Picture: The Sean Tarry-trained Nebraas (Vercingetorix) defends his Gold Cup crown on Saturday (Candiese Lenferna).

What The Gold Cup Trainers Are Saying

Gold Circle

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Saturday 30 July 2022

Trainer Comments

Nebraas: “He’s had a lovely preparation. He stays well. He can carry the weight“, Sean Tarry.

Aragosta: “The conditions don’t really suit him because of the condensed manner of the weights. He looks like he’s an improver“, Mike de Kock.

Black Thorn: “If you look at the weights, he’s got it all to do, but he’s not far off him (Nebraas). He seems to be doing very well here (KZN)“, Sean Tarry.

Shangani: “He’s in a very good space at the moment. This has been his mission from day dot. “, Paul Peter.

Shango: “He really does run well at Greyville. He definitely, definitely has a shout here“, Sean Tarry.

Salvator Mundi: “We could be an outside chance in this race and need a lot of luck to go our way“, Justin Snaith.

Crimson King: “We’ve got him sound, we’ve got him happy. It’s not easy to win these big races when you have interrupted preps“, Glen Kotzen.

Chollima: “When we worked him hard on Thursday, Robert Khathi said that he’s working too well for a horse that’s going to stay“, Glen Kotzen.

Rex Union: “I know he stays and stays very, very well. Strictly on handicapping it’s not going to be that easy“, Dean Kannemeyer.

Decorated: “He’s a horse who keeps improving and his work is very good and he’s got much stronger“, Frank Robinson.

Smoking Hot: “She’s shown that she can be competitive at this level and there’s no doubt of her staying ability. Just hoping she can get out from draw 1 and be handy-ish this time round“, Candice Dawson.

Imperial Ruby: “Definitely include him in the exotics if you’re going wider than Nebraas and we will definitely give it our best“, Corne Spies.

Out Of Your League: “If everything goes well, he should also finish in the first 4“, Fabian Habib.

Chewbaca: “The conditions of the race are going to suit the better ones in the race. Obviously, we’re boxing on for 3rd or 4th on paper“, Byron Foster.

Spring Fling: “He is in the right place for the race, it’s whether or not he sees out the distance“, Glen Kotzen.

Picture: Jet Dark is out to retain his HKJC World Pool Champions Cup crown (Candiese Lenferna).

What The Champions Cup Trainers Are Saying

Gold Circle

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MICHELE WING’S PREVIEW SHOW FOR THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB World Pool CHAMPIONS CUP Gr1

Saturday 30 July 2022

Trainers Comments

Jet Dark: “He’s come out of the Hollywoodbets Durban July extremely well and I think he could run a big race here“, Justin Snaith.

Kommetdieding: “He came out of the July exceptionally well. We were confident that he would run a great race, but you know, at the end of the day, you can’t not look at those factors of the weight he had to carry. We’re looking forward to Saturday’s race“, Michelle Rix.

Linebacker: “It was a very, very rough race (HDJ) and I could count 3 times that he was interfered with. He has thrived since the July and we are just very hopeful that there’s going to be a decent pace in the race“, Vaughan Marshall.

Al Muthana: “I think the mile is his best distance. 1800 should suit him. It shouldn’t be a problem. You know, he’s well. I think he’s going to give a very good account of himself“, Mike de Kock.

MK’s Pride: “He should have an outside chance. 1800 at Greyville should be right up his alley. He could be drawn a little bit better“, Paul Peter.

Astrix: “I think it was an excellent run (HDJ). He was drawn badly. He raced wide and to just finish just over 5 lengths off them, I think it says a lot for him. He loves Greyville“, Paul Peter.

Russian Rock: “He’s bred to go 2000m. He’s doing exceptionally well and he’s drawn 1. I just hope they go a nice galloping pace and get a bit of cover“, Dean Kannemeyer.

Firealley: Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap winner over 1800m in December 2021. He’s had 2 grade 3 outings in KZN, finishing 6 lengths off the winner each time, Racing News Social TV.

Crown Towers: “Crown Towers found the 2-2 last time a little bit on the far side. Might have a small place chance“, Justin Snaith.

Picture: Anthony Andrews and Patrick Merven, and delighted connections, after completing the four-timer with Trip To The Sky (Trippi) (Patrick Merven Stable Fans Page (Facebook)).

Anthony Andrews Only Just Fails To Enter Mauritius Hall Of Fame

Anthony Andrews rode four winners for the Patrick Merven stable at Champ De Mars in Mauritius on Saturday.

Jockeys who rode five winners in a day in Mauritius are automatically inducted into the island’s Hall Of Fame.

Andrews had a chance of joining the elite circle of jockeys who have done so, one of them being South African Derreck David.

However, in the eighth and last race of the day his 11/4 chance, the Merven-trained Viking Trail (Pathfork) could only manage 6th, although he was beaten only 1,60 lengths.

The run began with the favourite Betathantherest (Pomodoro) in the second race and he showed a fine turn of foot to convert 5/4 odds by a comfortable 2,60 lengths.

Imperial Rage (Judpot) was backed in from 12/1 to 6/1 to win the next over 1850m and did so by 1,60 lengths. He found a good position in the running and stayed on well.

Andrews and Merven then made it a quick treble when Secret Circle (Querari) Secret Circle converted 7/10 favouritism by a comfortable 2,50 lengths over 1600m in the fourth race.

Andrews and Merven made it a four-timer in the seventh race with Trip To The Sky (Trippi), who won by a length over 1365m at 3/1 odds.

It was the best day of Andrews’ career and what made it extra special was his parents, Terry and Annabel Andrews of Sorrento Stud in the Western Cape, were there to watch it.

Andrews is on top of the Mauritius jockeys log at present with 8 winners for the season achieved at a strike rate of 30%. He shares the lead with Brazillian Jose De Souza.

Merven has already had 12 winners this season.

Picture: Baaeed, cosy winner of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes

Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Brilliant Baaeed Extends Unbeaten Run To Nine

Haggas and Crowley Looking Forward To step up in trip

Baaeed: cosy winner of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes

By Lewis Porteous

Wednesday: Sussex Stakes, Goodwood

Baaeed, currently the highest-rated horse on the planet, took his unbeaten record to nine with a comfortable victory in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes.

Registering his fifth Group 1 win in succession, Baaeed was perhaps not as explosive as he has been but he never looked likely to come unstuck as the 1-6 favourite, hitting the line strongly to defeat Modern Games in second, with last year’s winner Alcohol Free in third.

On what was likely to be his last start at a mile, Baaeed was anchored towards the rear under Jim Crowley as Japanese raider Bathrat Leon set a strong early pace, before moving through stylishly from the two-furlong maker and quickening clear of his rivals close home.

Next stop for Baaeed appears to be York and the Juddmonte International on August 17, a race that will see him stepping up to 1m2½f for the first time, with Paddy Power keeping his price unchanged at 4-7 for the Group 1 contest.

“He just does what he has to like his sire [Sea The Stars] did,” said Crowley. “Just before the winning line he flicked his ears and completely shut down with me. It’s a pleasure to be part of the journey.

“He’s never going to be exuberant and win by ten lengths but the feeling I got from him between the three and the two [furlongs], no horse can give you that sort of feel. He’s got everything. Good horses like that tick all the boxes.

“It will be really interesting when he goes a mile and a quarter next time and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Winning trainer William Haggas pointed firmly to York and the International next, with a trip to Ascot on British Champions Day beyond that likely to be the last start of Baaeed’s exceptional career.

Haggas said: “He’s got speed and he’s got class and I’m really looking forward to it [stepping up in trip], and I think he’ll enjoy it. We’ve got him for two more races so let’s make the most of him and enjoy him, because he’s very likely to go to stud at the end of this year. That will be it and then I’ll spend the rest of my training career trying to find the next one.”

Modern Games, winner of the French 2,000 Guineas and placed in the French Derby already this season, finished a length and three-quarters behind Baaeed in second, with rider William Buick delighted with his effort.

Buick said: “That was a great run. We were racing for second and that’s where he finished. It was nice for him to come back to that form. The winner is an exceptional horse.”

Andrew Balding, trainer of third-place Alcohol Free, added: “She’s run a marvellous race and stayed on right the way to the line. She’s really developed into a fantastic-looking racemare and we’re thrilled with her. We’ve entered her in everything from six furlongs to a mile and all things are possible.”

Picture: This Vercingetorix colt was born at Drakenstein Stud on Sunday evening. (Drakenstein Stud).

First Foal Of The Season Is A Vercingetorix

Drakenstein Stud have already welcomed their first foal of the season, a Vercingetorix colt out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Song Of Happiness, born nine days early on Sunday evening.

Mother And Daughter Have Been Doing Well (Drakenstein Stud).

Song Of Happiness is out of the Grade 1 cape Fillies Guineas winner Captain’s Lover (Captain Al).

She herself won one race over 1700m and to date has had three runners and two winners, the once winner Orange Bowl (Duke Of Marmalade) and the promising twice winner I Want It All (Silvano).

Picture: 2007 Durban July winner Hunting Tower still going strong at 19. (Mauritzfontein Stud).

July Winner Hunting Tower Enjoying Life At Mauritzfontein

The 2007 Durban July winner and later international traveller and dual Dubai handicap winner Hunting Tower (Fort Wood) is still going strong at 19 years of age at Mauritzfontein Stud, who own and bred him.

He is a companion to the weanling fillies at Mauritzfintein Stud and loves his life.

Hunting Tower was trained by Charles Laird and was ridden to victory in the July by Anton Marcus.

Laird became the last of a famous racing dynasty to win the July.

His Uncle Syd Laird trained seven July winners and is the only trainer to have been inducted into South Africa’s Hall Of Fame.

His great Uncle Syd Garrett won five July’s two as a jockey and three as a trainer.

Charles’ great Uncle Alec Laird rode one July winner, Nobleman in 1911, who is the only two-year-old to ever win the big race.

Charles’ cousin Dennis Drier has trained one July winner.

His cousin Alec Laird, Syd’s son, has also trained one July winner.

That is 16 July winners for the extended Laird family in all.

Entry Form For CTS Ready To Run
& Unbroken Two Year Old Sale 2022

29 October 2022

Entry Form Closing Date 30 July 2022

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM: CTS RTR SALE 2022.pdf

The CTS RTR SALE 2022 will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse.

Please complete the above form IN FULL and return to: entries@cthbs.com

Contact And EFT Details are listed on the Entry form.

Picture: Peter Blyth, the breeder and part-owner of Petit Verdot, congratulates the filly after she had won second time out today. (Candiese Lenferna).

Garth Puller And What A Winter Wow Scottsville Racegoers

Garth Puller won the first two races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today with progeny of What A Winter.

Winter Baron created a huge impression when winning the first race, a Juvenile Plate over 1100m, under Ant Mgudlwa. He sat behind the pace and when switched out cruised past without being asked any serious questions to win by 3,50 lengths with the rest of the small six horse field spread out like the washing. He looks to have a bright future.

Winter Baron was bred by AN Foster and is owned by Mr & Mrs J R Steadman.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE REPLAY

In the next race What A Winter’s daughter Petit Verdot sat just behind the leading line and did not look to be making much progress after being switched out. However, she found a late surge to get up and win by 0,60 length under Serino Moodley.

She was bred by Clifton Stud and is owned by Messrs T P M Blyth, G B Puller, Miss T Roussos & Mr & Mrs A M Da C Quintas.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE REPLAY

Puller has now had 48 winners this season at a strike rate of 8.14%.

However, he will not retain his KZN Trainers Championship title as Gareth van Zyl has had 60 winners in the province this season.

Puller is 2nd on 48 and Peter Muscutt is third on 47.

Today’s Question

Have any horses ever won the Gold Cup twice in succession?

Picture: Charlie Barends won the Gold Cup seven times, a record until broken by Felix Coetzee in 2012.

Turffontein Standside July 28 Fields

Today’s Question Answer

Five horses have won the Gold Cup twice:

Humidor (GB) (Galloper Light) in 1933 and 1935 (ridden by J Desfontein and R Marlin respectively).

What Next (GB) (Le Prodige) in 1940 and 1941 (ridden by F Heyman and Charlie Barends respectively).

Chez Monty (Ire) (Montrose) in 1949 and 1950 (ridden both times by Charlie Barends).

Cuff Link in 1965 and 1967 (ridden by A Taylor and Duncan Alexander respectively).

Highland Night (Badger Land) 2002 and 2003 (trained by Buddy Maroun and Dennis Drier respectively and ridden by Alec Forbes and Robbie Hill respectively).

Therefore, Nebraas will be attempting to become the sixth horse to win the Gold Cup twice and the fourth to win it two years in a row.

Picture: Robbie Hill was aboard when Highland Night won his second successive Gold Cup in 2003.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 27 July 2022