mike de kock said afterwards, “I thought it would be a bit of a test today but he won very well. It was a slow 2000m, to have quickened off that slow pace and with his weight was impressive. There will be a lot of debate with his owners this week before declarations. I’m fairly confident he could be in the first three in the Derby, but he could get a 20-pound penalty for just being in attendance. With a horse like this, perhaps a July-type down the line, you don’t want to kill him by winning the Derby, but you also don’t want to throw it away while he is in such good form.”

On Saturday the Vercingetorix colt made it a third successive win and a second in successsion over the Turffontein Standside 2000m trip, both times ridden by Marco van Rensburg.

In reality he ran way above his rating in his previous start in the Listed Hawwaam Stakes, but was only allowed to be raised by six points to 89.

This gave him an easy task on paper on Saturday, a race whihc took place just two weeks before the Derby.

He duly started at odds of 4/10, despite having to carry second top weight of 60kg in the MR 80 Handicap.

The galloping type, who sat on the rail third in line in an eight horse field, stayed on resolutely under Marco van Rensburg and won easing up by 1,75 lengths.

The manner of his three wins combined with his pedigree suggests he will relish the 2450m trip of the SA Derby.

His sire Vercingetorix produces more speed and precocity than his father Silvano, but has also produced the Gold Cup winner Nebraas.

Furthermore, Marauding Horde’s Indigo Magic dam My Lady Bluff is a half-sister to the Gold Cup winner Major Bluff and her only win was over 2000m.

Marauding Horde is one of the first horses in an experiment to emulate Australian and other overseas breeders in purchasing a horse together instead of competing with each other and this R750,000 Mike de Kock-trained Maine Chance Farms-bred Vercingetorix colt is owned by all of Laurence Wernars, Drakensten Stud, Lammerskraal Stud, Wilgerbosdrift Stud and the partnership of Ridgemont and the Heffer family of Hollywoodbets.

The ultimate aim will be for him to become a stallion and he is certainly going the right way.

Van Rensburg getting the ride coincided with Marauding Horde’s initial jockey being on suspension, but and the connections kept him aboard after his fine ride in the Listed Hawwaam stakes.

He wore first time blinkers in that race, to the surprise of some considering he had not done much wrong before that, and Van Rensburg ensured he had a good introduction with the headgear. He managed to settle him beautifully from the off in that race, enabling him to drop out to last from a wide draw. The effect of the headgear was reserved for the straight and he surged to a 4,25 length win.

Hollywoodbets have priced up for the SA Derby and have Gr 1 TAB SA Classic winner Purple Pitcher as the 5/2 favourite, SA Classic two length fourth-placed Pure Predator at 4/1 snd Marauding Horde at 9/2.

Narina Trogon wins the Listed King’s Cup under Mathew Thackeray to give the Mike Miller yard a treble and his mother Beach Beauty a full house of black type performers. Dynasty mare Beach Beauty was a five time-Gr 1 -winning champion herself and of her five foals to have run four have now earned bold black type and one has small black type. The win also put Drakenstein stud on 15 individual stakes winners for the season, so breaking their own SA record of 20 looks feasible. (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Mike Miller’s treble at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, which included winning the Listed King’s Cup over 1600m, put him right back in contention for the KZN Trainers Championship.

The standings are now Wendy Whitehead 33 wins in KZN this season, Mike Miller and Gareth van Zyl 32 wins, Garth Puller 31 wins and Alyson Wright 30 wins.

Andrew Harrison of Gold Circle wrote the following report on Sunday’s racing:

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

The WWF wrestling, or whatever it’s labelled now, is a circus to entertain the masses, but the equine equivalent that played out in the Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday was no circus.

The early exchanges did not see back flips or strangle holds but when crossing a rival with not enough room to avoid a heel-clipping and a potential death, even the F1 racing stewards would have been interested.

It was a messy race but it resulted in a third win on the day for Mike Miller as Mathew Thackeray took advantage of the scrimmaging to send Narina Trogon to an emphatic win as he got a clear run up the inside rail and shot through to win in commanding fashion. In the post-trace interview Miller was a little non-plussed as to what lies ahead for Narina Trogon who was bought off an on-line sale.

Visiting favourite Celestial City was no match for the winner but battled on gamely to snatch second ahead of a host of challengers.

Taking over one of the top stables in the country is not always a blessing as it can be nerve and bank-balance wrecking, but Stuart Ferrie has been in the sport long enough to know the pitfalls. He has learnt well over the years, cemented by his time with the now retired Dennis Drier. Gladatorian started his career under the old master but Ferrie has kept the gelding firing and he made short work of a quality Pinnacle Stakes field.

Ferrie and the horse’s connections must have been chewing shirt buttons as the field crossed the subway with Glatatorian seemingly struggling and hunting a clear run. But once Sean Veale got it all sorted, Gladatorian fired through on the rails to win as he liked. Veale is never short of confidence but was bullish of his mounts chances going into Champions Season with the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes next on the menu.

Eye-catching was Pray For Rain who showed pace from his wide draw and staying on for third in a good warm-up for the Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on April 6.

It is always handy to have a line on your opposition and Tristan Godden went into yesterday’s first race confident that his mount Magical View had the measure of the well-backed favourite The Ghost.

Of the favourite he said, “we beat her last time with a horse of ours (Million Voices) and I think this one is a little better, so I was confident that we could beat the favourite.”

And so it proved, as Godden tracked the pace before sending Miller’s charge for home and she quickened nicely to win rather comfortably. The Ghost ran out of steam the last furlong allowing the first timer Woza Nawe to snatch second. Richard Fourie had Peter Muscutt’s filly one from last turning for home and, showing all the signs of inexperience, she ran on strongly for second.

It was two-from-two for the Miller/Godden combination as Ethereal View made short work of the opposition in the second with stable companion Her Royalty adding to their celebrations finishing second.

One to keep an eye on is the Hollywood Syndicate-owned Qondanekukhanyeni. She was not in the race crossing the subway but she made smart headway in the straight as apprentice Siphesihle Hlengwa slipped her up the inside rail to finish just off the placed runners.

Richard Fourie is not the prettiest in the saddle but he is hard to beat in a finish and he gave another forceful exhibition as he got Emerald Green home for Louis Goosen in the third. Rachel Venniker and Sweet Julia looked to have his measure most of the way up the straight but it was never-say-die as he edged Emerald Green closer and closer and eventually running down his rival.

The Greg Ennion-trained Miss World gives leading freshman sire One World his seventh individual winner of the season. He is five clear of any other stallion in the freshman standings. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Easy to back at 8/1, Miss World showed good improvement from her debut effort to run out a comfortable winner of the opening race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Tuscan Romance (5/4), who finished ahead of Miss World when second to Dark Winter three weeks ago, was all the rage but proved no match for Greg Ennion’s runner over the last 200m and Miss World, yet another winner for exciting freshman sire One World, drew clear to win full of running.

The Abdicator (7/10) was given a confident ride by Richard Fourie in the second race, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m, and the imported son of No Nay Never came through to score fluently over the dead-heaters Southern Skies and Piroshka. This was The Abdicator’s third victory since being gelded and now that he has learnt to settle, the Brett Crawford charge could make his presence felt in better company.

Bipot and Place Accumulator punters were dealt a serious blow in the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1100m. Ellorix (1/1) and Hanging Rock (3/1) were backed to the exclusion of the field but could only finish fourth and fifth in a moderate line-up. JP van der Merwe produced First Masterpiece (16/1) with a late flourish from off the pace to win by nearly two lengths with Listentotheocean (20/1) and Spirit Guide (20/1) completing the Trifecta.

Plum Pudding (17/10) was the popular choice in the first leg of the Pick 6 and the daughter of Silvano duly obliged to give Corne Orffer his second winner on the afternoon. Plum Pudding sat midfield in the early stages, but she made rapid headway in the straight to win with some authority. Saint Brigid continues to hold her form nicely and plugged on for second with Green Isle staying on to finish in third spot.

The money came for Apache Chief in the fifth race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, but it was his lesser fancied stable companion Voorlopertjie, fitted with blinkers for the first time, who came up trumps at a big price. Voorlopertjie (25/1) turned for home towards the rear of a strung-out field but the Hollywood-owned son of Vercingetorix stormed home to beat Daimyo by a widening three length margin.

The sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1800m, was won in good style by the well-backed tote favourite Allez Moris to give the team of Brett Crawford, Richard Fourie and owner Makund Gujadhur a double for the day following The Abdicator’s success earlier on. This was only Allez Moris’ second career victory, but the son of Dynasty seems to be a late-maturer and could yet be worth following. Katsu, Gimme More Time and Time For Love rounded out the Quartet but were well beaten at the line.

Fourie rounded off a treble at Kenilworth on Saturday with a top-drawer performance in the saddle on the bang-in-form Aspect to hold out the consistent Oliver in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m. Aspect led throughout to complete a hattrick of wins and his career has certainly turned around since undergoing a successful hobday operation.

The last two races on the programme went the way of the tote favourites San Pedro and Nordic Quest. San Pedro kept going under a fine ride by Louis Mxothwa to win the eighth race, giving trainer Vaughan Marshall a quick race to race double. Solomons Seal flew up late to get within a neck of San Pedro and his winning turn cannot be too far away. Nordic Quest looked the part in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, and she made light of 61,5kgs to score in dominant fashion, surging clear of Girl Like Us to win by nearly two lengths.

Lyle Hewitson’s second meeting back from suspension saw him winning the first two races at Sha Tin’s big Hong Kong Derby meeting (Picture: HKJC)

Lyle Hewitson rode a double at Sunday’s big Hong Kong Derby meeting and it took him to sole sixth place on the jockeys log with 26 wins.

He won the first two races at the meeting and later had two seconds.

It gave him second place in the day’s Jockeys’ Challenge behind treble-scoring Zac Purton.

Last season he finished with 50 winners and fifth place and most of his wins came in the second half of the season, so he will be hoping for a repeat in order to challenge his personal best.

Hewitson was recently in South Africa for some quality family time, which included a relative’s wedding, and that was the upside of a suspension he had been given by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

His first meeting back from the suspension was at Happy Valley last Wednesday, which allowed him to get rid of any rustiness which would have set in ahead of Sunday’s important meeting.

It must have done the trick.

His day on Sunday started with a ride on the Francis Lui-trained first timer Divano, an Australian-bred three-year-old gelding by Brave Smash. The gelding was not only 20/1 in the betting, but had to jump from a wide draw of 12 out of 14 in the class 4 event over 1200m.

Divano did not get the best of breaks, but showed exceptional natural speed, which allowed Hewitson to get him across with relative ease into the lead. Divano relaxed well in front and found extra in the straight to win by a cosy 1,25 lengths, with 6/1 shot Happy For All second and the hard-knocking odds-on favourite Geneva beaten 1,75 lengths into third.

Divano looks promising and should go on to win more races.

In the second race Hewitson was aboard the hard-knocking Francis Lui-trained New Zealand-bred four-year-old Astern gelding Second To None.

He had won second time out over 1200m and followed with a third and a fourth over 1200m and 1400m respectively.

He jumped at odds of 9/2 on Sunday in the class 4 event over 1400m.

Hewitson was happy to let the pacey sorts go from pole position and sat relaxed on the rail in third place.

He managed to close in on the leader around the turn and was still full of running coming into the straight, but faced a problem, especially with that suspension still fresh in his memory.

How was he going to find a gap between the pacemaker, Affirm, and the horse on the pacemaker’s quarters, War Of Courage?

Luckily, the pacemaker shifted in slightly at the same time as the other horse shifted outward which entitled him to go for the gap.

The gap then started closing, but he squeezed through and the horse used lengthy strides to beat Affirm by a neck.

The stipes report said later, “Approaching the 200 Metres SECOND TO NONE was shifted out to improve between AFFIRM and WAR OF COURAGE. When both AFFIRM and WAR OF COURAGE shifted ground slightly, SECOND TO NONE had some difficulty obtaining clear running for a short distance thereafter and brushed WAR OF COURAGE.”

Hewitson finished second in the third race aboard the Mark Newnham-trained Full Credit.

He was unplaced in the next, but then had an important ride on the Francis Lui-trained Call Me Glorious (No Nay Never).

This horse had won in highly promising fashion on debut and the question was whether he could become the big horse Hewitson has always lacked in Hong Kong.

He ended up finishing second on Sunday in the class 3 over 1200m, but the winner Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) has won three times and finished close seconds twice in just five starts and looks to be classy. The pair were clear of the rest, so Call Me Glorious could possibly still go on to big things.

In the Derby, which is Hong Kong’s most prestigious race, Hewitson was aboard a rank outsider in the Francis Lui-trained Speed Dragon and he wasn’t disgraced in seventh, beaten 4,50 lengths.

The race was won by the Dennis Yip-trained Massive Sovereign, who was ridden by Purton.

Hewitson had three more rides for a fourth and two unplaced finishes.

Another South African Jockeys Academy graduate, Karis Teetan, also rode a double on the day and finished third in the day’s jockeys challenge.

Le Legionnaire has been tipped to win the fifth race  (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Tuesday’s card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is a typical midweek card, the kind that will remunerate well any bettor who can get it right.

But there do look to be two interesting early races that could reap rewards and get the juices flowing for the rest of the day.

Candice Bass-Robinson sends out Tanneron in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1000m, and this daughter of Var stands out as the best bet on the card if she can repeat her debut run.

On that occasion she was touched off at the finish by exciting Sahara Cat who had run two previous races and easily won the second of those.

That saw Tanneron make her debut against some decent winners, and it comes as no surprise she was allowed to go off at 16-1. She was always in contention in that race over the same course and distance and went down by the narrowest of margins.

She can only improve from that initial performance and unless there is a really classy first-timer in the line-up, Tanneron will be hard to beat.

Morne Winnaar rode Tanneron on debut, but Aldo Domeyer takes over the reins for this event.

Race 2, an Open Maiden over 1400m, appears to be a battle between Justin Snaith-trained Moonacres and Brett Crawford’s Aladdin’s Lamp.

The two met in their last start when they were beaten by Kaapse Klopse over 1200m. In that event, Moonacres went off at 3-1 and finished third, beaten 1.75 lengths.

Aladdin’s Lamp, who was only having his second start, ran fifth, 1.15 lengths behind Moonacres. However, this time he is 3kg better off with Snaith’s charge and they are going 1400m.

In addition, Aladdin’s Lamp produced the fastest final 400m and was closing in quickly. The Master Of My Fate gelding will relish the additional 200m and he is fully expected to reverse the placings.

Richard Fourie, who has ridden Moonacres in his last two starts, is not riding at the meeting and Domeyer will be aboard Snaith’s charge.

Louie Mxothwa will ride Aladdin’s Lamp.

The draws should not be an issue as the pair are placed alongside one another, Moonacres in barrier No 3 and Aladdin’s Lamp in No 4.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Tanneron, 10 Duchess Of Paloma, 2 Be Merry, 4 Artiste

Race 2: 4 Aladdin’s Lamp, 3 Moonacres, 8 Tom’s Diner, 6 Red Rackham

Race 3: 9 Explosive Speed, 8 Maneki Neko, 6 Connery, 5 Lead To Glory

Race 4: 9 Philosophise, 7 Enchanting Choice, 4 Hampstead Heath, 3 Red Moon Rising

Race 5: 4 Le Legionnaire, 7 Dream Searcher, 3 Majestic Warrior, 2 Aberdeen

Race 6: 6 Luce Verde, 10 Twice The Master, 1 Fly Futura, 3 Summer Night City

Race 7: 1 Veronique, 7 Grandiosa, 9 Fly To Rio, 5 Cloud Chaser

Race 8: 9 Boogiefied, 3 Kelp Forest, 5 Night Tiger, 6 Winter Pearl

BEST BET

Race 1 No 6 Tanneron

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 9 Boogiefied

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 3×4

BIPOT

R108

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 3, 4

Leg 3: 6, 8, 9

Leg 4: 7, 9

Leg 5: 3, 4, 7

Leg 6: 1, 6, 10

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 8, 9

Leg 3: 7, 9

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 6, 10

Leg 6: 1, 7, 9

Leg 7: 3, 5, 9

PICK 6

R1536

Leg 1: 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 10

Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 9

Leg 6: 3, 5, 6, 9

JACKPOT 1

R128

Leg 1: 7, 9

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 10

Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R256

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 10

Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 9

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 9

Prince Floriumund was the last horse to have competed overseas before the subject horse’s run. (Picture: Sporting Post) 

Which horse broke a gap of  over a decade between South African horses competing overseas when running in an international race in April 1997?

The Alec Laird-trained London News (Bush Telegraph) was the first South African horse since Prince Florimund more than a decade earlier to compete overseas when winning the Gr 1 QE II Cup in Hong Kong on April 14 1997. Prince Florimund, who won twice in the USA and finished second to the great John Henry in the American Handicap in 1983, made his USA debut in June 1983.