Turf Talk Newsletter – 27 November, 2024

King Of The Gauls flies home in the Listed Umngeni Handicap at the end of last season and has some big targets this season (Picture: Candiese Lenferna Photography).

King of The Gauls has his season of reckoning and the Tony Rivalland-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding is in Cape Town being readied out of Paddy Kruyer’s yard for a tilt at the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, which will be run over 1000m on WSB Met day, January 25.

King Of The Gauls  runs in the July-winning orange colurs with a blue cap of Robert Bloomberg, the same colours carried by an amazing Glen Kotzen-trained horse called Connery, who today showed that one should never give up hope on a horse as he made it five wins in a row having taken no fewer than 12 races to win his maiden.

But first the news on King Of The Gauls, who put up a good gallop at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth the other day.

His targets are the Gr 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m on December 22, the Cape Flying and the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m on February 22.

The Gr 1 Jonsson Workweaar Computaform Sprint will also be on the agenda as that race looks tailor made for him being over a very fast 1000m.

With Isivunguvungu out of the country King Of The Gauls will be one of the horses vying to become the new kid on the block.

He showed incredible gatespeed in the Listed Umngeni Handicap over 1000m on World Pool Gold Cup day to overcome draw 14  out of 14 under Gavin Lerena and won by a clear margin of 1,90 lengths.

To those who scoff at him being a Gr 1 sprinting candidate after winning a Listed Handicap, the Umngeni was in fact the same race Isivunguvungu won in his last start as a three-year-old and he did it off the identical merit rating of 103 that King Of The Gauls did it off.

By the end of the following season Isivunguvungu was a twice Gr 1-winning sprinter and at present he is mixing it with the world’s best sprinters internationally.

The secret to King Of The Gauls is he needs to be settled so he can use his fine kick on top of his excellent gatespeed and early pace.

Gavin Lerena got the best out of him in that last start and the formula for success is now known.

He will be an interesting horse to follow this season.

Bloomberg, who won the July with the Mike Bass-trained Dunford in 2005, owns King Of The Gauls in partnership with Mary Liley.

Mewnwhile, Connery, who is owned by a large number of owners in partnership with Bloomberg, raced off a 91 merit rating today in a 1000m sprint handicap on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf.

He got home by 0,80 lengths under 4kg claimer Jacey Botes.

In his 12th start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1000m back in April he snuck in by a neck to finally get out of the maidens.

He was then sent to Kotzen’s Summerveld satellite yard and made his comeback in KZN after a four month layoff.

He waltzed in  by 2,30 lengths on his KZN debut over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville off a 73 merit rating.

He then comfortably won two on the trot on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly over 1000m and 1200m respectively off 79 and 86 merit ratings before making it five-in-a-row today.

“It really is quite unbelievable!” exclaimed Bloomberg, “… and after stumbling over the line against Maneki Neko (who remains a maiden today).”

Chasing Happiness won effortlessly last time out two months ago under Piere Strydom and Gavin Lerena now takes over as Strydom is retained by the owners of White Pearl. (Picture: Racing Today)

Mrs Browning will be out to retain her crown in the Gr 3 Betway Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, a race which forms a difficult first leg of the Pick 6, but she could be denied by the progressive Chasing Happiness.

The Sean Tarry-trained Rafeef mare Mrs Browning has only had one outing this season and was beaten 6,75 lengths over the course and distance. However, she was drawn in the tough barrier one position that day and the victor of that race was the best sprinter in the country, Dyce. Furthermore, Mrs Browning is slung in at the weights on Saturday, being 3,5kg better off with the second best weighted horses, Winter Greeting and White Pearl. On top of that she has a nice high draw and has in form Gavin Lerena aboard.

However, another daughter of Rafeef could be the one to side with. The up and coming Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Chasing Happiness is improving all the time and impressed last time when winning effortlessly. She is officially 4,5kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning, but is progressive and looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement, so is a a big runner from draw ten with Aldo Domeyer up.

Mrs Browning’s stablemate Mia Moo is the favourite, but although that is a justified choice on her good form and progressive profile, winning a big field feature down the Turffontein straight course from draw two is usually tough, although there was one Summer Cup meeting where the inside draws were actually favourable, a rare occurrence.

A more interesting stablemate could be Troppo Veloce, who is drawn on the right side and on a line through Dyce is weighted to finish on top of Mrs Browning. However, the latter would surely have come on from that last run.

If Troppo Veloce is given a chance then Elegant Ice from the in form Lucky Houdalakis stable has a form chance and the latter jumps from draw 8.

White Pearl won well last time over 1400m and the last time she tried this course and distance she was second in a Gr 3 and she beat Mrs Browning by 2,35 lengths. At the weights she could repeat that dose but the problem is Mrs Browning was drawn one that day and on Saturday White Pearl has a tough low draw of three.

Winter Greeting ran a fine race in the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes over course and distance back in April and did well in her reappearance last time when finishing two lengths ahead of Mrs Browning. However, she is now 4kg worse off with the latter and has draw six to negotiate. Richard Fourie is up so Winter Greeting can’t be ignored.

CallmewhenUneedme is on the up but she is 5,5kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning and Trent Mayhew will not be able to claim his usual 2,5kg unlike last time.

The youngster Poblano has been thrown in at the deep end and is officially 10kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning but she looks to have talent and should still improve so could earn from a high draw.

East Cape raider Passchendale is in fine form, but draw one makes it tough.

One Fell Swoop has the ability but has not run for five months and has a tough low draw.

Where’s The Party is drawn on the right side, but has a tough task with Chasing Happiness, being just 2kg better off for a comfortable 5,90 length beating.

Garlandsofgreenery has ability, but has not run for over ten months.

You Bring Me Joy has some good Turffontein form, but has not run since ending last season under a bit of a cloud.

Gimmefabulous has a hard task at the weights and hasn’t run this season yet.

Tamil Tigress has a tough task at the weights.

Chasing Happiness is taken to beat Mrs Browning and those two might be able to get punters through the first leg of the Pick 6, although the risk averse will lilely want to put more than just two in.

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

The most impressive winner on the day at the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf meeting today (Wednesday) was the Michael Roberts-trained Ladyofdistinction, who is a full-sister to the crack sprint-miler Gladatorian, and she took the step up to handicap company in her stride.

The conditions were never going to be in favour of any lightly raced runner with potential but the daughter of Vercingetorix handled it with aplomb as did Rachel Venniker. Scoring a double on the day, she had her mount wide almost all the way around the track before pressing hard for home. The veteran mare Radu tried gamely to make a race of it and at one stage looked to have the edge, but Venniker never went for the stick, knowing that she had plenty to come from her mount and Ladyofdistinction looks to have a bright future.

The card headliner, a MR 90 Handicap over 1000m, at a wet Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday saw the field cut down to five runners with the Glen Kotzen-trained favourite Connery hunting his fifth win in succession since his gelding.

With the starting gates moved to the outside of the track, the runners stayed off the cut-up going on the inside rail with young Jacey Botes leading a bunched five-horse field.

However, in the straight the 4kg claim came into play with Jet Legacy not able to get to terms with the favourite and going down just under a length.

It was a big jump from Kimberley and Flamingo Park for Nicholas Patel who was a right hand man to Jarred Rugg in the far reaches of the country before the track was abandoned.

Rugg’s move to KZN did not last long as a dearth of support was never going to make his yard viable and he moved on into the hospitality business.

However, as a jockey Patel was left in no-man’s land with little option in what is his home province but has found support from MJ Odendaal. Patel may not always ride the stable elect but he does get the odd bone and ‘MJ’ kept him aboard Grand Appeal in the card opener and he made the most of it.

The son of Gold Standard made short work of the favourite One Armed Bandit, the two coming away from their rivals over the subway, with Grand Appeal proving to be far the stronger.

The stable looked all set for a double in the second as Who Blinked was backed into the red, but as is often the case in racing, the best laid plans can go awry. Marco van Rensburg gave the favourite the perfect ride but debutante Slytherin gave all a surprise, including Alyson Wright. A late starter, according to Wright, Slytherin had shown little at work and was pegged as a 1800m plus contender. But he could well prove to be a hidden talent. It was not the strongest of maidens but good stayers can sprint so Slytherin could be chasing the ‘Golden Snitch’.

A torrential downpour and lightning delayed the start to the third, a maiden sprint, and Venniker rode the prefect race on Roberts-trained favourite Amafort, sitting midfield and then picking her way through the traffic. Sonata Samaritan and Jeanne Darc put in determined challenges but the shortest way home proved to be the right way home.

It was a double for Alyson Wright as Serino Moodley took no prisoners in the fourth. Taking advantage of the starting gates being position wide off the rail. He took Rhythm to the front and was not for the catching.

It may not all have gone according to plan for the Odendaal stable with Who Blinked getting rolled but they did manage a double on the day as Johnny The Thief went back-to-back in the seventh. Marco van Rensburg always looked to be travelling well as Woodland Glade made the running and although the pair drifted onto the inside rail under pressure, ‘Johnny’ always had the measure of his rival.

Paul Lafferty’s charge Mr Fixit made short work of the opposition in the last as he cruised home under Calvin Habib.

Vincent Ho celebrates after landing his 600th Hong Kong winner (Picture: HKJC).

By Leo Schlink (HKJC)

Preparing to partner Galaxy Patch in next week’s HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Vincent Ho became only the 11th jockey to ride 600 winners or more in Hong Kong with victory on Healthy Healthy in the Class 3 Loch Lomond Handicap (1000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (27 November).

Ho joins a select group of elite riders to reach the milestone – Douglas Whyte (1,813), Zac Purton (1,783), Joao Moreira (1,235), Tony Cruz (946), Brett Prebble (806), Karis Teetan (704), Gary Moore (694), Basil Marcus (671), Gerald Mosse (659) and Felix Coetzee (652).

“It’s a lot of hard work and I need to thank everyone for all their support for all these years,” Ho, 34, said. “Everyone has been patient and I’m grateful for that. So, I’ll keep on working and trying to keep improving.

“It’s great. Hopefully, there’s more to come. I’ll keep on doing my best and keep improving.”

Trained by Pierre Ng, Healthy Happy provided a fitting dimension to Ho’s landmark. Ho’s first winner in Hong Kong – Decent Fellow on May 16, 2010 – was trained by Ng’s father, Peter.

With 13 Group 1 victories, 10 courtesy of retired champion Golden Sixty, Ho is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School’s most illustrious graduates, having been Hong Kong Champion Apprentice in 2010/11, four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as best homegrown jockey in 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23 and, famously, the first Hong Kong-born jockey to land the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship in 2023.

Erasing the frustration of a string of minor placings this season, Andrea Atzeni limbered up for next week’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) with a double at the city circuit.

The Italian scored on Plentiful in the Class 5 Cramond Island Handicap (1000m) for Ng and Frankie Lor’s Beauty Destiny in the third section of the Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (1200m) to boost his tally of wins to 11, partially off-setting the 17 seconds and 13 third placings he has posted this campaign.

Atzeni has rides in all four of LONGINES HKIR features on 8 December – Lucky With You in the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Taj Dragon in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, Nimble Nimbus in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Ka Ying Generation in the HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

“They’re all outsiders but they can run and you never know – it would be nice to win one of those races,” Atzeni said before praising Beauty Destiny. “He’s always showed in his trials and his previous wins as well that he’s above average and we changed tactics and it seems to be working – he was impressive tonight,” Atzeni said.

Chasing Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 wins, Purton edged closer to the towering target by partnering Whyte-trained Me Time to victory in the Class 5 Bridge Of Weir Handicap (1800m).

A son of Cracksman, Me Time dropped in grade after nine runs in Class 4 and scored comfortably, drawing praise from Whyte.

“It is very well deserved, it’s been frustrating – he’s been a victim of circumstances but dropping down in grade and with the advantage of having Zac Purton on him with a good draw (barrier three), it worked out perfectly and Zac gave him a beautiful ride,” Whyte said.

Purton slotted a double after piloting Manfred Man-trained Turin Warrior to victory in the Class 4 Raeburn Place Handicap (1650m) before Mark Newnham and Luke Ferraris combined for the seventh time this season with Fatal Blow in the Class 4 St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap (1200m).

Watched by his father and former Hong Kong-based trainer David, Ferraris rode a positive race on the Russian Revolution gelding, who was having only his second start.

“He’s shown ability, he’s lovely, genuine horse,” Ferraris said. “He’s a dream to ride. He switches off and picks it up when you need him to and he’s gutsy. So, he’s got all the sorts of markings you need to have in a horse and Mark had him in superb condition today, so well done to him and his team.”

Hugh Bowman ended a 46-ride losing streak with Jamie Richards-trained Gallant Valour’s triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (1400m) and then finished the meeting in style with a cliffhanger win on Caspar Fownes-trained Rocket Spade in the Class 3 Inverness Handicap (1800m).

“I had a few meetings, no placings but the last few meetings I’ve been around the money without a winner,” Bowman said. “I’ve been around long enough to know that the wheel keeps turning but it’s certainly nice to get back on the board.”

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 December).

Executrix will relish the step down in trip in the seventh race. (JC Photos) 

Formguides for The Vaal Thursday

R1     1 PRETTY PRECIOUS made a fair Highveld debut after having good form in the strong centre of Cape Town and she will enjoy the step up to 1200m. 7 INTRO has some fair form and is distance suited. 3 DRAGON DRAGON could earn in this line up if producing her best. 6 CYBER SPIRIT has shown enough to be able to earn here too. (1-7-3-6)

R2     7 JOOST DROOCHSLOOT made a fine debut over 1450m and will enjoy the step up in trip. 3 DYLAN’S CHAMP is on the up and after going close over 1700m last time will enjoy this trip. 4 GIFT OF ROYAL could earn if repeating his last start. 1 GAMER has the ability to earn if things go his way. (7-3-4-1)

R3     6 KADIZORA is knocking on the door and is distance suited. 4 ROSY LEMON is an honest sort who will enjoy the slight step down in trip. 3 AVOONTOAST should be right there from pole position over a suitable trip. 2 RANI OF KITTUR has run well in two starts since being stepped up to middle distances but has not run since July. (6-4-3-2)

R4     3 MARY READ went close over this trip last time and is now drawn in pole. 2 ANNEWITHAN E has done well up to 2000m before and can be thereabouts although she does have to overcome a seven point raise for her win last time. 1 LAST CAR TO PASS has run well in both starts and should relish the step up in trip. 5 LINGANOMORE has the form to earn over a suitable trip but does have a wide draw. (3-2-1-5)

R5     5 COUNT INVICTO has won well in both starts and should relish the step up in trip and could possibly handle a 95 merit rating. 6 CONFEDERATE is knocking on the door and will enjoy this trip with Piere Strydom up being a bonus. 8 PRESSONREGARDLESS is in fine form and enjoyed cheepieces being fitted last time so he can go close over a suitable trip. 10 SUTHERLAND should get closer than 2,75 lengths to Pressonregardless based on their last meeting and a 1kg weight swing. (5-6-8-10)

R6     7 BEADED GOWN just failed over this trip last time and should be right there under the same rider. 8 TWICE AS WILD should enjoy the step down in trip and has a chance. 9 SMELTING won when this 4kg claimer was last up so she could be in the shake up despite officially being 0,5kg under sufferance. 1 ONE PARTY went close the last time she ran over 1000m and Lerena is up. (7-8-9-1)

R7     8 EXECUTRIX will relish the step down in trip and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. 1 NETTLETON is in fine form and goes for the hattrick over a suitable trip albeit off a five point higher mark. 9 LADY OF MEMPHIS ran well first time out the maidens over 1200m and might enjoy the step back to her winning trip. 2 MIST IN SCOTLAND is capable of blitzing a field but is not in the best form. (8-1-9-2)

R8     1 REMAINS OF THE DAY disappointed last time but with this 4kg claimer up over an ideal 1000m he could go close. 9 DANCING DORA is in hardknocking form and is capable over this 1000m trip. 11 PERINI PALACE is usually thereabouts and with a 4kg claimer up could have a say. 2 COMMANDER OF ALL is knocking hard and his only win was over this trip. (1-9-11-2)

The Hollywood Syndicate-owned Il Etait Temps was among a plethora of scratchings by Willie Mullins from the iconic King George Chase. (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA))

Jonathan Harding (Racing Post)

Ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior, an impressive winner of last season’s Arkle, did not feature among 16 acceptors on Tuesday for next month’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The six-year-old, who would have been stepping up to three miles for the first time over fences on Boxing Day, was a general 11-4 chance to provide Willie Mullins with his third King George.

The trainer will not be represented in the race after scratching all eight of his entries, including dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and Il Etait Temps, a three-time Grade 1 winner last season.

In the absence of Gaelic Warrior, owner Rich Ricci could still be represented by Royale Pagaille, who denied Grey Dawning in Saturday’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock for Venetia Williams.

Ricci’s racing manager Joe Chambers said: “Gaelic Warrior won’t be seen until Christmas and Willie would rather his first run was over shorter and probably at home, as opposed to over a longer distance and travelling.”

Following the acceptance stage, sponsors Ladbrokes make the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen, one of two potential contenders for Henry de Bromhead alongside Jungle Boogie, joint 4-1 favourites.

“Today’s news has led to a huge shake-up ahead of this year’s King George,” said Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati. “Gaelic Warrior’s absence means Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen head the betting at the entry stage, with punters leaning towards the latter as things stand.”

Last year’s winner Hewick and runner-up Bravemansgame remain in contention, while the British challenge could be boosted by L’Homme Presse, last seen finishing fourth in the Gold Cup for Williams. Grey Dawning and Protektorat also featured among the acceptors for the home team alongside Ahoy Senor, Ga Law and Ginny’s Destiny.

Gordon Elliott could bid for a first success with Found A Fifty, winner of the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last season, while Joseph O’Brien has left the option open for Banbridge, winner of the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase over a shorter trip on his sole start at Kempton in January.

The race remains an option for Il Est Francais, who headed the ante-post market before being shunted out to as big as 16-1 after being pulled up at Auteuil last time. Trainers Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm could also be represented by General En Chef, who will line up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

A total of 56 entries were made for next month’s Coral Welsh Grand National on Tuesday and they included three returning winners in Nassalam, The Two Amigos and Iwilldoit. The Dan Skelton-trained Galia Des Liteaux is the 10-1 favourite with the sponsors ahead of Mr Vango and Trelawne, available at 12-1, while Monbeg Genius and Yeah Man are next in the market at 14-1.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase ante-post betting

Ladbrokes: 4 Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen, 7 L’Homme Presse, 8 Hewick, Il Est Francais, 10 Grey Dawning, 12 Banbridge, Royale Pagaille, 14 Bravemansgame, 16 Found a Fifty, Protektorat, 25 Jungle Boogie, 33 Ahoy Senor, 40 General En Chef, Ginny’s Destiny, 50 Ga Law

King George VI Chase acceptors
Ahoy Senor Lucinda Russell
Banbridge Joseph O’Brien
Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls
Corbetts Cross Emmet Mullins
Envoi Allen Henry de Bromhead
Found A Fifty Gordon Elliott
Ga Law Jamie Snowden
General En Chef Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Ginny’s Destiny Paul Nicholls
Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
Hewick Shark Hanlon
Il Est Francais Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Jungle Boogie Henry de Bromhead
L’Homme Presse Venetia Williams
Protektorat Dan Skelton
Royale Pagaille Venetia Williams

Scratched (all trained by Willie Mullins)

Blue Lord
Capodanno
Il Etait Temps
Ferny Hollow
Gaelic Warrior
Galopin Des Champs
Grangeclare West
Minella Cocooner

The picture above gives a clue to the answer.

Who was so angry when he saw the horse the Australian trainer had bought for him from New Zealand that he immediately changed his mind about the purchase and this led to a compromise being reached in which the horse would be leased to the trainer for a period of three years, with the trainer covering all costs and the owner getting one third of the colt’s earnings, assuming he could even run.